SOLAR BASICS. CONTENTS I.Introduction to Solar Technology II.Terminology: Solar Terms and Energy...

SOLAR BASICS

CONTENTS

I. Introduction to Solar Technology

II. Terminology: Solar Terms and Energy Terms

III. Costs and Financing

IV. Basics of Federal, State, and Utility Policy

V. Solar Project Design Considerations

EXISTING SOLAR TECHNOLOGIES

Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Solar Hot Water

Concentrated Solar Power

SOLAR TECHNOLOGY: PV COMPONENTS

Cell

Panel / Module PV Array

SOLAR TECHNOLOGY: PV SYSTEMSBattery-less, grid-tied – grid connection, can be with or

without net meteringmore than 90% of all installed PV in the US

Battery-based, grid-tied – batteries plus ability to

put power onto the grid

Off-grid – only tied to a battery bank

PV-direct – e.g. solar signs, street lights, solar calculator

SOLAR TECHNOLOGY: MOUNTING

Solar PV systems can be ground mounted or roof mounted

SOLAR TERMS: SYSTEM COSTS

SOLAR TERMS: SOFT COSTS

SOLAR TERMS: SOLAR CELL, MODULE, PANEL, ARRAY & SYSTEM

SOLAR TERMS: BALANCE OF SYSTEM

• Wiring• Disconnect Switches• Mounting System• Inverter• Solar Generation

Meter

The balance of system or BOS encompasses all components of

a photovoltaic system other than the photovoltaic panels. 

SOLAR PV TERMS: INVERTER, METER, DISCONNECT

Inverter

Inverter

Utility Grade Solar Meter

Utility Grade Solar Meter

Disconnect SwitchDisconnect Switch

These requirements may vary by utility. The outlay of these items can vary visually.

SOLAR TERMS: SYSTEM COSTS

SOLAR TERMS: INTERCONNECTION

• The technical and procedural requirements necessary to connect PV system to the electricity grid.

• Up until the 1970s utilities owned all generation and thus had total control over the process of how systems connected to the grid.

ENERGY TERMS: BASE LOAD AND PEAKING POWER

Electrical power demand rises and falls during the course of a typical day.

•Base load power - the minimum amount of electricity used on the grid.

•Peaking power - the maximum amount of electricity used both anticipated and unanticipated.

Net metering allows for the delivery of excess electricity generated back to the utility grid for use elsewhere. This offsets electricity provided by the utility to the customer during the billing period.

SOLAR TERMS: NET METERING

CONTENTS

I. Introduction to Solar Technology

II. Terminology: Solar Terms and Energy Terms

III. Costs and Financing

IV. Basics of Federal, State, and Utility Policy

V. Solar Project Design Considerations

THE COST OF SOLAR PV

THE COST OF SOLAR PV

25% drop in price

2010 - 2012

25% drop in price

2010 - 2012

Tracking the Sun VI: The Installed Cost of Photovoltaics in the US from 1998-2012 (LBNL)

SOLAR MARKET: TRENDS

Cost

of E

lect

rici

ty

Time

Solar Price

Retail Price

Stage 1 Stage 2

Source: Solar Electric Power Association

TodayToday

Grid Parity

SOLAR MARKET: CONSTANT PRICE

Cost

of E

lect

rici

ty

Time

Solar Price

Retail Price

Stage 1 Stage 2

Source: Solar Electric Power Association

TodayToday

Grid Parity

25 years at today’s price

Solar Technology is similar to computer or cell phone technology in that as there are higher adoption rates, prices decreases.

SOLAR MARKET: TECHNOLOGY CURVE

POLICIES & INCENTIVES

State and Utility

FederalQualified Clean Energy Bonds

Accelerated Depreciation

Investment Tax Credit

Tax Credits Tax Exemptions

Direct Cash Incentive

Net Metering

Renewable Energy Credits

CLEAN Contract Loan Programs

POLICIES & INCENTIVES

State and Utility

FederalQualified Energy

Conservation Bonds

Accelerated Depreciation

Investment Tax Credit

Tax Credits Tax Exemptions

Direct Cash Incentive

Net Metering

Renewable Energy Credits

CLEAN Contract Loan Programs

POLICIES & INCENTIVES

State and Utility

Tax Credits Tax Exemptions

Direct Cash Incentive

Net Metering

Renewable Energy Credits

CLEAN Contract Loan Programs

FederalQualified Clean Energy Bonds

Accelerated Depreciation

Investment Tax Credit

TAX CREDITS

Corporate tax credit(s) only

Personal + corporate tax credit(s) Notes: This map does not include corporate or personal tax deductions or exemptions; or tax incentives for geothermal heat pumps.

Personal tax credit(s) onlyPuerto Rico

DC

24 states offer tax

credits for renewables

24 states offer tax

credits for renewables

PROPERTY TAX INCENTIVES

38 States, +Washington DC & Puerto

Rico,offer property tax incentives

for renewables.

38 States, +Washington DC & Puerto

Rico,offer property tax incentives

for renewables.

DC

Local governments authorized to offer exemption (no state exemption or assessment)

State exemption or special assessment + local government option

State exemption or special assessment only

SALES TAX INCENTIVES FOR RENEWABLES

Puerto Rico

DC

State exemption + local governments (option) authorized to offer exemption or deduction

State exemption or deduction

28 states + Puerto Rico offer sales tax incentives for renewables

28 states + Puerto Rico offer sales tax incentives for renewables

RENEWABLE PORTFOLIO STANDARD

Solar carve-out

RENEWABLE PORTFOLIO STANDARD

• A requirement on retail electric suppliers to supply a minimum percentage or amount of their retail load with eligible sources of renewable energy.

• Typically backed with penalties of some form

• Often accompanied by a tradable renewable energy credit (REC) program, to facilitate compliance, in the case of solar in PA and NJ these are called SRECs.

• Never designed the same in any two states

RENEWABLE PORTFOLIO STANDARD

RENEWABLE PORTFOLIO STANDARD – MID-ATLANTIC

CONTENTS

I. Introduction to Solar Technology

II. Terminology: Solar Terms and Energy Terms

III. Costs and Financing

IV. Basics of Federal, State, and Utility Policy

V. Solar Project Design Considerations

DESIGN: ORIENTATION

N

S

W E100

%90%

75%

90%

75%

Average loss in energy produced

DESIGN: SHADING

Source: Renewable Energy World

10% shading of an array can lead to a 50% decline in efficiency

SOLAR PROJECT DESIGN

Solar contractors prefer large square roofs.

Solar panels usually need clear space of up to 24sq/m.

Adequate space on the ground for a ground or pole mount installation.

Is there space inside the home for a string-inverter?

FIRST RESPONDER CONSIDERATIONS

First responder training should include:

•Assess the situation

•Visual identification

•Look for labeling

•Shut down the system

•Ensure circuit breaker is shut off

•Cover panels with opaque material

•Verify conduits are still intact

• Marking & labeling so when firefighters get there they know how to respond

• Setbacks so there is space to move about the roof and vent

• Electrical equipment in conduits and inverter strategically placed to prevent firefighters from cutting live wires

SOLAR READY II

Solar Ready II is a part of the Department of Energy’ s SunShot Initiative.

Solar Ready II aims to reduce the soft costs of solar and streamline the permitting process.

The goal of Solar Ready II is to enable local governments to replicate successful solar practices to reduce soft costs and expand local adoption of solar energy.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Liz CompitelloResearch Analyst

Energy and Climate Change InitiativesDelaware Valley Regional Planning

Commissionecompitello@dvrpc.org

(215) 238-2897

Justin DulaManager

County & Regional PlanningDelaware County Planning

Departmentdulaj@co.delaware.pa.us

(610) 891-5219

www.dvrpc.org/EnergyClimate/aeowg.htm

www.narc.org/solarready