Solar Photovoltaics and The Feed In Tariff

• Company based in Brantford.

• Dan Cole - Owner and Manager.

• Mike Triska – Engineering and Energy Audits.

• Installation crew of 4 headed up by our master electrician with 6 yrs experience in PV and small wind.

• A brief overview of solar energy is required in order to make sure the over all concept of today’s presentation is understood

Solar EnergySolar Energy

Solar energy is a renewable resource that is Solar energy is a renewable resource that is free, readily available, environmentally free, readily available, environmentally friendly and necessary for all life on earth. friendly and necessary for all life on earth. Solar energy can be used in many ways - Solar energy can be used in many ways - to provide heat, lighting, mechanical power to provide heat, lighting, mechanical power and and electricityelectricity, which is what we are , which is what we are focusing on here today.focusing on here today.

Photovoltaics (PV)Photovoltaics (PV)

dc electricity is generated from sunlight by dc electricity is generated from sunlight by using photovoltaic (PV) solar cells. using photovoltaic (PV) solar cells.

These cells are semiconductor devices, These cells are semiconductor devices, usually made of silicon, which contain no usually made of silicon, which contain no liquids, corrosive chemicals or moving liquids, corrosive chemicals or moving parts. The PV panels require little parts. The PV panels require little maintenance, do not pollute, and operate maintenance, do not pollute, and operate silently, making photovoltaic energy a very silently, making photovoltaic energy a very clean and safe method of power clean and safe method of power generation.generation.

TYPES OF SOLAR CELLSTYPES OF SOLAR CELLS

MONOCRYSTALINE CELLS:MONOCRYSTALINE CELLS:

High quality starting High quality starting material (same a material (same a computer chips)computer chips)

Highest cell efficiency Highest cell efficiency (14% to 17%)(14% to 17%)

Most expensiveMost expensive Original type of PV cellOriginal type of PV cell Depends on direct Depends on direct

sunlight (not so good on sunlight (not so good on cloudy days)cloudy days)

Most sensitive to heatMost sensitive to heat

POLYCRYSTALINE CELLS:POLYCRYSTALINE CELLS:

Most common typeMost common type cell efficiency 13% to cell efficiency 13% to

15%15% Less expensive to Less expensive to

manufacture than manufacture than monomono

Less temperature Less temperature sensitivesensitive

THIN FILM CELLS:THIN FILM CELLS:

Thin layers vacuum Thin layers vacuum evaporated onto glassevaporated onto glass

Cell efficiency currently Cell efficiency currently 5% to 8%5% to 8%

New technologyNew technology Silicon and other materials Silicon and other materials

(e.g. first solar CIGS)(e.g. first solar CIGS) Less sensitive to Less sensitive to

temperaturetemperature Works better in indirect Works better in indirect

light than crystalline cellslight than crystalline cells Potentially much cheaperPotentially much cheaper

Using an Inverter, the DC electricity from Using an Inverter, the DC electricity from the Solar PV is converted to AC, then its the Solar PV is converted to AC, then its fed through a meter, in the case of FIT, to fed through a meter, in the case of FIT, to measure the amount produced, and then it measure the amount produced, and then it is is allall sold to the grid. sold to the grid.

TYPICAL GRID CONNECTIONTYPICAL GRID CONNECTION(FROM ESA-SPEC-004)(FROM ESA-SPEC-004)

TYPICAL GRID-TIE INVERTER SPECIFICATIONSTYPICAL GRID-TIE INVERTER SPECIFICATIONS(From SMA)(From SMA)

ANTI-ISLANDING PROTECTIONANTI-ISLANDING PROTECTION(UL 1741, IEEE 1547, CSA C22.2 No. 107.1 STANDARDS)(UL 1741, IEEE 1547, CSA C22.2 No. 107.1 STANDARDS)

Grid-tied inverters that meet the above Grid-tied inverters that meet the above standards will shut off if they do not detect the standards will shut off if they do not detect the presence of the utility grid to prevent and ‘Island’presence of the utility grid to prevent and ‘Island’

An inverter designed for grid-tie operation will An inverter designed for grid-tie operation will have anti-islanding protection built in; it will inject have anti-islanding protection built in; it will inject small pulses that are slightly out of phase with small pulses that are slightly out of phase with the AC electrical system in order to cancel any the AC electrical system in order to cancel any stray resonances that may be present when the stray resonances that may be present when the grid shuts down. grid shuts down.

Required by ESA-SPEC-004Required by ESA-SPEC-004

This brings us to the question…This brings us to the question…

What is a Feed in Tariff?What is a Feed in Tariff? Basic terms – you generate renewable Basic terms – you generate renewable

electricity, the Ontario Power Authority electricity, the Ontario Power Authority buys it from you through your Local buys it from you through your Local Distribution Company.Distribution Company.

Ontario's feed-in tariff is North America's Ontario's feed-in tariff is North America's first comprehensive guaranteed pricing first comprehensive guaranteed pricing structure for renewable electricity structure for renewable electricity production. It offers stable prices under a production. It offers stable prices under a long-term 20 yr contract.long-term 20 yr contract.

The FIT Program was enabled by the The FIT Program was enabled by the Green Green Energy and Green Economy Act, 2009Energy and Green Economy Act, 2009 which which was passed into law on May 14, 2009. The was passed into law on May 14, 2009. The Ontario Power Authority is responsible for Ontario Power Authority is responsible for implementing the program.implementing the program.

FIT came online the end of September 2009.FIT came online the end of September 2009. There have been over 21,000 applications There have been over 21,000 applications

submitted and 14,000 approvals and 1,800 submitted and 14,000 approvals and 1,800 contracts offered. 99% of these are for Solar PV.contracts offered. 99% of these are for Solar PV.

Goals of FITGoals of FIT

help Ontario phase out coal-fired electricityhelp Ontario phase out coal-fired electricity help replace generating capacity from help replace generating capacity from

soon to be retired nuclear plantssoon to be retired nuclear plants boost economic activity and the boost economic activity and the

development of renewable energy development of renewable energy technologies technologies

create green industries and jobs. create green industries and jobs.

The program is divided into two streams - The program is divided into two streams - FIT and microFIT. The FIT Program is for FIT and microFIT. The FIT Program is for renewable energy projects over 10kW, any renewable energy projects over 10kW, any projects under 10kW are classed as Micro projects under 10kW are classed as Micro FIT.FIT.

The made-in-Ontario FIT Program The made-in-Ontario FIT Program combines lessons learned from FIT combines lessons learned from FIT programs in Germany, Spain, Denmark.programs in Germany, Spain, Denmark.

Canada is far behind many other countries Canada is far behind many other countries in the deployment of renewable energyin the deployment of renewable energy

FIT and MICRO-FIT PRICE SCHEDULE – FIT and MICRO-FIT PRICE SCHEDULE – SOLAR PVSOLAR PV

(From: (From: http://fit.powerauthority.on.ca/Page.asp?PageID=924&ContentID=10543http://fit.powerauthority.on.ca/Page.asp?PageID=924&ContentID=10543))(AS OF 13 AUG 2010)(AS OF 13 AUG 2010)

What is required to participate? What is required to participate?

Proper location is critical.Proper location is critical. Rule # 1- stick it where the sun shines!Rule # 1- stick it where the sun shines! For every kW of PV we need 100 sq feet For every kW of PV we need 100 sq feet

(10’ X10’) of south facing sloped roof or (10’ X10’) of south facing sloped roof or 200 sq ft (10’ X 20’) of flat roof200 sq ft (10’ X 20’) of flat roof

unobstructed by trees or any other unobstructed by trees or any other obstacles that cast a shadow obstacles that cast a shadow

Ground mounted on racks at a 30 to 50 Ground mounted on racks at a 30 to 50 degree angle, unobstructed by trees or degree angle, unobstructed by trees or other obstacles that cast a shadow.other obstacles that cast a shadow.

Access to the grid is required to sell your Access to the grid is required to sell your green electricity.green electricity.

That’s rule # 2- plug it in and get paid for it!That’s rule # 2- plug it in and get paid for it!

So, let’s assume someone is interested in So, let’s assume someone is interested in getting paid to help save the planet with a getting paid to help save the planet with a south facing roof of 1000sq ft.south facing roof of 1000sq ft.

What is the cost?What is the cost?Micro-FITMicro-FIT

Price range for 10kw system is between Price range for 10kw system is between $7.50-$10.00 per watt installed, and $7.50-$10.00 per watt installed, and connected to the grid.connected to the grid.

Includes site assessment, design, Includes site assessment, design, applications, permits, inspections, applications, permits, inspections, installation and connection – turnkey installation and connection – turnkey solution.solution. Assessment includes a RETScreen Analysis.Assessment includes a RETScreen Analysis.

RETScreenRETScreen

Renewable-energy and Energy-efficient Renewable-energy and Energy-efficient Technologies (RETs) Technologies (RETs)

Overview

The RETScreen Clean Energy Project Analysis Software is the world’s leading clean energy decision-making software. It is provided by the Government of Canada as part of Canada’s recognition of the need to take an integrated approach in addressing climate change and reducing pollution. RETScreen is a proven enabler of clean energy projects worldwide.

RETScreen allows decision-makers and professionals to determine whether or not a proposed renewable energy project makes financial sense. If a project is viable—or if it is not—RETScreen will help the decision-maker understand this: quickly, unequivocally, in a user-friendly format, and at relatively minimal cost.

RETScreen PartnersRETScreen Partners

National Aeronautics & Space National Aeronautics & Space Administration's (Administration's (NASANASA) Langley ) Langley Research CenterResearch Center

Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Partnership (Partnership (REEEPREEEP))

United Nations Environment Programme's United Nations Environment Programme's (UNEP) Energy Unit of the Division of (UNEP) Energy Unit of the Division of Technology, Industry and Economics (Technology, Industry and Economics (DTIEDTIE))

RETScreen PartnersRETScreen Partners

EXAMPLE RETScreen ANALYSISEXAMPLE RETScreen ANALYSIS

We know the basics…We know the basics…

what PV is and how it works,what PV is and how it works, what a feed in tariff is and how it works,what a feed in tariff is and how it works, the legislation behind the program,the legislation behind the program, what kind of site we need, rules 1 and 2,what kind of site we need, rules 1 and 2, how much a system will cost,how much a system will cost, how much electricity we will produce…how much electricity we will produce…

What about the What about the $GREEN$GREEN ? ?

Price SchedulesPrice Schedules

Micro FIT- <10kw = 80.2 cents per kWhMicro FIT- <10kw = 80.2 cents per kWh Roof Mount (ground mount – 64.2 cents per Roof Mount (ground mount – 64.2 cents per

kWh)kWh)

Average price to purchase electricity in Average price to purchase electricity in Ontario is 12-13 cents per kWhOntario is 12-13 cents per kWh

This is where the term sell high, buy low This is where the term sell high, buy low fits in.fits in.

Example 9.72kW systemExample 9.72kW system(Micro- FIT)(Micro- FIT)

Initial cost is around $75,000.00-85,000.00Initial cost is around $75,000.00-85,000.00 100% financed at 5%-6% mortgaged over 11 years100% financed at 5%-6% mortgaged over 11 years System generates approximately 11.5-12 MWh of System generates approximately 11.5-12 MWh of

green electricity per yeargreen electricity per year $9,000.00-$10,000.00 per year in revenue dependant $9,000.00-$10,000.00 per year in revenue dependant

on the site.on the site. Payback is about 8-10 years, dependant on Payback is about 8-10 years, dependant on

financing, exact initial cost, etc.financing, exact initial cost, etc. Remaining 10-12 years of 20 year contract is profit.Remaining 10-12 years of 20 year contract is profit. ROI between 10-13%ROI between 10-13% Emission reduction of NEGATIVE 11 tonnes of CO2 Emission reduction of NEGATIVE 11 tonnes of CO2

per yearper year

MicroFIT Project TimelineMicroFIT Project Timeline

1 - 2WEEKS

7 - 28 DAYS

UP TO 3MONTHS

4WEEKS

1 - 2WEEKS

1 HR - 1 DAY

1 - 2WEEKS

Each 10 kW system equalsEach 10 kW system equalsnegative 11 tCO2negative 11 tCO2

-11 tonnes of CO2 is equivalent to :-11 tonnes of CO2 is equivalent to : 9 acres of carbon absorbing forest.9 acres of carbon absorbing forest. 2.2 cars or light trucks taken off the road2.2 cars or light trucks taken off the road 4,310 litres of gasoline not consumed4,310 litres of gasoline not consumed 22 barrels of crude oil not consumed22 barrels of crude oil not consumed 10.6 people reducing their energy 10.6 people reducing their energy

consumption by 20%.consumption by 20%.

Just Think….Just Think….

What if we had 10 of these systems…What if we had 10 of these systems… -110 tcO2-110 tcO2 115-120 MW of GREEN electricity equals115-120 MW of GREEN electricity equals

90 acres of forest90 acres of forest 22 cars or light trucks off the road22 cars or light trucks off the road 43,100 litres of gasoline not consumed43,100 litres of gasoline not consumed 220 barrels of crude oil not consumed220 barrels of crude oil not consumed 106 people reducing their energy 106 people reducing their energy

consumption by 20%.consumption by 20%.

SummarySummary

By promoting the use of renewable energy By promoting the use of renewable energy to produce clean electricity, we are able to to produce clean electricity, we are able to generate income, reduce harmful generate income, reduce harmful emissions and create jobs. By coming emissions and create jobs. By coming together as a community we will enable together as a community we will enable individual non-profit organizations to individual non-profit organizations to achieve these goals more easily and achieve these goals more easily and sooner.sooner.

Solar PV for Residential and Commercial

Off Grid, Grid Tied and Emergency Backup

Let us show you how to put $GREEN

back into YOUR budget!

www.directcurrent.ca

Questions?Questions?