Solar Energy 101 What You Need to Know to Go Solar Cathy Redson Sarah Raymer SolPowerPeople, Inc. October 6, 2012 The data, analysis, views, and commentary that follow have been provided by the presenter on behalf of the Texas Solar Energy Society.
Solar Energy: Power to the People Solar Radiation Solar Energy Applications Types of Solar Energy Systems Installing Solar on a Home or Business Solar Energy Economics
What if? 25 year warranty! FREE fuel! No Maintenance (o.k., keep it clean!!!) Millions of Jobs! Invented/Made in the USA! 3 year energy payback Freedom to go wherever you want, whenever you want! What would you be WILLING to pay? Image: toondraw.com
What if it was not a car, but a HOME energy system? 25 year warranty! FREE fuel! No Maintenance (o.k., keep it clean!!!) Millions of Jobs! Invented/Made in the USA! 3 year energy payback Energy Independence! What would you be WILLING to pay?
Survey Says: 8 out of 10 Americans Support Solar November, 2011 Survey by independent polling company, Kelton Research data: 80% polled (across all backgrounds and beliefs) check extremely or somewhat important or likely for: How important is it for U.S. to develop and use solar power? How important is it for U.S. to support solar manufacturing? How likely to support subsidies for solar energy at same level as current subsidies for natural gas, wind, coal and nuclear energy 2 to 1 Prefer policies that provide financial support for solar over any and all other sources of energy http://www.seia.org/cs/news_detail?pressrelease.id=1710
bestgreenenergyguide.com
What is Solar Energy? Nuclear fusion at core of sun releases PHOTONS or Light Energy Visible light particles that scatter in all direction and land on Earth s surface Provides enough energy in 1 hour to power the entire globe s energy needs for 1 year! Thermal or Heat Energy Energy transmitted as infra-red waves from a heat source (sun) to cooler object (earth) Energy or heat loss is minimal, because it travels as a light wave khadley.com chemistry.need.org
Solar Energy Technologies Photovoltaics (PV) Systems: Solar Electricity Solar Thermal Systems: Solar Hot Water Concentrating Solar Collectors Use reflective mirrors to increase sun s energy Only works in direct sunlight because solar cell faces mirrors, not sun Concentrating Solar Photovoltaic systems Concentrating Solar Thermal systems Usually utility scale boataddicts.net jcwinnie.biz
Photovoltaic Systems
Solar Thermal Systems
Solar Thermal Systems Solar Hot Water System Fastest payback of any solar technology! Residential system: $3,000 to $6,000, 1-3 yrs., compared to cost of electric hot water heating New/Replace or front-end to existing system Pool heating Radiant Heating Systems Integrated with walls/flooring
Crystalline Silicon
Thin Film
Thin Film Solyndra!!
Building Integrated PV (BIPV) Also Thin Film POWERHOUSE Solar Shingle ustile.com-solar-shingles
Residential Rooftop or Awning
Pole or Ground Mount
Typical Attachments
Metal Roof Attachments
Equipment Wall
Installation of Micro Inverter
PV System Advantages Reliable Est. 40 yr life, warranty typically 20-25 yrs No moving parts! minimal maintenance (cleaning, inspect system) No special wiring or changes to existing electrical system Locks in energy price for life of system No fuel charges, no noise, no pollution
Types of PV Systems Grid-Tied Off-Grid Direct PV water pumps, fountains Off-Grid Homes AC and other regular electrical loads Grid-Tied with Battery Back-up
Grid-Tied PV Systems Most common, least expensive Feeds loads on existing service and stores excess on the grid Utility Interactive For safety of linemen, PV system shuts down if grid is down Modular start small, grow as needed
Grid-Tied PV Diagram
Off-Grid PV systems Connection to the grid is not possible or extremely costly Generates power and then stores energy to power loads at night Many inefficiencies in storage technologies and usually requires a secondary generation source (wind or generator) to keep batteries charged during prolonged periods of cloudy weather Lifestyle changes every watt is precious!
Off-Grid PV System Diagram
Grid-Tied with Battery Back-up A.k.a. Bimodal PV system Operates as either Grid-Tied or stand-alone mode PV system serves on-site loads and sends excess power to the utility while keeping the battery fully charged Internal transfer switch in the inverter automatically disconnects from the utility and provides AC power from the battery bank
Bimodal PV Diagram
Hybrid PV System
Site Assessment Southern-facing roof (East to West o.k., NEVER North!) Minimum 6 hours per day of direct sun Condition of Roof Ground or Pole Mount systems Existing Electrical System Accessibility
Insolation = Peak Sun Hours Irradiance in w/m 2 Peak Sun Hours Peak Sun Hours means the equivalent number of hours if the intensity of the sun remained at a constant equal to the intensity at noon on most places on Earth, which = 1000 w/m 2 Sunrise Noon Sunset Time of Day
Sun Angle vs. Intensity Lower angle causes radiation to be received over larger area, reducing intensity Citation: Pidwirny, M. (2006). "Earth-Sun Relationships and Insolation". Fundamentals of Physical Geography, 2nd Edition. Date Viewed. http:// www.physicalgeography.net/fundamentals/6i.html
Planning, Designing & Managing Your Installation Installation should be done by Qualified Personnel UL Listed equipment modules, inverters, electrical equip. Look for NABCEP Certification and Licensed Electrician, get license number and check for complaints Protect your Roof Warranty!!! Just like any home improvement Check references & local installations Check for bonded & insured, workman s comp, etc. Install Crew NABCEP Certified Installer ONSITE supervising TRAINED workers with EXPERIENCE
PV Economics Payment Options Upfront payment Loan short term, home equity loan, refinance Lease or Power Purchase Agreement Typical system price ~ $4.00/watt Varies depending on complexity of installation
PV System Sizing Gather 12 months Energy Bills Look for highest, lowest, and average monthly usage in kwh Average home: 1,200 kwh/mo = 14,400 kwh/yr. PV System Sizing Formula: Monthly kwh 30 days 5.3 PSH.77 = PV System Size in kw Space Required = approx. 100 ft 2 for every 1,000 AC Watts of PV
Residential Grid-Tied Example Typical Single Family Homeowner: 3-4 member household, uses 1200 kwh Wants 50% of energy needs met by PV System Wants Made in America equipment 600 kwh AC 30 days 5.3 PSH.77 = 4,900 W DC of PV Using (2) strings of (12) Sharp 240W modules & SMA Sunny Boy 5000 Watt Inverter, at 13.7 w/ft 2 = 420 ft 2 5,760 W x.77 x 5.3 PSH x 30 days = 705 kwh AC per month
PV Incentives & Financial Considerations PEC Net Metering Single Meter! 30% Federal Investment Tax Credit until 2016 Special incentives for businesses: 5 year MACRS To compare as investment to other investments, be sure to adjust after-tax savings vs. pre-tax return on other options
Example PV System Cost Assumptions: PV system cost of $4.00/watt 30% Investment Tax Credit 25 year Warranty (however, expected life > 40 years!!) Cost: 5,760 DC Watts @ $4.00/watt: $22,680.00 Less 30% Investment Tax Credit: ( 6,804.00) Net Cost: $15,876.00 705 kwh x 12 mos x 25-yrs @ $.10/kWh: $21,150 Or, $15,876 (705 kwh x 12 mos. x 25 yrs.): At $4.50/watt: $.075 / kwh $.085 / kwh
Thank You! Contact Information: Cathy Redson Sarah Raymer SolPowerPeople, Inc. www.solpowerpeople.com Email: info@solpowerpeople.com 855-SOL-POWER (office)