Solar Panels Work Even in Cloudy Northwest

Yeah we have said it but we are going to let Craig from The Olympian tell you again. :-)

Overcast skies don’t stop photovoltaic cells from pumping out the watts

BY CRAIG SAILOR

craig.sailor@thenewstribune.comMay 28, 2014

At some point just about every homeowner gives a thought to solar energy. Who wouldn’t like to power their house with the sun, watch their electric meter run backwards and never pay for a kilowatt again?

And then the clouds set in. This is the Northwest, after all, not sunny Arizona.

But the sun finally is rising for good on solar power. Costs have come down, efficiency has gone up and financial incentives are increasing the return on investment.

MYTHBUSTING

In California, Hawaii or Arizona solar panels can be seen on many rooftops, but in the Northwest you’re more likely to see Sasquatch than a solar electric array. Dispelling the notion that there’s not enough sun to make a solar power system worthwhile is job number one for solar advocates.

Solar power will be one of the many topics covered at this weekend’s Mother Earth News Fair at the Washington State Fair Events Center in Puyallup. The two-day event focuses on living green. (See below for details.)

“It absolutely does work here,” Puget Sound Energy’s Jake Wade said of solar power. There’s no substitution for direct sunlight, he said. But summer’s long days and lower energy needs (compared with power sucking Phoenix and Las Vegas) enable solar-equipped customers to produce more power than they need.

High heat makes photovoltaic solar panels less efficient. So, the Northwest’s cool days help solar cells produce more energy.

And while overcast skies are not as productive as direct sun they make orientation and pitch of solar panels far less important. (The light is multidirectional.)

PSE has 2,021 solar producing customers. Solar energy now accounts for 1.13 percent of total U.S. capacity, according to figures just released by the U.S. Department of Energy. Since 2010 solar capacity increased by 418 percent across the nation.

NET ENERGY METERING

While Northwest summers might be a solar paradise what happens during winter’s short, dark days when the furnace runs day and night? That, say solar proponents, is when the beauty of net energy metering comes in to play.

NEM allows utility customers who generate their own renewable energy (including wind and hydro) to earn credits for surplus power they deliver to the grid. The Department of Energy cites NEM as one of the main drivers of the increased popularity of solar energy.

The system is simple. During the summer the energy a solar customer produces is sent back to the utility company. Meter discs actually spin backward. In the winter, when more energy is needed than produced, it’s subtracted from the customer’s account.

“It’s like using the utility as an infinitely efficient battery,” said Wade, who is PSE’s net metering program manager.

Some customers, if they have a big enough system and/or are energy conservative, wind up paying nothing for their electricity. However, they still pay a small monthly bill to the utility for service.

COST

Each 1,000 watts of PV solar panel produces about 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per year. The typical home in Western Washington uses 900 to 1,000 kilowatt hours per month, Wade said. To be completely net zero that home would need an array that produced 10 to 12 kilowatts. The median size of a solar system for a PSE customer is 4 to 5 kilowatts, he said.

The biggest stumbling block for most solar power seekers is cost. A full system could set a homeowner back $30,000. But costs have dropped dramatically in recent years and have stabilized.

The solar panel industry is highly competitive. Federal prosecutors last week indicted five Chinese military officials for stealing industrial secrets from Hillsboro, Oregon, based solar panel manufacturer SolarWorld.

Other factors driving cost include choice of product and difficulty of installation.

TECH ADVANCES

The heart of any solar system is its PV cells. The delicate silicon-based wafers are interconnected and assembled in to sturdy panels, usually about 40 inches by 65 inches. Depending on manufacturer and model the panels can produce from 200 to 275 watts. After quality of the panels, buyers should be concerned with efficiency, price, warranty and aesthetics.

Panel maker SunPower sets the market record at 21.5 percent efficiency. That means that 21.5 percent of light hitting the cells is output as energy in ideal, laboratory conditions. That’s almost a doubling since the Carter administration when the president famously installed panels on the White House roof. They were later removed by President Ronald Reagan.

Scientists have recently announced the development of cells that absorb different wavelengths of sunlight and achieve efficiency in excess of 40 percent. But those cells are years from production and affordability. The development does mean that fewer cells will be needed to achieve the same power output of today’s systems.

Another breakthrough came in inverter efficiency. The inverter is what converts DC power (which the panels produce) to AC power (for home use.) Once at 80 percent efficiency they now run up to 97 percent.

Up until the early 2000s batteries were required but are now no longer needed. Batteries still can be added to a system but add cost and are not needed with NEM. Batteries are a must for off grid systems.

PLACEMENT

The optimum location for solar panels is a south facing, pitched roof. That takes advantage of the most light. A west facing roof is the next best choice but is 15 percent less productive.

A roof pitch of 30 to 35 degrees is optimum. (That equates to a roof rising 7 to 8 vertical inches over 12 linear inches.)

Even if a property owner has plenty of land a roof provides a ready-made, engineered structure and needs the least amount of wiring. At least 75 percent of customers place their panels on roofs. If a roof isn’t at the right pitch or orientation the panels can be racked to the correct placement. However, that will add to the cost.

Other locations include pole and ground mounted panels but both of those also add to installation costs. Some advanced pole systems allow the panels to track the sun through the day.

Some of Haffner’s clients get creative. He’s installed panels on car ports, pergolas and even on a chicken coop. David Lee attached an awning to his house made of solar panels. He plans on adding another soon.

Roof mounted systems come with flashing that prevents leaks. 

INCENTIVES

But wait, there’s more. If free power isn’t a strong enough attraction the financial incentives don’t end there.

Aside from NEM, Washington utility companies administer an incentive program that buys the energy produced by individuals and companies (up to $5,000 per participant per year) regardless of whether it goes to the grid or is used by the customer. If the solar equipment used is made in Washington, then the kilowatt hours produced is paid at 54 cents. If out-of-state equipment is used, then it drops to 15 cents.

Additionally, a solar power customer can take 30 percent of the system cost off their federal income tax bill. That means a $30,000 system would end up costing $21,000 after taxes. Furthermore, all parts and installation costs are sales-tax free in Washington.

When it comes time to sell your home a solar PV system will add to its value. The Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory found in 2013 that a home with a solar system added $24,000 to its sale price compared with homes without systems.

PUSHBACK

Solar energy might be a victim of its own success. Utility companies have recently begun to push back against NEM in the Sun Belt states.

Politicians in California and other sunny states are under pressure from utilities and their lobbyists to retool incentive programs. The companies say renewable energy customers need to share the costs of energy transmission and distribution. Environmentalists say the traditional utility business models are under threat.

Wade said PSE is looking closely at the situations in the Sun Belt states. He acknowledges that the battles will be fought there before they come, if ever, to the Northwest. But, he said, PSE will not stand in the way of renewable energy.

“If this is the direction our customers are going then this is the direction we’re going.”

DO YOU HAVE A SUNNY FUTURE?

The cost of a solar power system is equivalent to that of a new car. But the technology and financial incentives have never been better. If you’re thinking of going solar consider these points:

Budget: Know what you want to spend before starting out.

Financing: Some financial institutions offer solar-based loans.

Staying power: Will you own your home long enough for it to pay off?

Your site: Survey trees and buildings that might block light to panels.

System: Roof, pole or ground mount.

Placement: Does your roof face south? Is it big enough to hold the panels you desire?

Roof: Is it in good shape or will it need to be replaced soon?

Contractors: Find those that deal only or mostly in solar. Make sure they are licensed and bonded.

References: Check them.

RESOURCES

Incentives

Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency: dsireusa.org

Washington state solar equipment manufacturers

Silicon Energy: silicon-energy.com
Itek Energy: itekenergy.com

WORKSHOPS

Mother Earth News Fair

Mother Earth News Fair at the Washington State Fair Events Center will feature more than 200 hands-on workshops that center on green living. Headlining speakers include actor and green advocate Ed Begley Jr., organic farmer Joel Salatin, Bob’s Red Mill founder Bob Moore and permaculturist Toby Hemenway.

When: Saturday, May 31 and Sunday, June 1
Where: Washington State Fair Events Center, Puyallup
Tickets: $25
Information: motherearthnews.com

If you are interested in learning more about solar and can't make it to the Mother Earth Fair, Western Solar will be hosting a free Solar 101 Workshop on June 12th.  Click here for more details and to register.  If you would like to schedule a free site assessment, click here.

Read more here: http://www.theolympian.com/2014/05/28/3152965/solar-energy-getting-brighter.html#storylink=cpy

Read more here: http://www.theolympian.com/2014/05/28/3152965/solar-energy-getting-brighter.html#storylink=cpy

Read more here: http://www.theolympian.com/2014/05/28/3152965/solar-energy-getting-brighter.html#storylink=cpy

Western Solar's SOLAR SOCIAL!

June 5, 2014

4:30-6:30pm

319 E Champion Street, Bellingham

Mingle with fellow solar enthusiasts, speak to local energy experts, check out electric vehicles and enter to win $10K in prizes!

Displays and goodies provided by:

- Western Solar
- Aslan Brewing
- Itek Energy
- Puget Sound Energy
- The ReStore
- Explorations Academy
- Community Energy Challenge
- Wilson Motors
- KAFE 104.1
- Habitat for Humanity
- North Sound Electric Vehicle Association

For the latest event details, check out the event on Facebook.

Average Annual Household Carbon Footprint - Skagit County

Solar 101 Workshop - Skagit

http://solar101skagit.eventbrite.com

U.S. Solar Industry Has Record-Shattering Year in 2013

What would Alexandre Edmond Becquerel be thinking now?

In 1839, at the age of just 19, Becquerel built the world’s first photovoltaic panel, later inspiring the imaginations of millions of people worldwide, including legendary scientist Albert Einstein.  Still, it took another 115 years before Bell Labs invented the first modern silicon solar cell. 

By comparison, it’s no stretch to say that the solar timeline has rocketed forward at warp speed in recent years.

Continuing its explosive growth, the U.S. solar industry had another record-shattering year in 2013.  According to GTM Research and the Solar Energy Industries Association’s (SEIA) Solar Market Insight Year in Review 2013, photovoltaic (PV) installations expanded rapidly last year, increasing 41 percent over 2012 to reach 4,751 megawatts (MW) of new capacity.  In addition, 410 MW of concentrating solar power (CSP) came online in 2013.  Consumers nationwide benefited from this growth as the cost to install solar fell throughout the year, ending 15 percent below the record low set at the end of 2012.

When the final 2013 numbers were added up, there were 440,000 operating solar electric systems across the United States, totaling more than 12,000 MW of PV and 918 MW of CSP.

What does this mean to you?  Well today, solar is the fastest-growing source of renewable energy in America, generating enough clean, reliable and affordable electricity to power more than 2.2 million homes – and we’re just beginning to scratch the surface of our industry’s enormous potential.  Last year alone,solar created tens of thousands of new American jobs and pumped tens of billions of dollars into the U.S. economy.  In fact, more solar has been installed in the U.S. in the last 18 months than in the 30 previous years combined. That’s a remarkable record of achievement.

California continues to lead the U.S. market and installed more than half of all new U.S. solar in 2013.  In fact, the Golden State installed more solar last year than the entire United States did in 2011.  North Carolina, Massachusetts and Georgia also had major growth years in 2013, installing 663 megawatts – more than doubling their combined total from the year before. On the whole, the top five states (California, Arizona, North Carolina, Massachusetts, and New Jersey) accounted for 81 percent of all U.S. PV installations in 2013.

Here are some of the other highlights of the report:

• The amount of PV installed last year in the U.S. was nearly 15 times greater than the amount installed in 2008.
• Q4 2013 was by far the largest quarter ever for PV installations in the U.S. with 2,106 MW energized, up 60 percent over the next largest quarter (Q4 2012).
• The market value of all PV installations completed in 2013 was $13.7 billion.
• Solar accounted for 29 percent of all new electricity generation capacity in 2013, up from 10 percent in 2012.  This made solar the second-largest source of new generating capacity behind natural gas.
• Weighted average PV system prices fell 15 percent in 2013, reaching a new low of $2.59/W in the fourth quarter.
• The new report forecasts 26 percent PV installation growth in 2014, with installations reaching nearly 6 GW.  Growth will occur in all segments but will be most rapid in the residential market.
• The U.S. installed 410 MW of concentrating solar (CSP) in 2013, increasing total CSP capacity in the U.S. more than 80 percent.
• And finally, Brightsource’s massive Ivanpah project also began operating this year and SolarReserve’s Crescent Dunes project began commissioning.

So while 2013 was a record-breaking year for the U.S. solar industry, 2014 promises to be even better with 30 percent growth being forecast.  Part of this unprecedented expansion is due to the fact that the average price of a solar system has dropped by more than 50 percent since 2010, benefiting consumers, businesses, schools and government entities.

Today, 40 years after SEIA was first formed, there are nearly 143,000 Americans employed by the U.S. solar industry at more than 6,100 American companies – with SEIA leading the fight to expand markets, remove market barriers, strengthen the industry and educate Americans about the benefits of solar energy.  These efforts have led to the adoption of a wide range of smart public policies, including the solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) in Congress and Net Energy Metering (NEM) at the state level.

And to think it all started when a 19-year-old in the 19th century came up with the idea of turning sunlight into electrical energy.

Source: Writer- Rhone Resch. The information and views expressed in this blog post are solely those of the author and not necessarily those of RenewableEnergyWorld.com or the companies that advertise on this Web site and other publications. This blog was posted directly by the author and was not reviewed for accuracy, spelling or grammar.

Solar Power Succeeds in Whatcom County

When Dana Brandt started installing solar panels on homes in Bellingham nine years ago, people wondered what was next - screen doors for submarines?

"You can imagine what people say," says Brandt, sitting in the conference room at his company, Ecotech, on a cloudy December day.

The northwest corner of the Pacific Northwest is famous for its winter gloom, and there's not much energy to be had from the sun that time of year. But as it turned out, Brandt was on to something. Whatcom County is a good place to go solar.

What winter lacks in sunlight is made up for in the summer, when clouds are usually scarce and the sun can shine 16 hours a day. What Washington needed to launch its solar industry was a way to squirrel away that summer bounty for the dark winter.

Enter "net metering." A state law passed in 1998 requires utilities to credit homeowners with solar (or other alternative energy) systems for any power they generate beyond what they use and that flows onto the grid. The excess power produced in the sunny summer comes back to the homeowner as a credit on their electric bill during the gray winter.

"It's really why solar works here," Brandt says. "There's no battery that can do that."

Josh Miller, general manager of solar operations at Western Solar in Bellingham, says his goal is for his clients to produce as much electricity in a year as they use. That wipes out the customer's electric bill - all but a base $7.49 monthly charge, according to Puget Sound Energy.

On top of that, owners of solar-powered homes typically get $1,000 cash from the state just for producing solar energy. The payback, from what PSE calls the Renewable Energy Advantage Program, can be as much as $5,000 a year.

A 20-panel solar system with equipment made in the state can be installed for about $22,000, Miller says. Combining net metering, REAP and certain tax breaks, such a system can pay for itself in five years.

Solar energy has grown at a rapid clip in the state - about 50 percent a year since 2008. Brandt says it should continue to grow over the next decade or so.

A big reason the future looks so bright for solar power here is the 270 solar arrays that already have appeared on Bellingham roofs, according to PSE's count.

"Every week more people learn solar works here because their friends and neighbors did it," Brandt says.

INCENTIVES

Net metering: Under a state law, utility customers receive a credit on their bills for the full retail cost of extra energy produced and delivered to the grid.

Federal income tax credit: Covers 30 percent of the total cost of the system, including installation (expires 2016).

No state sales tax: The tax exemption for solar equipment or installation expires 2018.

Renewable energy system cost recovery law: What Puget Sound Energy calls the Renewable Energy Advantage Program pays solar users 15 cents per kilowatt-hour, which increases to as much as 54 cents per kWh for solar panels and inverters made in Washington. (itek Energy of Bellingham makes both.) On average, the incentive is $1,000 a year. The maximum payment is $5,000 (expires 2020).

OTHER ENERGY-SAVING TIPS

Besides solar, there are a number of ways to reduce home energy costs, says the Community Energy Challenge, based in Bellingham:

-- Use energy-efficient light bulbs. CFLs are used as are LEDs, which are becoming popular because of their color quality and dimmability.

-- Seal heating ducts. That way, the ducts won't leak into unheated spaces in your home. "That's about the biggest bang for your buck," says Alex Ramel of Community Energy Challenge.

-- Air-seal or weatherize your home. That requires a trained professional, because improperly sealed homes can lead to unsafe levels of carbon monoxide or mold.

-- Insulate your home. People should start with the attic, because hot air rises. "If you only have $1,000 to spend, spend it on insulation in the attic," Ramel says.

-- Replace furnaces or water heaters. That's recommended if the original system is older and less efficient.

SOLAR FAQ

How do I get started?

To find a reputable solar contractor, call an energy advisor at Puget Sound Energy, 800-562-1482. Two established companies are based in Bellingham: Ecotech, 360-318-7646; and Western Solar, 360-746-0859.

For a broader assessment of how to reduce energy costs in your home (see "Energy-Saving Tips"), contact the Community Energy Challenge at 360-676-6099.

Is my home right for solar?

The ideal spot for solar panels is a south-facing roof. Panels can also be installed along a deck or free-standing in the yard, as long as the area gets no shade from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Panels can be mounted on east- or west-facing roofs, but the energy production drops 12 to 15 percent.

How many panels should I get?

The median size of an array attached to PSE's grid is 19 panels. Josh Miller of Western Solar says at least 10 panels give a significant return on investment. Beyond 38, the customer doesn't get the full state cash incentive for the energy produced, because the incentive is capped at $5,000.

How quickly does a solar system pay for itself?

For the typical system, five to seven years. Larger systems that produce more energy can see a full return on investment sooner.

Given that a solar system is expected to last much longer, homeowners come out ahead. For a proposed $31,000 system, Dana Brandt of Ecotech estimated the client would net $24,000 in 30 years.

Are solar grids hard to maintain?

Solar panels are virtually maintenance free, Miller says. They are generally more durable than the homes themselves, and can withstand winds up to 120 mph. Installers recommend hosing off the panels once or twice a year to remove debris. Panels come with a 25-year warranty, which includes a guarantee that the efficiency of the panel will be no worse than 80 percent after 25 years.

Source: By Ralph Schwartz, The Bellingham Herald, 2/17/14

Read more here: http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2014/02/17/3403276/remodeling-solar-power-succeeds.html#storylink=cpy

Read more here: http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2014/02/17/3403276/remodeling-solar-power-succeeds.html#storylink=cpySource

18.72 kW Skagit Community Solar Project on Anacortes Middle School Complete

Western Solar has completed the installation of an 18.72 kW, 100% made-in-Washington system on Anacortes Middle School, as part of the Skagit Community Solar Project. For more information on this project check out this article in the Skagit Valley Herald.


The project features 78 of the Bellingham made, Itek Energy modules and 4 of the Theia/Eltek Central Inverters. 

Solar 101 Hosted by Solar Washington

Go Solar Off to Bright Start

Workshop held at the Fairhaven Library, April 27th

When we decided to launch the Go Solar Bellingham campaign for the second time we questioned our logic on focusing another campaign in the same community; one would think this area would have heard enough of our solar rant. However, as always, we are blown away by the support and eagerness Bellingham residents show towards making the place we call home a little greener.

Although we are only partially through the campaign, the amount of Kilowatts committed has already surpassed all of our previous Go Solar campaigns. Lynne Pharis, a Bellingham resident, is already enjoying free power from the sun as a result of her Go Solar Bellingham System: “We had only dreamed of having a solar system for our house until we learned about the federal and Washington state financial incentives that reduced our payback time for this investment from 20 to 5 years! Josh and the folks at Western Solar could not have been more helpful and friendly and the installation was fast and smooth. We are stars of the neighborhood!”  To read what more customers are saying, visit Testimonials. More Go Solar Bellingham installations are set to begin soon–stay tuned for more updates!

From the astoundingly high attendance at our workshops and Itek Energy factory tours to the amount of committed systems, simply saying that the campaign is off to a good start is an understatement. We are thrilled at the chance to work with so many local residents and to see the adoption of solar energy rising rapidly, especially here on our home turf.

Not only is this campaign helping to support the environment and reduce local homeowners’ energy expenses, it is also giving back to the community. As a commitment to our slogan, saving the world one solar panel at a time, the Western Solar Initiative is donating  a panel or inverter/mounting system combo for every system sold in the customer’s name to the Habitat for Humanity Women Build Passive Home set to break ground this fall here in Whatcom County. The Go Solar Bellingham campaign has already generated 2.64kWs for this project. To learn more about Habitat for Humanity Whatcom County, visit their website at www.hfhwhatcom.org or like them on Facebook! For more details visit the Western Solar Initiative

Itek Factory Tour, April 13th

If you’re interested in participating in the Go Solar Bellingham campaign, join us for our final workshop Tuesday, May 14^th, 5:30pm at Re Sources located at 2309 Meridian Street, Bellingham, WA. Just another reminder that Itek Energy will be hosting their second factory tour on Saturday, May 18^th beginning at 10:30am at their facility located at 3886 Hammer Drive, Bellingham, WA. This is a rare opportunity to see firsthand how solar modules are produced here locally. Hope to see you there! 

Video of Western Solar & Itek Energy

Western Solar and Itek Energy have been featured in this CBC video.

View it here.