SOLAR AND RENEWABLE ENERGY IN WESTERN WASHINGTON

(And other U.S. regions)

Copyright December 8, 2001, Tom Rentz

Yes, we can have solar in Seattle! "How is that possible?" The answer is not as mysterious as it sounds. Overall, the year-round average solar radiation in the Puget Sound region is 3.5 to 3.8 hours per day! That is a little lower than other regions in the United States, but when you compare the data it still represents a lot of potential energy that we are not using. Most of eastern Washington receives about 4.5 hours per day -- only one hour more than western Washington! Annually, Seattle receives about 70% as much solar energy as Los Angeles. In the summer, Seattle receives 87% of the solar radiation that Los Angeles does. (These figures are taken from data provided by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and from information provided by Solar Washington).

This means that solar works in Seattle! Something not commonly accepted and in fact, only realized by those that have already implemented solar or studied the facts. in western Washington. The reduction in received radiation must be taken into account when systems are planned, but these calculations are easily made. In addition, if we combine the wind resources of fall, winter and spring, we can add additional energy if we choose, by installing a hybrid system. Modules tied together in panels or strings can be mounted on your roof or placed in a sunny area of your yard on a pole. Solar trackers can be installed to increase solar collection in areas that do not have their morning and late afternoon sun blocked by trees or buildings etc.

Wind energy in Washington varies from county to county and mile by mile. Some areas only have a 6 mph average while some areas along the Columbia River, and some canyons and mountain passes have up to a 14-20 mph average. Other areas may have sporadic wind resources or winds blowing on an almost predictable schedule. Does the wind ALWAYS blow where you live? Or does it blow mostly when storms blow in? If the wind is constantly blowing 10 mph on average or higher, you are in a potential wind power area. If it blows your hat off on a constant basis and you have 15 mph all the time or higher, you may be able to use it as your 'main' energy source. We get calls from people who have wind that is always blowing, but the important question here is "What is the 'average wind speed' over the course of the entire year?" The higher the average wind speed is, the better your power resource is. If you live in an area with intermittent wind you may still be in an acceptable situation to supplement your energy. In addition to the average wind speed, the additional question to ask in regard to whether it can become the major source for your system really has two parts: What is the cost per Watt for energy produced? (How much is the system and how many watts can it produce?)..... And, will the area residents be opposed or will they accept a wind generator in their area?

Wind energy can supplement your photovoltaic energy supply if wind resources are low and you just want to use it as supplemental power. Often it is effective as a backup power source since outages often occur 'during' wind storms. You can put in a "small system" where a larger system will require more investment on which the returns would be minimal.  Daily breezes can also add some energy to the supply. Larger systems used for the major energy source should generally only be considered in "average" wind speed areas over 12 mph (4.5 m/s). No doubt, as the cost for wind energy systems drop;  as higher wind generator outputs and lower system costs allow,  more locations can be utilized. As architectural creativity allows successful and acceptable integration,  this renewable source looks more attractive. (Wind charts are available from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory for general wind data information. See also www.windmaps.org  and conduct a Google search for Wind Data Resources. The data from some of these studies comes from airports and weather stations and may not apply to your specific location. However, some of the maps use computer data projections that calculate wind resources based upon topography. Resources are variable and can be quite different than that of a nearby recorded area,  depending upon topography, elevation, trees and obstructions.

How can you benefit from the sun's energy as well as wind energy year-round and in summer? One of the answers lies in the Net Metering law implemented in 1997 in the state of Washington. Over 30 states now have Net Metering laws. Under "Net Metering" -- alternately referred to as net billing -- you are entitled to receive credit for energy you produce by renewable means up to the amount of your total bill, on a yearly basis. This means that any possible excess energy produced during any season can be used to reduce your 'yearly' bill. The utility becomes an energy bank giving you full credit for energy you produce on any grid tied system (in Washington) from 200 Watts up to 25 kiloWatts in size. It is a good idea to obtain an application from the utility before installing a system to notify them of your intent. They need to know that the system is going to be installed according to the National Electric Code. If the inverter is designed as a "grid-tied" unit with certification to UL standards for utility connection and it  passes electrical inspection they will sign an agreement to credit you for the power you produce. You must sign an agreement with the utility.

In the case of an independent energy system, where you are "off-grid," or where the system is designed to provide power to certain circuits and the inverter or power panel is equipped with an approved transfer switch that connects your power system ONLY to system loads and NOT to the utility line, AND it  is properly wired and installed according to code, an agreement with the utility is NOT necessary, particularly if the inverter or power panel is Underwriters Laboratory Approved for such operation.

In any event, do not accept the opinion of any uniformed individual that you cannot produce your own power. Under the law, it just has to be properly accomplished: Installed by the owner OR a properly licensed electrical contractor. All systems should be inspected by the local electrical authorities to insure your safety. In Washington, many remote areas and  mobile homes are handled by the Labor and Industries Department.
 

ARGUMENTS FOR AND AGAINST RENEWABLE ENERGY

It has been argued that solar is not yet economic. I argue that it is very important to implement these systems, not just from an 'economic' view, but from a 'responsible citizen viewpoint' -- in terms of negative environmental impact caused by our standard power plant generation methods. Installing your own system also gives one a sense of independence, empowerment and control over one's energy supply and a feeling of pride that you CAN do something to help yourself -- and at the same time, help the environment. Many who pose the economic argument are purchasing big SUV's and expensive cars. Certainly, they don't purchase these because they are economical. It is a personal value decision -- not an economic one. I pose the question as to whether we are doing ourselves a favor by making decisions that are detrimental to our continued existence, pushing aside those decisions that are planet nourishing and life sustaining?. It is a question of forethought and thinking about OUR future! It is a question of  what our values are and how we prioritize them -- and if we are considering the future of our planet? (Is economics the only measuring stick by which we decide on purchasing a car or taking an expensive vacation?) I make this appeal toward common sense and concern for our ecological balance. I find SUV's appealing, but I would find them much more appealing if they were powered by renewable energy produced hydrogen.

As the cost per watt of energy produced by renewable means drops and as state and federal sponsored incentives increase, our economic reasons become stronger. This is happening world-wide. In Washington, we now have a renewable energy system sales tax exemption. In California, Illinois, New York, Arizona, some parts of Colorado and in a number of other states, buy-down programs or purchase assistance programs are in place. In Washington, we have some buy-down programs in place. These are limited but available to Washington residents on an equal basis since they are funded by federal funds. For more information on this, check out the North Carolina Energy Center  and the N.R.E.L. sites.. See www.dsireusa.org   then click on Washington. (Additional links below this discussion.) Generally, to qualify for federally funded assistance, your system must be an off-grid or independent system and the price of your system must not exceed the cost of running in a utility line to your site. You can obtain forms from the WSU energy office or on-line. I recommend that you obtain the forms and fill them out and send them in along with a copy of your system inspection certification issued by your local building permit department and a copy of the invoice for the system. Funds are from your tax dollars.

No matter where you live you likely can implement renewable energy. The biggest impediment to successful system deployment is our inability to conserve energy. If we are frugal with our energy, we can install a system far more economically. The cost depends upon what kind of energy managers we are. If we are not very conservative, or do not deem conservation as important, our systems will be more expensive. Once this is achieved, the dollars saved  producing your own energy can help pay for the system.

In some cases, where undeveloped property is purchased and the cost of utility line extension and installation is high, the entire system can be paid for by using the funds required to run in a utility line to install a renewable energy system (this would be an independent energy system -- not connected to the utility).

If you are considering a grid-tie system or an independent system, here is an example of how the economics can work: The price below is for a batteryless grid-tie system but the energy requirements for other systems are the same. Battery/ grid-tie with back-up power or independent systems are more expensive due to batteries, chargers and wiring.

Customer installs a 2.4 kilowatt PV system: cost = $17,100 plus installation etc. = $20,000 (We have grid-tie systems that are much smaller, starting with a micro-sized system. However, most systems are 1 kW and larger. A 1 kW system sells for $8,900, not including installation.)

You can install it yourself if you desire and if you are a "do it yourself" type of person with electrical skills -- but be sure that it is not over-confidence. Even an experienced electrician will need to study up and perhaps consult an experienced solar consultant. If you are not skilled in electrical installation, you definitely should hire an electrical contractor or have one work with you. It is very important to have the system checked by an electrician, and very advisable to have him connect it to your main panel. Main panel connection should only be done for certified "grid intertie systems." Connecting a system that is not certified for this application can cause serious injury and fire. Explosions and fires have been caused by persons not trained in the safety issues involved, particularly gasoline powered generator sets. A transfer switch must be installed for such systems, allowing the loads or home to be connected ONLY to one system at a time!

 In most areas, if you do not install the system yourself, an electrical contractor is required.

A stationary (non-tracking -- not following the sun by mechanical means) 2.4 kW PV system will provide approximately 5.8 kW hours per day (in the Pacific N.W., more in other areas) or 174 kW hours per month. (If your' system can be installed in a high sun exposure area, equipping it with a tracking system can yield 25% more power in the summer. You can provide a comfortable level of power for a home at this level if you are very energy conservative: Implement low energy consumption appliances and lights; use a microwave instead of thermal electric stove; use thermal collection solar water heating instead of electric; use thermal solar or other means of providing your heat. If you wish to become energy self-sufficient, determine your energy requirements by adding up the wattage in all your lights, appliances and electrical loads. Multiply this wattage by the number of hours you run them, then add them together. This will give you the number of watt-hours you are using and will provide you with a guide for making necessary conservation adjustments. (To convert this to kilowatt hours, divide by 1000.)

The best place to install PV (photovoltaics) is in a clear southern exposure area on the ground, roof or on a pole. Roof, ground and pole mounts are available, however, installation on the roof requires preparation of the roof and proper treatment is necessary to prevent leaks. This can be effectively dealt with by an experienced roofing contractor and/or by following his advice and also roofing  manufacturers' and suppliers' recommendations. Ground mounts should be used only where it is highly unlikely that mowers and bush hogs will not throw rocks into them. Pole mounts provide additional elevation to assist with this problem, while allowing the panels to be mounted in the sunniest area of the yard or property. 

It is important that the installation is in an area that has sun exposure most of the day in the winter and summer, otherwise some valuable energy will be lost. A device called a "Solar Path Finder" can make effective determinations for panel placement. You can also check your shadow areas during all seasons but this takes a full year. A good memory can serve you well here.

Smaller, less expensive systems can be used to power your office, shop, garage, RV, boat, cabin, etc. These can range in size from 1 solar panel to 2, 3, 4, 8, 12 etc., depending upon what you wish to power. Solar panels range in cost from $350 for a 50 Watt panel to $700 for a 120 Watt panel. There is even a 300 Watt panel which reduces wiring and installation costs -- about $1,800. Some smaller panels are available for as little as $39 for battery maintenance, powering remote low-power phone or communication sites, or running lap top computers, etc. If the system only needs DC power (battery power), all that is needed is a controller for the panels to prevent battery overcharge and fuse wiring to your load circuits and battery(ies). 

For standard appliances, office equipment and power tools, an inverter is generally required to convert the DC battery voltage to household AC power. These range in size from 100 Watts to 11.5 kilowatts, and much higher for commercial systems. They range in price from $150 to $4,000 up to $10,000 for a dual inverter 11.5 kW system. Some new grid-tie systems have been developed that do NOT require batteries. These systems provide power when the sun is out and feed this power into your main electric panel. These are proving to be lower in cost due to the fact that batteries, battery charge equipment and wiring is eliminated, and high surge power is not necessary since surges or high current draws are provided by the utility.

You can optionally add a wind generator to a battery system for as little as $700. It won't produce a lot of power but may be enough for very small energy requirements (200-400 Watts peak at 28 mph -- the 200 Watt Air Breeze by SouthWest WindPower actually delivers more power in a given day in modest wind areas than the 400 W. model since its blades are designed for low to moderate wind areas). The amount of energy you will get will depend upon the average wind speed at the installation site. In many areas this may be around 300 Watt hours (.3 kW hours) per day. Thats enough to run a 100 Watt light bulb for 3 hours. However, the height of the installation is important to wind generator output. More importantly, the average wind speed of the site is of prime significance. The higher the average wind speed, the more the output. Wind generators range in price from $600, to $1,600, or up to $32,000  for a 10 kiloWatt unit (installed cost about $45,000 to $55,000) which can produce up to 600 kW hours per month in a 12 mph wind speed average (much higher in higher wind speed areas). When combined with a solar 2.4 kW PV system as mentioned above, the combined output could yield 774 kilowatt hours energy every month. Consideration should be given to neighborhood acceptance, covenants and building department regulations, as larger units usually need a tower. Towers often require approval if over 35' in height. This will vary with local rules, laws and regulations. Check with your local building permit office. In some cases variances can be granted or the law can be changed to promote renewable energy implementation.

If a batteryless PV system is selected, a separate battery-type inverter is required for wind generator implementation. For grid-tie operations, only a few batteries are needed unless you also desire long-term back-up power. There are two options here: Use a recommended size battery-type grid-tie inverter for the entire system OR use a smaller battery-type grid-tie inverter in addition to the batteryless unit selected for the PV system. Or, select one of the several batteryless types of wind generators now available.
  

Mini-wind generators can be installed on a strong chimney, but it is recommended that they be installed on an outbuilding, hill, or tall tree. Vibration and noise are inherent with these systems and I have found the most effective way to mount a small one is to place it atop a strong pipe that is anchored in the ground and secured with a rubber insulated vibration mount secured as high up on the structure as possible, with the peak of the pipe being 10 to 15 feet taller than the building. Our office unit is hardly noticeable. Manufacturers are beginning to engineer improved turbines that reduce this inherent noise. The 2 X 6 truss facing the pipe is fastened to provides more than enough support.

Larger sizes are usually more suitable for the rural homeowner, farmer, or rancher. Often, in the Pacific N. W., trees are an impediment. Buildings, trees, or anything that obstructs free wind flow can be a deterrent to installing any wind system. Wind systems above 5 feet in diameter should be installed 20 to 30 feet above any obstruction, and should be 300 feet away from trees and structures of similar height. The small Air X or Air Breeze, with a 42 inch turbine diameter, can often be placed in areas where the wind whistles through prevailing paths, however, any obstruction can cause turbulence and lower the effective output.  If properly installed using a rubber vibration cushion, vibration is decreased.  Some larger units produce a whooshing noise, and this can be objectionable, under certain circumstances. Many of the newer designs are whisper quiet. These things considered, wind can provide a helpful source of power. In some areas, a system can supplement during storm entry periods. A large wind system is generally most economic when installed in a high average wind speed area of over 12 mph. Even if a steady wind is not available, a wind generator can contribute to the total energy supply. Of course, there is a direct correlation between the wind generators physical size and its energy output.

To find out how your energy requirements interface with the above described systems, check your current electric bill and see what your MONTHLY kW hours are. (Some utilities send bills every other month, some monthly. Determine your average monthly energy consumption). Many homes are above 500 kW hours... If you are energy conservative your home uses less than this amount. There are homes out there that consume as little as 250 kW hours per month. The owners of these homes have developed  very frugal consumption habits.

Interestingly, solar power and wind power are really taking hold in third world and developing nations. Why? Because, there often is no power infrastructure or distribution system. To them, one solar panel providing power for two fluorescent lights and a small television is a miracle! It illustrates what can be done if one needs to. There are people in eastern Washington that survive comfortably on as few as four to eight solar panels! Mind you -- these people are usually VERY energy conservative or they have to run their generators to run their washer and dryers and to help charge their battery banks, particularly in winter . 

Today, the cost of energy here with Snohomish County PUD is currently about 8.0 cents per kW hour. Other regions of the U.S. have much higher rates and this makes the economics look very attractive. Local, regional and national rates will only go UP as time progresses! All things considered, it is in our best interest to make some evaluations and initiate some serious conservation efforts, whether we implement renewable energy or not. One thing is for sure -- implementing your own system, even if a small one, will provide you with a means of providing some of your own energy. And, some energy in a black-out is far superior to none. Even if you only produce a portion of your own energy, you are making a contribution to reduce global warming. If everyone in the U.S. installed even a 300 Watt system and used the energy being produced, it would cut down on fossil fuel emissions significantly, as well as add a major new source to a very large grid.

It is possible, if you are determined, to provide all of your energy. It does take investment and dedication, and for the economy minded a very good sense and plan for energy conservation. But it is achievable has been done and is being accomplished by more and more people every day -- even here in Washington. We even have associates in Seattle that charge their electric car using a portion of their solar PV output! 

We can guide you toward partial energy self-sufficiency with the goal of reducing your electric bill in mind. Or, if you wish, this can be done in a manner that allows energy independence. You can have a battery-less grid connected system or you can have a system employing a battery bank that allows you to have power even when the power grid fails. It can even be a totally independent system. You can provide automatic and reliable independent power for one or more of your rooms, or circuits, if you desire, for a low cost. Whether your system is large or small, the feeling of owning your own system gives one a sense of being in control of your own destiny.

With some 30 years of renewable energy development and implementation experience under the industries' belt, systems are reliable and costs have dropped considerably. Many of the major components are pre-engineered to fit into flexible systems that can power small projects to large ones.