Solar Photovoltaics for Small Farms - Purdue …€¦ · Solar Photovoltaics for Small Farms...
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Solar Photovoltaics for Small Farms Presented by Andy McDonald Earth Tools Sustainable Systems Programs Owenton, Kentucky
Transcript of Solar Photovoltaics for Small Farms - Purdue …€¦ · Solar Photovoltaics for Small Farms...
Solar Photovoltaicsfor Small Farms
Presented by Andy McDonaldEarth Tools Sustainable Systems Programs
Owenton, Kentucky
Does Indiana have good solar energy resources? YES!
Germany leads the world leaders in solar energy generation & has solar resources similar to Alaska.
Germany
Growth in Global Solar PV Capacity 2004 - 2014
The installed cost of PV has fallen 70% since 2006.
Getting Started• What are your needs, goals, and values?• Where are your greatest costs?• What strategies are needed?• Conservation & Efficiency First!• What resources are available?
– Natural resources on-site, knowledge, personal funds, support from utilities, gov’t programs, financial incentives, financing, contractor services
Solar Site Assessments
Solar Site Assessments
• Energy load analysis– Review utility bills for past 12 - 24 months
• Site analysis – study solar access• Physical facilities – condition of building
Solar Photovoltaic Systems
1 - Grid-tied systems – net-metering & feed-in-tariffs2 - Off-grid – Battery-free systems3 - Off-grid – Battery-based systems
Grid-tied Solar PV Systems
Net Metering
Grid-tie PV Systems
~System sizing & Performance
1.1 kW (kilowatt)
12.2 kW (kilowatt)Earth Tools Inc.
Grid-tie PV Systems
Project costs and economicsTypical installed costs:
$3.00 - $4.00 per wattProject life: 40 + years
Cost per kWh: $0.08 - $0.12/kWh(factored over first 25 years of operation)
Grid-tie PV Systems
Financial Incentives- Federal Tax Credit = 30%
- Available through 2022
Indiana State & Utility-based incentivesSee www.dsireusa.org
USDA REAP Grants & Loans25% grants
Grid-tie PV Systems
• System Components
Off-grid, battery-free PV systems
-Water-pumping
- Ventilation Fans
Off-grid, battery-based systems
- System design & limitations- Energy budgeting- Lifestyle choices- Costs
-Components- Batteries- Charge controllers- Inverters
