Solar for Homeowners - April 2009

transcript

Solar for HomeownersApril 2009

Vision & MissionVision:Vision:

Creating a sustainable energy futureCreating a sustainable energy future

MissionMission::

To foster public policies and provide To foster public policies and provide programs, services, information and programs, services, information and forums that facilitate the adoption of forums that facilitate the adoption of clean, reliable, renewable, clean, reliable, renewable, sustainable and efficient energy sustainable and efficient energy technologies and practices.technologies and practices.

• San Diego Energy Resource Center• Rebuild Central - helping fire survivors

build green• Rebates for Alternatively fueled vehicles• Energy Efficiency rebates for Tax- Exempt

Customers• Rebates for Wind and Fuel Cell Projects• Solar Water Heating Pilot Program• California Solar Initiative

CCSE Programs

CCSE Services

•Technical Assistance•Tool Lending & Resource Libraries•Expanded Display Space•Workshops and Events•Vendor Database•Website: www.energycenter.org

Upcoming CCSE Events

• May 15 – Solar Shade Workshop• May 18 – Solar Power Purchase Agreements, Part 2 of 5• June 19 – Enphase Micro-Inverters

CCSE Housekeeping• Please sign in• Turn off your cell

phones• Refreshments • Recycle• Restrooms down the hall• Fill out your Evaluation

Forms• Tell people about CCSE!

Agenda• What is Solar? • How does PV work• Types of PV• Sample Installations (Pictures)• How much PV do I need?• How much does it cost?• How to read my electric bill• Understanding Net Energy Metering• Utility Rates• California Solar Initiative • Benefits and facts of going Solar• How do I get started?• Online Resources

What is Solar Electricity? • Pho-to-vol-ta-ics (PV) literally means "light-

electricity," and is the process of converting sunlight into electricity. The term "photo" comes from the Greek word "phos" or light, and "volt" was derived from Volta (1745-1827), a pioneer in the study of electricity.

• When PV cells are exposed to sunlight, they separate positive and negative charges, releasing small amounts of electricity giving off what is known as the "photovoltaic effect."

• PV or solar electric cells convert sunlight to usable electricity.

• Small solar panels have been imbedded in calculators, watches, etc. for decades.

How does it works?

Utility

DC Disconnect

AC Disconnect

Sunlight strikes the cells. Cells convert sunlight into directCurrent (DC). DC current flows into inverter. Inverter invertsDC into Alternating current (AC). AC is the electricity that powers your home or goes back to the utility.

How it doesn’t Work?

• If the utility grid goes down, the inverter automatically shuts off and will not feed solar-generated electricity back into the grid. •This ensures the safety of linepersons working on the grid.

Types of PV• Crystalline

• Mono or Poly – most commonly used• Often referred to as solar panels

• Each panel is usually about 5 feet long by 2 feet wide and 3 inches thick

• 100 sq. ft. = 1 kW of solar• Mounted on roofs, trackers, and fixed ground

mounts• More efficient per square foot than amorphous• Extreme heat reduces performance• Shade highly reduces performance

Different looks

•“Industrial” look

• Cleaner look

ConclusionStyle matters to some customers and

especially to HOA’s. Warranty and longevity virtually identical.

Types of PV -- Amorphous

• Amorphous – newer technology• Often referred to as thin film• Can be framed (like Crystalline) or

frameless• Conformable to mounting surface if

frameless• 150 sq. ft. = 1 kW of solar• Tends to be less costly than crystalline for

the same amount of electricity production• High heat somewhat reduces performance• Shading moderately reduces performance

Crystalline vs Amorphous

• Matter of space, budget, and aesthetics and personal taste.

• Both setups will do the job for 20-30 years….. or more.

Home with PV (front view)PV located here

Same Home with PV (side view)

Traditional Mono-Crystalline PV Panels (checker pattern)

Poly Crystalline PV Panels on flat roof with tilt kit

Poly Crystalline PV on a Ground Mount tilted for performance

System production decrease

Poly Crystalline on a Tracker (system rotates to follow sun)

Passive tracking system

Poly Crystalline on Trackers

Thin Film (Amorphous)

Thin Film (amorphous)

Thin Film

Integrated Roofing Tiles

What are the two biggest questions about solar?

How much do I need?

How much does it cost?

How much PV do I need?www.sdge.com

Ways to Save Energy Energy WavesPull your 12 month history

Total your 12 month electricity consumptionThis will be in kWh

Divide the annual kWh by 1400kWh (average annual production of 1kW in San Diego).

This will be the number of kW you needSubtract three (3) from that value to save only the

most expensive electricity (Tiers 3, 4, only)

Example: 10,000kWh / 1,400kWh = 7kW – 3kW = 4kW PV System

So, How Much Does it Cost?• PV costs range from $8.50 to $11.50 per watt fully

installed… before taking rebates or tax credits. The average cost of all residential systems to date is roughly $9.00 per watt. • Our example system would cost; 4,000W x $9/Watt = $36,000• Rebate amount; 4,000W x $1.90/Watt = $7,600• Federal Tax Credit = $8,520• Total after incentive and Tax Credit = $19,880

• Example of major cost associated with PV system • 70% of costs = PV Modules ($25,200)• 15% of costs = Installation ($5,400)• 15% of costs = Balance of System ($5,400)

• $36,000 - $7,600 - $8,520 = $19,880 Out of pocket expense

That’s a savings of 45%!

How to Read Your Electric Bill

Gas Charges

Taxes and Fees

Electric Charges

Pricing Structure

• Energy (usage) = Power x Time

• Kill a what hour?!?!

• Charged based on amount of kilowatt hours (kWh) used

• kWh – The use of 1000 watts of electricity for one full hour

Pricing Structure

• Tiered Pricing System• 4 progressively more expensive tiers• Tier 1 is the lowest rate called the “baseline”• Tiers 2, 3 and 4 are based on a percentage

of your baseline

• Tier 1 = Baseline• Tier 2 = 30% of baseline • Tier 3 = 70% of baseline• Tier 4 = All other usage

• An all electric home or not

• The climate zone in which you live. (Coastal, Inland, Mountain and Desert)

• The time of the year Summer (May 1 - October 31)Winter (November 1 – April 30)

How your baseline is calculated

Current Monthly Baseline Allowances

Monthly Electric Baseline AllowanceskWh per day

(Based on a 30 day month)

All Electric HomeMay 1 – Oct. 31

Nov. 1 – April 30

Coastal294

Inland348

Mountain552

Desert585

Monthly Electric Baseline AllowanceskWh per day

(Based on a 30 day month)

BasicMay 1 – Oct. 31

Nov. 1 – April 30

Coastal306

Inland354

Mountain465

Desert519

Understanding Your Bill – Example 1

Person A uses 250 kWh in a month with a baseline of 100 kWh

Tier 1 (Baseline) = .05 kWh Tier 3 = .15 kWh Tier 2 = .10 kWh Tier 4 = .20 kWh

Tier 1: 0 - 100 kWh 100 x $.05 = $5Tier 2: 100 – 130 kWh 30 x $.10 = $3Tier 3: 130 – 200 kWh 70 x $.15 = $10.50Tier 4: 200 – 250 kWh 50 x $.20 = $10 Total Charge = $28.50

Understanding Your Bill – Example 2

Person B uses 500 kWh in a month with a baseline of 100 kWh

Tier 1 (Baseline) = .05 kWh Tier 3 = .15 kWh Tier 2 = .10 kWh Tier 4 = .20 kWh

Tier 1: 0 - 100 kWh 100 x $.05 = $5Tier 2: 100 – 130 kWh 30 x $.10 = $3Tier 3: 130 – 200 kWh 70 x $.15 = $10.50Tier 4: 200 – 500 kWh 300 x $.20 = $60 Total Charge = $78.50

Understanding Your Bill

DWR Bond Charge•Fixed $/kWh

Transmission & Distribution•Includes transmissin, distribution, public programs, nuclear decommissioning, etc…•Varies based on Tier

Electric Energy• Fixed $/kWh• does not vary based on Tier

Total $ per kWh

Three charges combine to makeup total cost per kWh

Current SDG&E prices for electricity

Tier 1: $ .12557 / kWhTier 2: $ .14677 / kWhTier 3: $ .25943 / kWhTier 4: $ .27943 / kWh

Bundled Charges DWR Bond ChargeFixedTier 1: $ .00477/ kWhTier 2: $ .00477/ kWh Tier 3: $ .00477/ kWhTier 4: $ .00477/ kWh

Electric EnergyFixedTier 1: $ .09963 / kWh Tier 2: $ .09963 / kWh Tier 3: $ .09963 / kWh Tier 4: $ .09963 / kWh

Varies based on tierTier 1: $ .02117 / kWhTier 2: $ .04714 / kWhTier 3: $ .15980 / kWhTier 4: $ .17980 / kWh

Total you are paying

Bundled Charge

DWR Bond

Charge

Electric Energy Charge

Baseline

9.455.0727.8444.99

Understanding Net Energy Metering

• Available to solar and wind generating customers• Systems less than 1,000kW (1MW)

• Interconnected to the utility grid• Intended to offset all or part of

the customer’s load• Let’s view an example

Do my electricity rates increase?

• From SDG&E bill insert July 2007

• Pursuant to California Assembly Bill AB1X, electric rates for residential usage up to 130% of baseline allowances will not exceed rate levels in effect February 1, 2001.

• For those using electricity in Tiers 1 & 2, no rate increase applies. However, those using in Tiers 3, 4, and 5 absorb the rate increase for the lower Tiers.

• http://www.sdge.com/tariff/inserts/FINAL0730059EERP-SDG&E.pdf

Utility Rates

2006 Rate Increase in SCE territory

Note: Tier 1 & Tier 2 did not increaseTier 3 increased 34%Tier 4 increased 58%.Tier 5 increased 59%Tier 5 authorized to increase 145%!

$0.00$0.05$0.10$0.15$0.20$0.25$0.30$0.35$0.40$0.45$0.50

Tier 1 Baseline

allotment*

Tier 3 131%-200%

baseline

Tier 5 Over

300% ofbaseline

2006 Rate Increases in SCE Territory

Dec. '05

Current

Authorized

Do costs for electricity increase?

5-Sep-06 DR 652 $102.79 $0.158

6-Sep-07 DR 663 $116.74 $0.176 11.7%

5-Nov-06 DR 1,315 $237.37 $0.181

6-Nov-07 DR 1,225 $262.84 $0.215 18.9%

6-Jan-06 DR 2,302 $440.95 $0.192

7-Jan-07 DR 2,323 $537.15 $0.231 20.7%

5-Sep-06 DR 2,215 $432.51 $0.195

6-Sep-07 DR 2,226 $548.59 $0.246 26.2%

Date Rate kWh $ Ave.

kWh 1 Year % Increase

Real Consumption Data in SDG&E territory!

Data from real CSI Projects

Quick recap

• Now you know …

• How you are being charged• What you are being charged for• Trends

California Solar Initiative• $2.1 Billion Program for 10 years (2007-2016)

• Rebates are offered on a declining scale• The more solar that gets installed, the lower the

rebate gets• Current rebate of $1.90/Watt is about 15% - 20% of

total cost of system

California Solar Initiative

• Goal is 59.5 MW of solar (photovoltaics) installed on single family homes over the next 10 years for the San Diego region. • Total of 15,000 4kW (average size) systems

• 120 MW of non-residential (gov’t, commercial, non-profit) over the next 10 years in the San Diego region as well.• Total of over 500 200kW (average size) systems

Benefits and Facts• Solar is economically sound

• Rate of return typically greater than 9% This is very competitive with other higher risk investments such as stocks and bonds. As utility rates increase, the annual return increases.

• Utility bill savings equal to or greater than monthly Loan Cost – Cash positive

• Property Tax exempt

* Source: http://www.begreennow.com/users/calculator

Benefits and Facts• Reduce your carbon footprint by up to 3 metric

tons* per year for each 1000 kWh of PV per month• (equivalent of removing one average car’s yearly

pollution)

• Pay your electric bill once per year… you can pay it more often, but you are not required to do so.

• HOA can not prevent you from going solar – see California Civil Code 714 for details on how you and the HOA work together to go solar.

* Source: http://www.begreennow.com/users/calculator

How do I get started?• Contact CCSE• Energy Efficiency Audit• Contact a PV Professional

• Steps• Evaluate different vendors/installers• Enter into agreement with vendor/installer

• Financing options available• Vendor/installer typically assists with paperwork, permits,

interconnection, etc.• Reserve incentive with CCSE

• Vendor/installer typically takes care of rebate paperwork as a part of their service

• Install system• Incentive provided post installation• Typical time from signing contract to system commissioning

– 60 days

Online Resources• ccse.powerclerk.com - CSI Program Data• www.csi-epbb.com - CSI Program Incentive

Calculator• www.csi-trigger.com - CSI Statewide Trigger

Point Tracker• www.gosolarcalifornia.com – CPUC and CEC

Website• www.energycenter.org – CCSE Website• www.cslb.ca.gov – Contractor State License

Board• www.bbb.org – Better Business Bureau

Conclusion• Installing solar is like having an

insurance policy against rising electricity cost; as rates get higher, you continue to pay the same the life of the system!

Thank You

CCSE CSI Contact Information

California Center for Sustainable Energy(CCSE)

8690 Balboa Ave, Suite 100San Diego, CA 92123

858-244-1194http://csi.sdenergy.org

Ben AirthBenjamin.airth@energycenter.org

Solar for Homeowners - April 2009

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