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The Power of Solar Energy An Introduction to the Opportunities for Condos November 23 rd , 2010 Rob McMonagle Senior Advisor – Green Sector, Economic Development & Culture, City of Toronto. Presentation Outline. Background on Solar Solar Technologies Site Considerations
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The Power of Solar EnergyAn Introduction to the Opportunities for CondosNovember 23rd, 2010Rob McMonagleSenior Advisor – Green Sector, Economic Development & Culture, City of Toronto
Presentation Outline Background on Solar Solar Technologies Site Considerations Financial Support Programs Ownership Models Project Development, Risks and Expectations
Background on Solar Shedding a little light on solar energy
Myth – Canada doesn’t have enough sunlight Canada has more solar energy that the world’s solar leaders (Japan and Germany)
Toronto Receives More Solar Radiation than Miami! Miami’s solar radiation is reduced in summer due to moisture – solar radiation and air temperature are not directly linked
The Challenge of a Variable Energy Source Solar Radiation varies through the year 75% of solar energy in 6 warm months Is it a good mix with the energy needs of the building? Electricity can be fed into the grid But thermal energy needs to be stored/used on site
Just how long has solar been used? First documented use of solar was in 500BC when Greek city planners oriented buildings south to catch passive solar Romans used “solar” rooms to grow vegetables in 100 AD First solar hot water heaters were developed in France in the 1600s First solar hot water heaters installed in Canada in the 1890s (in BC)
Solar Technologies One energy source but different technologies
Solar Technologies Background on Solar “Solar” technologies are really three technologies that use the same energy source Passive Solar – natural energy flow into a building Photovoltaics – direct creation of electricity Solar Thermal – generation of heat Solar air systems – make up, ventilation and space heating Solar hot water – process, domestic, pools, space heating
Solar Hot Water Largest solar market globally is for solar hot water Small systems dominate the market Certain countries it is now a requirement so use solar water heating in all new buildings Estimated that 1 million people are employed in the Chinese solar hot water industry
Fire Hall 212 – Solar Hot Water Facilities Management Division
Solar Pool Heating Largest solar market in North America is for solar pool heating Economics can be very good – payback of under 10 years without government support Ideal for seasonal pools
Agincourt Recreation Centre Solar Pool Heating Facilities Management Division
Solar Air Heating Provides heated makeup air Ideal for large buildings with good south facing walls High rise buildings are starting to use. TCHC has a number of solar air heating systems
Scadding Court Community Centre Solar Air Heating Facilities Management Division
Photovoltaic or solar electricity Most costly of the solar technologies However the “value” of electricity is greater than heat Has the advantage that the energy produced can be fed into the electrical grid – so no on site storage required Solar electricity is also in line with the demand for electricity – Ontario is summer peaking due to electric air conditioners
Exhibition Place Photovoltaics Facilities Management Division
Building Integrated PhotoVoltaics (BIPV) Huge opportunity in both recladding of large buildings plus in new construction Cost of BIPV product can be the comparable to the cost other building façade material
F.J. Horgan Water Treatment Plant Building Integrated Solar PV Facilities Management Division
Site Conditions All sites are not created equal
Site Conditions for Solar Its all about 2 things: 1. Sunlight Even 10% shading can reduce PV output by 50%! Ontario does not have Right to Light legislation – will high rise buildings block your sunlight in the next 10 – 20 years? 2. Building roof structure Ontario buildings not designed for loading of solar arrays on the roof Uplift load from wind Build up of snow around the array
Financial Support Programs Spreading the wealth
Financial Support Programs Solar Thermal Ontario Solar Thermal Heating Incentive (OSTHI) Provides a 15% rebate on commercial solar thermal projects $/kWt Photovoltaics Feed in Tariff Pays for energy produced over a 20 year contract $/Kwh
Ownership Models Do you need to own the solar project?
Ownership Models Solar Thermal Power Purchase Agreement Solar company installs and maintains project – client pays for the energy it produces Photovoltaics Roof Leasing – solar company “leases” the roof and pays owner an agreed upon fee Could be a set fee or based on a % of the income
Project Development Its not always sunny….
Project Development Considerations Solar “pays” for itself by the energy it produces over its life – 20-30 years Proper design, performance monitoring and maintenance are critical
Project Study before you begin to shop… Energy load analysis Often lack of information on seasonal variances Occupancy patterns, seasonal energy use (i.e. outdoor pools) Energy Prefeasibility Study Modelling of solar performance Feasibility Study Shade analysis – checking of zoning heights of adjacent properties Roof report – condition of roof, structural support
Performance Verification Provides verification of savings or energy produced Web based monitoring is becoming popular allows for billing of solar energy example – Exhibition Place - http://view2.fatspaniel.net/FST/Portal/TorontoHorsePalace/index.swf
Rob McMonagleSenior Advisor – Green Technology and Green EnergyEconomic Development & CultureCity of Toronto rmcmonagle@toronto.ca