Solar Energy on the Farm Ioka Farms, Oregon About Northwest SEED - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Solar Energy on the Farm

Ioka Farms, Oregon

Technical Assistance Education Policy Advocacy Practical Implementation

About Northwest SEED

Outline

 Solar technology  Solar economics  Lunch  Solar tour  General tour

Rents Due Ranch

Photo Credit: PCC Natural Markets Photo Credit: Fire Mountain Solar

Climate Change Impacts

 Increased winter precipitation, flooding, soil erosion  Longer dry season, drought stress  Warmer temperatures, heat stress  Lack of cooling days for fruit crops, early budding  Increased pests, weeds, and diseases  Increased forest fires, worsened air quality

Winter Spring Summer Fall

Climate Change Adaptation

 Adjust timing of planting  Modify crop varieties  Diversify crops grown  Transition to new crops  Efficient irrigation techniques

Source: “The Washington Climate Change Impacts Assessment: Evaluating Washington’s Future in a Changing Climate.” The Climate Impacts Group, University of Washington, June 2009.

Climate Change Mitigation

 Reduce tillage  Improve nitrogen fertilization efficiency  Capture methane emissions from manure  Decrease energy consumption  Increase renewable energy generation

Source: “Northwest Climate Assessment Report: Implications for Our Landscapes, Waters, and Communities.” Island Press, 2013. http://cses.washington.edu/db/pdf/daltonetal678.pdf

Benefits of Renewable Energy

 No air or water pollution  No water consumption  Efficient transmission  Energy independence  Reduced/stable utility bills  Diversify farm revenue  Marketing opportunities  Supports local economy

Solar Photovoltaics (PV) Solar Hot Water Micro Hydro Wind Energy Solar Hot Air Methane Digesters

Solar is part of your energy solution

Energy Audit Resources

 WSU Energy Office

Karen Messmer, Farm Energy Program messmerk@energy.wsu.edu 360-956-2090

 NRCS Mt Vernon Service Center

2021 E. College Way, Suite 214 360-428-7684

 Puget Sound Energy

http://pse.com/savingsandenergycenter

 SnoPUD  http://www.snopud.com/conservation.ash

x?p=1100

Does solar work in Washington?

Fire Mountain Solar LLC

 Designed & installed on-grid, off-grid and grid-tied battery-

backup systems throughout WA since 2001.

 Assisted 5 businesses with USDA grants in 2015-2016

 LOCAL: Rents Due Ranch, Camano Coffee Roasters, Orchards

Nursery, Skagit Valley Food Co-op, Monroe Business Services

 installed 22KW USDA grant project in Sunnyside

(solar electricity to run irrigation pumps).

 Designs solar, helps with USDA application, handles all utility

and incentive paperwork, helps afterward to get you your incentive earnings.

 Family-owned business located outside Mt Vernon.

Contact: Joan Schrammeck, Joan@FMSolar.com, 360-422-5610

Solar Terminology

 Photovoltaic (PV) = Solar Electricity  Watt (W) = instantaneous measure of power

Like your speedometer Kilowatt (kW) = 1000 W

 Kilowatt-hour (kWh) = amount of energy produced

Like your odometer 1 kW used or produced for 1 hour = 1 kWh

Solar Fun Facts

 Average U.S. home uses about 12,000 kWh/year  1 kW of PV produces about:

1,000 kWh/year in Seattle 1,300 kWh/year in Yakima

1300 kWhrs 1000 kWhrs

Typical grid-connected PV System

Typical grid-connected PV System

Do you have the right site?

Roof in good condition = Good! Facing South, East, or West = Good!

Do you have the right site?

Lots of shade = Not Good Future shade = Not Good

No viable roof space? That’s ok!

Pole-mounted Ground-mounted

Pinehold Gardens, Wisconsin Greenbank Farm, Whidbey Island, Washington

No viable roof space? That’s ok!

Picnic Shelters Awning

Jefferson Park, Seattle, WA (source: Seattle City Light) Bellingham

What size system do I need?

It depends…

Budget Roof shading /

• rientation

Roof space Electric bill offset

How much does it cost?

Solar data source: LBNL “Tracking the Sun VII”, systems up to 10 kW in size.

Example installed costs – 10 kW

Made in WA Made in OR $40,000 $30,000 ($4.00/W) ($3.00/W)

Note: The costs shown are approximate; actual costs for your situation will depend on a number of factors and will be determined after a site visit.

Cost Variables

 Electric service  System size  Multiple arrays  Type of solar module  If roof-mounted: Roof slope and height Type of roof shingles Structural issues

Additional Cost Options

 Micro inverters  Monitoring system  Maintenance contract  Extended equipment

warranties

 Length of workmanship

warranty

Solar PV Incentives

 No sales tax on systems up to 10kW  Solar Federal Tax Credit = 30% of project cost  Washington Solar Production Incentive Up to $0.15/kWh for out of state panels/inverters Up to $0.54/kWh for Washington panels/inverters  Net Metering – avoided purchase of power  MACRS (accelerated depreciation for businesses)  SnoPUD Solar Express (up to $8,000)

USDA Rural Energy for America Program

 Funding available for clean energy projects Grant = 25% Loan Guarantee = 75% Feasibility study grant = 25%  Who Qualifies? Rural small businesses Agricultural producers  Contact: Brandon Hoffman, 360.428.4322 x161

Brandon.Hoffman@wa.usda.gov

The bottom line

USDA REAP Grant (25%) WA SOLAR INCENTIVE (5-10%) FEDERAL TAX CREDIT (30%)

+ +

= 65-75% OFF

after year one

+

NET METERING (2-3%) MACRS Depreciation (5-6%)

+

Payback Example – 10 kW System

Payback Example – 10 kW System

Payback Example – 10 kW System

Payback Example - Assumptions

 10 kW system  Installed cost = $4.00/Watt for Itek, $3.00/Watt for SolarWorld  10,000 kWh/year production (south-facing roof, no shade)  Installed by Dec 31, 2016  0.5% annual degradation in output  Inverter replacement cost of $1,000 in Year 15  $0.09/kWh utility rate with 3% annual escalation  Owner is eligible for 30% tax credit and MACRS depreciation  Owner’s federal tax bracket rate is 34%  $0.40/kWh in-state and $0.12/kWh out-of-state incentive,

reduced 25% annually.

 Owner receives USDA REAP grant reimbursement of 25%

Generations Credit Union - Since 1939

 Home of the Solar Cash Flow™ Loan  Own your Solar system for about the monthly cost of

your monthly energy bill

 Low interest Energy Loans-Rates as low as 3.99%  Additional items can be financed (HVAC/Roof/Electrical)  No loan origination or prepayment fees  Fast Loan Decisions, apply online 24/7  Secured by Solar equipment-no home equity needed  Friendly service and personalized decisions

Kaylyn Milligan-Solar Loan Consultant kaylyn@generationscreditunion.com 425-330-9650

Next steps to go solar

1 2 3 4 5 6

1

• Contact contractors for bids

2

• Receive your site assessments

3

• Compare bids and choose

4

• Apply for grants and financing

5

• Get Solar!

Questions?

Solar Tour!