This document discusses solar electric generating systems for commercial properties. It begins by describing a major 2003 blackout and the need to increase electricity generation from clean and renewable sources like solar. It then explains how solar photovoltaic systems work to produce electricity from sunlight and their benefits, such as producing power during peak demand times. The document provides examples of different types of solar installations and discusses factors to consider for rooftop systems as well as the typical process for solar projects and available incentives.
2. August 14th, 2003 Northeast Blackout of 2003 8 States + Southeastern Canada 50 Million people lost power Cause Factors: Grid Faults and Grid Overload
3. Meeting Future Electricity Load Load Growth expected of 1.05% annually to 2030 Increase electricity generation Power Plants Clean Coal Nuclear Renewable Energy Wind Solar
4. What is Solar Energy? Solar Electric Generating System aka: Solar Power aka: Solar PV Photo-Voltaic Producing electricity from light Solar Thermal E.g.: Solar Hot Water Utilizing energy from heat
5. Why Solar Power? Increasing Energy/Electricity Demands Unlimited Resource. cf: fossil fuels Distributed Generation. cf: Transmission costs and infrastructure Maximum production during peak demand Helps Utility Energy Management Clean. cf: Gas, Clean Coal, Nuclear NIMBY or YOYR (Yes, On Your Roof) Eventual Unsubsidized Grid Parity
14. Rooftop Preferences Facing true south (+/- 60°) Pitch: 0°- 45° (Optimum Production: 35°) No obstructions Off roof: no trees, taller buildings, higher walls On-roof: Parapet walls, bulkheads, HVAC equipment, vents Roof Life: 15+ years No structural load issues
15. Typical System Crystalline Panels Roof mounted / Ground mount Grid-tied (no batteries) Fixed mounting (no rotation) Net Metered Distributed Generation (On-site)
16. System Sizing Flush Roof Mount Example: single-family residential pitched roofsouth facing, unobstructed, 500sf 12W-13W / square foot = 6kW Solar PV system Tilt Roof Mount Example: commercial or multi-family flat roofunobstructed, 6000sf 8W-10W / square foot = 48kW Solar PV system
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18. Production Value 1kW Solar PV produces approximately1200 kWh per year 5kW = 6,000 kWh/year 50kW = 60,000 kWh/year Avoided Electricity Cost Con Edison @ $0.18 - $0.24/kWh Escalating electricity costs > 5% annually System Life: 30+ years
19. System Cost Variables System Size Location Building Height Flush/Tilt; Ballasted/Affixed Residential: $5.50-$6.50/Watt Commercial: $4.25-$5.25/Watt (excluding NYC)
33. Analysis of client electricity usage & cost, and solar electricity production potential of site
34. Detailed Proposal with complete costs, production value, and complete breakdown of incentives including all applicable rebates, tax credits and production-based incentives
41. Solar Electric Generating Systems - Conclusion Solar utilizes underused property (rooftops, parking lots, etc) to provide on-site electricity Solar Distributed Generation (On-site, Behind the meter) provides localized electricity – no extra burden on transmission infrastructure Solar PV is extremely important component to help us meet increasing global electricity needs