APS Green Choice Programs Ways to save electricity and reduce your bill GREEN CHOICE Energy Efficiency, Renewables, and Green Building in Housing Programs September 16, 2008 Rex Stepp APS Customer Information & Programs
May 15, 2015
APS Green Choice ProgramsWays to save electricity and reduce your bill
GREEN CHOICE
Energy Efficiency, Renewables, and Green Building in Housing Programs
September 16, 2008
Rex SteppAPS Customer Information & Programs
Phoenix Home Energy Usage
Lighting3%
Air Conditioning39%
Space Heat9%
Dryer7%
Cook5%
Misc9%
Water Heat20%
Refrig.8%
Cooling is the key
Heating/cooling is about half the average annual residential bill
It’s the most variable part of the bill
It gives us the most potential for savings
Efficient Air Conditioning
How much can High Efficiency AC Save?
New electric heat pumps and AC units are about 40 to 50% more efficient than units installed 15 years ago
Replacing a 7 SEER unit with a 16 SEER unit can reduce the cooling portion of your electric bill up to 50%
APS Duct Test & Repair
Why is it important to fix duct leaks?On average 15% of cooling is leaked through ducts
Use ¼ the energy of an incandescent light bulbSaves 75% on customers lighting costs ($30/bulb)Last up to 10 times longerEnvironmental benefitsKeep your home cooler in summerWide variety of CFL types afford same/better light
Compact Fluorescent Lighting
Solar Energy
• The energy we get from our sun is the result of nuclear fusion reactions.
• Our sun is made up of hydrogen which is gradually being converted into helium.
• In fact……
Solar Energy
1. Every second in our sun, 657 million tons of hydrogen are converted to 653 million tons of helium through the process of nuclear fusion.
2. The “missing” 4 million tons of mass are converted to heat and light energy through Einstein’s E=MC2 equation.
3. The 4 million tons of “energy” are radiated out in all directions from the sun into space.
4. The earth collects a mere 4 lb of this energy.
5. But this is enough to support life on earth as we know it.
_______________©CME - LLC
Solar Energy
Solar Energy
Solar Resources
Abundant – 300 days of sunshine a year
Intermittent but predictable
Photovoltaic & Solar Thermal
Solar Energy
200 600 1,000 1,400 1,800 2,200 2,600 3,000
Wavelength (nm)
Pow
er D
ensi
ty (W
/m2 )
Approximately ½ of the power in the solar spectrum lies in the visible light area.The remaining ½ is in the infra-red or “heat” area.
PhotovoltaicConverts Sunlight Directly into Electricity
A photovoltaic cell consists of an unstable compound – usually silicon mixed with other elements – sandwiched between two conductors. Photons of sunlight knock the electrons loose from the silicon atoms, which are then captured by the conductor.
Solar ThermalFocusing Solar Energy onto a Heat Transfer Fluid
Parabolic mirrors focus solar energy onto a heat transfer fluid.The fluid is used to heat water, creating steam. The steam is then used to run conventional steam turbines.
Solana Solar Generation Station
Solana Solar Generation Station
Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) with Thermal Energy Storage
Largest Solar plant in the world if operating today
280 MWs enough for 70,000 homes
APS Solar Incentives
Residential Systems: Residential: up to $3.00/wattOff Grid: up to $2.00/watt
Contact: [email protected]
Incentives for Photovoltaic Installations
APS Solar Incentives
Domestic Solar Water Heater
Heating water can make up to 15% of your home’s energy costs
$0.75 per expected first year kWh savings (incentives average around $2,000 but vary based on the system’s rating)
Contact: [email protected]
Incentives for Solar Water Heaters
Res. Solar Installations and HOAs
Senate Bill 1254, Enacted July 2007
Stipulates:HOAs may not prohibit the installation or use of solar-energy devices
(panels and associated devices).HOAs may adopt reasonable rules regarding the placement of a solar
device so long as those rules do not:Prevent the installation of the deviceImpair the functioning of the deviceRestrict its useAdversely affect its efficiency
Requires that courts award reasonable attorney fees and costs to any party who substantially prevails in litigation against an association’s board of directors as it relates to the provisions. Sources:
www.DSIREUSE.org, www.azcommerce.com/Energy/
APS Green Choice Rates
Customers can choose how much of their usage comes from renewable resources with Green Choice Rates.
Energy produced from wind & geothermal resources
Two plan options:
Percentage Option – Choose a specific percentage of usage to come from renewable resources (charged $0.01 premium per kWh).
Purchase green power in 100 kWh blocks @ $1.00 per block
What You Can Do…
Learn about ways you can use your
energy more efficiently and lower your bill.
And how incentives from APS can help!
What You Can Do…
Change to renewable electricity
by signing up for Green Choice Rates.
What You Can Do…
Take advantage of APS solar incentives & tax
credits to install solar at your home or business.
A better tomorrow starts today