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Gordon Howell, P.Eng.
Solar ElectricitySolar Electricity……coming to a building near youcoming to a building near you
We are solar electric system project developersWe are solar electric system project developers–– working with solar energy since 1977 and working with solar energy since 1977 and
with solar electricity since 1984with solar electricity since 1984
We manage, design, supply and commission We manage, design, supply and commission solar electric systemssolar electric systems
We participate in provincial, national and We participate in provincial, national and international standardsinternational standards--writing committeeswriting committees
We have no vested interests in We have no vested interests in any one solar electric technologyany one solar electric technology–– We want you to make your decisions We 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 or may not be right for youwhat may or may not be right for you……
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Solar heating Solar heating –– A A darkdark surface located in surface located in
the sunshinethe sunshine–– Water or air runs past the Water or air runs past the
solarsolar--heated surface heated surface carrying heat to the building.carrying heat to the building.
Solar heating and solar electricity
are NOT the same…
Solar electricitySolar electricity–– A semiconductor device like a computer chipA semiconductor device like a computer chip–– Employs the Employs the ““photovoltaicphotovoltaic”” effecteffect–– Photons bump electrons out of an atomPhotons bump electrons out of an atom–– Wires carry away the charge from the electronsWires carry away the charge from the electrons
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PV Terms
Solar PV Solar PV ArrayArray
PV can generate any amount of electricity.PV can generate any amount of electricity.Large PV systems = more PV modules.Large PV systems = more PV modules.
Solar PV Solar PV ModuleModuleSolar PV Solar PV CellCell
Solar ElectricitySolar ElectricityThe technology is called "The technology is called "photovoltaicsphotovoltaics", ",
but we only call it "PV".but we only call it "PV".
170,000 modules (200 W ea.) 170,000 modules (200 W ea.) 34,000 kW PV array34,000 kW PV array
30,000 modules, 6000 kW
5,000 modules1000 kW
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1. Off-grid standstand--alonealone
2. Hybrid: off: off--grid + generator or windgrid + generator or wind
3. Grid-connected
Photo Credit: Photo Credit: Ralph Ralph CartarCartar
From calculators and watches to From calculators and watches to large generating stations.large generating stations.
Solar Electricity – used everywhere!
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Solar PV module…to generate
DC electricity
Solar inverter…to convert to
AC electricity
Solar battery…to store
DC electricity
maybe…
Solar PV System – Major Components…
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PV ModulesModule manufacturers and countries:Module manufacturers and countries:–– America: America:
First Solar, Evergreen, First Solar, Evergreen, UniUni--Solar, Solar, SunPowerSunPower ++++
–– Britain:Britain:BP SolarBP Solar
–– Canada:Canada:Day4EnergyDay4Energy, Canadian Solar, , Canadian Solar, CentennialCentennial, Conergy ++, Conergy ++
Each: 0.2 kW to 8 kW, 1 phaseEach: 0.2 kW to 8 kW, 1 phase
Each: 5Each: 50 kW to 1000 kW, 3 phase0 kW to 1000 kW, 3 phase
640 inverters available from 640 inverters available from
55 manufacturers55 manufacturers
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4 major components:– PV array– DC disconnect– Solar inverter– AC disconnect
No energy storage
Simple to design, install, operate
Most commongrid-connected configuration
10,000 in Canada???
300 in Alberta?
6+ million around the world…?
Solar PVarray1
2
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Grid-dependent Solar PV System
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Edmonton: my house
2.3 kW36 small PV modules1st system west of Toronto, 12th system connected to the grid in 1995Cost of system: $40,000 in 1995,
$14,000 todayGenerates $190 of electricity per year
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Size: 2 kW. 38 GE tile modulesCost of solar PV system: $14,000 (? if installed today)Generates $200 of electricity per year
Edmonton Examples: Donsdale – new
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10 PV modulesCost of solar PV system: $15,000 (?)Generates $190 of electricity per year
Edmonton Examples: Strathearn – retrofit
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16 modulesCost of solar PV system: $20,000 (?)Generates $260 of electricity per year
Edmonton: Mill Creek – retrofit
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Size: 2 kW. 16 AstroPower 120 W modulesCost of solar PV system: $17,000 (?)
Generates $180 of electricity per year
Edmonton Examples: Inglewood – retrofit
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Size: 2.4 kW12 Sanyo 200 W modules
Cost of solar PV system: $20,000 (?)Generates $260 of electricity per year
Edmonton Examples: Whyte Avenue – retrofit
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36 modules, 200 W eachCost of solar PV system:
$48,000 (?)Generates $900 of electricity per year
Calgary – retrofit
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Edmonton’s Solar-Electric Pilot Programme
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Edmonton’s Solar-Electric Pilot Programme
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Edmonton: Manasc Isaac Architects – PV sunshade
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Size: 5.6 kW x 2. 28 Sanyo 200 W modules x 2Cost of solar PV system: $37,000 x 2Generates $560 of electricity per year x 2
www.riverdalenetzero.ca
Riverdale NetZero Energy House – new
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Size: 6 kW. Including moveable awningCost of solar PV system: $45,000Generates $600 of electricity per year
Mill Creek NetZero Energy House – new
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Belgravia NetZero Energy House – new
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Belgravia Green NetZero Energy House – new
Size: 12.5 kW total on the house and garage
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Premier Gardens, California – new
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Brentwood Apartments NetZero Ready – planned
Ultra low space heating was not a problem – using ultra EE and GSHPBiggest issue was very high electricity consumption per m2 of exposure to the sun because we are packing people in on top of each other…
How does net billing work?Energy Retailer, Electricity Delivery
Company
Electricity delivery wires
Neighbour
Electricity paid in full
9.2 ¢/kWh
Electrical energy credit
80 ¢/kWh (in Ontario for PV)
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For example, with the PV system on the Riverdale NetZero house:– 5600 W of solar PV generating capacity– $38,000 installed (in 2010)– 6600 kWh/year: PV electricity generated– 80% of the electricity will likely be directly exported to the grid
Here is how the bills would work out for EPCOR’s regulated rate option (2009 prices)
selling buying value of simpleprice price PV electricity payback
Billing programme (¢/kWh) (¢/kWh) ($/year) (years) *– Alberta’s discounted rate net billing: 8.4 10.3 $600 61– If equal-rate net billing (=net metering): 10.3 10.3 $700 55– With Ontario’s premium feed-in tariff: 80.3 10.3 $3900 9
* using your own money (not the banks), not including future value of money, rising electricity prices
What does this practically mean to us?
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Declining Solar PV Prices, Increasing Grid Prices
Solar Electricity Price
Grid-Electricity Price
Grid Parity
2013 to 2015…2017?
23 ¢/kWh
2010
9.2 ¢/kWh (2010 grid price
in Edmonton)
56 ¢/kWh (solar, with 5% mortgage)
(solar, using your own money)
huge environmental effectshighly subsidized fossil fuelled electricity does not pay for the damage it causes to the environment and to our health care budgets
unsubsidizedno environmental side-effects
Grid parity: Utility Solar Assessment Studywww.cleanedge.com, www.solarcatalyst.org
historically rising at 4% per yearthough there have been increases of 5% to 20% in the last few years as the government weans us off the regulated rate option (RRO)