nc solar center where renewable technology meets … · where renewable technology meets workable...

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NC Solar CenterWhere Renewable Technology

Meets Workable Polices

Alex Hobbs, PhD, PE

November 6, 2008UNC-C Solar Conference

Charlotte, NC

Advancing Renewable Energy for a Sustainable Economy

, ,[email protected]

North Carolina Solar CenterAn Inclusive Interest in Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Renewable Energy• Solar (photovoltaics, solar

hot water, passive solar, daylighting)daylighting)

• Wind • Biomass (animal waste,

energy crops, landfill gas)• Biofuels (ethanol, biodiesel)• Hydrogen & Fuel CellsEnergy Efficiency

Green Buildings &


www.ncsc.ncsu.edu• Green Buildings &

Sustainable Design• CHP & Distributed

Generation• NC Industries of the

Future

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GB and RE Diploma Series

• 105 contact hours 105 contact hours to graduate

• 3 week long 35 hour courses provided


• Since Fall 2004– Total participants –

479– Total Graduates - 71

Green Building Diploma Series

• Three General 1-Week CCourses– Residential Green Building– Commercial GB – Existing – Commercial GB – New

• Most Recent Class -Residential Green Building (GB) 5 Day Workshop

32 participants


– 32 participants– Pictured: Participants at

Green Building tour

• Focus on contractors, builders, designers, architects, engineers

• Classes provide AIA credits for architects, PdH credits for PEs and CEUs for anyone

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NC HealthyBuilt Homes Current Program Status

• Total homes receiving gcertificates – 186

• Total homes currently under construction – 310

• Additional homes committed, pre-construction – 500

• Total Independent Inspectors


p pin place - 2

– In process/training - 6

• Total builders enrolled, statewide - 123

Renewable Energy Diploma Series

• Four General 1-Week CCourses– Solar Thermal (Hot Water &

Radiant Systems variations)– Solar Electric (financial

modeling & electricity basics variations)

– Small Wind Power– Biofuels– Other “guest topics” –

bi h i h d


biomass, chp, microhydro

• Focus on contractors (electrical, plumbing and general), builders, designers, architects, engineers, financers, etc.

• Classes provide AIA credits for architects, PdH credits for PEs and CEUs for anyone

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Advanced Outdoor Training Facility for RE Professionals

• Completed Work on Residential on Residential Training Roof Facility– To be used for

Diploma Series and Dealer Trainings

k h


– Working with industry to develop a commercial training roof by Q2 2009

Dealer Training - SunPower

• Two 3-day PV installation workshops at the NCSC in June. They had 17-19 participants per training session


per training session.• SunPower designs, manufactures and

delivers the highest efficiency solar electric technology worldwide.

• This national distributor will be conducting two workshops a month at NCSC for the remainder of the calendar year.

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Energy Management Series

Technical short courses and k l Di l S i ’ week-long Diploma Series’ on

Energy Management for Facilities. Topics include:•Air Compressors •Chillers and Cooling Towers•Compressed Air Systems

Energ Efficient Lighting


•Energy Efficient Lighting•Energy Efficient Motors and VSD’s•HVAC•Preventive Maintenance•Steam Traps and Steam Systems•And many others….

NC Solar Center K-12 Programs

• Junior Solar Sprint-middle school students• Students Making Advancements in Renewable

Transportation Technologies (SMARTT) Transportation Technologies (SMARTT) Challenge high school program

• Solar House tours• Hands-on activities for camps• Wind energy workshops for teachers• Developing Solar Center kiosk in Wolflands in

Second Life at NCSU


• Solar House will soon become a living green laboratory monitoring renewable energy technologies

• Mentoring a Keenan Fellow for STEM Education

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Junior Solar Sprint Final Event at the Solar Center-2008&

SMARTT Challenge Final Event High School Students


21 schools, over 400 middle school students compete at the final event.

Technical Assistance• Site Assessments Completed – thru

June, 2008– City of Charlotte (Fire Stations)– City of Raleigh (Community Centers)

• Site Visits Performed– Carolina Ice (Ice Production)– AlphaGary Corporation (Plastics)

– City of Raleigh (Community Centers)– Pinehurst Solar (Solar Farm)– Philip Hardison (Solar Farm)– Practicon (Dental Supply)– SYSCO (Food Services)– EyeCareCenter (Optometry)– Murphy-Brown Farms (Swine Farms)– Always Herbs (Greenhouse)– Austin Brown Farms (Hog Production)– State of SC (Governor’s Mansion)

T t l P d E

– Continental-Teves (Brake Systems)

– Corning (Cable Systems)– CV Products (Industrial Park)– J.I. Gurley Farms (Farming)– Saint-Gobain (Glass Containers)


( )– Buchanan Electric (Community Pool)– Garden Market (Organic Grocery Store)– NC Ports Authority (North Carolina Ports)– Tariki Studios (Renovated Yarn Mill)– SAS (Software Development)– Secure Designs (Swim & Tennis Club)

Total Proposed Energy Savings

Electric – 3,200,000 kWh/yearThermal – 4,750 mmBTU/year

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Technical AssistanceSAS Institute

• After an initial assessment l d t l t i t ll 1 led to plans to install a 1 MW Photovoltaic system, we performed a follow-up assessment for Solar Thermal in four additional SAS buildings.

• Proposal recommended 6760 ft2 of SHW panels


6760 ft of SHW panels, totaling almost 2000 mmBTU/year.

Technical Assistance

City of Charlotte Fire Stationsy• Performed a renewable energy

assessment to assess the economic feasibility of incorporating Solar Thermal and Wind at two city fire stations.

• Solar Thermal would provide thermal energy for domestic water heating and Wind would generate electricity for the facility’s electric load or for sale to


facility s electric load or for sale to electric utility.

• Potential Generating Capacity: 700 kWh/yr electric, 189 mmBTU/hr Thermal

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Test Center for Solar Thermal and PV Equipment Certification

• Expanding and enclosing solar thermal test stand –solar thermal test stand expected complete in September 2008

• Five companies currently testing/demonstrating equipment – plan to begin marketing facility at Solar Power 2008 in October


Solar thermal test stand with Garage in background and PV system in foreground.

Governor’s Solar Initiative –gosolarnc.org

•Completed targeted marketing study for solar thermal applications in the statethermal applications in the state

•Assistance in setting state solar thermal standards:– Thermal Renewable Energy Credit document– Training & Certification document

•Designed & built website


•Designed & built website

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Solar ABCs Program

The Solar America Board for Codes and Standards (Solar ABCs)is a collaborative effort among experts to formally gather andprioritize input from the broad spectrum of solar photovoltaicstakeholders including policy makers, manufacturers, installers,and consumers resulting in coordinated recommendations to

d d t d d ki b di f i ti d l

http://www.solarabcs.org


codes and standards making bodies for existing and new solartechnologies. The U.S. Department of Energy funds Solar ABCsas part of its commitment to facilitate wide-spread adoption ofsafe, reliable, and cost-effective solar technologies.

Advancing Renewable Energy for a Sustainable Economy18

(taken from IEEE’s site at http://grouper.ieee.org/groups/scc21/dr_shared/)

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Connecting to the Grid Newsletter


http://www.irecusa.org/index.php?id=33

Effective Interconnection Policy

• Sets fair fees that are proportional to project sizel f d l d• Ensure policies are transparent, uniform, detailed

and public• Allows interconnected net-metered systems 2-MW

and larger• Adopt plug-and-play rules for residential and small

commercial scale systems and expedited procedures for other systems

Advancing Renewable Energy for a Sustainable Economyhttp://www.newenergychoices.org/uploads/FreeingTheGrid2007_report.pdf

procedures for other systems• Process applications quickly, using standardized

and simplified forms• Prohibit restrictive requirements i.e. additional

insurance requirements, redundant external disconnect switch

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• Upgraded by the NCUC in June 2008, removing the limit on system size and altering the rule on external disconnect switches

• Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies: Solar Thermal Electric,

NC’s Interconnection Standard

Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies: Solar Thermal Electric, Photovoltaics, Landfill Gas, Wind, Biomass, Fuel Cells, Municipal Solid Waste, CHP/Cogeneration, Anaerobic Digestion, Small Hydroelectric, Microturbines, Other Distributed Generation Technologies

• Applicable Sectors: Commercial, Industrial, Residential, Nonprofit, Schools, Local Government, State Government, Fed. Government, Agricultural, Institutional

• Limit on System Size/Overall Enrollment: No

• Standard Interconnection Agreement? Yes


• Additional Insurance Requirements? No

• External Disconnect Required? Not required for systems up to 10 kW; Utility authorized to require for systems greater than 10 kW

http://www.dsireusa.org/

Effective Net Metering Policy

• Provides a billing arrangement where 1-kWh d b h h hgenerated by the customer has the exact same

value as 1-kWh consumed by the customer• Allow rollover of excess electricity• Reduces unnecessary red tape and special fees i.e.

standby charges, riders and extra metering cost• Customer owns Renewable Energy Credits and

Carbon Credits from their generation

Advancing Renewable Energy for a Sustainable Economyhttp://www.newenergychoices.org/uploads/FreeingTheGrid2007_report.pdf

• Ensures customer receive credit at the utility’s full retail rate

• Allow systems over 1MW to net meter• Does not place restrictive limit on total net

metering program capacity

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NC’s Net Metering Policy

• Incentive Type: Net Metering

• Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies: Photovoltaics, Landfill Gas, Wind,Biomass Anaerobic Digestion Small Hydroelectric

NCUC proceedings are ongoing to consider upgrades to this policy

Biomass, Anaerobic Digestion, Small Hydroelectric

• Applicable Sectors: Commercial, Industrial, Residential, Nonprofit, Schools, Local Government, State Government, Tribal Government, Fed. Government, Agricultural, Institutional

• Limit on System Size: 20 kW for residential systems; 100 kW for non-residential systems

• Limit on Overall Enrollment: 0.2% of each utility's North Carolina retail peak load for the previous year


• Treatment of Net Excess: Credited to customer's next bill at applicable time-of-use rate or less; granted to utility (annually) at beginning of each summer

• Utilities Involved: Investor-owned utilities (Progress Energy, Duke Energy, Dominion North Carolina Power)

http://www.dsireusa.org/

MA: 15% by 2020 +1% annual increase

(Class I Renewables)

WI: requirement varies by utility; 10% by 2015 goal

MN: 25% by 2025(Xcel: 30% by 2020)

ME: 30% by 200010% by 2017 - new RE

MT: 15% by 2015

VT: (1) RE meets any increase in retail sales

by 2012; (2) 20% by 2017*WA: 15% by 2020 ☼ NH: 23.8% in 2025

OR: 25% by 2025 (large utilities)

ND: 10% by 2015

2008DSIRE: www.dsireusa.org September 2008

☼ PA: 18%** by 2020

☼ NJ: 22.5% by 2021

CT: 23% by 2020

IA: 105 MW

☼ AZ: 15% by 2025

CA: 20% by 2010

☼ *NV: 20% by 2015

RI: 16% by 2020

☼ CO: 20% by 2020 (IOUs)*10% by 2020 (co-ops & large munis)

☼ DC: 11% by 2022

☼ NY: 24% by 2013

IL: 25% by 2025

☼ MD: 20% by 2022

y ( g )5% - 10% by 2025 (smaller utilities)

*VA: 12% by 2022

MO: 11% by 2020☼ *DE: 20% by 2019

☼ NM: 20% by 2020 (IOUs)10% by 2020 (co-ops) ☼ NC: 12.5% by 2021 (IOUs)

SD: 10% by 2015

*UT: 20% by 2025☼ OH: 25%** by 2025


State Goal

TX: 5,880 MW by 2015

State RPS

☼ Minimum solar or customer-sited RE requirement* Increased credit for solar or customer-sited RE

**Includes separate tier of non-renewable “alternative” energy resources

HI: 20% by 2020

Solar water heating eligible

10% by 2018 (co-ops & munis)

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Benefits of REPS for NC• Economic Benefits (net gain)

– Rate impact estimated lower than new coal or nuclear– 2,000+ net jobs per year– $1.5 billion more in wages through 2017– $2.7 billion increase in Gross State Product– Keeps more $’s circulating in NC economy

• Social Benefits– Creates local wealth statewide; close to the land– Strengthens rural counties


• Environmental Benefits– Helps resolve hog and poultry waste/pollution issues– Improves air and water quality– Reduces NC’s CO2 emissions by 13+ million metric tons

per yearThis slide from Legislative presentation on REPS, 2005 by Urlaub – sources ASU Energy Center, La Capra/NCUC.

How will NC Utility Portfolio change our energy future?

• The least-cost portfolioThe least cost portfolio• Ratepayer cost risk is

reduced• All customer classes

benefit and all utility suppliers participate


• Barriers are reduced for business ventures in a clean energy market

NCSEA – Ivan Urlaub

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Key Elements of NC REPS• Exempts RE systems under 2 MW from

having to obtain a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity from NCUC but Convenience and Necessity from NCUC but require Notice of Intent

• Directs NCUC to increase size of Interconnection Standard to 10 MW

• Suggests that NCUC consider increasing Net Metering Rule to 2 MW


Net Metering Rule to 2 MW• Applies to all NC electric providers IOU’s,

EMC’s and Muni’s

Do we have some Do we have some questions?

Alex HobbsNC Solar Center


NC Solar [email protected]

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Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard

Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies: Solar Water Heat, Solar Space Heat, Solar Thermal Electric, Solar Thermal Process Heat, Photovoltaics, Landfill Gas, Wind, Biomass, Geothermal Electric, Hydrogen, Anaerobic Digestion, Small Geothermal Electric, Hydrogen, Anaerobic Digestion, Small Hydroelectric, Tidal Energy, Wave Energy

Applicable Sectors: Municipal Utility, Investor-Owned Utility, Rural Electric Cooperative

Standard: 12.5% of 2020 retail sales by 2021 for investor-owned utilities; 10% of 2017 retail sales by 2018 for electric cooperatives and municipal utilities


electric cooperatives and municipal utilities

Technology Minimum: 0.2% solar electricity and thermal energy by 2018; 0.2% swine waste by 2018; 900,000 MWh of poultry waste by 2014

www.dsireusa.org

Incentive Type: Corporate Tax Credit Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies: Passive Solar Space Heat, Solar

Water Heat, Solar Space Heat, Solar Thermal Electric, Solar Thermal Process Heat, Photovoltaics, Landfill Gas, Wind, Biomass, Hydroelectric, Renewable Transportation Fuels, Spent pulping liquor, Solar Pool Heating,

Renewable Energy Tax Credit (Corporate)

p , p p p g q , g,Daylighting, Anaerobic Digestion, Ethanol, Methanol, Biodiesel

Applicable Sectors: Commercial, Industrial Amount: 35%Maximum Incentive :$2.5 million per installation Carryover Provisions: Credit is taken in five equal installments; allowable

credit may not exceed 50% of a taxpayer's liability for the year, reduced by the sum of all other credits.

Eligible System Size: No stated size limits for systems Maximum of 50 kWh


Eligible System Size: No stated size limits for systems. Maximum of 50 kWh battery storage capacity per kW of hydro generator capacity (DC rated); maximum of 35 kWh battery storage capacity per kW for other technologies

Equipment/Installation Requirements: System must be new and in compliance with all applicable performance and safety standards. Specific equipment and installation requirements vary by technology

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Incentive Type: Personal Tax Credit Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies: Passive Solar Space Heat, Solar

Water Heat, Solar Space Heat, Solar Thermal Electric, Solar Thermal Process Heat, Photovoltaics, Wind, Biomass, Hydroelectric, Renewable Transportation Fuels, Spent pulping liquor, Solar Pool Heating, D li hti Eth l M th l Bi di l

Renewable Energy Tax Credit (Personal)

Daylighting, Ethanol, Methanol, Biodiesel Applicable Sectors: Commercial, Residential, Multi-Family Residential Amount: 35%Maximum Incentive: $1,400 - $10,500 (varies by technology); $2.5

million for commercial applicationsCarryover Provisions: Single-family dwellings: excess credit may be

carried forward five years; all other property: credit taken in five equal installments; allowable credit not to exceed 50% of taxpayer's liability for the year, reduced by the sum of all other credits.


Eligible System Size: No stated size limits for systems. Maximum of 50 kWh battery storage capacity per kW of hydro generator capacity (DC rated); maximum of 35 kWh battery storage capacity per kW for other technologies

Equipment/Installation Requirements: System must be new and in compliance with all applicable performance and safety standards. Specific equipment and installation requirements vary by technology.

Incentive Type: Industry Recruitment/Support Eligible Efficiency Technologies: Comprehensive

Measures/Whole Building, Custom/Others pending approval, Yes; specific technologies not identified

Eli ibl R bl /Oth T h l i P i S l S

North Carolina Green Business Fund

Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies: Passive Solar Space Heat, Solar Water Heat, Solar Space Heat, Solar Thermal Process Heat, Photovoltaics, Wind, Biomass, Hydroelectric, Renewable Transportation Fuels, Geothermal Heat Pumps, CHP/Cogeneration, Hydrogen, Renewable Energy Technologies, Tidal Energy, Wave Energy, Refueling Stations, Renewable Fuels, Other Distributed Generation Technologies

Applicable Sectors: Commercial, Nonprofit, Local Government State Government Agricultural Institutional


Government, State Government, Agricultural, Institutional Amount: Varies by awardMax. Limit: $100,000N.C. General Assembly (general

appropriations)$1 million (FY 2007-08)

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Incentive Type: Production Incentive Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies: Solar

Thermal Electric, Photovoltaics, Landfill Gas, Wind, Biomass Hydroelectric Anaerobic Digestion

NC GreenPower Production Incentive

Biomass, Hydroelectric, Anaerobic Digestion Applicable Sectors: Commercial, Industrial, Residential,

Nonprofit, Schools, Local Government, State Government, Agricultural, Institutional

Amount: Varies by technology and customer demand for NC GreenPower

Terms: Payments contingent on program success


Terms: Payments contingent on program success

nc solar center where renewable technology meets … · where renewable technology meets workable...

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