Solar Energy 101 What You Need to Know to Go Solar Cathy Redson - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Solar Energy 101 What You Need to Know to “ Go Solar ” Cathy Redson SolPowerPeople, Inc. Longhorn Solar March 22, 2014

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 Image: toondraw.com clean!!!)  Millions of Jobs!  Invented/Made in the USA!  3 year “ energy payback ” What would you be  Freedom to go wherever you WILLING to pay? want, whenever you want!

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?

bestgreenenergyguide.com

What is Solar Energy? khadley.com  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  chemistry.need.org source (sun) to cooler object (earth) Energy or heat loss is minimal, because it travels  as a light wave

Solar Energy Technologies  Photovoltaics (PV) Systems: Solar Electricity boataddicts.net  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 jcwinnie.biz  Concentrating Solar Thermal systems  Usually utility scale

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

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 • Dual SMA 5000 Watt Transformerless Inverters • New emergency plug can run off of solar PV array, when grid goes down, up to 1500 Watts

Micro Inverters & DC Optimizers Module Level Electronics that maximize energy harvest of each solar panel

ACPV Modules-Almost Plug ‘ n Play • Austin-based SolarBridge Technologies • Factory-installed DC-AC module component • Complies with UL 1703 & 1741 Standards • 25 year warranty

PV System Advantages  Reliable – Est. 40 year life, warranty typically 20-25 years  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

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 ” Peak Sun Hours means the Irradiance in w/m 2 equivalent number of hours if the intensity of the sun remained at a constant equal to the intensity at Peak Sun Hours 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  Typical system price ~ $3.00/watt  Varies depending on complexity of installation

Usage Determines PV System Size  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  CTEC 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 $3.00/watt  30% Investment Tax Credit  25 year Warranty (however, expected life > 40 years!!)  Cost: 5,760 DC Watts @ $3.00/watt: $17,280.00 Less 30% Investment Tax Credit: ( 5,184.00) Net Cost: $12,096.00 705 kWh x 12 mos x 25-yrs @ $.086/kWh: $18,189.00 Or, $12,096 ÷ (705 kWh x 12 mos. x 25 yrs.): $.057 / kWh

Thank You! Contact Information: Cathy Redson (512) 547-8084 credson@solpowerpeople.com SolPowerPeople, Inc. info@solpowerpeople.com 855-SOL-POWER (office)