2
E = MC ENERGY = Money
(wisely spent) X Conservation (maximized)
Most often asked Q & A
1) Can I power an 'all electric' house (my heating, hot water, clothes drying
and cooking are all electric)?
Answer: Photovoltaic energy is not recommended to supply power for
a home's heating needs. It is most cost effective for lighting, appliances, power tools, entertainment systems, microwaves,
irons, coffee makers, etc. Customers with gas or 'other than electric' heating and hot water can make the most of their dollars
spent on photovoltaic systems. Hot water and heat can be supplied by implementing 'thermal' solar panels rather than
photovoltaic panels. Thermal solar panels are a GREAT way to save on energy bills. Please see our
Endless Stream of Hot Water pages. Also, a very valuable resource for ALL homeowners can be found at http://www.energy.gov/engine/content.do?BT_CODE=EDG1420
This Department of Energy site has an energy calculator that will -- in a very simple and quick way -- allow
you to evaluate your energy use. It will also supply suggestions to assist you in lowering your energy costs, both electrical
and heating. Click on both the 'Consumers' and 'Homes' links.
2) I heat with gas or wood or pellets. Can I run the rest of the house or
significantly reduce my energy bills by installing solar photovoltaics?
Answer: Yes. The customer who has the most energy efficient electrical systems
and appliances can effectively use solar PV.
2B) If my home is in the shade can I use solar?
Answer: It depends on how much shade. Generally, for a roof mounted solar system to work effectively, shade
should not be present on your roof. Exceptions may be in winter if you have trees, buildings or other obstructions to the
south. Since the sun is lower on the horizon in winter, if you have such obstructions, you may opt to accept the lack of solar
energy during that period. Likewise, during other seasons, if trees or other objects shade the mounting location (which
is most always on a south facing roof) a reduction in energy collection will occur. Therefore, the best solar locations
are always in full sun. This also holds true for solar thermal systems (hot water and heat), however, solar thermal systems
are more shade tollerant inasmuch as they can operate with minimal obstructions to the sun's energy. If you have a home that
is shaded there are other options: Consider a yard system where there is full sun: Mounted on a patio roof; ground mounted
on a structural frame; pole mounted (elevated); carport; and even a community system where the sun is unobstructed and
possibly where multiple users can share the resource.
3) How much will a system cost?
Answer: Some of our customers who live "off grid" get by with
as few as 4 large solar PV panels. However, these people have learned to live on what energy they produce. They often have
propane refrigerators, wood or LPG gas heat and hot water and use a generator when they need to run their washers or dryers.
If you are willing to make such radical adjustments and consider it a challenge to conserve, you can get by with spending
as little as $5,000 for your system. We have a customer in the mountains above Darrington that uses only 2 ea. 75
Watt panels and a total system cost that is below $2,000! Of course, their electrical use is very limited. It is interesting
to note that third world countries consider such a system a luxury.
In the U.S. -- most urban areas and many rural regions -- we are
used to consuming large amounts of power. We may think we are energy conservative, but a quick check of the kilowatt-hours
on our electric bill will usually reveal that we use far more power than we care to admit (me too!). A super energy efficient
home using 280-300 kW hours per month could provide most of its power with a 3.0 to 4.0 kW system. Such a system
runs approximately $25,000 to $30,000 + installation. (This is a batteryless system). Homeowners could shave a significant
portion off their electric bill by implementing energy efficient heating and appliances. It is possible to reduce your
bill with a smaller system using an inverter capable of future expansion (see our "SPECIALS' page for the latest details).
Homes with larger energy requirements require larger systems. To see how
much power a system will produce, multiply the size of the system in kiloWatts times 3.5 hours, which is the average number
of sunshine hours per day in Puget Sound. Other areas may have 4 to 5 hours of sun per day average over the year. Areas farther
north have somewhat less than ours. Example for Puget Sound region: 3.0 kW X 3.5 hours = 10.5 kiloWatt hours
per day average X .70 (70% efficiency) = 7.35 kilowatt hours per day X 30 days in one month = 220.5 kiloWatt hours
that can be produced in one average month. (Remember that you will likely get more power than this in summer and less
in winter). Compare this to your electric bill kW hours per month. Be sure you find the figure for the month – some
customers are billed every other month. You can see that becoming energy efficient really pays off, but you must be very serious
about this unless you want to do it 'only' for environmental reasons and are not concerned with the net energy production.
Some customers have very large systems to supply only part of their power needs while others have small systems to supply
all their power needs. (Produced power is estimated and not guaranteed, however, this performance is typical. Actual output
depends upon available sunshine hours in your area, shadowing caused by trees and obstructions, etc.)
Please note that we have PV starter systems and backup power systems that sell for very
reasonable prices. You can add-to and expand these systems a little at at time if you desire, or you can use them to supply
limited power for cabins, boats & RV's. Some of our kits plug together, needing no special installation, other than
battery connections. Please let us know if you need a kit that plugs together, and we will pre-assemble your
kit -- as is possible for the application.
4) Do I have enough sun?
Answer: For best results, you need full sun from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Systems
can be effective with less, depending upon the nature of the shadows, but generally, the longer the solar day, the better.
Consider that the sun drops down toward the horizon significantly in winter. If you question your site and/or would like additional
information about the suitability of your site, please contact us for a "solar pathfinder survey and energy audit." The cost
for this is $125 within 60-mile radius of Camano Island. Camano Island/Stanwood residents: $75. This cost can be deducted
from the price of your system purchased from us.
5) How much will it cost to install?
Answer: The size and mounting location of your system will determine this
cost. Solar PV panels can be installed on the roof if you have a south-facing slope. East or west facing slopes are not recommended
as they reduce your solar energy collection all of the time but especially in winter. In some cases where the customer is
not living in the residence in winter, it can be acceptable (with reduced overall output) to use east or west roof slopes.
PV panels can also be installed on poles in a sunny area of your yard, or installed as a patio roof. The cost of installing
depends on the following additional factors:
Dangerous high voltages are present. It is necessary to secure the assistance
of an electrician unless you are qualified to install your own.
Remember that renewable energy systems produce power, and in particular,
systems with inverters produce high household type AC voltages and currents (120 and 240 Volts and up to 20 Amps or more!).
Typically high voltage strings of PV panels are utilized to reduce wiring size and complexity. The voltages can be anywhere
from 200 to 600 Volts D.C.
Since the law requires that systems be installed according to the National
Electric Code and local codes, an electrical contractor should install the system. In these instances, the contractor will
apply for the electrical permit. It is often difficult for electricians without solar experience to quote installation prices. Sun/Wind
associates can install a system for you within a 200 mile radius of Camano Island. For more distant installs, Sun/Wind has
learned to provide consultation services to electricians by phone, fax, email and by providing instructional materials. The
main qualifications are that they are a properly licensed electrical contractor and that they are INTERESTED in learning
solar.
Generally, batteryless systems are the least expensive to install. We can
furnish line drawings, schematics and manuals at the time of purchase to assist in obtaining electrical permits and for installation
assistance. If your system is a standard system, there is no charge for these documents at the time of purchase. If your system
is a custom design requiring design time, there may be additional design fees. Prior to purchasing we can supply a line drawing
for any of our standard systems for a $200 fee, which is deductible at the time of purchase.
6) What about wind?
Answer: If you have breezes you have very modest power production. If you
have wind that frequently blows your hat off you likely have a viable wind site but may have to utilize other energy
source also to supplement. If you have wind that consistently blows your hat off and blows your trash cans down the road,
you likely have a good wind site :-). If you have wind that is consistenly annoying and blows everything in your yard across
the county, you have a good to very good wind site :-)
When wind resources are very good, wind can be used for the main source
of power. In other areas where wind may be strong during stormy months, wind systems can be installed to supplement PV
power or to provide power during power outages. While wind systems can be installed in urban areas, most are
installed in rural areas where there is plenty of space. In Puget Sound wind energy is generally used as a supplement.
However, wind can (site permitting) provide a good energy source during many power outages since many are caused by the
wind! For a modest wind system rated at 1,000 Watts @ 28 mph, one could expect to run modest or critical loads (non-hot
water or building heat producing electrial items). Batteryless versions are now available, however, they
do not provide power during outages. In Puget Sound, we have limited wind resources (6-7 mph average). However, in certain
island locations, on the Pacific Coast, along the Columbia River and many plateaus and valleys in eastern Washington and other
regions of the Americas, there are significant resources. One of our systems in Ellensburg, WA, provides 110% of its rated
power and up to 150% of the home's required electrical energy! This is an exceptional wind site. Wind systems can usually
provide a percentage of power dependent upon the size of the system and the energy conservation and consumption habits of
the owner.
7) What incentives are available?
Answer: It depends upon where you live but currently most states in the
U.S. and some provinces offer net metering. What is net metering? Think of it this way: If you use an average of 500 kW hours
in per month and for a specific month you go on vacation and use only 200 kW hours, your normal utility bill would reflect
only 200 kW hours. If your system produced 300 kW hours of energy during this month, you would not be billed
for any power that month and in fact, would receive credit for 100 kW hours toward your next bill. Most meters are
capable of running backwards. All will slow down if you use less energy from the utility. It will only record the energy
you require from the utility. When your system may not be producing maximum output such as during rainy or winter
months, your meter reading increases since you require more energy from the utility. Some utilities install a special
digital meter to very accurately record the net-metered figure. Most often it is necessary to sign a “Net Metering Agreement”
with your utility. Call them for a copy of this agreement.
Additionally, some states may furnish incentives to install systems -- California
is one. In Washington and Oregon we do not have government purchase assistance programs, but we do have available a Green
Tag energy production purchase program initiated by Cascade Solar Consulting. They will purchase Green
Tags for 2 cents per kW hour produced, if your system is inspected and you sign up for this program. It does not matter
if you consume this power. They are interested in the reduction of carbon emissions and in selling the green tags. This
is energy that they do not have to sell to you because you are producing your own power. They send you an annual check
based on the amount of power your green power system produces. Thus, this payment is in addition to the net metering
credit you may receive. Sun/Wind can furnish you with contact information.
Washington State provides tax incentives to utilities. At this point in time the incentive amounts to between
15 and 18 cents per kiloWatt hour. This is passed on to the consumer as an energy production credit and is payable to
the consumer once per year if the user signs up for the production credit. The owner/user of the system must
have a qualifiying system that is properly inspected and must fill out and submit an incentive form to the utility.
Also, the Washington State Legislature has provided a sales tax exemption
for purchasing solar and wind electric systems above 200 Watts up to 25 kilowatts. This exemption is automatic when you purchase.
Additionally, as of August 2006 a new power purchase program has been implemented by the legislature. This is a voluntary
program whereby each utility can elect to participate. It is expected that all power companies will comply and pay you for
the power you produce at 15 cents per kW hour. Add this to net metering and the Cascade incentive (totalling 20 cents per
kW hour) and net metering (average 7.5 cents per kW hour) = 28 cents per kW hour, or over 3.5 times the rate you purchase
power for. (Individual applications must be filled out and submitted.)
Additionally, the new federal tax incentive program allows you to deduct up to $2,000 for the cost of your
residential system. This incentive takes effect Jan. 1, 2006, but can apply to systems started but not turned on in 2005.
Businesses have additional significant IRS incentives such as the MARCS accelerated depreciation deduction.
Now there is a new incentive: A 30% tax incentive for business! (Two year time limit, expires Dec.31, 2007) See your
tax consultant!
Investment credits may be available... Contact your tax consultant...
Please contact us with further questions about "your system."
Welcome to our home pages!
Tom Rentz, President, Sun/Wind Concepts
