Most Cost Effective Solar Energy Solutions
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Most Cost Effective Solar Energy Solutions Topics • Our company mission • US Power Grid Threats – EMP effects on Solar – be less energy dependent • # solar panels & batteries needed • 10 Ways to shop for solar systems by Tom Brennan Engineering Manager
Transcript of Most Cost Effective Solar Energy Solutions
Most Cost Effective Solar Energy Solutions
Topics• Our company mission
• US Power Grid Threats– EMP effects on Solar
– be less energy dependent
• # solar panels & batteries needed
• 10 Ways to shop for solar systems
by Tom Brennan Engineering Manager
Sol-Ark makes EMP/Solar Flare Hardened Solar Systems
www.PortableSolarLLC.com
• Our systems survive >100KV/m EMP testing >140 times. Military requires 50KV/m
• We are a Veteran owned engineering company with the mission of helping families be less dependent on our vulnerable Power Grid in an affordable way.
• Educational info on website & YouTube channel.
Power Grid ThreatsSevere Weather
Cyberattack
EMPSolar Flare
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15 Critical US Infrastructures all rely on the 16th = US Power Grid
www.PortableSolarLLC.com
Energy & Distribution
Chemical
Communication
CommercialFacilities
Manufacturing
Dams: flood control
Defense Industrial Base
Emergency Services
Water & Wastewater
Financial Services
Healthcare & Public Health
Transportation Food & Agriculture
Information Technology
Government Facilities
Nuclear Reactors & Materials
Photo of Cabin (without words?)
or maybe You Live Off Grid ☺
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How Many of You Have Solar?
1500W Inverter, 260W Solar, 1 Batt
1250W Inverter, 60W Solar, 1 Batt
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How much power do you need?
= 2 men
250 Watt Panel 12V 110Ah
+ consuming 2000 calories / person
12V x 110Ah = 1.3KWh250W x 5 “full” sun hours = 1.25KWh
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Power Needs
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Power Needs
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www.PortableSolarLLC.com
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Power Needs
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Very Low cost solutions cannot even run a Fridge.
Types of Solar Panels
Poly Mono Thin Film
+ Least Expensive per Watt + Pretty- Cost ~15% more than Poly
+ Fits any flat surface- Cost ~33% more than Poly- Low power density- Finding a flat sturdy surface- Many brands don’t last
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Online Energy Calculator
Calculates Panels & Batteries for large systems:
https://www.sol-ark.com/customize-8k-system/
Calculates Panels & Batteries for smaller uses:
https://www.sol-ark.com/customize-pricing-emp-protection/
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How Many Batteries?
3-6 4
9-12 8
15 12
Few Batteries = rapid solar charging and deep night discharging = much shorter battery lifespan.
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6 x Panels (1.5KW solar) + 4 x Batteries Powers:
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15 x Panels (3.5KW solar) + 12 x Batteries Powers:
www.PortableSolarLLC.com
Heating / Cooling requires a lot of power
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10 Ways to Shop for Solar Systems
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30% to 55% solar cost is paid
Fed & State Incentives going away.
Utah = $1600
Why are you waiting?
1) 30% Federal Credit + 25% Rural REAP + State Incentives
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2) Look for Battery Based Solar
Inverter
Meter“Grid Tied Inverter”
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2) Look for Battery Based Solar
Inverter
Meter“Grid Tied Inverter”
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99% of installed Systems are “Grid Tied” AND don’t work if the Power Grid fails or Off Grid.
2) Look for Battery Based Solar
www.PortableSolarLLC.comSol-Ark.com
Get Grid Interactive, Hybrid, or Multi-Mode System.
Reduced energy bills are the biggest way solar systems pay for themselves.
Most DIY backup systems only use panels when the Power Grid fails.
3) Look for Reduced Electric Bills, not DIY backup
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4) Don’t Deep Cycle Batteries & they last 10+ years
Get Grid Interactive, Hybrid, Multi-Mode System: keep batteries charged.
Most DIY systems only switch to Grid when batteries are fully depleted & cycle batteries deep every night = 2-3 years life.
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Most DIY systems = 2 years
Good systems = 10+ years
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5) Good Solar Panels last 50+ Years
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Solar Panels Handle baseball size hail.
Self cleaning with rain.
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Get Solar Wattage:
250W x 2 (500W)
to
250W x 12 (3KW)Don’t confuse Solar Watts with Inverter Watts!
6) Expandability: add panels & batteries later
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Why you need lots of Panels3000W of solar x 5 “full” sun hours = 15KWh / 24hrs = 625W/hr AVG
Sol-Ark.com
kWh Cost Justification
# of Batteries
Volts per Unit
Total Voltage
Amp Hours
kW of Storage
Usable Storage
kW Cost
Cycle Life Span
Total Energy Throughput
AGM
8
12
48
220
10.6 kWh
3.2 kWh @ 30%
$2,000
1200 cycles
3,800 kWh
Tesla Li-On
1
240
240
13.2 kWh
6.6 kWh @ 50%
$10,500
4500 cycles
29,700 kWh
Other Li-On
1
50.4
50.4
200
10.1 kWh
5.0 kW @ 50%
$7,000
5000 cycles
25,480 kWh
$0.52 kWh $0.35 kWh $0.27 kWhCost Per kWh
TipsWet Lead: corrode terminals, gas, maintenance
Gel Cell: charge slow
AGM/Wet/Gel: Go by weight more than Ah. The more lead, longer they last.
Li-On: Prefer 10-45C
7) AGM best for Grid Backup, Li-On for Off Grid
Wet Lead
8
6
48
230
11.0 kWh
3.3 kWh @ 30%
$1,600
2000 cycles
6,620 kWh
$0.24 kWh
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240W x 24hr
8) Off Grid Inverter Idle Power
100W x 24hr
25W x 24hr
Bigger Inverter is not better. 12 Panels = 625W/hr AVG
FYI, Modified Sine will not run freezers, gas furnace, clocks, and some electronics. Get Pure Sine.Sol-Ark.com
Solar Installers charge ~$1.5/Solar Watt to install Off Grid solar
12 Panel 3KW → $4500 labor
9) Install Solar Yourself and save 35-50%
You can install newer All-in-One solar systems like the Sol-Ark
(or get an electrician for $500).
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10) U.S. Based Engineers can save you $1000’s
Guide you to avoid costly mistakes.
Easy Install New Technologies:
• All-in-One Solar Systems
• Panel Mounting
• Transfer Switches
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Example All in One Systems: Starting Price
Series 1 Series 2 Series 3 Series 4
12 Panels8 Batteries
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Starting Price + Inverter Idle Cost
Series 1 Series 2 Series 3 Series 4
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Starting Price + Inverter Idle Cost – Tax Credit
Series 1 Series 2 Series 3 Series 4
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Starting Price + Inverter Idle Cost – Tax Credit – Bill Reduction
Electric Bill Savings
Tax Credit
Tax Credit Tax Credit
Inverter CostInverter Cost
$10K$10K
12 Panels8 Batteries
-$1KSol-Ark.com
• Cyberattack, EMP, Solar Flares are serious
• Invest in Solar systems used every Day– Grid & Battery systems that cut electric bills– Get a system you or an electrician can install– Expandable– Systems >2 x 250W (500W) solar panels
• Budget Solar Panel Watts & Batteries to Off Grid needs
• Get a well designed system & avoid low power / low quality.
Key Points to Remember
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