Solar Energy Technologies Program

Solar America Cities

“Accelerating Solar Energy Adoption at a Local Level”

Otto Van Geet, PE

National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)

Solar Energy Technologies Program (SETP)

U.S. Department of Energy

U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Program

DOE’s Approach to Solar Market Transformation

GOAL Reduce market barriers to, and promote market expansion of, solar energy technologies through non-R&D activities.

Activities Solar America Board for Codes and Standards Workforce Development State Technical Outreach Utility Technical Outreach Government Solar Installation Program Solar America Showcases Solar America Cities

U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Program

Solar America Cities

GOAL Accelerate solar adoption in the nation’s electricity load centers by supporting cities’ innovative efforts.

Solar America Cities contribute to the President’s energy goals of creating green jobs, building domestic renewable energy capacity, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions

U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Program

Solar America Cities

SELECTION PROCESS

Competitive awards granted to cities of

100,000 or more committed to:

achieving a sustainable solar infrastructure

through a comprehensive, city-wide approach

that facilitates mainstream adoption of solar

and serves as a model for other cities to follow.

U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Program

The 25 Solar America Cities

U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Program

Solar America City Partnerships

Financial Assistance:

~$200,000 per city

Technical Assistance:

~$250,000 per city

Multi-institutional “tiger teams” of solar experts provide tailored assistance based on city’s needs

U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Program

Solar America City Projects

Streamlined permitting

Solar access laws

Building/zoning code review

Creative financing programs

Economic development studies

Workforce development

Code official/installer training

K-12 Education

Solar Mapping

Public outreach

U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Program

What Makes Solar America Cities Unique?

Federal/City partnership

Financial assistance PLUS hands-on Technical Assistance to Cities

Strong City and DOE network facilitates information sharing and replication potential.

U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Program

Solar America Cities – Maximizing the Network

Outreach ToolsAnnual Meeting

Solar America Cities website

Regional workshops

Crosscutting AnalysisSolar mapping

Interconnection in area/spot networks

Creative financing

Rate structures

U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Program

San Diego PV Rate Analysis

Slide 10

U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Program

Visual of TOU rate and PV System

U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Program

Winter 5530 Kiowa Load Profile

U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Program

Summer 5530 Kiowa Load Profile

U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Program

Winter 5540 Kiowa Load Profile

U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Program

Summer 5540 Kiowa Load Profile

U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Program

Discussion/Conclusion

• time of use (TOU) rates provide the most savings to grid connected PV systems where the system peak is coincident with the utility peak, when the utility places the highest value on reduced consumption

• increased demand charges relative to energy charges do not increase the economic value of these two solar systems (because the system performance may be compromised in one 15-minute interval and all benefit of the demand savings are lost)

• changes in peak timing did not have a major effect on the economics of the system over the course of a year (because the rates tested all had peak times coincident with high PV production, changes in the peaks did not have an impact)

U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Program

Roof Estimate - Residential

• SanGIS parcel database– Parcel size– Parcel classification (single family

residence, duplex, store, etc.)– Taxable value (land, improvements, total)

U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Program

Roof Estimate - Residential

• 2002 American Housing Survey (AHS) for San Diego Metro Area– Residential building area and number of

stories by different characteristics

AttributesUsed:ValueLot Size

U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Program

Roof Estimate - Residential

• Build statistical relationships between AHS data to build estimates by parcel size and value – Relationship driven to median/higher

proportion occurrences– Explored use of Census demographic

variables but better estimates were generated through parcel specific data

• Doesn’t account for property specific shading issues

U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Program Slide 20

Contact Information:

Otto Van GeetNREL

Email: Otto.vangeet@nrel.govPhone: 303-384-7369on the web:SolarAmericaCities.energy.gov

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Thank You