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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
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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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?
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om
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
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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
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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
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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”
Sunrise Noon Sunset
Irra
dia
nc
e in
w/m
2
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
Sun Angle vs. 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
Lower angle causes radiation to be received
over larger area, reducing intensity
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 ft2 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/ft2 = 420 ft2
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
SolPowerPeople, Inc.
855-SOL-POWER (office)
