What is Solar PV

1. What is Solar PV

2. How Solar Works

3. What makes a good candidate Do You Have South and East Facing unobstructed roof space? Or room for a ground or Pole Mount on the property? Questions to Ask: Who is your current Utility Company? Can I Please have a copy of page 1 of your last bill? How are you planning on paying for your system? Will you need paperwork for your bank?

4. Local Utilities • Local Utilities vary around the US • Every Utility has different incentives • DSIREUSA.com is a site you can go to to see what is being offered in your state. • The most prominent in this state is Xcel Energy • Grand Valley power is a local CO-OP http://www.dsireusa.org/

5. Xcel • Xcel Energy offers what is called rec credits This is a fee Xcel Energy will pay the homeowner for every kWh produced by the system • As of Dec 4, 2012 Xcel Energy is no longer taking applications for small programs (anything under 10 kW) • Medium programs are still open thru year end 2012 • The small program will open in January of 2013 and the pricing structure will be released at that time. • As the information is released we will provide it to you

6. Grand Valley Power • Grand Valley Power does not have limitations on system size like Xcel. They will buy back your excess power at a wholesale rate which is at 4.5 cents per kWh. This utility does an audit at year end and pays one time. This Utility down not offer rebates.

7. Tax Credits • State: • Federal Incentive Type: Personal Tax Credit • Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies: Solar Water Heat, Photovoltaics, Wind, Fuel Cells, Geothermal Heat Pumps, Other Solar Electric Technologies, Fuel Cells using Renewable Fuels • Applicable Sectors:Residential • Amount: 30% • Maximum Incentive: Solar-electric systems placed in service before 1/1/2009: $2,000Solar-electric systems placed in service after 12/31/2008: no maximumEligible System Size:Fuel cells: 0.5 kW minimum • Equipment Requirements:Solar water heating property must be certified by SRCC or a comparable entity endorsed by the state where the system is installed. At least half the energy used to heat the dwelling's water must be from solar. Geothermal heat pumps must meet federal Energy Star criteria. Fuel cells must have electricity-only generation efficiency greater than 30% • .Carryover Provisions:Excess credit generally may be carried forward to next tax year • Start Date:1/1/2006 • Expiration Date:12/31/2016 • Web Site: http://www.energystar.gov/taxcredits

8. Basic Solar Basic Solar Information kW PV system generates approximately 150 kWh per month A 1 kW PV system is approximately 6 solar panels A 1 kW PV system takes approximately 100 sq. ft. of flat spaceA 3 kW PV system takes approximately 25 hours to install A 3 to 4 kW PV system is enough to power the average US home Solar Water Pumping is an easy way to save money in rural areasThe Power Grid acts like a high-performance battery by providing needed power when requiredSolar Panels have a 25 year warrantyInverters have a 10 year warranty Solar Panels are much more efficient compared to 4.5% efficiency in 1954A tracking device on pole-mounted PV Solar systems can increase efficiency by 20 to 40%Local Governments can't stop you from installing a Solar PV Solar system on your home or businessNet Metering allows a PV Solar system to spin our electric meters backwards during high production hours

9. Why add Solar to your business • 1. Solar is here to stay. It is one of the few renewable resources that is virtually universally accessible. Wind and water power depend upon local conditions, but the sun is everywhere. • 2. The energy industry generally is the place to be. Politicians, businesses and non-profit organizations will continue to invest in alternative energy far into the future. • 3. You can feel good about what you are doing. Building a solar business is a great way to give something back to the world and provide clean power for future generations. • 4. Solar is how we will move forward as a world. With resources dwindling around the planet and no magic bullet, it will be a matter of using various energy strategies to satiate our energy needs. • 5. Solar power specifically requires very little technical knowledge and no specialized background. Anyone can get into the field and succeed if they work hard at what they do. • 6. Getting into the solar power business will expand your horizons. You will learn a new trade and a new set of skills and can grow your resume for the future while doing something new. • 7. Even in a recession industry, the energy industry is a great place to be. This is particularly true at the moment because one of the ways out for the global markets is developing new energy technologies.

10. FAQ’S • What conditions are necessary?The solar array must have a reasonable amount of non-shaded, unobstructed space, either for a roof, ground or pole mounted system, during the key sun hours of the day. A southern exposure is ideal, but east and west facing roofs can capture over 80% of the power of a south- facing roof. • Will a solar system produce enough energy to handle all my electric needs?You will have to determine how much energy you use and how much of an investment you want to make. Look at your electric bill and determine how many kilowatt hours you use over a year’s time and on average for a month. Most homeowners and businesses install a system on the roof with adequate sun exposure that produces between 10%-40% of their needs. In some circumstances, a system may be installed also on the ground or on a pole mount. Any installation of solar should be preceded by energy efficient upgrades to the building or if new construction, built to promote energy savings. Energy not used is energy you need not buy, either in electricity from the grid or from a solar panel.

11. FAQ”S • How much electricity will my solar energy system produce?The amount generated will depend on the size of the system you install, orientation of the system and shading. Typically a solar energy system using 100 square feet of solar panelswill generate 1,000 -1,440 kWh per year. • How will I know if the system is working?Your inverter display will show you how much power is produced at any given time. Solar energy systems with miro-inverters, an increasingly popular alternative, allow you to see how your system is performing on a module to module basis. • What happens during an electric outage if my system is tied to the grid?Grid connected solar energy systems will immediately shut down to protect your electric provider’s linemen. • How durable is a solar energy system?Systems must pass a standard set of tests and are built to withstand winds up to 125 mph and 1-inch sized hail. To meet these standards, the racking system and solar panels must be installed to the manufacturer’s specifications. Racking systems but be bolted to rafters, not decking.

12. FAQ’S • May I add battery backup at a later date?Yes, though if you start with some battery backup, it is easier to add more than starting with none. If you start without a backup battery, it will be rather expensive to add batteries, due to the high cost of adding a different type of inverter. • If I live in a neighborhood with a homeowner’s association, will I need their approval?The Basics • The law went into effect on August 6, 2008 • HOA’s are not allowed to prohibit the installation or use of renewable energy devices or energy efficiency measures within their communities based upon aesthetic rules and restrictions. • Residential and commercial property owners have the legal right to erect and use renewable energy generation devices on property they own.  These include: • Photovoltaic (PV) solar electric panels • Solar thermal systems (solar water heaters) • Solar lighting systems • Wind electric generators • Residential property owners also have the right to install and use energy efficiency measures on property they own. These include: • Awnings, shutters, trellis, ramadas, or other energy reducing shade structures • Garage or attic fans • Evaporative coolers • Energy-efficient outdoor lighting • Retractable clotheslines

13. FAQ’S • Any and all of these devices and measures must meet all building code, electrical and bona fide safety requirements. • Residential property owners do not have the right to erect or install renewable energy devices or energy efficiency measures on limited or general common elements of the Common Interest Community(CIC). This is particularly important for condominium and town home communities, where residents may not own the exterior of their units. • Unreasonable restrictions on renewable energy devices are void and unenforceable. This law overrides any covenants, restrictions, or conditions contained in any deed contract, security instrument or other instrument affecting the transfer or sale of, or any interest in, real property (residential or commercial) that attempts to restrict or prohibit the installation of solar energy devices and wind-electric generators. • HOA’s can impose reasonable restrictions on the dimensions, placement and external appearance of the renewable energy device. However, an HOA/CIC cannot: • Prohibit the installation or use of a renewable energy device. • Significantly increase the cost of installation or use of the renewable energy device. • Significantly decrease its performance or efficiency

14. FAQ’S • How long will installation take?It will typically take five to ten days for a professional installation for a home. For commercial installations, consult your solar installer. •                                  OPERATION PERFORMANCE and QUALITY • What happens at night?Nothing unless you have a battery backup. The solar panels must be exposed to sunlight to produce energy, but batteries can store that energy. • What happens on cloudy days?The bulk of your electricity production will take place under sunny conditions. Output is directly proportional to the amount of sunlight available at any given moment. A system can generate 50 - 70% of its typical output under bright overcast conditions, but production will continue to diminish as less light reaches the system. • Is temperature important?Solar energy systems typically operate in temperatures ranging from -13 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit. Though output drops as the system gets hotter in the summer, the increased daylight hours ultimately increases energy production.

15. FAQ’S • Is the solar energy system warranted?Solar energy system modules typically carry 20-30 year warranties. The racking system and inverters should also carry warranties. Be advised that for warranties to apply, these components must be installed to manufacturers’ specifications. Make sure that your installer provides a warranty on installation services. • If this is a grid tied system, does the electricity produced by the system go directly to my house or to the electric provider?All the energy produced by your solar system flows to your house if all the energy being produced is needed. But sometimes only some of the energy is needed (you are at work, the AC, washer, dryer , ect.) and the excess electricity from the solar array will flow to the electric provider. This is a simplified version of the fluctuating path of the energy produced. • What is net metering?If your solar energy system is grid tied to your electric provider and it produces more power at any given moment than the property consumes, the extra power will flow to the electric provider. Over any month when a solar energy system sends more power into the electric grid than the homes takes from the grid, the difference or net, will result in a credit determined by the electric provider .Net metering “credits” can be as little as the base rate the utility pays for wholesale power or as generous as the retail rate you pay as a customer. 

16. FAQ’S • What are the incentives available for homeowners installing a solar energy system?The most up to date information on federal, state and local incentives is found athttp://www.dsireusa.org/Federal: Homeowners are eligible for a 30% tax credit on the final cost of a solar energy system, after any state or local incentives.State: There are currently no state incentives for homeowners who have installed a solar energy systemLocal: Homewoners should check with their electric provider to see if incentives are available.Incentives for businesses? Businesses also have federal tax credits and may have incentives available from their electric provider. The state allows a corporation or other entity subject the state franchise tax to deduct the cost of a solar energy device from the franchise tax. Entities are permitted to deduct 10% of the amortized cost of the system from their apportioned margin. Again, we recommend http://www.dsireusa.org

17. FAQ’S • What size system should I get?The Utility will delegate how large your system should be. Your system size in most utilities is 120% of your usage averaged out over the last 12 months. Remember you may not cover all your energy needs with a solar energy system. The only other condition in deciding proper system size is the amount of suitable space available on your roof. To be suitable, you must have unobstructed, non-shaded roof area, either flat or a sloped, at an orientation other than North. You need roughly 120 square feet of roof space for each kW that you wish to produce. • How much does a solar pv system cost?The total cost for purchasing and installing a solar energy system is based on the size of system you require and the specific details of the layout of your property. The price of solar modules has dropped dramatically in the last few years. As of September 1, 2011, installed systems are ranging anywhere from $4-$7 per watt before any available incentives or tax credits. • Will a solar energy system increase the taxes on my home?You will not be taxed on your solar energy system if the energy produced is used for your property.. The form to declare a renewable energy property tax exemption must be filled out yearly.http://www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/taxforms/02-form06.html • May I increase the size of my system at a later date? Absolutely, provided you have the unshadedspace