Solar PV Site Assessment and Proposals A Contractor’s Perspective - SOLR 520 The objectives of this session are to: 1. Provide participants with a solar PV site assessment checklist and demonstrate its use 2. Allow hands-on use of solar assessment tools (e.g. Sun Eye, Solar Pathfinder) 3. Familiarize participants with standard information needed (e.g. codes and zoning, structural and electrical, and home energy requirements) 4. Discuss and provide examples of completion and submission of NYSERDA PONs and utility interconnection agreements 5. Provide participants with a list of equipment/tools needed to meet each of the above objectives 6. Discuss contingency plans for supply and technology changes 7. Review scheduling and timetables for a solar PV installation 8. Demonstrate/explain solar PV economics, including system costs and payback scenarios 9. Provide a hands-on session for proposal development for a solar PV scenario.
Transcript
Solar PV Site Assessment and Proposals A Contractor’s Perspective - SOLR 520
The objectives of this session are to:
1. Provide participants with a solar PV site assessment checklist and demonstrate its use
2. Allow hands-on use of solar assessment tools (e.g. Sun Eye, Solar Pathfinder)
3. Familiarize participants with standard information needed (e.g. codes and zoning, structural and electrical, and home energy requirements)
4. Discuss and provide examples of completion and submission of NYSERDA PONs and utility interconnection agreements
5. Provide participants with a list of equipment/tools needed to meet each of the above objectives
6. Discuss contingency plans for supply and technology changes7. Review scheduling and timetables for a solar PV installation 8. Demonstrate/explain solar PV economics, including system
costs and payback scenarios 9. Provide a hands-on session for proposal development for a
solar PV scenario.
• PV Solar Electric • Solar Hot Water • Wind Electric • • Hydro Electric • Geothermal Heating & Cooling •
Pyrus Energy is a family owned and operated company with expertise in the design and installation
of renewable energy systems. Through its wholly owned subsidiary New York Wind and Sun, the firm
has designed, installed and serviced renewable energy systems and emergency backup power
supplies over the past 15 years.
Pyrus Energy is headquartered in Weedsport, New York. The principal owners of the company have been in the energy business for over 20 years and through
New York Wind and Sun has completed numerous wind and PV projects. Our experience emanates from
careers in the management of large scale energy systems in industrial facilities.
The return on investment for renewable energy systems has risen dramatically within the last few years because
now you can receive an abundance of financial support from the State and Federal Governments. Sometimes over
half of your proposed total can be paid for!
Grow a Green Wallet
Renewable energy systems are sustainable, using the energy potential of the earth’s natural resources, such as
the earth, wind, sun, and water without depleting or destroying the resource consumed.
Grow a Green Earth
Choosing renewable energy builds a locally sustainable energy infrastructure for your family and your
community. Renewable energy systems create energy independence and lessen our dependence on foreign
fossil fuel sources.
Grow a Green Community
PV Site Assessments & Proposals
Step One: Learn To Discern Tire Kickers From Potential
Customers
• Do they own the house?• Is the utility bill in their name?• Do they know what it may cost? • We charge for our site evaluations
many do not• Make sure the customer knows the
timeline• Inform customer of incentive
changes. It has changed 4 times in the last 12 month. Last January it was $4.00/watt now it is $1.75/watt
Before you Leave the Office
Know & Pre-Qualify your customer
What to ask the customer for before you arrive:
• Survey• Code officer name• Utility bill all pages
Site Visit Questions
Tools needed to do an assessment:
• Camera, + spare, batteries• Tape measure • Screw driver• Ladder• Safety Equipment (1st Impressions)• Graph paper & pencil• Angel finder• Clamp on Amp Probe, VOM meter• Kilo-watt meter• Power Analyzer• Basic understanding of 120/240 1 phase or, 208/480 3 phase• Hand GPS
Tools for Site Visit
Site Evaluation Form
__View of Building from Road__Electrical Utility Meter__Utility Transformer__ Panel Box and all Sub-panels__Close up of Main Breaker__Area Around Panel Box
Pictures from Location of Potential Renewable Device in All Directions in the following sequence:
__South__Southwest__West__Northwest__North__Northeast__East__Southeast__Additional Photos of Potential Shading__Photo of Attic/Rafters of Roof for any Roof Mounted Projects.
NYSERDA• Becoming a installer• Proposal• Contract• Grant• Proof of Insurance• Power Clerk• Weekly Conference Calls• Approval Letter• Extensions• 3 Line Electrical Drawing• Technical Review• Packing Slip• 75% submittal• 25% submittal• Key Contacts
NYSERDA Contacts3rd party technical reviewOsha (Photos)Packing listPurchase order75%25%Easy read MeterPhotos at site, what requiresScan in checklist/requirementsinsurance
Is this a repeat?
NYSERDA
Power Clerk
Power Clerk
CONTRACTFOR PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF A GRID CONNECTED PHOTOVOLTAIC ENERGY SYSTEM WITH INCENTIVES FROM
NYSERDA UNDER PON 1050
THIS Agreement dated October 12, 2009 is by and between NEW YORK WIND & SUN, LLC (hereinafter referred to as “W&S”) having its place of business
located at 2737 Erie Drive, Weedsport, New York 13166 and Warren Darby, 5416 Shore Drive, Brewerton, New York 13029 (“Customer”). The installation location
is 5416 Shore Drive, Brewerton, New York 13029.For good and valuable consideration receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the
parties hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE INYSERDA REQUIRED TERMS
This Agreement is for the purchase and installation of a qualified new grid connected photovoltaic energy systems (“PV”) for an end use application. The parties intend to comply with the requirements of the New York State Energy
Research and Development Authority (“NYSERDA”) Program Opportunity Notice 1050 (“PON 1050”) to obtain financial incentives in support of the project. W&S is an “Eligible Installer” duly qualified under the NYSERDA PV program and will assist Customer through each stage of the process. W&S will collect the necessary information, specifications and data; prepare the NYSERDA applications and act as
liaison on Customer’s behalf.The parties hereby acknowledge that the following NYSERDA terms and
conditions are attached hereto and incorporated in this Agreement:Attachment A: PON 1050 Eligible Installer Agreement. (19 pages)
Exhibit A: Standard Terms and Conditions for all NYSERDA Agreements (4 pages)Exhibit B: Part 504 Prompt Payment Statement (6 pages)
Attachment B: Addendum to Customer Purchase Agreement (3 pages)Attachment C: PON 1050 Incentive Application Form (2 Pages)
Attachment F: PON 1050 Final Invoice Checklist (1 page)
Schedule: The installation schedule is dependent upon third party approvals coordinated by W&S and is tied to the NYSERDA approval process. The project schedule can be summarized as follows:•A complete, accurate and legible application will be provided to NYSERDA including local permits and for PV Systems with a total panel surface area exceeding 4,000 square feet, proof of compliance with 6 NYCRR Part 617 (SEQRA).•NYSERDA will issue notice of incomplete application within 30 days. •W&S will respond to any NYSERDA comments.•Upon receipt of NYSERDA approval the equipment will be ordered from the factory. Note: NYSERDA prohibits partial installation activities prior to approval.•W&S will apply to Customer’s electric service provider (National Grid, NYSEG, etc.) for an interconnection agreement.•Within 90 days of NYSERDA approval, the equipment will be delivered from the factory. Note: W&S will use its best efforts to obtain timely delivery by the manufacturer; however, W&S does not guarantee or warrant manufacturer’s timely performance.•Upon equipment delivery, Attachment D will be submitted to NYSERDA (75% grant) •Installation will be scheduled by mutual agreement between W&S and Customer.•W&S will apply to customer’s electric service provider for installation the Net Meter.•Upon installation of the Net Meter and interconnection with the grid, Attachment E will be submitted to NYSERDA (25% grant)Description of System: The system is composed of the following major components:Approved Solar Panels: (36) – Sharp NU-U230F3 – 230 Watt Panels Approved Pole Mount/Racking System: Roof mounting system Approved Inverter: (2) SMA Sunny Boy™ 4000USApproved Easy Read Meter: GE Model #1-705 120/240 VAC, CEC ApprovedOther Electrical Components: Lightning Arrestors, Lockable AC & DC Disconnects
Requirements
•Building Permit•Electrical Permit• 3rd Party Inspection• 3 Line Diagram• Insurance• Site Plan• Safety (OSHA 10 Hour)
Electrical Inspection
PV OCPD + Main OCPD <= 120% of Panel rating120% of panel rating = 1.2 x 125 = 150 ampsPV + 100 <= 150, therefore the PV OCPD can be upto 50 amps
2. Suppose it was 100-amp panel with a 100-ampmain breaker. What PV breaker could be added?PV + 100 <= 1.2 x 100 = 120The maximum PV backfed circuit breaker would berated at 20 amps.
NEC 120 % Buss Bar Rule
3500/240 = 14.58 amps, 1.25 x 14.58 = 18.2 amps; use a 20-amp breaker and 12 AWG conductors.
4500/240 = 18.75 amps, 1.25 x 18.75 = 23.43 amps; use a 25-amp breaker and 10 AWG conductors.
No bottom breaker position?From the above equations, it can be seen that if the backfed PV OCPD cannot be located at the bottom of the panel or at the end of the circuit, it is not possible to install the backfed breaker without changing something. That 120% allowance drops to only 100%. Any panel that has a main breaker rated the same as the panel rating in the above equations would not allow any OCPD to be added. The 100%-of-the-panel-rating factor (instead of 120%)
Federal Tax Credit:30% of cost with no upper limit
Expires:December 31, 2016
Details:Existing homes & new construction qualify. Both principle residences and second homes qualify. Rentals do not qualify. PV Solar Electric, Wind
Electric, and Geothermal HVAC Systems eligible.
The REAP/Feasibility Grant Program will provide grants for energy audits and renewable energy development assistance. It
also provides funds to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to conduct feasibility study for a renewable energy
system.
How much are the grants?The grants are awarded on a competitive basis and can be up to 25% of total eligible project costs. Grants are limited to $50,000
for renewable energy feasibility studies..
Who is eligible? The program is designed to assist farmers, ranchers and rural small businesses. All agricultural producers, including farmers
and ranchers, who gain 50% or more of their gross income from the agricultural operations are eligible. Small businesses that are located in a rural area can also apply. Rural electric cooperatives
may also be eligible to apply.
For all projects, the system must be located in a rural area, must be technically feasible, and must be owned by the applicant.
Installation
• Changes in the project (increase/decrease, unavailable from manufacturers)• Delays (shipments, customers, employees, traffic, accidents, inspectors)• Extensions • Unavailable products 10 months later (Sharp updating panels)• Grant changes • Incorrect Measurements, String Sizing, Inverter for Size System• Customer Dies, Moves, Loses Their Job• House Fire• Can’t Pay balance (Leans)• Concealed Damage• Equipment orders (Shortage)• Theft• Equipment Failure (tech support)• The guy next door working out of his basement with now overhead
Contingency Plans
Safety
If you are taking any photos, make sure all safety procedures are being practiced. Must have OHSA 10 hour
Class if using Federal Money.
Safety
Be sure to wear sun tan lotion, hard hats, and harnesses with safety ropes
attached. It is important to move panels safely, close to $1000 per panel. Do you want to drop one?
Tools
It is important to have the right tools with you and on you. Tool belts are
coming back!
Interconnection
System Monitoring & Maintenance
WEB Based Monitoring
Photos On Site
Schedule
Projected Solar PV Installation Schedule
1 to 2 weeks – NYSERDA grant application submitted
12 to 20 weeks – NYSERDA grant application approval received (unfortunately NYSERDA’s timing for grant approval has varied greatly with the potential for even longer lead times) equipment will be ordered after your NYSERDA approval is received
3 to 6 weeks – Equipment received
2 to 4 weeks – Job completed
2 to 4 weeks – Independent electrical inspection performed
