|
|
|
Solar Energy
Definition:
Electromagnetic energy transmitted from the sun (solar radiation).
Types:
For additional descriptions, applications, benefits, and financial considerations for each type of solar energy, go to the US Department of Energy website.
Concentrating Solar Power: CSP systems use reflective materials that concentrate the sun's heat energy to drive a generator that produces electricity.
Photovoltaics: PV systems use semiconductor materials that convert sunlight directly to electricity.
Solar Heating: Solar collectors absorb the sun's energy to provide low-temperature heat used directly for hot water or space heating for residential or commercial buildings.
Solar Lighting: Parabolic collectors focus sunlight into a fiber optic system to illuminate building interiors with sunlight.
Relative Cost:
Photovoltaic (PV): Unfortunately, there is no single or simple answer. But a solar rebate and other incentives can reduce the cost of a PV system. This cost depends on a number of factors, such as whether it is a stand-alone system or is integrated into the building design, the size of the system, and the particular system manufacturer, retailer, and installer. (source)
Solar heater: Installed costs vary widely, from $1,500 to more than $3,000. Some home builders are beginning to list solar water heaters as an option for their homes. (source)
Residential systems: Typically costs about $8-10/watt. Where government incentive programs exist, together with lower prices secured through volume purchases, installed costs as low as $3-4/watt. (source)
Payback Period:
Typically, the energy payback time (i.e., the time it takes for a PV system to generate the same amount of energy that it took to manufacture the system) for PV systems is 2 to 5 years. Since a well-designed and maintained PV system will operate for more than 20 years, and a system without moving parts will operate for close to 30 years, PV systems produce far more energy than is used to manufacture them, over their useful life. (source)
Benefits:
- Site Access - A well-designed solar energy system will operate unattended and requires minimum periodic maintenance. The savings in labor costs and travel expenses can be significant.
- Modularity - A system can be designed for easy expansion. If your power demand could increase in future years, the ease and cost of increasing the PV power supply should be considered.
- Fuel Supply - Supplying conventional fuel to the site and storing it can be much more expensive than the fuel itself. Solar energy is delivered free of charge!
- Environment - Systems create no pollution and generate no waste products when operating.
- Maintenance - Any energy system requires maintenance, but experience shows that solar energy systems require less maintenance than other alternatives.
- Cost - For many applications, the advantages of PV systems offset their relatively high initial cost.
- Remote locations - Holiday and vacation homes and homes located in remote are prevelent in NH and could greatly benefit from solar energy systems.
Challenges:
- Solar energy technologies often have a higher initial cost to purchase and install a solar system. In nearly all cases, the high initial cost is recovered through substantial fuel savings over the life of the product (15-30 years).
- Generally, PV energy costs are higher than those of energy bought from your local utility. However, if you need power in an area not served by a utility, PV may be the most cost-effective option.
- The design of a PV system is critical to the efficiency and cost. If the system is oversized because the design was based on unrealistic requirements, the initial cost is unnecessarily high. If less durable parts are specified, maintenance and replacement costs will increase. The overall system life-cycle cost estimates can easily double if inappropriate choices are made during system design. Don't let unrealistic specifications or poor assumptions create unreasonable cost estimates and keep you from using this clean power source. As you size your PV system, be realistic and flexible, and select an experienced designer to assist you.
- Designing a solar energy system to be available at all times and conditions is expensive and often unnecessary due to the occurrence of poor weather. Systems with long-term availabilities greater than 95% are routinely achieved at half the cost or less of systems designed to be available 99.99% of the time. Designing for lower availabilities decreases the size of the PV array and batteries and saves many dollars.
- A hybrid system, which includes another energy source (usually one that runs on a fossil fuel such as propane, is an option in climates with fewer sunny days. Although saving money is important, you'll want to acquire a safe system that will last 25 years or more. Quality may cost more initially, but it will save money in the long run.
Tools / Incentives:
- US Department of Energy, Solar Energy Technologies Program: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/solar/
The Solar Energy Technologies program focuses on developing cost-effective solar-energy technologies that have the greatest potential to benefit our nation and the world. Solar technologies diversify our energy supply, reduce our dependence on imported fuels, improve air quality, and offset greenhouse gas emissions.
- National Renewable Energy Laboratories (NREL): http://www.nrel.gov
NREL has a Research and Development competency to to advance national energy goals by developing innovations to change the way we power our homes and businesses, and fuel our vehicles. They include:
- Renewable electricity conversion and delivery systems
- Renewable fuels formulation and delivery
- Efficient and integrated energy systems
- Strategic energy analysis
- Deployment of NREL-developed technologies into the marketplace
- The Solar Alliance: http://www.solaralliance.org/
State-focused alliance of solar manufacturers, integrators and financiers dedicated to accelerating the promise of photovoltaic (PV) energy in the United States. The Solar Alliance specifically targets efforts to help legislators, regulators and utilities make the transition to solar power by providing the technical and policy expertise to create programs that are in the best interest of residential, commercial, and government customers.
- Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency: http://www.dsireusa.org/
DSIRE is a comprehensive source of information on state, local, utility, and federal incentives that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency. This site includes federal incentives along with a clickable map for accessing each state's programs and policies.
- Solar Energy International: http://www.solarenergy.org/
Solar Energy International (SEI) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide education and technical assistance so that others will be empowered to use renewable energy technologies. Workshops in solar electricity, solar home design, and other renewable energy applications are available.
|
 |
Design Standards /
Land Use Regulations
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Related Images
(click image to enlarge)
Solar photovoltaic system (2KW) with an Apricus 30, solar water evacuated tube collector, Northfield, NH. Installed by homeowner assisted by Plymouth Area Renewable Energy Initiative.
Apricus 22 solar water evacuated tube collector for heating domestic water, Holderness, NH. Installed by homeowner with the help of a volunteer energy raiser crew from the Plymouth Area Renewable Energy Initiative.
Apricus 30 solar water evacuated tube collector with a 20Watt solar photovoltaic panel to run the solar powered circulator pump, Rumney, NH maple syrup and blueberry farm. Additional rack added to allow southward orientation.
Passive solar lighting.
|
|
|
