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Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable Housing Buildings: Lessons from the field Renewable Heating & Cooling Webinar Series U.S. Environmental Protection Agency November 13, 2012 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM Sector Focus: Attendee Audio Access: 866-379-5082 -- Webinar ID #: 58471477

Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable … · Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable Housing Buildings: Lessons from the field Renewable Heating & Cooling Webinar

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Page 1: Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable … · Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable Housing Buildings: Lessons from the field Renewable Heating & Cooling Webinar

Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable Housing Buildings:

Lessons from the field Renewable Heating & Cooling Webinar Series

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency November 13, 2012 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM

Sector Focus:

Attendee Audio Access: 866-379-5082 -- Webinar ID #: 58471477

Page 2: Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable … · Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable Housing Buildings: Lessons from the field Renewable Heating & Cooling Webinar

Agenda 1:00 – 1:10 pm Welcome, James Critchfield, U.S. EPA 1:10 – 1:30 pm Dr. Benjamin, T. Gravely, PhD, President, Holocene Technologies Overview: Solar Hot Water Opportunities

1:30 – 1:50 pm Mr. Harry Richter, Assc. AIA, CMCA, High Rise Consulting 4600 Connecticut Avenue Condominiums, Washington DC

1:50 – 2:10 pm Ms. Nina Janopaul, CEO, Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing Columbia Grove, Arlington VA

2:10 – 2:25 pm Question & Answer Session

Attendee Audio Access: 866-379-5082 -- Webinar ID #: 58471477

Page 3: Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable … · Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable Housing Buildings: Lessons from the field Renewable Heating & Cooling Webinar

• Education in Physics, NC State Univ. (NCSU)

• Early pioneer in solar system design and manufacturing (1977-present)

• Several thousand systems installed, covering residential, commercial, military, institutional

• Co-founder of NC Sustainable Energy Association

• A founder of NC Solar Center at NCSU

• Lecturer on solar system design

Ben Gravely President [email protected] Cell: 919-818-1879 Blog: www.solarhotwater-systems.com

Holocene Technologies Speaker

Attendee Audio Access: 866-379-5082 -- Webinar ID #: 58471477

Page 4: Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable … · Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable Housing Buildings: Lessons from the field Renewable Heating & Cooling Webinar

Solar Thermal Energy

A Review of Solar Hot Water Systems

for Multi-Family Buildings

Ben Gravely - Holocene Technologies Blog http://www.solarhotwater-systems.com

• Common Solar System Types & Applications

• Challenges & Opportunities

• Market Conditions & Trends

Page 5: Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable … · Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable Housing Buildings: Lessons from the field Renewable Heating & Cooling Webinar
Page 6: Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable … · Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable Housing Buildings: Lessons from the field Renewable Heating & Cooling Webinar
Page 7: Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable … · Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable Housing Buildings: Lessons from the field Renewable Heating & Cooling Webinar

System Design - How it works

Common Solar System Types

Page 8: Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable … · Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable Housing Buildings: Lessons from the field Renewable Heating & Cooling Webinar

Non-pressurized Drainback System

Start with •Collectors •Non-Pressurized tank •Load Side Exchanger •Pump

How it works

Power failure is normal operating mode

Page 9: Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable … · Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable Housing Buildings: Lessons from the field Renewable Heating & Cooling Webinar

Applications DHW

Page 10: Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable … · Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable Housing Buildings: Lessons from the field Renewable Heating & Cooling Webinar

Applications DHW

Page 11: Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable … · Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable Housing Buildings: Lessons from the field Renewable Heating & Cooling Webinar

Applications

Furnace Blower

SH - Forced Air

Any Furnace Type •Gas •Oil •Heat Pump with

Electric Backup

Page 12: Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable … · Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable Housing Buildings: Lessons from the field Renewable Heating & Cooling Webinar

Furnace

Blower

Solar Coil

Applications

Three operational modes •Solar Only (hot) •Solar Assist (med) •Solar Cut Out (cold)

Specify Coil for Low Temp Delivery

SH - Forced Air

Page 13: Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable … · Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable Housing Buildings: Lessons from the field Renewable Heating & Cooling Webinar

Applications Pool Heating

Page 14: Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable … · Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable Housing Buildings: Lessons from the field Renewable Heating & Cooling Webinar

Applications Pool Heating

Page 15: Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable … · Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable Housing Buildings: Lessons from the field Renewable Heating & Cooling Webinar

Challenges & Opportunities

• Find good solar thermal application (or two, or three) • Simple architectural fit to existing facility? Collector location - south facing Storage tank location Use location - mechanical room • Can plan a good fit in new facility.

Architectural/Engineering

Lot of ways to skin a cat

Page 16: Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable … · Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable Housing Buildings: Lessons from the field Renewable Heating & Cooling Webinar

Example: 5 Story Building in Boston

Considerations •Collector placement •Tank placement •Piping runs

Page 17: Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable … · Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable Housing Buildings: Lessons from the field Renewable Heating & Cooling Webinar

Tank Placement •Inside equipment room •Enclosure outside equipment room

Page 18: Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable … · Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable Housing Buildings: Lessons from the field Renewable Heating & Cooling Webinar

Market Conditions & Trends - The Wild Wild West

Cons Lack of qualified Design & Installation professionals Lack of uniform codes and regulations

Varying incentives from state to state Long term political emphasis on renewables uncertain Financing infrastructure not well developed

Pros Systems are proven and durable Design & trade skills are available

Various incentives - state, federal, utility Growing financing market

Conclusion: Deal with experienced people

Page 19: Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable … · Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable Housing Buildings: Lessons from the field Renewable Heating & Cooling Webinar

Economics

• Current and future cost of energy - First Order Estimates Example: Solar output = 8 MBtu/collector Installed cost/coll = $4500 System lifetime = 20 years Results: Lifetime energy = 160MBtu/coll

Simple energy cost over lifetime = $28.125/ MBtu = $0.09/kWh Compare with existing fuel cost of gas, oil, electric (÷ by efficiency) e.g. 80% efficiency = 1.25X fuel cost 65% efficiency = 1.53X fuel cost

• Need threshold energy value for go ahead.

Page 20: Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable … · Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable Housing Buildings: Lessons from the field Renewable Heating & Cooling Webinar

Speaker

• Following a 22 year career managing high rise residential buildings, Harry is now a management consultant focusing on facilities operations, the built environment, and sustainable practices.

• At 4600 Connecticut Harry found 100% financing for the solar-thermal system, allowing the condominium to realize savings from day one with no capital investment.

Harry Richter, Assc. AIA, CMCA High Rise Consulting, LLC [email protected]

4600 Connecticut Avenue Condominiums

Attendee Audio Access: 866-379-5082 -- Webinar ID #: 58471477

Page 21: Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable … · Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable Housing Buildings: Lessons from the field Renewable Heating & Cooling Webinar

EPA Webinar: Solar Water Heating

Multifamily Building Application at 4600 Connecticut Avenue

Harry Richter, Assc. AIA, CMCA High Rise Consulting

[email protected] 703.606.9889

Page 22: Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable … · Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable Housing Buildings: Lessons from the field Renewable Heating & Cooling Webinar

About 4600 Connecticut Avenue

• 9-story condominium in northwest Washington, DC

• 267 units; 401 residents

• Central boiler system for domestic hot water, space heating, and laundry

• Roof type: Ballast

• Solar system completed in March 2012

Page 23: Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable … · Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable Housing Buildings: Lessons from the field Renewable Heating & Cooling Webinar

The Decision to Go Solar

• Master-metered for natural gas; solar savings directly realized by each resident’s condo fees

• Approval for solar by condo board vote

• Skyline Innovations selected as project financier

– No capital outlay power purchase provider

– Responsible for financing, development, and O&M

– Payment only for solar hot water used, not all generation

– Maintained roof warranty

• Solar Energy Services performed installation

Page 24: Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable … · Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable Housing Buildings: Lessons from the field Renewable Heating & Cooling Webinar

Installation Tailored to Roof Conditions

Page 25: Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable … · Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable Housing Buildings: Lessons from the field Renewable Heating & Cooling Webinar

2640 Square Foot Solar Array

Page 26: Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable … · Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable Housing Buildings: Lessons from the field Renewable Heating & Cooling Webinar

Solar System Information

• Solar water heating system pre-heats incoming municipal water before reaching boiler

• Solar offsets natural gas use for domestic hot water • $320,000 system value: 64 Apricus (evacuated tube) collectors

and 3,000 gallons of solar hot water storage • One of the largest solar hot water systems in DC

Page 27: Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable … · Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable Housing Buildings: Lessons from the field Renewable Heating & Cooling Webinar

Solar Pricing

Skyline Innovations solar price for hot water indexed at a fixed 35% discount to the fluctuating utility rate

$-

$0.20

$0.40

$0.60

$0.80

$1.00

$1.20

$1.40

$1.60

February March April May June July

UTILITY RATE COMPARISON

Gas Utility ThermRate

Skyline Therm Rate

Page 28: Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable … · Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable Housing Buildings: Lessons from the field Renewable Heating & Cooling Webinar

System Performance: Solar Fraction

• In summer months, solar hot water provides nearly 100% of water heating needs

• Properly sized system and storage tank is critical for solar fraction due to fluctuating incoming water temperatures (Potomac River)

020406080

100120

Mon

Mar

12…

Sun

Mar

25…

Sat A

pr 0

7…Fr

i Apr

20…

Thu

May

03…

Wed

May

16…

Tue

May

29…

Mon

Jun

11…

Sun

Jun

24…

Sat J

ul 0

7…Fr

i Jul

20…

Thu

Aug

02…

Wed

Aug

15…

Tue

Aug

28…

Mon

Sep

10…

% Water Heated by Solar

% Water Heated bySolar

Page 29: Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable … · Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable Housing Buildings: Lessons from the field Renewable Heating & Cooling Webinar

System Pre-Heats Municipal Water

-20.00

0.00

20.00

40.00

60.00

80.00

100.00

120.00

140.00

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Incoming street water temp ⁰F Degrees ⁰F added by solar Degrees ⁰F added by boiler

Page 30: Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable … · Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable Housing Buildings: Lessons from the field Renewable Heating & Cooling Webinar

System Performance: Savings

• The chart above shows the amount that 4600 Connecticut Ave would have paid the gas utility provider without solar

• 4600 Connecticut Ave Savings to Date: $1,243.34

Page 31: Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable … · Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable Housing Buildings: Lessons from the field Renewable Heating & Cooling Webinar

Conclusions

• Solar water heating is ideal for multifamily domestic hot water utility bill savings

• Optimized system sizing important to maximize system value

• Complex decision-making processes simplified through low-risk, turnkey financing solutions

• Reducing the demand on boilers during non-heating seasons will extend equipment life and reduce maintenance costs

Page 32: Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable … · Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable Housing Buildings: Lessons from the field Renewable Heating & Cooling Webinar

Thank You

Page 33: Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable … · Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable Housing Buildings: Lessons from the field Renewable Heating & Cooling Webinar

Speaker

Nina Janopaul President / CEO [email protected]

Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing (APAH)

Background • CEO, APAH (2007 – Present) • BA, Harvard University Leadership Positions • Community Energy Advisory Group • Virginia Housing Development Authority

(VHDA) Advisory Committee • President, Housing Association of

Nonprofit Developers (HAND) Awards • Developer of the Year, HAND (2011) • Non-Profit Business of the Year,

Arlington Chamber of Commerce (2008)

Attendee Audio Access: 866-379-5082 -- Webinar ID #: 58471477

Page 34: Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable … · Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable Housing Buildings: Lessons from the field Renewable Heating & Cooling Webinar

EPA Webinar: Solar Water Heating for Multifamily Affordable Housing

Nina Janopaul, President/CEO Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing

[email protected]

Page 35: Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable … · Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable Housing Buildings: Lessons from the field Renewable Heating & Cooling Webinar

• Award-winning non-profit founded in 1989 • Mission: To own, develop and preserve

quality affordable homes that enhance the Arlington community

• Owns 995 rental homes at 12 properties • 170 households receive rental subsidy and/

or supportive services • Properties funded with Low Income Housing

Tax Credits, HOME loans and County gap financing

• Only affordable housing developer committed exclusively to the Arlington community

Page 36: Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable … · Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable Housing Buildings: Lessons from the field Renewable Heating & Cooling Webinar

Year Built: 1954 APAH purchased: 2003 Neighborhood: Columbia Forest Most Recent Renovation: 2009 # of Units: 208 # of Affordable Units: 130 Unit Sizes: 1 and 2 bedroom First EarthCraft Virginia certified multi-family renovation in

Northern Virginia. Rehabbed with Low Income Housing Tax Credits in 2008. Owner-provided hot water system.

COLUMBIA GROVE IN ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA

COLUMBIA GROVE

Page 37: Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable … · Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable Housing Buildings: Lessons from the field Renewable Heating & Cooling Webinar

THE ADVANTAGES TO GOING SOLAR

• Solar Water Heating System offsets use of natural gas for domestic water heating

• Skyline Innovations provided and managed financing, engineering, installation, monitoring and 10-year O&M at no expense to APAH

• Project enabled by supplemental funds from the Virginia Solar and Wind Power Rebate Program (ARRA)

• Supports Arlington’s new Energy Plan

Page 38: Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable … · Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable Housing Buildings: Lessons from the field Renewable Heating & Cooling Webinar

Due Diligence Process •LEGAL: Negotiate Skyline contract terms and conditions •ACCOUNTING: Verify no conflict with Low Income Housing Tax Credit partnership structure •LENDER/INVESTOR: Approvals •MECHANICAL/STRUCTURAL: Review proposed system •ROOF WARRANTY: Confirm warranty is not violated •TOTAL COST: 30 – 40 hours staff time and $8,000

COSTS TO APAH

Page 39: Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable … · Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable Housing Buildings: Lessons from the field Renewable Heating & Cooling Webinar

PRIMARY SYSTEM COMPONENTS

SOLAR COLLECTORS MONITORING SYSTEM

PUMPS, CONTROLLERS, HEAT EXCHANGERS STORAGE TANKS

Page 40: Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable … · Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable Housing Buildings: Lessons from the field Renewable Heating & Cooling Webinar

SOLAR WATER HEATING SYSTEM INFORMATION

• 3 solar water heating systems at each garden-style building (of 19 buildings total)

• Total systems value: $230,000

• 19 Solene Aurora (flat plate) solar thermal collectors

• 800 gallons solar hot water storage

• Systems completed June 2012

Page 41: Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable … · Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable Housing Buildings: Lessons from the field Renewable Heating & Cooling Webinar

Solar energy priced at a fixed 50% discount to the utility rate

SOLAR ENERGY PRICING

$0.00

$0.20

$0.40

$0.60

$0.80

$1.00

$1.20

June July August September October

UTILITY RATE COMPARISON

Gas Utility ThermRate

Skyline Therm Rate

Page 42: Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable … · Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable Housing Buildings: Lessons from the field Renewable Heating & Cooling Webinar

SYSTEM PERFORMANCE: ENERGY DELIVERED

• The total solar energy (therms) used for DHW across the 3 buildings, displacing natural gas consumption (1,169 therms total)

• Total savings June – Oct. 2012: $774

• Savings Split 50/50 with APAH

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

June July August September October

Ener

gy (T

herm

s)

SKYLINE ENERGY DELIVERED

$0

$50

$100

$150

$200

$250

$300

June July August September October

VALUE OF SKYLINE ENERGY DELIVERED

Page 43: Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable … · Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable Housing Buildings: Lessons from the field Renewable Heating & Cooling Webinar

CONCLUSIONS

• Be prepared to act quickly on one-time or emerging state renewable energy incentive programs

• Solar water heating power purchase solutions enable non-profits to receive pass-through benefits of tax-based federal solar incentives

• Look for scale opportunities to justify due diligence costs to owner

• Contract structured to allow APAH to acquire system at Year 10 and benefit from 100% of savings for remaining useful life of the system

Page 44: Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable … · Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable Housing Buildings: Lessons from the field Renewable Heating & Cooling Webinar

Our Vision A diverse and inclusive, transit-oriented, sustainable

community that welcomes and values all residents. Our Role

Marry best practices in affordable housing finance and development with a deep commitment to the local

community to advocate, preserve and build affordable housing.

Page 45: Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable … · Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable Housing Buildings: Lessons from the field Renewable Heating & Cooling Webinar

Solar Water Heating in Multi-family & Affordable Housing Buildings: Lessons from the field Question and Answer Session Please type your questions into the Q/A window on your screen. For a copy of the slides or additional questions, please contact: James Critchfield, Director, Clean Technology Initiatives ([email protected])

Attendee Audio Access: 866-379-5082 -- Webinar ID #: 58471477