Ask a Solar Engineer - Backup Systems (Part 3)

This is the third in a series of posts on back-up for solar power systems. Read on, and learn more about how you can turn your public utility into your solar back-up with a grid-tied system.

Grid-Tied Systems

Where utility power is available, a grid-tied solar power system can supply most of the energy needed, using the power from the utility as a back-up, in place of batteries. Because these grid-connected systems are much less expensive to purchase and operate than battery back-up systems--and because the owners can effectively sell power back to the utilities--these systems are the most popular.

Public Utilities as Back-up

One benefit of the grid-tied system is that owners can both buy and sell electricity each month. This is because electricity generated by the solar energy system can be used on-site, or fed through a meter into the utility grid. California's net metering law, for example, provides that all utilities must allow customers with solar electric systems rated up to 1.5 MW to interconnect with the local utility grid, and receive retail value for the electricity produced. With a grid-tied system, the utility serves as a back-up to the solar power system, similar to the way in which batteries do in stand-alone (off-grid) systems.

Time of Use Billing

The other benefit of a grid-tied power system is the Time of Use billing structure, which is measured with special meters that calculate how much and when electricity is used. These rate structures make grid-tied systems even more economical.

For example, PG&E's Time Of Use rate would allow you to run your electric meter backwards at up to $0.44 per kWh during summer weekday afternoons (when your solar energy system generates its maximum amount of power), and purchase electricity at all other times at $0.12 per kWh! This Time of Use billing method effectively improves the economics of your solar power electric system by 15 to 40%.

Hopefully this three-part overview of backup systems will be helpful when you decided how you want to back up your solar power system.

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Solar Advocacy

They say that sometimes, it’s all about whom you know. But when you’re hoping to affect positive change within a long-established sector like the electric power industry, it might be more accurate to say that it’s really about advocacy.

Having an effective advocate by your side can make an incredible difference in opening minds, sharing information, and growing support for a burgeoning industry. In that vein, we in the Westinghouse Solar family were thrilled when we announced recently that internationally recognized environmental activist Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. will be joining our Board of Advisors.

Extending his family’s longstanding legacy of support of the arts, human rights, and health care, Mr. Kennedy has devoted much of his career to environmental stewardship. His work with Riverkeeper, a clean water advocacy group in New York, and the Waterkeeper Alliance, dedicated to protecting water from polluters, has established him as a tireless supporter of environmental preservation efforts. In recent months he has also spoken out strongly on the Gulf oil spill, coal mining, and alternative energy sources.

So to our new friend and colleague we say, Welcome. We look forward to working together to bring solar to rooftops across America, and to help create new jobs through our industry’s continued growth.

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Ask a Solar Engineer – Backup Systems (Part 2)

Today, we continue our review of the options for solar backup systems. We’re going to be reviewing the ways the generator backup works.

Cost-Effective Backup: Generators

For a given level of power output, generators are usually the least expensive option for backup power production. In the vast majority of residences Akeena evaluates, generators end up being the best choice to provide the most reliable and cost-effective source of extended backup power, especially in areas where frequent electricity power outages are the norm. They are independent motors powered by gasoline or are electrical and fed by the utility and connect directly into the electrical system of your home. Homeowners in areas with infrequent power outages (the majority) do not typically need power backup of any kind for a grid-tied solar power system to be highly effective.

Saving (Power) for a Rainy Day

In these cases where backup power is a must, we recommend installing a relatively inexpensive generator in conjunction with a manual transfer switch tied directly to the electrical panel on your house. If it is a utility powered generator, the transfer switch directs the source of power for critical loads from the utility to the generator--without back-feeding the electric grid. For a gasoline powered generator, it is manually turned on and off and powered by gasoline poured directly into the unit by the homeowner.

During a period of power outage, the transfer switch is engaged and the generator is started. This provides power to the critical loads in the house.

In the next post, we’ll discuss the benefits of grid-tied systems. Stay up-to-date by following us on Twitter!

Ask a Solar Eningeer - Backup Systems (Part 1)

When we are out at events or meeting with customers, we get a lot of questions — the move to solar is no small affair, after all. One of the things a lot of people have questions about is the type of back-up they might need for their solar power system. I recently interviewed one of our lead installation engineers and asked him about several of the most common questions about solar backup, and what follows is the insight he shared with me.

Types of Backup

There are 3 types of backups that can be used on cloudy days and at night, when a solar system does not produce enough electricity to meet user needs. One is battery storage, where a battery provides users with supplemental electricity. Another is generator backup, where users get extra electricity from a generator. And the third is a purely grid-tied power system, where users get the added electricity from their utility provider. In this post, we’ll focus on the battery storage system.

Battery Storage: Supporting Uninterrupted Service

Solar energy systems with battery storage are being used by businesses and residences all over the world to power a wide range of building equipment, lighting, appliances, computers, or communications equipment. In general, these systems are best for situations where backup power must be instantly available without interruption (for example, to power computers). They are also good for remote applications in which utility power is not available and a generator is not desirable.

Batteries are an additional expense however, require maintenance, only last 5-10 years, decrease system efficiency, and result in a more complicated system. If you have access to grid power, you can take advantage of Net Metering (where available) to simply sell your excess power back to the utility during the day and draw utility power at night - at 100% efficiency. Most solar customers opt for a grid-tied system and purchase a standby generator with a properly installed manual transfer switch, avoiding the additional expenses related to batteries, and having backup power available for as long as they have fuel.

Check back next time, when we’ll continue this discussion with an overview of generator-based solar backup systems.

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Solar and Home Resale Value

Thinking of selling your house? As you know, the economic downturn of the last few years has been a game-changer for the real estate market. Buyers today are in the prime position of being able to hold out and get the best bang for their buck, so you need to be prepared.

If you’ve been thinking about going solar and have been doing your research, you probably already know that a home powered by solar energy can command significantly higher prices than the average, utility-powered home next door. But how does brand play into this equation?

As with any major purchase, reputation, quality, and reliability are key. When purchasing a solar-powered home, a deciding factor for every potential buyer is the brand of solar installation on the home. Having to repair or replace a defective or underperforming solar power system will be a major barrier to purchase, so they want only the best.

Make sure your solar system is backed by an established company with a well-known and respected brand, and you will see a nice return on your investment when it’s time to sell.

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Solar Power Systems: Does Size Matter (Part 2)

In the previous post, we talked about the criteria to consider when deciding on the size of solar power system you will need. Today, we’re going to dig into the different levels of offset you can garner for your energy bills with solar power.

So let’s kick this off with a question: How much coverage do you want?

90-100% Bill Offset
If, based upon the criteria outlined in the previous post, your family plans to use more electricity over the next ten years, or if your goal is to eliminate your home’s energy usage from your carbon footprint entirely, this is the amount of offset you will need. One bonus of this is that if your solar production levels end up exceeding the needs of your home, you can also use this to offset other personal energy use that is not tied to your home in order to work toward a low-to-zero personal carbon footprint!

80% Bill Offset
This is the sweet spot. It is generally acknowledged that the ideal bill coverage is 80%, as it serves to drop the electrical usage of most average homes into the lowest (and least expensive) tier of billing rates. With the “Time of Use” billing structure, which is measured with special meters that calculate how much and when electricity is used, 80% of bill coverage is the level at which the solar power system pays for itself the fastest for most homeowners.

70% Bill Offset
This is a very cost-effective way to go if you are planning to use less electricity, conduct a Home Energy Audit or are short on roof space for the number of solar panels needed to fully offset your electricity usage. This option allows you to go solar now to take advantage of government rebate programs so you can lock-in low energy costs. Even if your energy usage drops up to 30% over time, this size system makes economic sense since you will already enjoy low monthly energy bills immediately with a faster ROI thanks to your new solar power system!

Whether your offset goals are moderate or aggressive, there is a solar power system that is right for you. If you have questions, schedule a free solar power evaluation, and we’ll help you decide which size system you need.

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An Exciting New Partnership

Recently, you may have heard some exciting news about Akeena Solar. Akeena Solar and Westinghouse just announced that they will be partnering to make Akeena’s Andalay solar power system available to more customers across North America than ever before.

Beginning this summer, Akeena’s Andalay brand will become Westinghouse Solar. The Westinghouse reputation for delivering safe, reliable, and efficient energy products and solutions is unparalleled. With this new partnership, our award-winning Andalay technology will continue to give customers superior performance and service. And of course, all warrantees will be honored by Westinghouse Solar.

We’re really excited about this here at Akeena, and we hope you are, too. For more information, visit the new online home of Westinghouse Solar.

Solar Power Systems: Does Size Matter? (Part 1)

One of the most common questions potential solar customers ask is, “What size solar power system do I need to offset my electricity bill?” The Reader’s Digest version of the answer is that, from a financial standpoint, you don’t want your solar investment to far outweigh your immediate need. Yet you also don’t want to be short-sighted when it comes to your future energy use.

It’s fairly easy to get an idea of current requirements by reviewing your energy usage over the past few years. There are also some tools you can employ to get a more accurate idea of how you currently use energy, such as having a professional home energy efficiency audit conducted, and adding a Smart Meter that identifies consumption in more detail than a conventional utility meter.

You also will need to consider how you may or may not change the way you utilize electricity in the coming years. Some of the variables that can affect change in energy consumption include:

- Long-term or permanent changes in family size. If you have children heading off to college or out on their own, are just starting a family, or have Grandma or Grandpa coming to live with you, your energy usage could change significantly.

- Appliance upgrades. Swapping out your old, avocado-green appliances for new Energy Star models not only makes them easier on the eyes--it can also dramatically reduce your household energy requirements.

- Creature comforts. Installing central air conditioning systems or hot tubs always serves to increase your energy bills.

- Gettin’ your Prius on. Driving hybrids is great for the environment, but remember that you will need to charge your new car’s batteries in order to reap the benefits to your carbon footprint.

- Home improvements. Making changes to the infrastructure of your home, including installing a programmable thermostat, weatherproofing doors and windows, insulating your hot water heater, replacing single-pane windows with their double- (or even triple-) paned counterparts, mounting an attic fan to drive warm air out in the summer, and adding extra insulation to attics, crawl spaces, and basements, can all add up to big energy savings.

These changes, made incrementally over time, generally don’t provide an immediate huge impact on your energy bill. But down the road, you will definitely notice a significant 5- or 10-year change in consumption—and that sustained change is what you need to consider when configuring your solar energy system.

In my next post, I’ll talk a bit about the different levels of offset you can achieve for your energy bills with a new solar power system. Stay tuned!

Is Solar a Commodity?

As awareness of solar power grows, and more and more installers spring up around the country, how will consumers base their solar purchase decisions in an exploding market? Will solar become a mere commodity, with customers rushing the lowest bidder, or will sales be driven by the customer experience and quality associated with a given brand?

When consumers become motivated primarily by numbers, whether they be related to fat grams, miles-per-gallon, or price, does brand become insignificant―or a deciding factor?

With competition heating up, manufacturers are going to be forced to reconsider the way they manufacture, distribute, and install product in order to remain competitive in the eyes of the consumer. Given this “commodity” environment, will the quality of solar panels drop industry-wide?

If you ask any potential solar power customer what the differences are between the offerings of Company X, Company Y, and Company Z, you would probably be told which company’s product is the most or least expensive, period.

In five years, go back to that same customer and ask about the three offerings they considered when making their solar purchase. Having lived with their system for a while, you will likely hear more about quality and brand.

The upshot here is that, in today’s (and tomorrow’s) solar energy marketplace, whether customers know it yet or not, brand does matter. And given that, what should savvy consumers be thinking about?

- Innovation: If a manufacturer is offering rock-bottom prices, but 1970s technology, keep shopping.

- Customization: One Size Does Not Fit All when it comes to solar. Lot orientation, roof pitch, landscaping, and many other factors dictate how a solar power system should be mounted. Your expert installer needs to know this.

- Customer Care: Don’t use a solar installer that only wants to install. Get what you pay for, and that means full-service assistance in permitting, design, and government rebate paperwork.

- Warranties: Solar systems are supposed to be built to last for around 30 years, but if they don’t, you need to make sure your installer offers warranties on both panels and inverters so that your investment is protected.

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Earth Day

Today is Earth Day, and for many of us, this day marks an opportunity to think about ways to help take better care of our planet and its resources. Sort of like making a New Year’s resolution―but the stakes are global, and infinitely higher.

Obviously, going solar makes a large impact on this effort, and it’s a trend that is catching on all over the country. According to a study conducted by The Solar Energy Industries Association, American homes generated twice as much power from rooftop solar panels in 2009 than in 2008.

Now that the government has lifted the $2,000 cap on tax credits for residential solar panels, homeowners can deduct a full 30% of their costs of going solar at tax time. With this new savings incentive, it’s expected that more and more people will be opting in to solar in 2010.

As we stand on the edge of a solar power boom, the industry landscape will be growing more and more crowded, and the marketing noise will be rising. So when it comes to buying a solar power system, who do you trust?

Right now, there is no “Microsoft of the solar industry,” so many consumers are left to their own devices when choosing an installer. With no readily available guidelines, many potential customers become overwhelmed, and their quest for solar becomes stalled indefinitely.

Founded in 2001, Akeena Solar is the country’s most trusted solar installer, with thousands of satisfied customers throughout the United States. We’ve taken the lead in developing the next generation of solar technologies with our Andalay panels, which set a new industry standard for error-free installation and robust, unparalleled performance.

Our commitment to complete customer service and satisfaction begins with a free, no-obligation Solar Evaluation, and continues as our engineers design a custom installation plan, and our project managers coordinate all of the paperwork for permits, hookup, rebates, and incentives.

So if you’re considering a move to solar this Earth Day, I hope you’ll think about Akeena. We’re helping America get greener, one home at a time. To find out if solar is right for your home, just request a free Solar Evaluation.

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Putting America Back to Work, One Solar Panel at a Time

It’s no secret that the US, like many other countries right now, is in desperate need of new jobs for the unemployed. The President is acutely aware of this, and enacting legislation that will create jobs for millions of Americans is one of the primary missions of the current administration.

President Obama’s energy plan calls for a $150 billion investment in clean technologies over 10 years, aggressive targets for greenhouse emission reductions, and programs to promote energy efficiency, low-carbon bio-fuels, and renewable energies.

The state of California has been at the forefront of the clean tech movement from the very beginning. Of the $3.95 billion in US venture capital received in 2007 by companies producing eco-friendly products and services, California garnered $1.79 billion. And most of those investments were directed toward companies in Silicon Valley, where the excitement and innovation around solar, wind, and hydro power is reminiscent of the early years of the technology industry.

California―and Silicon Valley in particular―has become a leader in clean tech because of the State’s longstanding support for alternative energy. Clean tech growth and the new jobs created by this revolution are at risk if legislation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is repealed. Historically, environmental protection and economic growth go hand in hand, and studies have shown that energy efficiency measures and renewable energy standards would help to create the jobs that will contribute significantly to California’s economic recovery.

Lowering or removing the renewable energy standards will significantly slow demand for clean tech products and services, diminish the resources of alternative energy innovators, and reduce the growth of the companies at the forefront of the industry. And that means fewer jobs created in a state that desperately needs to put its people back to work.

Now where’s the sense in that?

A Single Step

According to the US Department of the Interior, the desert areas of the southwestern states alone have the potential to be able to meet the electricity needs of the entire United States through solar energy. That’s pretty amazing information, isn’t it?

Hollywood, New York, and Las Vegas are considered the entertainment capitals of the country, and Silicon Valley and Seattle are hotbeds of technology innovation. Wouldn’t it be great if Arizona, Nevada, and Southern California could take up the mantle to become the solar energy center of the country?

Research states that if all of the solar radiation in this geographic area were converted to electricity, that could actually become a reality. The ability to offset so much energy usage by leveraging a relatively small portion of land is mind-boggling.

But of course we know that such an undertaking would require years of planning, negotiation, and legislation. And while we wait for that to become a reality, it’s important to remember that any long journey begins with just a single step. And the steps we take today to take our dependencies away from the grid and change the way we power our homes and businesses by switching to solar bring us closer and closer to the day when we can, as a country, change the way the world thinks about energy.

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The Care and Feeding of Your Solar Power System

Now that spring is in the air, the weather is warming, and the sun is getting ready for its busy season, let’s talk about the best ways to make sure your solar system is always in great working order.

Most solar systems are installed on rooftops, out of sight. And because they have no moving parts that grind, squeak, and attract attention to themselves, it’s easy to forget they’re even up there. But in order to keep enjoying the tremendous energy and cost savings you’re getting from solar, your system needs a semi-annual cleaning―especially if you are located in an area that is particularly dry and dusty.

1. Safety First - The first thing to be aware of when cleaning your solar panels is always safety. Make sure any ladder you are using to access rooftop panels is stable, and work with a partner if you can. If you’re uncomfortable with heights, definitely consider hiring a professional service to perform regular cleanings.

2. Hope Floats, But Glass Cracks - Remember to avoid walking or standing on the panels while cleaning them. Although the tempered glass surface of the modules is extremely strong, the panels will break if you walk on them, and must be replaced if damaged.

3. Don’t Get Sappy - For average dust accumulations, you can simply hose the modules off. Also check for accumulations of tree sap or bird droppings, and clean them off with a sponge or squeegee using a mild dish soap and water solution.

4. Branch Out (and Off)! - Also make sure to clean leaves, branches, and other debris off the top of the modules, and remove any material that may have become lodged under the modules, as it could reduce cooling airflow, or cause water to back up in a severe rainstorm.

Just as you do for your home and your car, it’s important to keep your solar power system well maintained in order to get the most value from your investment. A quick cleaning a couple of times a year will keep your system cranking out that solar goodness for years to come!

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The Facts of Life (As They Apply to Better Performing, More Reliable Solar Power, of course)

We’ve already talked about how improved installation methods dramatically affect the value of your solar investment. Now, I’m going to give you just a few last facts on performance, safety and reliability:

FACT #1: Andalay AC Solar Panels improve system performance:

1. Panels connect directly into your home electricity meter, eliminating the need for the system to convert current from DC to AC
2. Each panel within the system maximizes its output―even in shade―for better productivity

FACT #2: Andalay’s integrated mounting and fully grounded systems reduce or eliminate safety issues:

1. Shorter wiring runs reduce system wear
2. Panels connected structurally reduce safety issues significantly
3. The mounting pans serve as a redundant ground path for all adjacent modules

FACT #3: Andalay’s factory-assembled systems provide better reliability:

1. Panel-to-panel electrical locking connectors provide higher overall system reliability and safety
2. Self-tightening connection rods eliminate exposed wires and pinched electrical joints

So there you have it. You probably haven’t thought this much about electricity since high school science class, have you? But when you are considering in a long-term investment like solar energy, it pays to understand how new advances have improved safety, productivity, and reliability ― and how it will protect your investment.

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Improved Reliability Delivers a Better Investment

Until Akeena introduced Andalay solar panels, there hadn’t been an update in solar energy system design and installation for over 30 years. As the demand for solar power systems increased, the need to address longstanding design weaknesses that impacted reliability was becoming critical.

Andalay addresses the design weaknesses in traditional solar panels by incorporating the entire electrical system into the overall framing infrastructure. This way, the solar panel acts as a part of the rack mounting system itself, replacing unnecessary rails and enabling these components to be manufactured in a factory setting for better quality control. Having all the electrical and grounding connections pre-assembled at the factory means that the product more closely resembles a finished installation—before it’s mounted on a roof!

This installation methodology, while simplifying installation and reducing rooftop labor and rooftop assembled parts, produces a much safer product. The overall result is faster, smoother, more consistent installations that deliver dramatically higher long-term reliability. And the bonus for homeowners is that there are far fewer holes in your roof and less chance for leaks!

The other key consumer benefit from this new design is more robust grounding. By using a primary grounding path through double-ended, threaded splice rods that bolt together adjacent panels, grounding is substantially better than with ordinary wire. Because the ground path is contiguous, all grounding is automatic among the components as the frame and roof mount components are being assembled.

The final part of the grounding is to attach a ground strap from the frame to the final ground point, which completes the grounding for every piece of the panel and mounting system with redundancy built-in for extra reliability. Wires will break in traditional mounting systems, guaranteed, it is only a matter of time before the weather or a squirrel gets to it first!

Simply stated, Andalay is the future of solar power. The award-winning technology outperforms ordinary solar panels on cloudy days and in shady areas. Andalay also delivers a massive improvement in reliability that protects the value of your investment. Oh, yeah, and it looks great, too!

Check back next time, when I’ll be talking about the facts of life. . .solar life, that is. ;)

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Traditional Solar System Installation: There’s Gotta Be A Better Way!

Traditional roof assembly processes are cumbersome and complex — and as too many have discovered, the end result is only as effective as the installer’s skills! With continued growth, the industry is seeing significant limitations in ordinary panels that can lead to problems that can impact reliability, safety, and industry reputation overall.

The accepted process for rooftop solar installations has remained essentially unchanged since solar systems were first put into use in the 1970s. It included site design, development of a parts inventory, assembly of the parts and tools, transfer of equipment to the roof, identification of rooftop anchoring points, bolting in roof brackets, and attaching aluminum racks to the brackets.

And all of this happens before any actual panel installation takes place!

Once all of this is completed, solar panels are attached to the racks via a clamping system, with the power and grounding wiring affixed to each panel separately. This multi-step, tiered approach to solar power system installation significantly impacts the safety and effectiveness of a system. The wiring becomes its own intricate, labor- and time-intensive process, and the potential for problems is high. Product and service quality is challenged further by the fact that all this detailed work is being done up on a roof, in all kinds of weather conditions.

The best way to eliminate these inefficiencies is through development of a design and assembly methodology that can be replicated easily across many different installations. Better overall assembly, electrical connection, and grounding design and processes are borne from robust product designs that provide simplified, consistently high-quality installations.

Hopefully all of this hasn’t put you off the idea of installing a solar power system, because in my next post, I’m going to let you in on a revolutionary way to install solar systems that dramatically reduces reliability and safety issues, and roof damage.

Sound good? Stay tuned!