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
Cathy Redson
SolPowerPeople, Inc. Longhorn Solar
March 22, 2014
Solar Radiation Solar Energy Applications Types of Solar Energy Systems Installing Solar on a Home or Business Solar Energy Economics
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?
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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
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
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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
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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
POWERHOUSE Solar Shingle
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Transformerless Inverters
run off of solar PV array, when grid goes down, up to 1500 Watts
Module Level Electronics that maximize energy harvest of each solar panel
Technologies
module component
1741 Standards
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
Grid-Tied Off-Grid
Direct PV – water pumps, fountains Off-Grid Homes – AC and other
regular electrical loads Grid-Tied with Battery Back-up
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
Sunrise Noon Sunset
Irradiance in w/m2 Time of Day
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/m2
Peak Sun Hours
Citation: Pidwirny, M. (2006). "Earth-Sun Relationships and Insolation". Fundamentals of Physical Geography, 2nd Edition. Date Viewed. http://www.physicalgeography.net/fundamentals/6i.html
Lower angle causes radiation to be received
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
Payment Options
Upfront payment Loan – short term, home equity
loan, refinance Typical system price ~ $3.00/watt Varies depending on complexity of
installation
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 ft2 for every 1,000 AC Watts of PV
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/ft2 = 420 ft2 5,760 W x .77 x 5.3 PSH x 30 days = 705 kWh AC per month
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
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
Contact Information: Cathy Redson (512) 547-8084 credson@solpowerpeople.com SolPowerPeople, Inc. info@solpowerpeople.com 855-SOL-POWER (office)