As with all electronics over time, we get more for less in smaller and smaller packaging. Most of the same rules of electronic components apply to solar technology, since the better part of a grid-tied solar PV system is electronics.
Conventionally engineered solar PV systems use strings of large solar panels hooked in series to combine the low wattage in each panel and group a large flow of direct current (DC) electricity which is routed in DC form to a large inverter, which converts all the DC electricity from the solar strings into alternating current (AC) electricity, the type we use in our homes and offices.
You will find that the inverters are simply computer components, and the major reason solar companies are gaining the same economies of scale as occurs in computer technology. Several inverter manufacturers have released what is referred to as a micro inverter, an inverter that works with just one solar panel, instead of a large strings of modules wired together into an array.
Todays latest technology gives us solar modules and micro-inverters such as the Enphase Micro Inverter. The next logical step would be to combine these two discreet components into a single component, and thus the AC solar panel was invented. And with AC solar modules comes the ease of buying modules as needed and hooking them up yourself.
AC panels, or DC panels and micro-inverters have several advantages over engineered solar PV systems. For one thing, much less math is required, now that you do not have to calculate string size of panels to leg of electricity inside the inverter. You know that hurt to read. Think how difficult it certainly is to do. What it means that solar has moved into the control of the masses, to something the average DIYer can do over a weekend at home.
Another big advantage has to do with shading. In current large system design, if a couple modules in a string are in the shade, or parts of more than a couple modules are not in the sun, the array may not generate enough power to drive the inverter, which might lead to little or no electricity being created by the solar, even if some of the array are not shaded. With AC solar panels having their own micro inverter built in, if the panel is in the sun, it is generating electricity, even if the modules on either side of it are blocked from the sun. Over time, this can significantly increase the amount of power from your solar electric system.
AC solar panels are simply the next logical step in solar PV systems. You gain the same advantage today combining DC solar panels with Enphase Micro inverter Technology.
Nth Degree Energy uses the Acme camera kit and PV Watts to do a custom designed solution that fits the customers needs. Here is what an array shot looks like to determine the amount of sun hours a day:
Pepper Solar Analysis
The grid-tied solar PV electric system was installed on the roof:
Pepper Equipment - Solar Array
The system was attached to the metal building with custom frames under UL-listed racking:
Pepper Equipment - Solar on Roof
The inverters are SMA, installed inside the facility to protect from the weather:
Pepper Equipment - Power Panel Layout
Some more statistics:
Latitude: 37.583 N
Longitude: 106.154 W
Elevation: 7710’
Declination: 9.8 deg E
Lowest Temperature -34deg F
Highest ambient Temperature 78 deg F
Total Energy used per Year: 20,240 KWH /Year
Panels facing: S 170 deg
Panel Pitch: 5/12, 19 deg
Hours of Solar Radiation: 6.24 Hours /day fixed for summer
The site has 96% of sunlight hours. Sunlight 6.24 Hrs / Available 5.99 Hrs
“We have been COSEIA certified for a number of years, allowing us to deliver grid-tied solar PV electric systems in Colorado. This additional certification allows us to design and install grid and off grid solar electric systems nationwide.” says Owen Walcher, VP of business development for Nth Degree.
The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a volunteer board of renewable energy stakeholder representatives that includes representatives of the solar industry, NABCEP certificants, renewable energy organizations, state policy makers, educational institutions, and the trades. Each member of the board was chosen because of his or her experience and involvement in the solar energy industry. NABCEP’s mission–to support, and work with, the renewable energy and energy efficiency industries, professionals, and stakeholders–is intended to develop and implement quality credentialing and certification programs for practitioners.
NABCEP’s goal is to develop voluntary national certification programs that will:
Promote renewable energy;
Provide value to practitioners;
Promote worker safety and skill; and
Promote consumer confidence
NABCEP is committed to providing a certification program of quality and integrity for the professionals and consumer/public it is designed to serve. Professionals who choose to become certified demonstrate their competence in the field and their commitment to upholding high standards of ethical and professional practice.
Nth Degree Solar Energy, a Grand Junction, Colorado based solar design and installation firm recently finished a commercial solar installation in Grand Junction. Colorado. Find it here.
Nth Degree Energy uses the Acme camera kit and PV Watts to do a custom designed solution that fits the customers needs. Here is what an array shot looks like to determine the amount of sun hours a day:
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The grid-tied solar array was installed on the roof:
All the racking used to install the PV solar electric system are UL-certified (not all solar companies can say that!)
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This system uses SMA inverters. Here is a shot of the power panel after installation:
[caption id="attachment_172" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="PPI - Power Panel Layout"]
PPI- Solar Racking
Here are some more statistics
Latitude: 39 04.656’ N
Longitude: 108 30.775’ W
Elevation: 4596’
Declination: 11.2 deg E
Lowest Temperature -22deg F
Highest ambient Temperature 92deg F
Total Electricity used/Year: 47,423 KHW
Panel Pitch: 30 deg
Hours of Solar Radiation: 5.8 Hours /day fixed for summer
View this grid-tied solar electric PV power plant here.
Any business cusotmer who has XCEL (and others I am sure) for their electric utility is entitled to the double dip, as explained in this brief presentation:
On Tuesday, March16, Owen Walcher of Nth Degree Solar Energy will give a presentation about solar to the Colorado Potato Growers of the San Luis Valley.
“My goal is to educate the farming community about the benefits of solar generated electricity. Those benefits are both tangible, in the form of new revenue streams of income, as well as the intangibles of renewable energy, reducing our carbon foot print, helping mother earth, etc.” remarked Owen in an off the cuff interview.
The Solar 101 presentation will be delivered to get everyone up to speed on the current commercially available solar technology and teminologies. Then an introduction to Nth Degree Solar is provided followed by sample scenarios of electrical usage and possible grid-tied solar electric solutions.
To attend this presentation, contact Linda at the Colorado Potato and reserve a spot today: 719-852-3322
There is a lot of talk about renewable energy sources, how they are cleaner, last forever, and over the long haul, are cheaper then fossil fuels. Take a look at the following chart to see how America derives its power.
I was driving by one of our installation sites today, and there were some guys installing solar panels on the roof of the building. I pulled in across the street and took a quick picture, so you can see a job in process.
XCEL Energy, a major electric utility provider in Colorado has published their phaseout schedule for Solar Green Tag Rewards. You can find the link here: http://www.xcelenergy.com/Colorado/Residential/RenewableEnergy/Solar_Rewards/Pages/CurrentPricing.aspx
Of course, the XCEL Website will probably tell you the page does not exist, becuaae before you can do anything on their site, you have to have picked a state, so go here: http://www.xcelenergy.com/ and pick Colorado as your state, then go back and try the link above and it should work.
If you want to take advantage of the higher rates XCEL is paying now, vs. the lower rates later, contact us as Nth Degree Energy to see how solar can benefit you today!
