presented by: richard raeke director of project finance borrego solar systems
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Solar Basics IPED Financing Renewable Energy Conference - Washington D.C. May 21, 2009 Generate change. Choose solar!. Presented By: Richard Raeke Director of Project Finance Borrego Solar Systems. Presentation Outline. Current Energy Problem Utility Solar Distributed Generation - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Solar BasicsIPED Financing Renewable Energy Conference - Washington D.C. May 21, 2009Generate change. Choose solar!
Presented By: Richard Raeke
Director of Project FinanceBorrego Solar Systems
Presentation Outline• Current Energy Problem• Utility Solar • Distributed Generation• Solar Technologies• Components• Design Considerations• Case Studies
Generate Change. Choose Solar.
Borrego Solar Systems, Inc.Company highlights:• Leading provider of turnkey
photovoltaic systems• 29 years of solar experience• Completely integrated set of services• Offices on both coasts• Can mobilize anywhere for large
projects• Over 800 projects completed in CA
and MA
Generate Change. Choose Solar.
Borrego Solar Systems, Inc.Services and qualifications:• Design, engineering and
consulting
• Project development, feasibility studies and financial modeling
• Permitting and utility interconnection
• Warranties, service and maintenance
Generate Change. Choose Solar.
Current energy problemWhere our energy comes from:
Generate Change. Choose Solar.
Fossil fuels make up 86% of US Energy Supply. Solar only contributes .06%
*Source: Energy Information Administration. Part of US Department of Energy
Current energy problemProblems with current energy sources:• Supply• Global warming• Pollution• Limited Sources
– Need to import• Reliance on Middle East• Volatile prices
Generate Change. Choose Solar.
Solar as a solution• Abundant local supply• No emissions
– Global warming– Pollution
• Coincides with peak demand• Less distribution losses• Stable fuel prices• Creation of Jobs
Generate Change. Choose Solar.
Solar Technologies
Generate Change. Choose Solar.
Utility Scale• Large Projects – 5 MW+ • Solar is tied into the grid• Built by utility companies or by Independent Power Producers• Can be CSP, co-generation facilities
Distributed Generation• System tied into customer’s meter (net metering)• Off sets on-site load • Usually solar PV
Grid tied photovoltaics
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PV system overview:
Grid tied photovoltaicsNet Metering
• The systems stays attached to grid• When panels produce excess
power, the meter spins backwards• This builds up credit with the
utility company, preferably at the retail rate
• During off hours, customers use those credits to offset their bill
Generate Change. Choose Solar.
Solar Components• Solar Modules
– Reliability is most important factor– Crystalline silicon is market leader– Many unproven thin film (or nano)
products under development• Inverter
– Brains of a solar electric system– Limit efficiency and performance
• Racking– Needs to be designed for >30-year lifetime– Aluminum or Hot Dipped Galv steel
required– Different solutions for different applications
Generate Change. Choose Solar.
TechnologyTerminology and definitions:• Solar Cell
– Power producing unit– Usually made of Silicon
• Solar Module– Also called solar panel– Solar cells wired together– Encapsulated in glass
• Solar Array– Modules in series and parallel
Generate Change. Choose Solar.
Solar modules• Largest single cost in system• Up to 60% of system cost• Typically Silicon based cells• Single crystal, multi-crystal, or
amorphous• Amorphous less efficient• Glass encapsulate• Aluminum frame• Requires grounding• Available with black frames• 25-year warranty is standard
Generate Change. Choose Solar.
Inverters• Convert DC power to AC power• Efficiencies 94.5-98% conversion• Battery backup power not standard• Inverter limits production of system
– Inverter selection is very important
– Inverter failures are more common than module failures
• 10-year warranty standard
Generate Change. Choose Solar.
Design considerationsOrientation:• West to Southeast are acceptable
orientations• South face produces most power• West face produces more peak
power • Lower pitch = more flexibility• Flat roofs work well• Rack at 10 degree pitch to
promote runoff
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Design considerationsArray:
• Age and condition of roof• Obstructions
– Vents, HVAC, pipes, etc.– Shade from trees or buildings
• Roofing material• Support structure• Attachment method• Topography and soil conditions
Generate Change. Choose Solar.
Design considerationsOther important factors:
• NEC Article 690• Grounding• Stringing• Shading• Wind speed – exposure
category• Matching modules• Temperature & voltage
Generate Change. Choose Solar.
Padre Dam Municipal Water District
862 kW – Santee, CA
University of California – San Diego
880 kW – San Diego, CA
Warner Brothers
538 kW – Burbank, CA
Villa Nueva
697 kW– San Ysidro, CA
Mishawum
480 kW – Charlestown, MA
Mosaica
130 kW – San Francisco, CA
Generate Change. Choose Solar.
Accelerate the adoption of Renewable Energy
www.borregosolar.com
IPED May 2009Solar Basics
Richard RaekeDirector of Project FinanceBorrego Solar Systems, Inc.
[email protected](510) 849-5414
www.borregosolar.com