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

Solar Energy on the Farm Ioka Farms, Oregon

About Northwest SEED Technical Assistance Education Policy Advocacy Practical Implementation

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 Hot Water Solar Hot Air Solar Photovoltaics (PV) Micro Hydro Wind Energy 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 Greenbank Farm, Whidbey Island, Pinehold Gardens, Wisconsin Washington

No viable roof space? That’s ok! Picnic Shelters Awning Jefferson Park, Seattle, WA Bellingham (source: Seattle City Light)

What size system do I need? It depends …  Budget  Roof shading / orientation  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 FEDERAL TAX CREDIT (30%) + USDA REAP Grant (25%) 65-75% + = OFF WA SOLAR INCENTIVE (5-10%) after year one + MACRS Depreciation (5-6%) + NET METERING (2-3%)

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 • Contact contractors for bids 1 1 2 3 • Receive your site assessments 2 • Compare bids and choose 3 • Apply for grants and financing 4 6 5 4 • Get Solar! 5

Questions?

Solar Tour!