The Solar Solution
150kW Solar System is equivalent to:
– 18,000 barrels of oil not produced
– 16.2 million miles not driven
– 66,000 lbs of acid rain emissions eliminated
– 33,000 lbs smog emissions eliminated
– 13.2 million lbs greenhouse gas eliminated
– Planting 30,000 trees
6kW Solar System is equivalent to: still impressive numbers!!
– 720 barrels of oil not produced
– 648 thousand miles not driven
– 2,640 lbs of acid rain emissions eliminated
– 1,320 lbs smog emissions eliminated
– 528 thousand lbs greenhouse gas eliminated
– Planting 1,200 trees
Installation Performance Factors
• Local weather and insulation
• Shading
• Inclination angle
– Shading
– Time of Use Rates
• Orientation: S, E or W
General Factors That Affect Size
• Sun exposure
• Electricity demand – lighting is largest electrical load
• Efficiency of system
General Factors That Affect Cost
• System type
• Structural requirements
• Number of panels required
How PV Industry Works
• Manufacturers: manufacture products
• PV Installers with in-house labor: contractors that bid on projects, contract, design, and install (N2 Electric, Inc. falls under this heading)
• PV Companies without in-house labor: contractors that bid, contract, design, and manage outside labor
• Facilitators: sales entities (not contractors) that facilitate bid, design, and installation
• Banks
PV System Types
• Fixed System
• Tracking System
Horizontal Fixed System
• Panels installed at a fixed inclination and direction (0, 5 or 10 degrees)
• Pros: provides shading; structural requirements are less; lower installation cost
• Cons: less energy per kW of PV installed
Horizontal Tracking System
• Panels mounted in the north-south direction that rotate in the east-west direction to track the angle of the sun
• Pros: more energy per kW of PV installed
• Cons: does not provide much shade; higher structural load demands; more expensive installation cost
Financing Opportunities
• Power Purchase Agreements (PPA)
– Third party finances, installs, and maintains PV panels
– Project owner locks in utility rate over life of agreement
– Long term, complex agreement for purchasing power
Financial Incentives and Rebates
• Clean Renewable Energy Bonds (CREBs) for non-profit entities
• State Rebates: Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Florida, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas
• Net Metering