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Photon Power. A Power-Hungry World. Ageing Grid, Exceeding Life Expectancy : $ 17 Trillion ( 2013) Needed Globally. Why Invest In Failing Centrally-Controlled Infrastructure?. Energy Delivery of The Future. Drivers Of Change. Falling costs BC Rate hikes: 28% for 2013 - 2018
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Ageing Grid, Exceeding Life Expectancy: $17 Trillion (2013) Needed Globally Why Invest In Failing Centrally-Controlled Infrastructure?
Drivers Of Change • Falling costs • BC Rate hikes: 28% for 2013-2018 • Grid parity: 75% in 18 months • B.C is already there! • Incentives • Fossil fuels & Climate Change
T’Souke First Nation: Population 250 Plan to reduce energy consumption by 75% and then net zero 75 kW of solar
Process for Gabriola Island Sites • Annual electrical energy consumption • Budget • Replacement decision • Physical site analysis: sun exposure, obstructions, space, roof vs ground, stresses re wind, structural issues, visual impacts, neighbours, bylaws, security and other considerations. • Determine system size, number of panels, wiring requirements, location • (Optional) Coordinate the install, permits and inspections necessary to complete.
Advantages Of Grid Tie Microinverters • 240 volt AC, not 600 volt DC • Lower installation cost • Partial shading not a problem • Redundancy—no system failure vs string inverters • Cost for system units on par with string inverters
Before installing PV, reduce consumption
Solar power works on cloudy days! The small demonstration inverter, rated at 1100 Watt is putting out close to 50% capacity. On a full-sized system (10 kW), this would be 4745 Watt. That’s enough to run 47 100 Watt light bulbs at the same time.
To Battery or not to Battery • Costly, high maintenance, and cannot transfer power for more than a few days. Not enviro friendly. • Use the Grid as a battery. • Accounting shifts summer surplus to winter deficit.
Three Meter Options • Analog: No credit for surplus • RF off: Reading fee • RF on: Automatic credit for surplus
The Fortis /B.C Hydro Tariff • To qualify for net metering, a Grid Tie System must have an approved bi-directional (smart) meter installed. • From The Fortis Net Metering Guidelines http://www.fortisbc.com/Electricity/CustomerService/NetMeteringProgram/Docum • Section 3.1.5 "It is required that the customer's facility be equipped with a bi-directional meter (or a meter approved by a Fortis designer)
- GabEnergy -A Non Profit Society The purposes of the Society are to: • promote and facilitate the development of sustainable alternative energy sources for Gabriola; • conduct educational outreach for alternative energy projects; • build skills and expertise on Gabriola for alternative energy development; and • facilitate the provision of low cost infrastructure for alternative energy systems throughout British Columbia.
How • Portal connecting buyers to the wholesaler – not resellers • Provide advice, co-ordinate ordering, shipment and delivery of system components. • (Off-Island sites) To cover fixed costs for above services, a donation of 5% of total equipment cost including shipping but excluding taxes is requested.
Levelized Cost (LCOE) for Solar • LCOE is the industry standard for analyzing delivered energy costs. • Cost divided by energy produced • 10 kW system on Gabe • $26,000 / 275,000 kW.h • $0.09 per kW.h
LevelizedCost (LCOE) for Solar • LCOE for this installation is just Nine cents per kW.hGuaranteed for 25 Years into the future! • No other Energy Source can match that; not even close!
The Numbers….. What To Look For Turnkey • LCOE of $0.09 per kW.h • Installed cost $2.60 per watt DIY • LCOE of $0.07 per kW.h • Installed cost $2.54 per watt