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Sun Volt

Sun Volt Solar

earth, the final frontier

Clean Energy, Clean Environment

We are at a cross roads in human history, we can choose to continue on as we have been, or we can make a change to improve our future and quite possibly the future for several generations to come. We are here to promote energy independence, a better environment, a secure future and a higher return on investment for your hard earned dollar. It is what I believe in, it is why I am in the solar business.

NYSERDA funds PV rebate program through 2015

06 Aug 10 | Solar Electric

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) has updated it’s PV rebate program, formerly known as PON 1050, now known as PON 2112.  In the new program, 2 million dollars per month is allocated to PV installations.  Rebates are capped at various levels, 7 KW DC for residential, 25 KW for non-profits, and 50 KW for government installations.  The cash rebate is $1.75 per installed watt, however, if demand exceeds 2 million dollars in any particular month, that amount can be adjusted downward.

The prices of PV panels have dropped from the highs seen two years ago, leveling off in the $2-3 per watt range.  The balance of system parts also have more options available, so system prices are still edging downward, slowly.  Eventually, those prices will bottom out and begin to climb as energy prices in general increase.

Installation season is in full swing, so if you would like to get in on the action, give us a call.

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06 Aug 10 | Solar Electric | Comments (0)

New York A7557A fixes some of it’s net metering law

30 Jul 10 | Solar Electric, Wind Power

New York legislature has fixed at least one issue with the net metering law (PSL 66) with A7557A, which was signed by the Governor last March.  The law took effect yesterday.  Here are some of the issues addressed:

  1. Removed the requirement that solar generating equipment not exceed customer’s peak load.
  2. Removed the requirement that wind generating equipment not exceed customer’s peak load.
  3. Make certain provisions for commercial customers to pay for the installation of safety equipment

Increasing solar and wind generating capacities are a step in the right direction.  If a customer has a resource that is available to be used to generate power for other electrical customers, there is no reason not to take advantage of it.

The utility companies buy this power at wholesale rates and sell it for retail to the next few customers down the line.  Everyone wins.

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30 Jul 10 | Solar Electric, Wind Power | Comment (1)

Solar Power: Save money, increase the value of your home

20 Dec 09 | Sales, Solar Electric, Solar Hot Water, solar thermal

I have been going over some of the bills from the last few years. My utility company, Central Hudson Gas and Electric has been increasing the cost of electricity by 9% annually.

central hudson electric rates

Nine percent per year seems like quite a bit, especially since inflation has been running around two to three percent. The increases of fuel costs and energy products in general has far outpaced inflation. Projected out 25 years, the cost per kWh is $1.53! I don’t expect it to get that bad, but one never knows.

Here are some solar facts:

Based on conditions here in NY state:

  • The average home owner chooses to install a 4 KW DC photovoltaic system. This generates 4500 to 5000 KWh per year.
  • With rebates and incentives, the final system cost is about $10-11K.
  • Over the course of the system life (25 years), the electricity generated will cost $0.09 per KWh. Currently, NY electricity averages $0.158 KWh (increasing at 9% per year).
  • Without inflation, that equals a savings of $29,000.00.

Also, based on conditions in NY state:

  • the average home owner chooses to install an 80 SF/80 Gallon solar hot water system. This will supply a family of four with 80% of their hot water annually.
  • With rebates and incentives, that system cost is around $3,800.
  • Over the course of the system life (25 years), the energy converted by this system will cost $0.03 per KWh. Currently, NY electricity averages $0.158 KWh (increases 9% per year)
  • Without inflation, that equals a savings of $16,500.00.

Of course, these are long term investments. In order to realize this type of savings, a homeowner will have to stay put for 25 years. That is a rarity these days.

Solar systems retain almost all of their pre-incentive/rebate value when added to a structure as a capital improvement. Here is a list of residential home improvements and the values added to a typical house:

  1. Two story addition: 94%
  2. Bathroom remodel: 93%
  3. Major Kitchen Remodel: 91%
  4. Solar System: 90%
  5. Basement finish/remodel: 89%
  6. Siding: 88%
  7. Roof Replacement: 85%
  8. Deck: 84%
  9. Hot tub: 84%
  10. Family room addition: 82%
  11. Sun room: 75%
  12. Garage addition: 70%
  13. Backup power generator: 58%

Of course, if the rebates and incentives are considered, then the installation of a solar system is cash positive from day one. What this means is the homeowner pays $11-12K but gets $32,000 of additional home value. I can’t think of a better deal than that.

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20 Dec 09 | Sales, Solar Electric, Solar Hot Water, solar thermal | Comments (0)

System verification for Enphase Inverters

16 Dec 09 | Solar Electric, Technology

In New York State, there is something called the Standardized Interconnect Requirements (or SIR) that governs how utility companies handle grid connected renewable energy systems such as Photovoltaic and Wind energy systems.

Among the requirements, usually known as “Step 5,” a verification that the system meets UL 1741 is required. This means that after a power outage, the inverter stays off for five minutes before it begins exporting power to the grid. For most inverters, the verification procedure is simple, turn off the breaker feeding the inverter for a short period, then turn it back on. Watch the LED indicators on the inverter and time how long it takes to come on line and produce power. If it is 5 minutes or longer, the system passes.

enphase energy M210 inverters

enphase energy M210 inverters

The problem with the [e] Enphase inverters is there are many of them, they are located with the solar panels, and it would be difficult to watch the LED start flashing green especially if the inverters are under a PV panel bolted to the roof. Therefore, an alternative verification procedure must be effected. One suggestion by the utility company was to use a clamp on ammeter to measure the AC current in the branch circuit between the inverters and the panel. One small problem was that some “leakage current” had been detected in previous tests of this nature.

I sent an e-mail off the [e] Enphase Energy, Inc. They responded very quickly with the following suggested verification procedure:

  1. Turn off the breakers to the array.
  2. Turn on the breakers to the array and make a note of the time down to the second.
  3. Using a clamp on ammeter, verify that the array is not producing current until 5 minutes have passed. During the non-producing period, the ammeter will show a slight current draw of 0.056 Amps +/- 5% for each installed inverter. In this case, there are 10 inverters in each string, therefore the clamp on ammeter will show 0.56 Amps +/- 5%.
  4. After 5 minutes have passed, the ammeter will show the array producing power by indicating greater than the quiescent current noted in step 4.

The test should be run when the array is in full sunlight so the AC current meter will obviously indicate the array is exporting power to the grid since AC current meters do not indicate the direction of current flow.

The second method proscribed by Enphase involves using the utility meter. This can only be used in arrays that are large enough to get the meter spinning, and should only be performed in full sunlight.

  1. Observe service meter and note direction it is turning while consuming power.
  2. Turn off main service breaker and all other breakers feed the various household loads, simulating a power outage.
  3. Turn on main service breaker and breaker feeding the inverter(s) only and note the exact time.
  4. Observe service meter. A very slight movement forward direction indicates the inverters are consuming a small amount of power in their monitoring circuit.
  5. After five minutes have passed, the meter will begin to turn in the opposite direction, indicating the inverters are exporting power.
  6. Close the breakers to the rest of the household loads.

Finally, if the inverters are ground mounted and the LED indicators can be readily observed, this procedure can be followed if the first two do not satisfy the utility company.

  1. Turn off the breaker feeding the branch circuit, if it is not already off, then turn back on.
  2. Observe the inverter(s) status LED, is should begin to flash red when AC power is applied then flash green when the inverter(s) begin to produce power. Time the period of the flashing red LED with a stop watch, it should be 5 minutes or greater.

This can be done for each individual inverter, or for each inverter string as the (utility company) representative present desires.

According to the manufacture, the system complies with the requirements of UL1741, which states that if the inverter detects that the grid has gone out of specification or has completely shut off, then the inverter will “cease exportation” of power. The inverter is allowed to draw current but cannot produce power. Therefore the small amounts of current indicated on an AC ammeter is not leakage current, rather it is the inverter consuming a small amount of power prior to in beginning operation.

Update: From Scott at Enphase Energy:

I had a brief, follow-up comment about one portion of the article. During the 5-minute wait time specified by UL-1741, the Microinverter is not consuming power. It is circulating reactive current in the A/C-filter section of the device.

I just wanted to make sure that the statement of “the inverter consuming a small amount of power prior to in beginning operation” was not potentially misinterpreted as tare-loss, with an Enphase customer thinking that he was losing some of that hard-earned energy during the 5-minute period.

No, we wouldn’t want them to think that, especially after I preached about unshaded locations and voltage drop during the sales presentation.

I have noted that these inverters come on line in 5 minutes and 20 seconds or so after a power outage.

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16 Dec 09 | Solar Electric, Technology | Comments (0)

Photovoltaic panels manufactured at Federal Penitentiary

18 Nov 09 | Commentary, Solar Electric

I had a very interesting conversation with a gentleman from the Department of Justice the other day. He was describing to me how the inmates at Otisville Federal Corrections Institute manufactured 24 MW of PV panels last year.  These panels cannot be sold to the general public for private use, however, they can be transferred to other branches of the government for installation at federal buildings and facilities.

In 2010, the Federal Correction Institute, Sheridan, Oregon is coming on line with a 50 MW/year PV panel manufacturing facility.  What this all means is there will likely be several large PV arrays coming on line at various federal facilities, such as penitentiaries, national parks, military bases, office buildings and the like.  There are several positives to this:

  1. It gives the inmates a marketable manufacturing skill which will be needed as more companies seek to manufacture PV products.
  2. Inmates are being productive.
  3. The government gets inexpensive PV panels for installation on its facilities.
  4. The money spent manufacturing PV panels is offset by the savings in electrical energy since the panels stay within the federal government system.
  5. It stimulates the economy because the balance of system components are still supplied from outside non-government sources.
  6. It reduces the overall energy consumption in the US, which is good for many reasons; lowers pollution, fosters energy independence, enhances national security, etc.

This is a smart use of taxpayer dollars.

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18 Nov 09 | Commentary, Solar Electric | Comments (0)

The role of utility companies in a green economy

16 Aug 09 | Commentary, General, Solar Electric

I have been watching with interest the ongoing petition by our local utility company, Central Hudson Gas and Electric for rate increases.  This is the second request in as many years.

They have been not making as much money as in previous years.  Meanwhile, Xcel Energy has come right out and said it:  Customers who have PV panels installed are getting a free ride.  They would like to charge those customers for energy that they might use, which in the face of things sounds a little off to me.

So what is the role of a utility company for those customers who choose to install renewable energy systems?  Are they a giant battery, ready to give and receive power at the whim of a customer?  Can they charge for goods and services that might or might not be used?

This leads to several questions about the way we distribute electrical power in this country.  The customer who invests thousands of dollars to generate a portion of his own power should not be penalized because he doesn’t use utility company power.  On the other hand, utility companies incur significant expenses maintaining the distribution grid.

Then there are the power generators supplying the grid.  Those companies have to anticipate load demand and start or stop entire generating facilities to meet that demand.  Power plants cannot be simply switched on and off, it takes a good deal of effort to get some of these facilities on line.

Clearly some type of working arrangement needs to be implimented between small renewable energy generators and traditional utility companies.  Most of the PV systems being installed today, at least in my area, are grid interactive.  Take the grid away and the system shuts down.  Perhaps some small fee for storing the renewable enery system’s excess kWh until they are used would be fair.  After all, if not grid interactive, the other option is to install a battery storage system, which is expensive and maintenance intensive.   The utility grid is not free for the utility company, they should get something for providing a storage service.

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16 Aug 09 | Commentary, General, Solar Electric | Comments (0)

Solar Electricity Handbook

01 Jul 09 | Solar Electric

I was contacted by Mike Boxwell, author of The Solar Electricity handbook (ISBN 978-1-907215-01-8, Green Code Publishing, Warwickshire, UK.  2009) and asked if I would do a blog post about it.

I went to The Solar Electricity Handbook website and browsed through the first few chapters.  It seems the book is thoughtful and well laid out.  As Mike said in his e-mail:

The book deals with the practicalities of using solar power to generate electricity successfully and in the most ecologically friendly ways and is aimed at the DIY installer and enthusiast.

It is not a work that I would especially refer to for my every day solar installation business. However, for a do it yourselfer that has some good working electrical knowledge and skills, it might be just the thing needed to answer some of the more obscure solar questions.

The web site also has some good links, calculators and other information.  So, if you have stumbled onto this blog looking for do it yourself information, check out The Solar Electricity Handbook.

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01 Jul 09 | Solar Electric | Comments (0)

Photovoltaics or Gas Generators, what is the best backup power?

16 Dec 08 | Solar Electric, Training

Based on my experience during the Northeast Ice Storm of 2008, I thought I would do a comparison of a Photovoltaic system with battery back up vs. gas powered generators.  To be sure, a portable gas powered generator is the fastest least expensive way to get the power back on in an emergency.  They can also be dangerous, as several people have died of Carbon Monoxide poisoning over the last couple of days.

An installed system that automatically restores power can save time and money in the long run.  For that there are two basic options, a gas or diesel powered generator or a PV system with battery backup.

Here is a chart for comparison:

System category Photovoltaic system w/battery backup Portable gasoline generator Installed generator with auto transfer switch
Design Design intensive No Design Design moderate
Installation cost Initial cost high, approximately $20-27K Initial cost low, about $1-2K Initial cost moderate to high, about $10-20K depending on generator type/size
Installation labor Installation intensive No installation Installation intensive
Running cost Negative cost to run Cost to run high Cost to run moderate
Maintenance cost No maintenance High Maintenance High Maintenance
Environmental Non-polluting High polluting Moderate polluting
Fuel Non-fuel dependent Fuel availability dependent Fuel availability dependent
Load size Partial load sizing Partial load sizing Full load sizing
Operation Silent running Loud running Moderate noise running
Hazards Some batteries can produce Hydrogen if improperly charged Carbon monoxide hazard, fueling hazard, fire hazard No carbon monoxide hazard if properly installed
Other In use full time, can be configured to sell power back to grid when batteries are charged, reduces electric bill Standby use only, must be moved into position and use extension cords, does not reduce electric bill Standby use only, does not reduce electric bill

Notes:
1. PV design includes identifying critical electrical loads and doing a load analysis. Also includes local weather considerations, solar resources, sub panels, battery placement, etc.
2. Cost to run includes fuel and maintenance costs. Since PV systems can be configured to sell excess power to the utility grid thus reducing utility bills, it can make money, therefore have a negative cost to run.
3. Maintenance refers to mechanical maintenance, e.g. oil changes, belts hoses, etc. PV systems usually require no maintenance, properly charged batteries require no maintenance and will easily last 10 years if not discharge too deeply.
4. Load sizing refers to the house electrical load.  A PV system will usually be sizing to run critical systems, a generator can run the entire house.  This is a consideration for those that have electric houses (e.g. electric stoves, electric hot water, electric heat, etc)

To that end, I have put together a standard PV with battery backup package that will run most critical household loads during a prolonged power outage.  These include:

  1. Non-electric furnace or boiler and circulator pumps
  2. 1 HP well pump
  3. 1/2 HP sump pump
  4. Standard 20-23 CF refrigerator/freezer
  5. 1200 watt microwave oven (10 minutes per day)
  6. 20 inch TV and DVD player (5 hours per day)
  7. Table top or clock radio
  8. DSL or cable modem and network switch
  9. Battery charger for laptop computer
  10. 5 13 watt CFL lights (6 hours per day)

This system will have 3-4 days autonomy (no sunshine to recharge batteries).  A small wind generator can be added to create a hybrid solar/wind system.  These work well because usually when the sun is not shining, the wind is blowing and vice-versa.

Contact us to learn more about these systems.

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16 Dec 08 | Solar Electric, Training | Comments (2)