NET METERED PHOTOVOLTAIC (“PV”) SYSTEMS IN HAWAII Andy Keith Senior Environmental Scientist Hawaiian Electric Company 543-4523 [email_address]

BEFORE CONSIDERING PV Energy Conservation. It’s approximately 5 times cheaper to save energy than to make it. Consider energy-efficient lighting, appliance upgrades and similar improvements. Solar Hot Water. Simple, proven technology. Tax credits and HECO rebate ($1000) are available. Net out-of-pocket expense ~$1500. Or, check out the new Solar Saver Pilot Program . See heco.com or call 94-POWER for details.

Energy Conservation. It’s approximately 5 times cheaper to save energy than to make it. Consider energy-efficient lighting, appliance upgrades and similar improvements.

Solar Hot Water. Simple, proven technology. Tax credits and HECO rebate ($1000) are available. Net out-of-pocket expense ~$1500. Or, check out the new Solar Saver Pilot Program . See heco.com or call 94-POWER for details.

NET METERING: The Financial Key to Grid-Interactive Renewable Energy Customer enters Net Energy Metering Agreement with HECO (often, this is handled by the installing contractor) Customer is “compensated” for energy generated by offsetting electric use. Monthly minimum charges apply. “ Net Excess Generation” may be “banked” for up to 12 months. Thereafter, it reverts to the utility.

Customer enters Net Energy Metering Agreement with HECO (often, this is handled by the installing contractor)

Customer is “compensated” for energy generated by offsetting electric use. Monthly minimum charges apply.

“ Net Excess Generation” may be “banked” for up to 12 months. Thereafter, it reverts to the utility.

TYPES OF GRID-INTERACTIVE PV SYSTEMS Battery-Based Inverters / Systems Provide instant back-up power to connected loads during utility outages. Effectively, is a UPS More complicated to install, maintain and operate Compatible with time of use (TOU) metering rates Batteryless Inverters / Systems Simpler & less expensive to install and maintain Slightly higher operating efficiency than battery-based systems During utility outages, batteryless systems effectively “go to sleep”, providing no backup capability Central and distributed inverters are available

Battery-Based Inverters / Systems

Provide instant back-up power to connected loads during utility outages. Effectively, is a UPS

More complicated to install, maintain and operate

Compatible with time of use (TOU) metering rates

Batteryless Inverters / Systems

Simpler & less expensive to install and maintain

Slightly higher operating efficiency than battery-based systems

During utility outages, batteryless systems effectively “go to sleep”, providing no backup capability

Central and distributed inverters are available

TYPICAL BATTERYLESS INVERTER SETUP (Central Inverter)

DISTRIBUTED INVERTER (Enphase Micro Inverter)

EXAMPLE SDHW & PV INSTALLATION

FINANCIAL INCENTIVES 35% State Tax Credit ($2250 SDHW limit, $5000 PV limit) 30% Federal Tax Credit ($2000 SDHW limit; no PV limit) “ Stacking” of the two tax credits is permitted

35% State Tax Credit ($2250 SDHW limit, $5000 PV limit)

30% Federal Tax Credit ($2000 SDHW limit; no PV limit)

“ Stacking” of the two tax credits is permitted

I’M INTERESTED! WHAT’S NEXT? Got south-facing roof? Is it unshaded during prime sun hours? Learn more about the technology. Surf the web. Consider subscribing to Home Power magazine (see their website at www.homepower.com) Battery-based or batteryless technology? Begin exploring system sizing. Remember: reduce energy use first

Got south-facing roof? Is it unshaded during prime sun hours?

Learn more about the technology. Surf the web. Consider subscribing to Home Power magazine (see their website at www.homepower.com)

Battery-based or batteryless technology?

Begin exploring system sizing. Remember: reduce energy use first

CALCULATING PV SYSTEM ENERGY PRODUCTION Module Rating (Total) x Average Estimated Sun-Hours Per Day = kWh Produced Example: 4.5 kW x 3 Hours = 13.5 kWh/day

Module Rating (Total) x Average Estimated Sun-Hours Per Day = kWh Produced

Example:

4.5 kW x 3 Hours = 13.5 kWh/day

LOGISTICAL CONSIDERATIONS Weight of PV modules & mounting equipment is typically 3 - 5# / ft 2 Power density is ~10 watts / ft 2 Consider performing roof repair/replacement before installing PV (or solar hot water). “ Raw” (tax considerations excluded) installed cost is typically $8 - $10 / watt Need to enter into a Net Energy Metering Agreement with HECO. Most common stumbling block: no building permit was obtained for the PV system

Weight of PV modules & mounting equipment is typically 3 - 5# / ft 2

Power density is ~10 watts / ft 2

Consider performing roof repair/replacement before installing PV (or solar hot water).

“ Raw” (tax considerations excluded) installed cost is typically $8 - $10 / watt

Need to enter into a Net Energy Metering Agreement with HECO. Most common stumbling block: no building permit was obtained for the PV system

WHAT’S ON THE PV HORIZON? New technologies for modules: thin-film, emerging materials (such as “shade cloth”). Increasing emphasis on building-integrated PV (“BIPV”). Currently-available products are a) “peel and stick” for standing-seam roof systems, and b) three-tab shingle. Absent new technologies, expect gradual price reduction as economies of production are realized. For general information on RE, see www.hawaiisenergyfuture.com

New technologies for modules: thin-film, emerging materials (such as “shade cloth”).

Increasing emphasis on building-integrated PV (“BIPV”). Currently-available products are a) “peel and stick” for standing-seam roof systems, and b) three-tab shingle.

Absent new technologies, expect gradual price reduction as economies of production are realized.

For general information on RE, see www.hawaiisenergyfuture.com

BIPV: PARKING SHADE STRUCTURE

BIPV: DEPOT SKYLIGHT

BIPV: STANDING SEAM ROOFING

BIPV: SOLAR SHINGLES

KGMB-9 Interview With Brooks Baehr (05/20/08)

With Brooks Baehr (05/20/08)

Honolulu Advertiser July 13, 2009 “Bright Idea” (Mike Gordon) http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20090713/GREEN02/907120382&template=greenhouse/Bright+idea

July 13, 2009 “Bright Idea” (Mike Gordon)

http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20090713/GREEN02/907120382&template=greenhouse/Bright+idea