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Economics of Solar PV

Economics of Solar PV. By Dan Catlin Energy Consultant & Air Quality Specialist, Fort McDowell Yavapai Environmental Department For presentation at: National Tribal Forum on Air Quality May 1, 2013. Solar Photovoltaic systems. where , why , how , and when?

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Economics of Solar PV

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  1. Economics of Solar PV By Dan Catlin Energy Consultant & Air Quality Specialist, Fort McDowell Yavapai Environmental Department For presentation at: National Tribal Forum on Air Quality May 1, 2013

  2. Solar Photovoltaic systems • where, why, how, and when? • Yes…sun exposure is Important! • Location, location, location. • Environmental, economic, and policy. • Good design is important. • Competition helps keep cost down. • Now vs. later and expected ROI.

  3. New Energy Paradigm: Distributed Generation (DG) • Economic Reasons…focus on Solar DG • Environmental Reasons • Security Reasons • Political Reasons

  4. Solar Economics & ?s to ask • Energy usage and cost history? • Electric rate schedule(s)? Energy inflation? • Capital cost? Interest rates? • Utility incentives? • Federal & State incentives? • Purchase vs. Purchase Power Agreements (PPA) vs. leasing vs. do it yourself?

  5. Solar information websites • http://rredc.nrel.gov/solar/calculators/PVWATTS/version1/ • http://dsireusa.org/ • http://www.arizonagoessolar.org/ • http://maps.nrel.gov/imby • https://sam.nrel.gov/ • www.wholesalesolar.com • www.pennysolar.com

  6. Location considerations

  7. Why differences between projected and Actual • Line loss between Enlighten system measurement & utility measurement. • Possible different time of day measurements taken. • Average cloud covering assumed by PVwatts & actual cloud covering. • Overly conservative assumptions of PVwatts but still gave good ball park projections.

  8. Energy cost savings @ 10 cents/kwh • January 2011 $147.30 • February 2011 $164.00 • March 2011 $203.30 • April 2011 $232.00 • May 2011 $246.30 • June 2011 $228.20 • July 2011 $228.20 • August 2011 $222.30 • September 2011 $203.30 • October 2011 $196.60 • November 2011 $153.50 • December 2011 $139.60 • 2011 year total $2361.60

  9. Return on Investment • 54 PV modules Sharp 224 watt each • 54 Enphase micro inverters • Roof mounted March 2010 • Installed cost of $52,644.60 • $4.35/installed watt • Using PVwatts & 10 cents/kwh • 22.3 year payback or 4.5% ROI

  10. Energy Cost • Utility rate schedules Connection costs Demand charges Power factor charges Kilowatt-hour energy charges Time of Day & seasonal factors • Future energy cost?? • Energy storage and/or back-up power

  11. Solar Advantage • Covered Parking with PV • LEED points • Public Relations • Easy-quick install with few approval issues • Low maintenance needs • Easy to monitor • Proven technology

  12. Urban Heat Island Problem • Global Warming + City pavement = problem. • Pavement absorbs solar energy & causes higher night time temperatures in cities. • Shade is greatly appreciated in Central Arizona. • Answer: more photovoltaic panels used shade pavement. Added benefit energy turned to electricity. • Up to 20% of solar energy impacting commercially available solar modules converted to electricity rather than heat.

  13. Apartment Complex-Mesa, AZ

  14. ASU is setting example • Covered parking with solar PV. • Helps meet their sustainability goals. • Possible lower cost electricity by use of PPAs (Purchase Power Agreements). • Can charge more for the covered parking spaces.

  15. Success Stories & Examples • Competition is driving down the cost of installing Solar PV systems. • Public support for renewable energy. • Ramped up production. • Employment.

  16. Can start small

  17. Works at Home also • Tax credits • Utility incentives • Tax advantages (not taxed on what you save) • May not impact property tax • Increase value of home • Great return on investment • Inflation Hedge

  18. Pole or roof mount or both

  19. Title for next picture • It’s not all about the environment • If you build it they will come • All work and no play makes for a dull existence • Solar and water do mix • Where would you like to be when it is 110 degrees outside? • Lifestyle Decisions

  20. Questions?? Dan Catlin Can be reached at 480-789-7166 Or 480-231-3703 dcatlin@ftmcdowell.org

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