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Solar Basics
IPED Financing Renewable Energy Conference - Washington D.C. May 21, 2009
Generate change. Choose solar!
Presented By:
Richard Raeke
Director of Project Finance
Borrego Solar Systems
Presentation Outline
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Current Energy Problem
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Utility Solar
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Distributed Generation
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Solar Technologies
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Components
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Design Considerations
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Case Studies
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Borrego Solar Systems, Inc.
Company highlights:
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Leading provider of turnkey
photovoltaic systems
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29 years of solar experience
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Completely integrated set of
services
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Offices on both coasts
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Can mobilize anywhere for large
projects
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Over 800 projects completed in CA
and MA
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Borrego Solar Systems, Inc.
Services and qualifications:
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Design, engineering and
consulting
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Project development, feasibility
studies and financial modeling
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Permitting and utility
interconnection
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Warranties, service and
maintenance
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Current energy problem
Where our energy comes from:
Fossil fuels make up 86% of US Energy Supply.
Solar only contributes .06%
*Source: Energy Information Administration. Part of US Department
of Energy
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Current energy problem
Problems with current energy sources:
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Supply
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Global warming
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Pollution
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Limited Sources
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Need to import
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Reliance on Middle East
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Volatile prices
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Solar as a solution
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Abundant local supply
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No emissions
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Global warming
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Pollution
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Coincides with peak demand
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Less distribution losses
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Stable fuel prices
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Creation of Jobs
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Solar Technologies
Utility Scale
• Large Projects – 5 MW+
• Solar is tied into the grid
• Built by utility companies or by
Independent Power Producers
• Can be CSP, co-generation
facilities
Distributed Generation
• System tied into customer’s
meter (net metering)
• Off sets on-site load
• Usually solar PV
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Grid tied photovoltaics
PV system overview:
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Grid tied photovoltaics
Net Metering
•
The systems stays attached to grid
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When panels produce excess
power, the meter spins backwards
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This builds up credit with the
utility company, preferably at the
retail rate
•
During off hours, customers use
those credits to offset their bill
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Solar Components
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•
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Solar Modules
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Reliability is most important factor
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Crystalline silicon is market leader
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Many unproven thin film (or nano)
products under development
Inverter
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Brains of a solar electric system
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Limit efficiency and performance
Racking
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Needs to be designed for >30-year lifetime
–
Aluminum or Hot Dipped Galv steel
required
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Different solutions for different
applications
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Technology
Terminology and definitions:
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•
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Solar Cell
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Power producing unit
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Usually made of Silicon
Solar Module
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Also called solar panel
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Solar cells wired together
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Encapsulated in glass
Solar Array
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Modules in series and parallel
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Solar modules
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Largest single cost in system
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Up to 60% of system cost
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Typically Silicon based cells
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Single crystal, multi-crystal, or
amorphous
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Amorphous less efficient
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Glass encapsulate
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Aluminum frame
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Requires grounding
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Available with black frames
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25-year warranty is standard
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Inverters
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Convert DC power to AC power
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Efficiencies 94.5-98% conversion
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Battery backup power not standard
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Inverter limits production of system
•
–
Inverter selection is very
important
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Inverter failures are more
common than module failures
10-year warranty standard
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Design considerations
Orientation:
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West to Southeast are acceptable
orientations
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South face produces most power
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West face produces more peak
power
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Lower pitch = more flexibility
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Flat roofs work well
•
Rack at 10 degree pitch to
promote runoff
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Design considerations
Array:
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Age and condition of roof
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Obstructions
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Vents, HVAC, pipes, etc.
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Shade from trees or buildings
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Roofing material
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Support structure
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Attachment method
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Topography and soil conditions
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Design considerations
Other important factors:
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NEC Article 690
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Grounding
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Stringing
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Shading
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Wind speed – exposure
category
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Matching modules
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Temperature & voltage
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Padre Dam Municipal Water District
862 kW – Santee, CA
University of California – San Diego
880 kW – San Diego, CA
Warner Brothers
538 kW – Burbank, CA
Villa Nueva
697 kW– San Ysidro, CA
Mishawum
480 kW – Charlestown, MA
Mosaica
130 kW – San Francisco, CA
Accelerate the adoption of Renewable Energy
Generate Change. Choose Solar.
IPED May 2009
Solar Basics
Richard Raeke
Director of Project Finance
Borrego Solar Systems, Inc.
[email protected]
(510) 849-5414
www.borregosolar.com
www.borregosolar.com