Renewable Energy: Wind, Solar Thermal, and Photovoltaics

Liz ArgoAlteris Renewables Outreach Director

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© Alteris Renewables Inc. - Earth Friendly Energy Group 2009

formerly SolarWrights, WindWrights and Solar Works, Inc.

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Incorporating renewable energy systems into your residential,

commercial and industrial projects

Understand existing

renewable energy options

Understand existing

renewable energy options

Understand $$ costs -

applying current local

rebates and tax

incentives

Understand $$ costs -

applying current local

rebates and tax

incentives

Understand basic building requirements for optimal integration of renewable energy

Understand basic building requirements for optimal integration of renewable energy

Renewable Energy

• Photovoltaics

• Solar Hot Water

• Solar Space Heating

• Wind Turbines

• Geothermal Energy

• Micro-Hydro

• Biomass

Renewable Energy

• Photovoltaics

• Solar Hot Water

• Solar Space Heating

• Wind Turbines

• Geothermal Energy

• Micro-Hydro

• Biomass

Gull’s Nest Condominiums

12 Affordable Homes UnitsCape Light Compact’s

“Green Affordable Homes”

Gull’s Nest Condominiums

Built using: Energy Star and LEED guidelines

Renewable Energy: Best option - PV, Wind or Solar Thermal

Provincetown = Wind Turbine

Great Wind Resource

Great Wind Resource

Residential Scale Wind Turbine on a 60’ Monopole

10 kW Residential Scale Wind

Turbine on a 100’ Self

Supporting Lattice Tower

NorthWind 100 Wind Turbine on

a 120’ Tower

Large Community Wind Turbines

1.5 MW

Vertical Axis Turbine Technology

Building Mounted Wind Generator Issues

All wind turbines vibrate, and they transmit this vibration to the structure on which they're mounted.

All rooftops create turbulence that interferes with the wind turbine's operation.

Building Mounted Wind Generator Issues

• Indal Darrieus turbine on a school in eastern Canada circa 1980. The turbine operated briefly before it was removed because of the damage it caused to the building.

Siting

Three rules for successful wind installation

1. Good Height

Siting

Three rules for successful wind installation

1. Good Height

2. Tall Tower

Siting

Three rules for successful wind installation

1. Good Height

2. Tall Tower

3. Get the turbine up high

Siting

Three rules for successful wind installation

1. Good Height

2. Tall Tower

3. Get the turbine up high

Because the energy in wind is proportional to the cube of the wind speed ...

Because the energy in wind is proportional to the cube of the wind speed ...

Does not include Does not include

Annual MaintenanceAnnual Maintenance How much does Wind cost?

Size - Approximate Costs -

2.5kW

(in 12mph wind may provide 5,000kWh)

$38,000.00

10kW

(in 12mph wind may provide 15,000kWh)

$80,000.00

100kW

(in 12mph wind may provide 170,000kWh)

Will require three phase power available

$500,000.00

Variables which will affect cost:

- Height & Type of tower (tilt up, lattice, monopole) - Soil conditions for tower installation - Length of run from install site to power tie-in

Massachusetts Residential Rebates for “microwind” turbines under 10kW-

through the Small Renewables Initiative (SRI)

• The MTC announced its new SRI program in January. The rebates will be “production based” due to lower than anticipated production from previous

installations.

State incentive programs? Small WindSmall Wind

Large WindLarge Wind

Massachusetts Residential Rebates for turbines over 10kW-

through the Commonwealth Wind Initiative

• The Grant is a twice yearly competitive grant program with awards ranging from $20,000 -

$240,000.00.

State incentive programs?

Large WindLarge Wind

Tax Credits

Federal Tax Credit–

New as of February 2009

• 30% of costs – No limit for

installations =< 100kW

State Tax Credits

• Massachusetts: $1,000.00

Wind Considerations

• Neighborhood logistics are a greater consideration due to noise, flicker, and visual considerations.

• A wind installation in the appropriate location can provide the quickest payback.

• A significantly higher maintenance profile accompanies a wind installation.

• Zoning restrictions can make wind a lengthy installation effort.

Wind Considerations

• Neighborhood logistics are a greater consideration due to noise, flicker, and visual considerations.

• A wind installation in the appropriate location can provide the quickest payback.

• A significantly higher maintenance profile accompanies a wind installation.

• Zoning restrictions can make wind a lengthy installation effort.

Solar EnergyPV & Thermal

Silent

Requires no fuel Emission free

Pollution free

No moving parts

Inexhaustible Resource

Household Energy Use as % of total household consumption

Annual Household Energy Uses

in the Northeast

Water Heating17%

Cooking 5%

Electric A/C 2%

Lighting & Appliances10%

Clothes Drying2%

Refrig. 3%

Space Heating61%

Household Energy Use as % of total household consumption

Annual Household Energy Uses

in the Northeast

Water Heating17%

Cooking 5%

Electric A/C 2%

Lighting & Appliances10%

Clothes Drying2%

Refrig. 3%

Space Heating61%

SDHW Costs for Residential Projects

• Solar hot water systems cost around $12,000 before incentives - (to service two persons)

• There is a 30% Federal Tax Credit for Solar Hot Water Systems

• There is a $1,000 State Tax Credit for Solar Hot Water Systems (Massachusetts only)

• If you have natural gas, you may qualify for additional incentives from National Grid ($1,500)

Solar Domestic Hot Water System How does it work?

Household Hot Water Tank

Hot Water to House

Solar Domestic Hot Water System How does it work?

About 1 collector per person

Household Hot Water Tank

Hot Water to House

Main Home Tank with

Solar Supplement Storage Tank feed

Domestic Hot Water

Closed-loop vs. Drainback SystemsClosed-loop vs. Drainback Systems

Circulates Glycol mixture in a closed

loop

Circulates water (or glycol mixture)

- Liquid drains into holding tank when not

“called on”

Disadvantage: Glycol can overheat when

underutilized

Disadvantage: Collectors sit up at a

slight angle off the roof and concern over

freezing

Solar Drainback Hot Water HeaterNote slight tilt of collectors

VELUX Solar Domestic Hot Water SystemFlashed to roof just like a skylight

Closed-loop

Household Energy Use as % of total household consumption

Annual Household Energy Uses

in the Northeast

Water Heating17%

Cooking 5%

Electric A/C 2%

Lighting & Appliances10%

Clothes Drying2%

Refrig. 3%

Space Heating61%

Will require high electrical demand due to constant pump activity and PV should be strongly considered

Extremely compatible

• Geothermal/Heat Pumps

• Radiant Floor

Appropriate Uses for Heating System Applicable only as low heat supplement

SDHW Costs for Radiant Floor Supplement

• Solar hot water system to serve a 2,000 Sq. Ft. radiant floor loop cost: around $15,000 before incentives

• There is a 30% Federal Tax Credit for these Solar Hot Water Systems as well

• There is the $1,000 State Tax Credit for Solar Hot Water Systems too (Massachusetts only)

• If you have natural gas, you may qualify for additional incentives from National Grid: $1,500

Solar Hot Water for Heating Supplement

• Flat Plate vs. Evacuated Tube Collectors

Evacuated Tubes

Evacuated Tube units are useful for higher temperature applications such as radiant floor heating and low heat exchanger loops

Commercial Hot Water Systems

Flat Plate design is best for SHW and process heat –

lowest cost – most reliable

Solar Heating: How does it work?

Same as Domestic Hot Water heating with the following changes:

• Because we want the heat during the (winter), the following adjustments should be made:– Increase collector tilt to gain more energy in the winter months.– Make provisions for excess heat in the summer months.– Increase size of solar thermal storage tank for the larger

collection.

‘Softank’ Storage System

• Sizes up to 1,000 gallons• Non-pressurized tank• EDPM rubber lining• Ships as 4 x 12 flat• Copper coil heat exchangers

Multi-Family Housing SHW System

High conversion efficiency – 40%

Low maintenance

Reduces annual hot water bills by 60%

Economies of scale for larger commercial systems

No Basement

Tight Quarters!Tight Quarters!

View south at Gull’s Nest

•Unshaded roof or yard. Second story to be built.•Roof in good condition. New….•Modules should face within 45 degrees East or West of Solar South. My reading was 210 degrees.(Lower pitch roofs can allow for East and West facing arrays)

•Electric panel able to handle the inverter(s) 90 or more amps available. (Ideally, three phase would have kept the inverters to one)

•Ideal angle: 35 degree tilt. My roof was to be 35 degree tilt.

Requirements for Photovoltaics

How Does a Solar PV System Work?

Integrated Panel

Integrated Panel

How Does a Solar PV System Work?

Integrated Panel

Integrated Panel

Solar Window – 9 am to 4 pm

Shading Must Be Minimal

Types of PV Systems

1. Utility Interactive Systems using Net Metering

- Also known as Grid-Tied

In these systems the PV array output feeds through an inverter directly into the utility grid.

2. Stand Alone Systems

In these systems the PV array charges a battery bank. The batteries store electricity for non sun periods. Both Direct Current and Alternating Current electricity are typically available.

3. Utility Interactive/Backup System

This system combines the two above systems. The PV array connects through an inverter that can operate as an interfaced inverter or a stand alone one. The PV also keeps the backup battery bank charged.

Average PV Installation CostAverage PV Installation Cost

Residential• $7.50-$10 per DC watt for a grid tied system

– Flush roof mount $7.5 - $8.5– Ground Mount $9 - $9.5– Pole Mount $9 - $10

• $13-$18 per DC watt for a battery system

Commercial• $6.5-$7 larger systems 40kW - 400kW• $7-$10 for smaller, 40kW to 3kW

Residential• $7.50-$10 per DC watt for a grid tied system

– Flush roof mount $7.5 - $8.5– Ground Mount $9 - $9.5– Pole Mount $9 - $10

• $13-$18 per DC watt for a battery system

Commercial• $6.5-$7 larger systems 40kW - 400kW• $7-$10 for smaller, 40kW to 3kW

Federal – New as of October 2008

• 30% of costs – no cap or limit!

State - • Massachusetts: $1,000.00

Tax CreditsTax Credits

Massachusetts Residential Rebates through the Commonwealth Solar Initiative

• Residential Rebates ($ per watt (dc))• Base Incentive $ 1.00• Massachusetts Manufactured Component Adder $ 0.15• Lower Income Adder* $ 1.25 * Single Income =< $75,810 or Combined Income =< $95420

• Moderate Home Value Adder* $ 2.00 * Home & property Town assessed @ under $400,000.00

State incentive programs? State incentive programs?

Warranties

• Photovoltaic Modules: 25 Years• Expected lifespan: 35 years• Inverters: 10 Years• Expected lifespan: 18 years

Go for Photovoltaics!

Margaret Song of the Cape Light Compact and Developer Cass Benson being interviewed by Cape Cod Times

100 Kyocera 175 watt modules= 17.5kW installation

Moved the vents and bathroom vent pipes to front of building

Due to Cathedral ceilings – Conduit run on ext. of building

Installed with the Direct Power and Water Rail system

on “L” Feet

Flat Jack Mounting Bracket - Thompson

No Three Phase Power- Thus Multiple Inverters

• Common Metering• Data Acquisition

• Common Metering• Data Acquisition

Enough power for 2/3 of the 12 units total electricity consumption (=21,000 kilowatt hours annually)

Gull’s NestProvincetown, MA

17.5 kW

Thank you for your time!

Contact for more information:

866-682-0514 www.alterisinc.com