solar for homeowners - april 2009
DESCRIPTION
Learn how to read your electric bill and how solar electricity can help you offset the high cost of energy.TRANSCRIPT
Solar for HomeownersApril 2009
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Vision & MissionVision:Vision:
Creating a sustainable energy futureCreating a sustainable energy future
MissionMission::
To foster public policies and provide To foster public policies and provide programs, services, information and programs, services, information and forums that facilitate the adoption of forums that facilitate the adoption of clean, reliable, renewable, clean, reliable, renewable, sustainable and efficient energy sustainable and efficient energy technologies and practices.technologies and practices.
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• San Diego Energy Resource Center• Rebuild Central - helping fire survivors
build green• Rebates for Alternatively fueled vehicles• Energy Efficiency rebates for Tax- Exempt
Customers• Rebates for Wind and Fuel Cell Projects• Solar Water Heating Pilot Program• California Solar Initiative
CCSE Programs
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CCSE Services
•Technical Assistance•Tool Lending & Resource Libraries•Expanded Display Space•Workshops and Events•Vendor Database•Website: www.energycenter.org
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Upcoming CCSE Events
• May 15 – Solar Shade Workshop• May 18 – Solar Power Purchase Agreements, Part 2 of 5• June 19 – Enphase Micro-Inverters
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CCSE Housekeeping• Please sign in• Turn off your cell
phones• Refreshments • Recycle• Restrooms down the hall• Fill out your Evaluation
Forms• Tell people about CCSE!
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Agenda• What is Solar? • How does PV work• Types of PV• Sample Installations (Pictures)• How much PV do I need?• How much does it cost?• How to read my electric bill• Understanding Net Energy Metering• Utility Rates• California Solar Initiative • Benefits and facts of going Solar• How do I get started?• Online Resources
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What is Solar Electricity? • Pho-to-vol-ta-ics (PV) literally means "light-
electricity," and is the process of converting sunlight into electricity. The term "photo" comes from the Greek word "phos" or light, and "volt" was derived from Volta (1745-1827), a pioneer in the study of electricity.
• When PV cells are exposed to sunlight, they separate positive and negative charges, releasing small amounts of electricity giving off what is known as the "photovoltaic effect."
• PV or solar electric cells convert sunlight to usable electricity.
• Small solar panels have been imbedded in calculators, watches, etc. for decades.
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How does it works?
Utility
DC Disconnect
AC Disconnect
Home
Sunlight strikes the cells. Cells convert sunlight into directCurrent (DC). DC current flows into inverter. Inverter invertsDC into Alternating current (AC). AC is the electricity that powers your home or goes back to the utility.
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How it doesn’t Work?
• If the utility grid goes down, the inverter automatically shuts off and will not feed solar-generated electricity back into the grid. •This ensures the safety of linepersons working on the grid.
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Types of PV• Crystalline
• Mono or Poly – most commonly used• Often referred to as solar panels
• Each panel is usually about 5 feet long by 2 feet wide and 3 inches thick
• 100 sq. ft. = 1 kW of solar• Mounted on roofs, trackers, and fixed ground
mounts• More efficient per square foot than amorphous• Extreme heat reduces performance• Shade highly reduces performance
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Different looks
•“Industrial” look
• Cleaner look
ConclusionStyle matters to some customers and
especially to HOA’s. Warranty and longevity virtually identical.
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Types of PV -- Amorphous
• Amorphous – newer technology• Often referred to as thin film• Can be framed (like Crystalline) or
frameless• Conformable to mounting surface if
frameless• 150 sq. ft. = 1 kW of solar• Tends to be less costly than crystalline for
the same amount of electricity production• High heat somewhat reduces performance• Shading moderately reduces performance
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Crystalline vs Amorphous
• Matter of space, budget, and aesthetics and personal taste.
• Both setups will do the job for 20-30 years….. or more.
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Home with PV (front view)PV located here
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Same Home with PV (side view)
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Traditional Mono-Crystalline PV Panels (checker pattern)
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Poly Crystalline PV Panels on flat roof with tilt kit
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Poly Crystalline PV on a Ground Mount tilted for performance
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Poly Crystalline PV on a Ground Mount tilted for performance
Shade
System production decrease
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Poly Crystalline on a Tracker (system rotates to follow sun)
Passive tracking system
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Poly Crystalline on Trackers
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Thin Film (Amorphous)
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Thin Film (amorphous)
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Thin Film
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Integrated Roofing Tiles
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Integrated Roofing Tiles
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Integrated Roofing Tiles
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What are the two biggest questions about solar?
How much do I need?
How much does it cost?
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How much PV do I need?www.sdge.com
Ways to Save Energy Energy WavesPull your 12 month history
Total your 12 month electricity consumptionThis will be in kWh
Divide the annual kWh by 1400kWh (average annual production of 1kW in San Diego).
This will be the number of kW you needSubtract three (3) from that value to save only the
most expensive electricity (Tiers 3, 4, only)
Example: 10,000kWh / 1,400kWh = 7kW – 3kW = 4kW PV System
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So, How Much Does it Cost?• PV costs range from $8.50 to $11.50 per watt fully
installed… before taking rebates or tax credits. The average cost of all residential systems to date is roughly $9.00 per watt. • Our example system would cost; 4,000W x $9/Watt = $36,000• Rebate amount; 4,000W x $1.90/Watt = $7,600• Federal Tax Credit = $8,520• Total after incentive and Tax Credit = $19,880
• Example of major cost associated with PV system • 70% of costs = PV Modules ($25,200)• 15% of costs = Installation ($5,400)• 15% of costs = Balance of System ($5,400)
• $36,000 - $7,600 - $8,520 = $19,880 Out of pocket expense
That’s a savings of 45%!
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How to Read Your Electric Bill
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Gas Charges
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Taxes and Fees
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Electric Charges
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Electric Charges
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Pricing Structure
• Energy (usage) = Power x Time
• Kill a what hour?!?!
• Charged based on amount of kilowatt hours (kWh) used
• kWh – The use of 1000 watts of electricity for one full hour
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Pricing Structure
• Tiered Pricing System• 4 progressively more expensive tiers• Tier 1 is the lowest rate called the “baseline”• Tiers 2, 3 and 4 are based on a percentage
of your baseline
• Tier 1 = Baseline• Tier 2 = 30% of baseline • Tier 3 = 70% of baseline• Tier 4 = All other usage
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• An all electric home or not
• The climate zone in which you live. (Coastal, Inland, Mountain and Desert)
• The time of the year Summer (May 1 - October 31)Winter (November 1 – April 30)
How your baseline is calculated
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Current Monthly Baseline Allowances
Monthly Electric Baseline AllowanceskWh per day
(Based on a 30 day month)
All Electric HomeMay 1 – Oct. 31
Nov. 1 – April 30
Coastal294
498
Inland348
573
Mountain552
885
Desert585
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Monthly Electric Baseline AllowanceskWh per day
(Based on a 30 day month)
BasicMay 1 – Oct. 31
Nov. 1 – April 30
Coastal306
324
Inland354
345
Mountain465
438
Desert519
360
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Understanding Your Bill – Example 1
Person A uses 250 kWh in a month with a baseline of 100 kWh
Tier 1 (Baseline) = .05 kWh Tier 3 = .15 kWh Tier 2 = .10 kWh Tier 4 = .20 kWh
Tier 1: 0 - 100 kWh 100 x $.05 = $5Tier 2: 100 – 130 kWh 30 x $.10 = $3Tier 3: 130 – 200 kWh 70 x $.15 = $10.50Tier 4: 200 – 250 kWh 50 x $.20 = $10 Total Charge = $28.50
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Understanding Your Bill – Example 2
Person B uses 500 kWh in a month with a baseline of 100 kWh
Tier 1 (Baseline) = .05 kWh Tier 3 = .15 kWh Tier 2 = .10 kWh Tier 4 = .20 kWh
Tier 1: 0 - 100 kWh 100 x $.05 = $5Tier 2: 100 – 130 kWh 30 x $.10 = $3Tier 3: 130 – 200 kWh 70 x $.15 = $10.50Tier 4: 200 – 500 kWh 300 x $.20 = $60 Total Charge = $78.50
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Understanding Your Bill
DWR Bond Charge•Fixed $/kWh
Transmission & Distribution•Includes transmissin, distribution, public programs, nuclear decommissioning, etc…•Varies based on Tier
Electric Energy• Fixed $/kWh• does not vary based on Tier
Total $ per kWh
Three charges combine to makeup total cost per kWh
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Current SDG&E prices for electricity
Tier 1: $ .12557 / kWhTier 2: $ .14677 / kWhTier 3: $ .25943 / kWhTier 4: $ .27943 / kWh
Bundled Charges DWR Bond ChargeFixedTier 1: $ .00477/ kWhTier 2: $ .00477/ kWh Tier 3: $ .00477/ kWhTier 4: $ .00477/ kWh
Electric EnergyFixedTier 1: $ .09963 / kWh Tier 2: $ .09963 / kWh Tier 3: $ .09963 / kWh Tier 4: $ .09963 / kWh
Varies based on tierTier 1: $ .02117 / kWhTier 2: $ .04714 / kWhTier 3: $ .15980 / kWhTier 4: $ .17980 / kWh
Total you are paying
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Bundled Charge
DWR Bond
Charge
Electric Energy Charge
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Baseline
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9.455.0727.8444.99
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{
{
{
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Understanding Net Energy Metering
• Available to solar and wind generating customers• Systems less than 1,000kW (1MW)
• Interconnected to the utility grid• Intended to offset all or part of
the customer’s load• Let’s view an example
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Do my electricity rates increase?
• From SDG&E bill insert July 2007
• Pursuant to California Assembly Bill AB1X, electric rates for residential usage up to 130% of baseline allowances will not exceed rate levels in effect February 1, 2001.
• For those using electricity in Tiers 1 & 2, no rate increase applies. However, those using in Tiers 3, 4, and 5 absorb the rate increase for the lower Tiers.
• http://www.sdge.com/tariff/inserts/FINAL0730059EERP-SDG&E.pdf
Utility Rates
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2006 Rate Increase in SCE territory
Note: Tier 1 & Tier 2 did not increaseTier 3 increased 34%Tier 4 increased 58%.Tier 5 increased 59%Tier 5 authorized to increase 145%!
$0.00$0.05$0.10$0.15$0.20$0.25$0.30$0.35$0.40$0.45$0.50
Tier 1 Baseline
allotment*
Tier 3 131%-200%
baseline
Tier 5 Over
300% ofbaseline
2006 Rate Increases in SCE Territory
Dec. '05
Current
Authorized
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Do costs for electricity increase?
5-Sep-06 DR 652 $102.79 $0.158
6-Sep-07 DR 663 $116.74 $0.176 11.7%
5-Nov-06 DR 1,315 $237.37 $0.181
6-Nov-07 DR 1,225 $262.84 $0.215 18.9%
6-Jan-06 DR 2,302 $440.95 $0.192
7-Jan-07 DR 2,323 $537.15 $0.231 20.7%
5-Sep-06 DR 2,215 $432.51 $0.195
6-Sep-07 DR 2,226 $548.59 $0.246 26.2%
Date Rate kWh $ Ave.
kWh 1 Year % Increase
Real Consumption Data in SDG&E territory!
Data from real CSI Projects
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Quick recap
• Now you know …
• How you are being charged• What you are being charged for• Trends
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California Solar Initiative• $2.1 Billion Program for 10 years (2007-2016)
• Rebates are offered on a declining scale• The more solar that gets installed, the lower the
rebate gets• Current rebate of $1.90/Watt is about 15% - 20% of
total cost of system
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California Solar Initiative
• Goal is 59.5 MW of solar (photovoltaics) installed on single family homes over the next 10 years for the San Diego region. • Total of 15,000 4kW (average size) systems
• 120 MW of non-residential (gov’t, commercial, non-profit) over the next 10 years in the San Diego region as well.• Total of over 500 200kW (average size) systems
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Benefits and Facts• Solar is economically sound
• Rate of return typically greater than 9% This is very competitive with other higher risk investments such as stocks and bonds. As utility rates increase, the annual return increases.
• Utility bill savings equal to or greater than monthly Loan Cost – Cash positive
• Property Tax exempt
* Source: http://www.begreennow.com/users/calculator
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Benefits and Facts• Reduce your carbon footprint by up to 3 metric
tons* per year for each 1000 kWh of PV per month• (equivalent of removing one average car’s yearly
pollution)
• Pay your electric bill once per year… you can pay it more often, but you are not required to do so.
• HOA can not prevent you from going solar – see California Civil Code 714 for details on how you and the HOA work together to go solar.
* Source: http://www.begreennow.com/users/calculator
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How do I get started?• Contact CCSE• Energy Efficiency Audit• Contact a PV Professional
• Steps• Evaluate different vendors/installers• Enter into agreement with vendor/installer
• Financing options available• Vendor/installer typically assists with paperwork, permits,
interconnection, etc.• Reserve incentive with CCSE
• Vendor/installer typically takes care of rebate paperwork as a part of their service
• Install system• Incentive provided post installation• Typical time from signing contract to system commissioning
– 60 days
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Online Resources• ccse.powerclerk.com - CSI Program Data• www.csi-epbb.com - CSI Program Incentive
Calculator• www.csi-trigger.com - CSI Statewide Trigger
Point Tracker• www.gosolarcalifornia.com – CPUC and CEC
Website• www.energycenter.org – CCSE Website• www.cslb.ca.gov – Contractor State License
Board• www.bbb.org – Better Business Bureau
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Conclusion• Installing solar is like having an
insurance policy against rising electricity cost; as rates get higher, you continue to pay the same the life of the system!
Thank You
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CCSE CSI Contact Information
California Center for Sustainable Energy(CCSE)
8690 Balboa Ave, Suite 100San Diego, CA 92123
858-244-1194http://csi.sdenergy.org