Simple Solar Solutions: Full Notes

Last week I attended the Simple Solar Solutions workshop at MDC Wolfson Campus. It was a full house with about 200 people in attendance, with another 100 watching over webcast at the Kendall campus. The first presenter was Dr. Roger Messenger, a very smart and very funny man, and now semi-retired from FAU. After that, we heard from John Kimball and Dan Morris of Sun Electronics. Finally, the event was finished up with a panel including Dr. Messenger, Commissioner Katy Sorenson, and Stuart Bazerman of the County.

For simplicity’s sake, I’m going to type my notes up here, with a bit of commentary mixed in. Please note that PV = Photovoltaic = Solar power technology.

Why PV? Limited oil, fossil fuels generate CO2. How a PV cell works.
(This was very technical…something to do with electrons and charges
and electric fields.) Each PV cell = 4 watts.

Here’s the big thing I learned: PVs need to be kept cool. The
warmer they get, the less power they generate. He says they work well
in Alaska where there is sun but not heat. Additionally, I learned that
they respond much better to completely clear skies. This is another
reason that Florida is not the perfect environment for solar power.
They work well in the desert where it is pure sunshine. Now,
this is not to say that solar is no good in Florida. It certainly is.
But just because we are called the Sunshine State doesn’t mean that we
have the ideal environment for solar power.

So, since the panels/cells need to be kept cool, you pretty much
always need to build them in a way that air can flow underneather the
panels.

They went through things that you would need to set up a system: PV
Array, mount, source circuit combiner box, GFDI devices, charge
controllers, inverters, batteries, etc. You’ll need to determine system
cost, system life-cycle cost, and then look for grants or incentives to
help you out.

Here’s another issue that needs to be addressed in Florida. When you
set up a system that is connected to the grid, you can sell any surplus
energy to FPL. However, unlike many areas that offer net metering,
here it would be dual metering. What’s this mean? With net metering,
your electricity meter simply goes up as you use electricity. If you
feed electricity back to the power company, the meter would start to go
backwards. This means that you basically get discounted for whatever
energy you produce. However, the way it currently works with FPL, is that you get another meter installed. If you sell back any energy to the power company, they buy it from you wholesale, at a price of 5 cents/watt. You currently pay about 12 cents a watt. It’s a silly process, and we need to start talking to local officials to let them know that net metering is important to us.

Some positives on solar power/PVs: They are quiet (no noise), pollution free, good back up in case of a storm power outage, and they are all guaranteed for 25 years. As Dr. Messenger said, "Sometimes you do something because it is the right thing to do." He also stated that, "If it takes more than a barrel of oil to make a barrel of oil, it will no longer be a viable solution. We are getting closer to this scenario every day."

Rebate Program

Florida just started with a rebate program in July. Residential rebates: Federal: 30% up to $2000. Florida: $4/watt. So, for example, if you install a 2000 watt system, which is enough to power a refrigerator, window a/c and very few other things, it would cost about $20,000 (typically costs $9 -12 /watt installed). You would get $2000 back from the federal government and $8000 back from Florida, so you just got a 50% discount. And it would produce enough energy to maybe knock off about $36/month from your FPL bill.

The commercial rebates are much more complex and much more exciting. Basically, the idea is that you will get over 100% of your money back in 5 years time. Florida will give you $4/watt up to $100,000. Federal will depreciate your system over 5 years.

More info on rebates from the Florida Solar Energy Center.

Solar Water Heaters

I have heard so much in the last few days, these are super effective, super efficient, and every home should install one – Solar water heaters. There is $500 rebate, but look into the fact that if you take that rebate, you may not be able to apply for the big rebate (if you are planning on doing so) for PV installation residentially.

Hurricanes?

So you’re worried about hurricanes, right? Consensus among those in the know is that you shouldn’t be. These systems are installed and created to be tough. I’ve even got an anecdotal story for anyone interested.

Other tips

I mentioned that the panels need to have access to air underneath to keep them cool. You’ll also want to put them south-facing, and make sure that they don’t get any shade from 9 am to 3 pm. A 23 degree tilt is ideal, which also makes a  5/12 roof is ideal, though 3/12s and 4/12s also work.

Also, concerned your home owner’s association won’t let you install? We were told of a little known Solar Access Law that says associations can’t say no. There is even a website that points you in the direction of the law for your state. Here is ours or check out the entire Database of State Incentives for 
Renewables and Efficiency.

Looks like you can see solar installed and exhibited at the Museum of Science, as well.

A special thanks to Earth Ethics Institute at Miami Dade College, Architecture Club – AIA Miami, and US Green Building Council South Florida Chapter for organizing the FREE event.