Power from the Sun: The ups and downs of installing solar in

LethbridgeMark Goettel

SACPA April 24, 2014

The Sun

• Light from the sun travels approximately 150,000,000 km to reach the earth in 8 minutes and 19 seconds

• The energy of this sunlight supports almost all life on Earth by photosynthesis and drives Earth's climate and weather

• How can we make further use of this fantastic resource?

Earth Body2008

Outline• How does one capture the sun’s energy?• How does one go about installing a residential PV system in

Lethbridge?• Economics– Comparison of 3 local installations

• The future of solar

How does one capture the sun’s energy?

• Plants do it via a process called photosynthesis converting carbon dioxide and water into sugars

We can do it also!

• By converting sunlight into electricity• Photovoltaic (PV) phenomenon

Some terminology

Basic systems available

• PV modules produce a direct current (DC)• Our electrical system uses alternating current

(AC)• Must convert DC to AC via “Inverters”– Convert at each module via “microinverters”– Convert at each array using large inverters• Shading problem as modules arranged in “series”

– Overcome shading via “maximizers”

Photovoltaic potential

LETHBRIDGE !

History• 1996: Alberta begins to convert its

electricity market to a market-based system

• 2007: Alberta passes climate change legislation

• 2009: Micro-Generation Regulation– Allows Albertans to generate their own environmentally

friendly electricity and receive credit for any power they send into the electricity grid

– Only allowed to produce as much as used annually

• 2009: Climate Change and Emissions Management Corporation (CCEMC) created– Provides ENMAX $14,517,000 to install 12,470 kW of solar

and wind micro generators by 2020• ENMAX launches residential solar program• Solicits interested individuals

– I immediately apply & wait

And wait, and wait, and wait!!While Solar is being installed in Calgary, Edmonton, Medicine Hat, Red deer, what is the holdup in Lethbridge?–What’s the problem?• “Lethbridge is not in our installation area”• Dispute with Lethbridge regulatory requirements• Requirement for expensive engineering reports for roof

“solar readiness”– Only in Lethbridge

• Finally contract entered with engineering company for “cookie cutter” inspections at $400 ea• Thanks to City Councillor Jeff Coffman

Installation III 2013

Finally!

But wait!

• Your roof is not “standard”• $1,000 for roof inspection!

Untitled2012

July 10, 2013

Ballast racking system

Wow, first week!

Seasonality catches up!

To be expected

Shading

Chimney shading

Cloudy days are better than shade!

Example 1 summary• 12 - 250 watt modules• Enphase Micro-inverters• 10 degree angle directly south• Shading by trees and chimney• 1,670 KWh in 9 months• Yearly estimate 3,000 KWh (250

KWh/Module)• Installation by ENMAX at a cost of $13,288 – $6,516 plus $428/yr for 15 yrs plus $350 at end

Example 2• Bev Muendel-Atherstone/ Henning Muendel

Example 2 summary

• 24- 250 Watt Modules• Series installation with one inverter• 25 degree angle directly south• No shading – ground level installation• 1,930 KWh in 3 months• Yearly estimate: 7,000 KWh? (292/Module)• Installed by EnergySmart Canada, Lethbridge

at a cost of $26,000

No shading

Snow shading

One large inverter

Example 3• Anonymous

Example 3 summary

• 36- 250 Watt Modules• Series installation with Maximizers• 2 inverters• 10 degree angle directly south• East & West shading• 1,200 KWh in 2 months• Yearly estimate: 9,000 KWh (250/Module)• Installed by owner at a cost of $24,000

Some East & West shading

2 Inverters

Maximizers

Angle makes a difference

The deregulated electrical system• Many independent producers, transmitters &

sellers– Each one wants their share

• Bidding system administered by the Alberta Utilities Regulator– Bids taken for the amount of power needed for the

next hour– All lower bids get same price as highest bidder– Coal fired and green energy bidders bid lowest but get

highest price– But micro-generator receives only what he pays

What does it cost?

Cost for energy used

• Energy: 8 cents/KWh• Transmission: 2.7 cents/KWh• GST: 0.53 cents• TOTAL: 11.23 cents/KWh• With fixed costs:– About 18 to 19 cents/KWh

Economics

• Cost for energy to grid: 8 cents/KWh• Savings for energy used within the house: 11.23

cents/KWh• Of the 1, 670 KWh produced to date:– 677 (40%) KWh sent into grid = $54.16– 993 (60%) KWh used in house = $111.51

Cost comparisons

• Example 1:– Cost: $6,516.30 plus $428.16/yr for 15 yrs plus

$350 at end = $13.,288.70 or $4.43/Watt

• Example 2– Cost: $26,000 or $4.33/Watt

• Example 3– Cost: $24,000 OR $2.67/Watt

Based on yearly estimate• 3,000 KWh– 1,200 (40%) into grid @ 8 cents = $96– 1,800 (60%) in house @ 11.26 cents = $203– Total: $300

• Initial cost: $6,516• Monthly payments: $428• TOTAL for first year: $6,944• If in bank at 1.3%: Interest of $90.27• Taxed at marginal rate of 30%: NET $63.19• Net gain: $236.81

Environmental benefits

Instead of waiting• I’m doing something to decrease greenhouse gases!

Spin it any way you want

Makes me happy!

World is going solar!

• Worldwide: est. 49 gigawatts (GW), up from 36 GW in 2013

• China: Approx. 10 GW in 2013• Germany: 3.3 additional GW in 2013• India: 1 GW with goal of 20 GW by 2020

China

India

Japan

Enerphase microinverter installations

Canada’s “sunbelt”

Innovations & other uses

• Solar signs• Solar roofing shingles• Perovskite solar cells • 3D solar cells• Solar roads & driveways• Solar powered cars• Solar battery chargers• Electric scooters

Think Green, If you know what I mean