We re Talking Solar! April 24, 2018 TEK Park Mid-Atlantic Renewable Energy Association.

Transcription

1 We re Talking Solar! April 24, 2018 TEK Park Mid-Atlantic Renewable Energy Association 1

2 Introductions Mid-Atlantic Renewable Energy Association (MAREA) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, dedicated to educating and engaging the public and advocating for renewable energy production, energy efficiency and sustainable living. Vera Cole vera@themarea.org Bill Hennessy billh@themarea.org Audience Pleased to meet you! 2

3 Happy Birthday Solar Cell! April 25, 1954 Bell Labs demonstrated the first solar cell capable of converting enough sunlight into electricity to generate useful amounts of power. 3 cleantechnica.com

4 4 Photovoltaics (PV) = Solar Electric

5 Grid-Tied Solar Electric Solar Modules Grid- Tie Inverter (DC to AC) Electrical Panel Bi-directional Utility Meter 5

6 LED Example POWER Watts ENERGY Watt-hours (Wh) Installed 6 Watt bulb 18 Watt bulb On for two hours 12 Watt-hours 36 Watt-hours Electricity is ENERGY, measured in Wh or kwh (k = 1,000) 6

7 3.6 kw PV System, Allentown, PA Typical July Typical November kwh kwh Night time 0 kwh kwh estimates from PV Watts 7

8 Size and Electricity Generation Each solar module (or panel ) = 300 W (for this example) Solar ( PV ) installation size = 12 modules * 300 W = 3,600 W = 3.6 kw How much electricity will it generate? 8 (Depends on amount of sun.)

9 Rules of Thumb for PV Sizing In Pennsylvania, an installation that is unshaded & south facing will generate roughly 1,250 kwh of electricity per year from each installed kw of PV. Each installed kw of PV requires about 50 sq ft. For example, roughly 4 kw system ~200 sq ft ~5,000 kwh/yr 10 kw system ~500 sq ft ~12,500 kwh/yr 12 kw system ~600 sq ft ~15,000 kwh/yr How much electricity do you use per year? (On your utility bill.) 9

10 Why is solar-generated electricity important? Total U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Environmental Protection Agency

11 Urgent need to reduce emissions NASA Last year, earth s average temperature was 1.6 o F higher than the average between 1951 and (NASA) To avoid unpredictable catastrophic climate conditions, need to reduce emissions to zero within 80 years. (IPCC) 11

12 EPA Power Profiler Each kw of PV installed in Pennsylvania avoids roughly 14 tons of CO2 emissions from grid electricity generation 12

13 Site Considerations for PV System Area of sufficient size (about 50 ft 2 per kw of PV) Ideally, unshaded (9 am 3 pm) Ideally, south facing Angle (roof pitch) is not too important Access to electrical service (main breaker panel) Ideally, internet connection for inverter 13

14 Easy way to find South South Use Google Earth (free download) 14

15 15 Roof mounted often simplest, least expensive

16 16 PV System on shed roof

17 17 PV System, street facing

18 18 PV System with solar tube lights

19 19 PV System and solar hot water

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21 21 Ground Mount, single pole

22 22 Ground mount, single row of poles

23 23 Ground mount, multi-pole

24 24 Pole mount, car shelter

25 25 Ground mount, multi-pole with ground screws

26 26 Ground Screw, footing alternative

27 PV Game Changers in Recent Years Much, much lower module prices Easier to cost justify, sites can be less perfect Increased solar module energy densities More electricity generation from same PV area (300W solar modules common now) Performance management for groups of modules ( strings ) and individual modules, rather than PV system as a whole More shade tolerance Solar modules don t need to match Solar modules can be in different planes, with different orientation Existing PV systems more easily expanded So, less than ideal sites may now make sense! 27

28 Soft Costs PLI, Land Acquisition, Sales Tax, Overhead and Net Profit per Watt Soft Costs Install Labor Hardware BOS Structural and Electrical Components Inverter Modules U.S. Solar Photovoltaic System Cost Benchmark: Q (NREL)

29 About Inverters Three Main Functions Change the DC electricity (coming from solar) to AC electricity (to be same as electricity from utility company) Shut down PV system in case of grid outage (safety requirement) Maximize PV performance (make real time adjustments to generate as much power as possible) Technology Options string (central) microinverters DC optimizers w simplified inverter 29

30 Roof mount, with multiple planes and here 30

31 31 Microinverters or DC Optimizers one per solar module

32 32 Microinverters on Pole Install

33 Expansion Operation Location Description String ("central") inverter One inverter to support many modules. Performance is managed for groups of modules ("string") or entire array. Inverter is installed in protected area (eg garage, basement). Solar modules must be closely matched, with same solar exposure and little or no shading. Any shading will affect performance of entire group. Generally not suited for adding more modules later. Microinverter Individual inverter is connected to each solar module, or factory installed (AC module). Performance is managed for each solar module independently. Inverters are installed with modules (more exposed to elements). Solar modules don t have to match or be in same plane or direction. Shading in one part of array, does not affect other areas. Can expand system, with few limitations. DC Power Optimizer & Simplified Inverter Individual DC Optimizer is connected to each solar module, or factory installed. Performance is managed for each solar module independently. Separate simplified inverter does DC-to-AC conversion for group of DC Optimizers. DC Optimizers are installed with modules (more exposed to elements). Simplified inverter located in more protected area. Solar modules don t have to match or be in same plane or direction. Shading in one part of array, does not affect other areas. Can expand system, within inverter specification. Monitoring Other Optional Necessary Necessary Special feature like SMA s Secure Power Supply provides some electricity during power outages. Can make meeting electrical code requirements easier, depending on version enforced locally. Can make meeting electrical code requirements easier, depending on version enforced locally.

34 pvwatts.nrel.gov PVWatts is a web application developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) that estimates the electricity production of a grid-connected roof- or groundmounted photovoltaic system based on a few simple inputs. 34

35 35 PVWatts Results

36 2018 Sustainable Living Open House (DIY Tour) Saturday, May 5 10:00 am 3:00 pm Free & no RSVP Just Drop In! Map & Sites Descriptions or visit 36

37 Solar Costs & Benefits Easy-to-use & well-organized website lists all federal & state incentives for renewable energy & energy efficiency. Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit Pennsylvania Net Metering Pennsylvania Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards (otherwise knowns a SRECs ) 37

38 Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit Steps down 30% now and for systems placed in service by end of 2019 then, 26% for systems placed in service by end of 2020 then, 22% for systems placed in service by end of 2021 Based on full installation cost No cap on amount May be used more than once Does not have to be primary residence Is a tax credit (not a rebate), can be carried over to next year CONFIRM all details with accountant or tax professional. 38

39 Pennsylvania Net Metering PA policy for managing the flow of electricity to and from the customer. Solar electricity is first used at location where it is installed. If more electricity is needed, it comes in from grid (utility) If more solar electricity is generated than is being used at the time, the extra goes out to grid (utility) Utility company keeps track of what goes in and out; credit (in kwh) rolls over to next monthly bill at end of year (May-June), customer is paid for any remaining kwhs of credit, at price to compare (gen & trans, not dist) Generally speaking, best value comes from systems that are scaled to meet electricity needs, without abundant excess. Utilities must do this. For other generation providers, it is optional. It is recommended that those who generate electricity on-site not shop, or do so with high caution. 39

40 Pennsylvania Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards (PA AEPS) This policy sets requirements for certain % of electricity sold in PA to come from certain energy sources. The required solar % goes up each year until it reaches 0.5% in solar renewable energy credit ( SREC ) is earned for every 1,000 kwh generated from a qualified solar source. An SREC represents the extra value that comes from being generated by solar. Companies that sell electricity use SRECs to prove they have met the PA AEPS requirements for solar. Companies buy SRECs from solar generators, and pay market price based on supply and demand. In Pennsylvania, there are currently more SRECs available than the PA AEPS requires, so SREC prices are very low. Recent decision requiring that SRECs used in PA come from PV installations in PA, promises new opportunity for prices to rebound in longterm. 40

41 Initial PV System Cost EXAMPLE PV system size = 8 kw Cost (from installer) = $3.00/W Cost is for example only. Cost varies depending on site, design and components. Get quote(s) from installer to know value for your calculations. Total initial cost = system size in kw * 1,000 W/kW * cost in $/W Total initial cost = 8 kw * 1,000 W/kW * $3.00/W = $24,000 Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit 2018 = 30% of total Tax Credit = 30% * $24,000 = $7,200 Net Initial System Cost = $24,000 - $7,200 = $16,800 41

42 Lifetime PV System Cost EXAMPLE CONTINUED Life of system = 25 years (for planning purposes, likely longer) Lifetime Operation and Maintenance (O&M) of Residential PV Systems = $10/kW/year (per 2017 NREL projections) Lifetime O&M = $10/kW/yr * size kw * life-of-system yrs Lifetime O&M = $10/kW/yr * 8 kw * 25 years = $2,000 Lifetime PV Installation Cost = Initial + O&M Lifetime PV Installation Cost = $16,800 + $2,000 = $18,800 42

43 Lifetime PV System Electricity EXAMPLE CONTINUED In PA, each installed kw will generate roughly 1,250 kwh/yr (Or, use PV Watts to estimate kwh for your PV system s specific location & details) Annual electricity generation (rough estimate) = system size in kw * 1,250 kwh/yr/kw Annual electricity generation (rough estimate) = 8 kw * 1,250 kwh/yr/kw = 10,000 kwh/yr Lifetime electricity generation = annual generation* life-of-system Lifetime generation = 10,000 kwh/yr * 25 years Lifetime generation (over 25 years) = 250,000 kwh 43

44 Financial Value of PV System EXAMPLE CONTINUED Cost of electricity from PV Installation = Lifetime PV Cost / Lifetime PV Generation Cost of electricity from PV Installation = $18,800/250,000 kwh Cost of electricity from PV Installation = $/kwh Average Price of Grid Residential Electricity in PA (Jan 2018) = $/kwh 44

45 Financial Payback of PV System EXAMPLE CONTINUED Annual $ savings = generation in kwh/yr * cost of avoided grid electricity in $/kwh = 10,000 kwh/yr * $/kwh = $1,369/year Payback = Lifetime PV cost/annual savings = ($18,800) / ($1,369/yr) = ~14 years Payback assumes today s electricity prices. If electricity prices go up, payback shortens. After payback, free electricity from system continues for 10+ years. Study shows home buyers willing to pay more for homes with host-owned solar photovoltaic (PV) energy systems. In PA, about $3/W, with some depreciation as system gets older. 45 Berkeley Lab Illuminates Price Premiums for U.S. Solar Home Sales (2015)

46 Environmental Value of PV System EXAMPLE CONTINUED Lifetime emissions reductions (using EPA Power Profiler) = EPA Power Profile values x life-of-system in years = (9 lbs of nitrogen oxides/yr) * 25 = 225 lbs of NOx = (20 lbs of sulfur dioxide/yr) * 25 = 500 lbs of SO2 = (8,703 lbs of CO2/yr) * 25 yrs / (2000 lbs/ton)= 109 tons CO2 Equivalencies (from EPA Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator) = avoiding 316,903 car miles = carbon stored in 152 acre forest in one year 46

47 How to Go (or Grow) Solar Consider multiple installer quotes Check references Be sure all options are considered (inverter type, location possibilities) Understand manufacturer and installer warranties. Compare & confirm electricity production estimates (PV Watts) 47 Free Download

48 PV System Buying Options Purchase Outright (with or without financing) You enjoy clean electricity (can sell SRECs), save full value of electricity you generate Responsible for any repairs or maintenance. expect generation for decades (but will taper down slightly) Third-Party Ownership (currently not widely available for Residential systems in PA) Generally, little or no up front cost. No tax credit and no SRECs for you. Overall savings, but less than for outright purchase. Power Purchase Agreement (PPA): You allow a company to put a solar installation on your property. They own it. You agree to buy all the electricity that system generates at a pre-set price (less than utility price) Lease: You make monthly lease payments for solar installation that s on your property. Someone else owns it. The electricity that it generates is YOURS 48

49 Battery Backup By Code, PV Systems must shut off during power outages. To have PV Power during outages, must have batteries. Battery backup can be done when system is installed or added on later. Need to understand and prioritize home energy loads. Federal tax credit DOES apply. Must use energy from PV system to charge batteries. Confirm with accountant or tax professional. March 2, 2018 IRS Ruling Many factors to consider related to site, system and loads work with qualified installer TEKPark May 29 meeting: new line of batteries from Deka 49

50 Other PA Solar News to Use DOE project, Finding PA s Solar Future LV Solarizer program About Solarize programs LV program kickoff meeting, May 3, Allentown Brew Works, 5:30 7:30, RSVP to ksanders@thesef.org LV Green Drinks, May 9, Allentown Brew Works, 5:30 7:30 (no RSVP needed) Energypath 2018, theme Grid Integration DeSales University, Center Valley, PA Conference: Thursday, July 26, 2018 Energy Camps: Mon-Weds, July 23-25, 2018 Three camps: Intro to Sustainability, Wind, and Solar PV SCHOLARSHIPS available 50

51 Every hour, earth gets more energy from the sun than all people use in a whole year! 51

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53 53 Mobile health clinics in Kenya

54 Solar Electricity one Bright Idea! Just sits in the sun and makes electricity Warrantied for decades Free fuel No moving parts, no noise, no maintenance NO GENERATION EMISSIONS 54

55 Thank you! Mid-Atlantic Renewable Energy Association (MAREA) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, dedicated to educating and engaging the public and advocating for renewable energy production, energy efficiency and sustainable living. Vera Cole vera@themarea.org Bill Hennessy billh@themarea.org 55