Solar Energy Overview

1
Solar Energy Overview

• Overview of the technology, benefits, as well as
  technical and financial project considerations
  for photovoltaic systems.
• Prepared by Prime Solar, LLC t/a Prime Solar
  Network

2
Solar Energy Overview

• What is Solar Energy?
• Solar energy is derived from solar radiation.
• Technology to harvest solar energy comes in many
  forms
• Photovoltaic systems (Provides electricity)
• Solar thermal (provides space heating or hot
  water)
• Concentrating solar systems.
• This presentation focuses on solar photovoltaic
  systems..

3
Solar Energy Overview

• An Illustration of a Solar Voltaic System
• 1 Solar panels
• 2 Inverter
• 3 A Bidirectional Electric Meter
• 4 Home Electricity Use
• 5 Utility grid.

4
Solar Energy Overview

• Solar Photovoltaic Elements from Previous Slide
• 1 Solar panels Collect the suns energy and
  covert it into direct current (DC) electricity.
  The number of panels you need is determined by
  your electricity needs.
• 2 An inverter Converts the electricity from DC
  to alternating current (AC) electricity for use
  in your home.
• 3 A bidirectional electric meter Displays net
  power usage. When you generate more than you use,
  your meters spins backwards lowering your
  electricity bills. When you generate less, it
  spins forward but more slowly than it would
  otherwise.
• 4 You produce your own electricity to be used
  throughout your home
• 5 Utility Grid All excess electricity generated
  by system goes to Utility Grid.

5
Solar Energy Overview

• What factors can affect electricity production?
• Orientation A tilted (40 deg. typical, but
  depends on location) , south facing orientation
  is best for fixed systems
• Location (in the US, the Southwest is the best)
• Temperature (lower is better)
• Shadowing (no shadows best)
• Cleanliness of panels (dirt on panel impedes
  sunlight)
• Inverter efficiency
• System age (systems degrades but typically at lt
  1 per year)
• Wiring and other electrical losses (typically 3)

6

• Another Illustration of a Typical Solar Home
  System
• 1. Solar PV Modules
• 2. Inverter
• 3. In home Monitoring System
• 4. Utility net meter

7
Solar Energy Overview

• Type of Solar System Roof Mounting Flush Mount

8
Solar Energy Overview

• Type of Solar System Roof Mounting Angle Mount

9
Solar Energy Overview

• Type of Solar System Roof Mounting Fin Mount

10
Solar Energy Overview

• Type of Solar System Mounting Ground Mount

11
Solar Energy Overview

• Type of Solar System Tracking System

12
Solar Energy Overview

• Reasons to Consider a Photovoltaic System
• Federal and State governments offer considerable
  subsidies to offset cost of system.
• Incentives span small residential systems through
  large commercial power plants
• Systems typically offer 25 years of energy
  production.
• Protect against rising electricity costs.
• Offers the ability to reduce or completely
  eliminate electric bills
• No emissions
• No fuel required
• Many project have excellent payback profiles

13
Solar Energy Overview

• How does one determine if a project is viable for
  a residential or commercial situation? 3 key
  steps are usual
• Perform technical evaluation
• Perform financial evaluation
• Obtain a detailed cost estimate based on design
  options and available financing.
• With Prime Solar, you get a report with many
  estimates from installers and multiple materials
  options

14
Solar Energy Overview

• What typically determines a viable solar project?
  (Contd)
• Step 1 (Commercial only) Technical Evaluation
  Perform assessment on site proposed for solar PV
  system. Key aspects include
• Area of roof or area proposed for system
• Structural
• Solar intensity for location
• Interconnection
• Panel manufacturer and technology (determines
  efficiency)
• Possible power output vs. desired output
• Key goal for Step 1 (commercial) is to estimate
  power production and assess any site specific
  issues, if any.

15
Solar Energy Overview

• What typically determines a viable solar project?
  (Contd)
• Step 1 (Residential only) Technical evaluation
  Perform assessment on site proposed for solar PV
  system. Key aspects include
• Adequate roof area
• Solar intensity for location
• Panel manufacturer and technology (determines
  efficiency)
• Possible power output vs. desired output
• Key goal for Step 1 (residential) is to estimate
  power production over a defined time frame, and
  any site specific items to be addressed.

16
Solar Energy Overview

• What typically determines a viable solar project
  contd?
• Step 2 Financial Evaluation (valid for both
  Residential and Commercial)
• Determine cost of installation
• Determine maintenance and recurring costs
• Determine revenue from electricity and renewable
  energy credit (REC) sales
• Determine credits and tax benefits from federal
  and state subsidies.
• Develop a financial model of project and
  calculate payback time and Return on Investment
  (ROI)
• Key goal for Step 2 is to calculate a ROI and/or
  payback period, targeting 5-15 years depending on
  the system and state, which is comparable or less
  than the fully financed costs of the system on a
  monthly basis.

17
Solar Energy Overview

• Cost is part of Financial Evaluation but what
  typically determines a project cost?
• Materials
• Solar Panels
• Racking and mounting system(s)
• Inverter
• Net meter
• Wiring
• Labor
• Design
• Permitting
• Installation labor
• Other
• Land (utility grade commercial only)
• Tracking system (commercial only)

18
Solar Energy Overview

• If a project appears viable, what next?
• Proceed with our Client Services Agreement so we
  can have installers perform an evaluation on site
  and develop a more detailed scope, technical,
  cost, and schedule estimates which will be
  contained in our Report.
• Obtain financing options from our varied sources
  depending on the type of installation, location
  and client credit and/or property equity details.
• Select from Installer and Materials options
  presented in our Report and proceed with a wise
  fiscal decision as you play your part as a great
  green citizen.

19
Solar Energy Overview

• How does one perform the technical and financial
  evaluation?
• Resources such as PV Watts (tool to analyze power
  output) are available from the National Renewable
  Energy Laboratory
• RETScreen from Natural Resources Canada can be
  used for financial analysis and power output
  calculations
• Google maps, Roofray, Roofwalk and other
  resources are available to calculate areas for
  proposed system locations
• DSIRE web resources from the US Department of
  Energy show state by state and Federal incentives

20
Solar Energy Overview

• But isnt the technical and financial evaluation
  difficult to do?
• Yes, somewhat - use of the tools does require
  training and personnel that are knowledgeable in
  solar PV technology
• How can Prime Solar Network help?
• Prime Solar Network has personnel available to do
  these analyses(and large PPAs) and send a Remote
  Cost Benefit Analysis for any given project.
• See Remote Cost Benefit Analysis samples for
  residential and commercial projects and our Free
  Quote Policies
• If the project is viable, Prime Solar can help
  you with our Client Services Agreement,
  positioning our experts to competitively bid the
  project to obtain multiple defined options and
  terms

21
Solar Energy Overview

• Contact Information
• Prime Solar, LLC
• 823 West Park Avenue, 256
• Ocean, NJ 07712
• info_at_primesolarnetwork.com

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Solar Energy Overview

• Sources
• www.pvwatts.org
• www.nrel.gov
• www.aessolarenergy.com
• www.doe.gov