SOLAR BASICS. CONTENTS I.Introduction to Solar Technology II.Terminology: Solar Terms and Energy...
38
SOLAR BASICS
Transcript of SOLAR BASICS. CONTENTS I.Introduction to Solar Technology II.Terminology: Solar Terms and Energy...
SOLAR BASICS
CONTENTS
I. Introduction to Solar Technology
II. Terminology: Solar Terms and Energy Terms
III. Costs and Financing
IV. Basics of Federal, State, and Utility Policy
V. Solar Project Design Considerations
EXISTING SOLAR TECHNOLOGIES
Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Solar Hot Water
Concentrated Solar Power
SOLAR TECHNOLOGY: PV COMPONENTS
Cell
Panel / Module PV Array
SOLAR TECHNOLOGY: PV SYSTEMSBattery-less, grid-tied – grid connection, can be with or
without net meteringmore than 90% of all installed PV in the US
Battery-based, grid-tied – batteries plus ability to
put power onto the grid
Off-grid – only tied to a battery bank
PV-direct – e.g. solar signs, street lights, solar calculator
SOLAR TECHNOLOGY: MOUNTING
Solar PV systems can be ground mounted or roof mounted
SOLAR TERMS: SYSTEM COSTS
SOLAR TERMS: SOFT COSTS
SOLAR TERMS: SOLAR CELL, MODULE, PANEL, ARRAY & SYSTEM
SOLAR TERMS: BALANCE OF SYSTEM
• Wiring• Disconnect Switches• Mounting System• Inverter• Solar Generation
Meter
The balance of system or BOS encompasses all components of
a photovoltaic system other than the photovoltaic panels.
SOLAR PV TERMS: INVERTER, METER, DISCONNECT
Inverter
Inverter
Utility Grade Solar Meter
Utility Grade Solar Meter
Disconnect SwitchDisconnect Switch
These requirements may vary by utility. The outlay of these items can vary visually.
SOLAR TERMS: SYSTEM COSTS
SOLAR TERMS: INTERCONNECTION
• The technical and procedural requirements necessary to connect PV system to the electricity grid.
• Up until the 1970s utilities owned all generation and thus had total control over the process of how systems connected to the grid.
ENERGY TERMS: BASE LOAD AND PEAKING POWER
Electrical power demand rises and falls during the course of a typical day.
•Base load power - the minimum amount of electricity used on the grid.
•Peaking power - the maximum amount of electricity used both anticipated and unanticipated.
Net metering allows for the delivery of excess electricity generated back to the utility grid for use elsewhere. This offsets electricity provided by the utility to the customer during the billing period.
SOLAR TERMS: NET METERING
CONTENTS
I. Introduction to Solar Technology
II. Terminology: Solar Terms and Energy Terms
III. Costs and Financing
IV. Basics of Federal, State, and Utility Policy
V. Solar Project Design Considerations
THE COST OF SOLAR PV
THE COST OF SOLAR PV
25% drop in price
2010 - 2012
25% drop in price
2010 - 2012
Tracking the Sun VI: The Installed Cost of Photovoltaics in the US from 1998-2012 (LBNL)
SOLAR MARKET: TRENDS
Cost
of E
lect
rici
ty
Time
Solar Price
Retail Price
Stage 1 Stage 2
Source: Solar Electric Power Association
TodayToday
Grid Parity
SOLAR MARKET: CONSTANT PRICE
Cost
of E
lect
rici
ty
Time
Solar Price
Retail Price
Stage 1 Stage 2
Source: Solar Electric Power Association
TodayToday
Grid Parity
25 years at today’s price
Solar Technology is similar to computer or cell phone technology in that as there are higher adoption rates, prices decreases.
SOLAR MARKET: TECHNOLOGY CURVE
POLICIES & INCENTIVES
State and Utility
FederalQualified Clean Energy Bonds
Accelerated Depreciation
Investment Tax Credit
Tax Credits Tax Exemptions
Direct Cash Incentive
Net Metering
Renewable Energy Credits
CLEAN Contract Loan Programs
POLICIES & INCENTIVES
State and Utility
FederalQualified Energy
Conservation Bonds
Accelerated Depreciation
Investment Tax Credit
Tax Credits Tax Exemptions
Direct Cash Incentive
Net Metering
Renewable Energy Credits
CLEAN Contract Loan Programs
POLICIES & INCENTIVES
State and Utility
Tax Credits Tax Exemptions
Direct Cash Incentive
Net Metering
Renewable Energy Credits
CLEAN Contract Loan Programs
FederalQualified Clean Energy Bonds
Accelerated Depreciation
Investment Tax Credit
TAX CREDITS
Corporate tax credit(s) only
Personal + corporate tax credit(s) Notes: This map does not include corporate or personal tax deductions or exemptions; or tax incentives for geothermal heat pumps.
Personal tax credit(s) onlyPuerto Rico
DC
24 states offer tax
credits for renewables
24 states offer tax
credits for renewables
PROPERTY TAX INCENTIVES
38 States, +Washington DC & Puerto
Rico,offer property tax incentives
for renewables.
38 States, +Washington DC & Puerto
Rico,offer property tax incentives
for renewables.
DC
Local governments authorized to offer exemption (no state exemption or assessment)
State exemption or special assessment + local government option
State exemption or special assessment only
SALES TAX INCENTIVES FOR RENEWABLES
Puerto Rico
DC
State exemption + local governments (option) authorized to offer exemption or deduction
State exemption or deduction
28 states + Puerto Rico offer sales tax incentives for renewables
28 states + Puerto Rico offer sales tax incentives for renewables
RENEWABLE PORTFOLIO STANDARD
Solar carve-out
RENEWABLE PORTFOLIO STANDARD
• A requirement on retail electric suppliers to supply a minimum percentage or amount of their retail load with eligible sources of renewable energy.
• Typically backed with penalties of some form
• Often accompanied by a tradable renewable energy credit (REC) program, to facilitate compliance, in the case of solar in PA and NJ these are called SRECs.
• Never designed the same in any two states
RENEWABLE PORTFOLIO STANDARD
RENEWABLE PORTFOLIO STANDARD – MID-ATLANTIC
CONTENTS
I. Introduction to Solar Technology
II. Terminology: Solar Terms and Energy Terms
III. Costs and Financing
IV. Basics of Federal, State, and Utility Policy
V. Solar Project Design Considerations
DESIGN: ORIENTATION
N
S
W E100
%90%
75%
90%
75%
Average loss in energy produced
DESIGN: SHADING
Source: Renewable Energy World
10% shading of an array can lead to a 50% decline in efficiency
SOLAR PROJECT DESIGN
Solar contractors prefer large square roofs.
Solar panels usually need clear space of up to 24sq/m.
Adequate space on the ground for a ground or pole mount installation.
Is there space inside the home for a string-inverter?
FIRST RESPONDER CONSIDERATIONS
First responder training should include:
•Assess the situation
•Visual identification
•Look for labeling
•Shut down the system
•Ensure circuit breaker is shut off
•Cover panels with opaque material
•Verify conduits are still intact
• Marking & labeling so when firefighters get there they know how to respond
• Setbacks so there is space to move about the roof and vent
• Electrical equipment in conduits and inverter strategically placed to prevent firefighters from cutting live wires
SOLAR READY II
Solar Ready II is a part of the Department of Energy’ s SunShot Initiative.
Solar Ready II aims to reduce the soft costs of solar and streamline the permitting process.
The goal of Solar Ready II is to enable local governments to replicate successful solar practices to reduce soft costs and expand local adoption of solar energy.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Liz CompitelloResearch Analyst
Energy and Climate Change InitiativesDelaware Valley Regional Planning
(215) 238-2897
Justin DulaManager
County & Regional PlanningDelaware County Planning
(610) 891-5219
www.dvrpc.org/EnergyClimate/aeowg.htm
www.narc.org/solarready
