Download SACPA April 24 2014

Power from the Sun:
The ups and downs of installing solar in Lethbridge
Mark 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 Body
2008
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
Finally!
Installation III
2013
But wait!
• Your roof is not “standard”
• $1,000 for roof inspection!
Untitled
2012
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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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