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Net-Zero-EnergyBelgravia

Gordon Howell, P.Eng.

©2006-2017

Low-cost Net-Zero ReadyWestmount

Park Allen

Edmonton2017 February 24

Lac Ste Anne

Solar On Your Home Solar On Your Home –– WOW, NOW and HOW !!WOW, NOW and HOW !!

……the leastthe least--cost electrical energy cost electrical energy for homeowners today (?)for homeowners today (?)

www.solaralberta.ca

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I want to acknowledgethat we meet on the traditional lands of the

Papaschase people and the people of Treaty Six

and that I respect their spiritual relationship with these lands.

As per the introductory comments in every speech of Hon. Mike Rann, Premier of South Australia (2008)

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Intro: Me…

my housemy house2.3 kW2.3 kW

since 1995since 1995~100% solar electricity~100% solar electricity

I am a professional engineerI am a professional engineer

I am a solarI am a solar--electric system project developerelectric system project developerworking with solar energy since 1977 and working with solar energy since 1977 and with solar electricity since 1983with solar electricity since 1983

I develop, design, supply and commission solarI develop, design, supply and commission solar--electric systemselectric systems

I have no vested interests in any one solarI have no vested interests in any one solar--electric technologyelectric technology

I want you to make your decisions I want you to make your decisions with your eyes wide open with your eyes wide open

so that you can decide so that you can decide what may be right for youwhat may be right for you……

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Solar Electricity – A Big Step for All

The world of solar electricity is changing and growing rapidly.

Solar electricity is now becoming affordable for us in our everyday lives.

The time has now arrived for sunny Alberta

to harnessanother of our abundant energy resources.

Are we ready for it?

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Presentation Focus

Premier Gardens, CaliforniaPremier Gardens, California

Have funHave fun……

Solar electricity (what, how, looks)Solar electricity (what, how, looks)

On your houseOn your house

Costs and economicsCosts and economics

Government incentives !Government incentives !(really?)(really?)

6Part of a solar ventilation air pre-heating system

Part of a solar

domestic hot water heatingsystem

Part of a solar electricity-generating system

Direct gain passive

solar space heating windows

Solar illumination windows

Uses of Solar Energy in a House…

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Your friends get really engaged

Facebook group: Solar Energy in Edmonton

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Solar PV(photovoltaics)

PV Terms

Solar PV Solar PV ArrayArray

PV can generate any amount of electricity.Large PV systems = more PV modules.

Solar PV Solar PV ModuleModuleSolar PV Solar PV CellCell

18,000 modules, 6000 kW

3,000 modules1000 kW

100,000 modules (320 W ea.) 100,000 modules (320 W ea.) 32,000 kW PV array32,000 kW PV array

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Solar Electric System – Components

Solar module…to generate

DC electricity

Inverter…to convert to

AC electricity

Racking…to mount the

solar modules

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Where does the equipment come from?Solar PV modules

50,000 brands, models, types and sizes manufactured by 1500 companies in 60 countriesVietnam (for example) is a common source for modules

Rackingmade in Canada, America…

Inverters4000 brands, modules, types and sizes manufactured by 300 companiesmade in Germany, Austria, Korea, America…

DistributorsEdmonton: National Solar, HES PVCalgary: Sentinel SolarToronto: Franken Solar

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Solar Photovoltaic (PV) System

1. Array of solar PV modules

2. DC disconnect switch

3. DC to AC Inverter

4. Customer service box and panelboard

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2

3 4

7. Electrical utility wires

8. Distribution transformer(dedicated or shared with other customers)

© 2011 Jim Dunlop Solar (modified)

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DC

AC

Notes:DC = direct currentAC = alternating currentComponents #2, 3, 4 are usually inside a house

6. Electrical utility revenue meter

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5. House loads

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Will Solar Equipment Last a Lifetime?

Solar electric (photovoltaic, PV) modulesmanufacturing warranty: 10 yearsperformance warranty: 25 years – generating 80% as good as new

= average 7% loss over 25 yearsactual lifetime: 40 to 100 years ???

Rackingforever ?

Invertersmanufacturing warranty: 12 years, can purchase a 25-year warrantyneed to be replaced: every 15 to 20 years, typically

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Comparison of Solar Resources

EdmontonLethbridge

Lethbridge and Estevan have greatest solar resources in Canada

Edmonton is 12% less – 7th best solarin a big city

Phoenix

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Vancouver GermanyEdmonton

Compared to “Cloudy” Cities…

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What are the physical benefits of solar PV on your house?(for an average household using 7200 kWh per year)

Solar PV gives you the potential to:

reduce your net electricity consumption from the grid● from 7200 kWh per year to 0 kWh per year

reduce your electricity bills● from $832 per year (as of 2017 January) to $431 per year

(including all fixed costs) (changes monthly)

reduce your net electricity-caused emissions● from 4680 kg per year to 0 kg per year

Solar provides electricity prices that arestable, known and cheaper than grid electricity for the life of the solar PV system (40+ years)

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What are the social benefits of solar PV on your house?

Fun

Prestige

Bragging rights to your neighbours and friends

Leadership for your kids and grandkids

Helping them think of their own future

Facebook group: Solar PV Farms in Alberta

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Size: 12.5 kW (2011)58 solar PV modules on house and garage roofEffect Home Builders

Belgravia Green Net-Zero-Energy house

Facebook group: Net-Zero-Energy Homes in Edmonton

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Size: 33 kW (in 2011)Great Canadian Solar

Brentwood Affordable Apartments

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Evansdale Community Hall

Net grid electricity consumption 3,500 kWh per year (estimate)Savings: energy 90%GHG emissions reduction: 2,300 kg/year

26 kW solar PV system with 100 solar PV modules(2015 and 2017)

Facebook group: Solar PV on Alberta's Farm

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Size: 1.9 kW (in 2003)16 solar PV modulesGenerates $150 of electricity per year

Cities grow great… when old men plant treesin whose shade they know they will never sit in.

Inglewood area

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House near Lac Ste. Anne21 solar PV modules of 260 W each5.5 kW of capacity (2015)Installed capital cost $18 000 = $3.30 / W

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1. Get connected to the PV industry

See the Yellow Pages or www.solaralberta.ca

Find 3 installers here at the Trade Show

● Learn about them and the projects they have done

2. Experienced and reliable PV developer or installer

Get quotes from 3 installers

Get 3 references from each installer

Check with BBB

What does it take to go solar?

Facebook group: Solar PV Installers in Alberta

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What does it take to go solar?

3. Cost:

If your house has no surprises:

$5,000 to $30,000 (depending on your consumption and your budget)

4. Time:

1 to 6 months, depending on when you start and how busy everyone is

Facebook group: Lasso the Sun -- Careers in Alberta's Solar Patch

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Preparation for Your Solar PV System

Electricity billsYou: get your bills together for a year…We: look at the consumption and the prices

Site visit of your house, looking at:the yard from the south, (house and trees)the roof and walls, ● looking for obstructions, slopes, and shapes

the view to the south from the house, ● showing trees and other buildings

the furnace room● how much space there is for equipment● size of electrical panelboard and main breaker

Facebook group: Workers in Alberta's Solar Patch

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The Solar Work

Design the systemChoose the solar PV, structural and electrical componentsDraw and stamp the structural and electrical drawings

Develop the system and projectElectricity bill analysis, economic calculationsPermitting (development, building, grid-connection)

PurchaseSolar equipmentInstallation labour

Facebook group: Alberta Solar Project Bids and Quotes

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The Solar Work

InstallationBy a PV-experienced contractor

TestingEverything is working

MonitoringSystem performance for a yearOn-line data

Facebook group: Solar Energy in Alberta's Aboriginal Communities

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68.3 kWh generated on October 05

Inverter #1

Inverter #2

Example Display of Your Solar PV System’s Performance

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Connecting to the Grid

Is it complicated or easy to get connected to the grid?● easy● usually no issues

What about the paperwork?● fill out a simple 1-page form● submit 2 drawings

– single line electrical, site plan● max. 2-week response time

Facebook group: Micro-Generation in Alberta

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Solar PV and Snow Cover

We oversize the PV system to accommodate snow cover (5% to 14% annual energy loss depending on the winter)

The design focus is on the amount of energy generated per year, the budget and the space.

Belgravia Green near NZ Belgravia Green NZE Belgravia Green NZE-ready

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The Economics of Solar PV

To discuss the economics of solar PV:

You need to know

● the costs of the PV system

● the energy generation

● the electricity-bill savings

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Solar PV for an Average Household

Solar-electric system to generate energy of: 7,200 kWh per yearneed a generating capacity: 6.3 kWfrom # of solar PV modules: 24area of PV array: 40 m2 (425 ft2)

fully-installed cost: ~$17,000 to $20,000(depending on house complexities)

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PV System CostsFor a 6.3 kW PV system that would generate 7200 kWh per year (for an average household)

Cost Price % of totalPV modules (24) $5,300 84 ¢/W 29%Racking $1,600 25 9%Inverters $2,600 41 14%Wiring $1,800 29 10%Signage, shipping $300 5 2%Permits $400 6 2%Design $800 13 4%Development $700 11 4%Installation $4,500 70 25%Total $18,000 $2.85 100%

36%

10%}

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Electricity Billing

You need to understand the basics of your electricity bill

In Edmonton in January if your bill came from EPCOR:

For energy, you paid

● 4.3 ¢/kWh for your energy purchase

● 3.2 ¢/kWh for your energy purchase

For grid-connection, you paid

● $68 per year to have your bill prepared and sent to you

● $227 per year to maintain the electricity grid(Edmonton is the least-expensive in the province)

(GST included in these numbers)

Facebook group: Your Electricity Bill -- Whazzup with it

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Annual Cost of Connecting to the Electricity Grid in Edmonton

grid O&M now$227 per year

billing now $68 per year

total now$295 per year

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Price of Electrical Energy in Edmonton

energy deliverynow 3.2 ¢/kWh

energy purchase now 4.3 ¢/kWh

total delivered energy now7.5 ¢/kWh

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Electricity Consumption and Generation Profiles

0.00.20.40.60.81.01.21.41.61.82.02.22.42.6

0 3 6 9 12 15 18 21 24Time of day

[hours]

Act

ive

Pow

er [k

W]

PV system generation

House electricity consumption

Avg

Avg

Actual measured performance of my 2.3 kW PV system and house, 1997 February

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Electricity Export and Import Prices

0.00.20.40.60.81.01.21.41.61.82.02.22.42.6

0 3 6 9 12 15 18 21 24Time of day

[hours]

Act

ive

Pow

er [k

W]

PV system generation

House electricity consumption

Avg

Avg

Solar electricity used on siteValue = 4.3 + 3.2 = 7.5 ¢/kWh

Imported energyValue: 4.3 + 3.2 = 7.5 ¢/kWh

Imported energy Value: 4.3 + 3.2 = 7.5 ¢/kWh

Actual measured performance of my 2.3 kW PV system and house, 1997 February Exported energy

purchased by Energy RetailerValue: 4.3 ¢/kWh

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What does this practically mean to us?

with Alberta’s very-cheap electrical energy prices in 2017:savings with a solar-electric system: $400 per yearbreak-even time ● now 30 years because of cheap grid prices● typically 18-20 years with normal grid prices

price of electricity:

● solar: known, constant price for 25 years 12.1 ¢/kWh for 25 years *1 ¢/kWh after 25 years

● grid: 7.5 ¢/kWh now and rising unpredictably,calculated at 12.5 ¢/kWh over 25 years

* using your own money (not the banks), not including future value of money, rising electricity prices, long-term PV performance reduction

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Incentives for Homeowner Solar Electricity

yes

modest

delivered through Energy Efficiency Alberta

now being set up

only place in Canada to include small-scale renewables as part of its energy efficiency agency

stay tuned…

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Modest Solar Rebate Incentive (??)This is what an up-front rebate would do (option)

75 ¢/W (?? similar to programmes for municipalities) (same as paying for the installation of your PV system)$4700 rebate cheque on averageaverage system cost $13,000

Price of solar electricity *fixed 9.1 ¢/kWh for 25 years(grid price: 7.5 ¢/kWh now and rising unpredictably,

calculated at 12.5 ¢/kWh over 25 years)

Break-even time now 25 years with very-cheap electricity pricestypically 14 years with normal electricity prices

* using your own money (not the banks), not including future value of money, rising electricity prices, long-term PV performance reduction

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Modest Premium Feed-In Price (??)

This is what a premium feed-in tariff would doyour electricity exported to the grid valued at 15 ¢/kWh (?? similar to Light-Up Alberta price)$900 savings per year (in 2017)

Price of solar electricity *fixed 12.1 ¢/kWh for 25 years

Break-even time now 16 years with very-cheap electricity pricestypically 14 years with normal electricity prices

* using your own money (not the banks), not including future value of money, rising electricity prices, long-term PV performance reduction

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solar PV capacity = 16,000 kW

growing at 7,000 kW per year

# of solar-electric systems = 1700growing at 400 per year

avg. 95% growth per year over the last 8 years

What is Happening with Solar Electricity in Alberta?

350 PV systems in Edmonton now

From my monthly update on Alberta’s solar PV industry.

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To Enter Alberta’s Solar PatchGet connected to the PV industry

Join the Solar Energy Society of Alberta www.solaralberta.caCome to the monthly seminarsSee who is doing what, where and how

You don’t have to be an electrician to be in the Solar PatchThere are many jobs that do not involve PV system installation.Design, sales, supplying equipment, warehousing, promotion, training…

Want to learn a tonne about solar PV?First put a PV system on your own home.Can you really ask others to put PV on their home if you haven't first put it on your own home?

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We need to be making all our houses, buildings and infrastructure

Ready to accommodate solar in the near futureEnsure that the design decisions being made now do not prevent or hinder solar being installed in next 10 short years…

Need to get ready for cheap solar electricity…

Facebook group: Howell Mayhew Engineering

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Edmonton’s 18th Annual Eco-Solar Home Tour

Date: 2017 June 3 and 4 (Sat and Sun)Time: noon to 4pmWhere: 18 homes around Edmonton, St Albert ++Cost: Free. No need to register.Format: Open house.

Come, learn, stay, and go as you please…More info: www.ecosolar.ca

Discover details, ask questions, learn heaps...

Facebook group: Eco-Solar Home Tour

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The dawn of a new era…

……we allwe allcan be part of it

Solar Electricity

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Gordon Howell, P.Eng.Edmonton

Phone: +1 780 484 0476E-mail: ghowell@hme.ca

©1995-2017Photo credits: Gordon Howell and several others

We welcome any feedback, questions, suggestions, comments and challenges to anything we present.

Solar ElectricitySolar ElectricitySimple Simple –– Clean Clean –– Reliable Reliable –– AffordableAffordable

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