Transcript Document
Solar/Photovoltaic System Referendum September 29, 2009 for the Northfield Community School September 16, 2009 September 16, 2009 Renewable Energy The global warming issue is no longer under debate & with the rising cost of fossil fuels, Renewable Energy must become an option! Beyond the raw cost of fuel there are the Hidden Costs from our dependence on Fossil Fuels. Some of these costs are: • Health Related Costs • Macro Economic Costs • Water and Land Pollution • National Security • Thermal Pollution • Air Pollution September 16, 2009 Environmental Benefits 30-year Lifetime Emission Savings 50 kW System Air Quality Resource Conservation SMOG 12.5 tons NOx Acid Rain 20 tons SOx Global 3,000 tons CO2 Warming Oil 5,500 barrels, or Coal 1,600 tons, or Natural 350 million Gas September 16, 2009 cubic feet Basic Principal of Solar Power Solar cells convert sunlight to electricity without any moving parts, noise, pollution, radiation, or maintenance. The conversion of sunlight into electricity is made possible with the special properties of semi conducting materials. September 16, 2009 How Solar Cells Work Photons from the sun shine on the solar cell. The photons actually penetrate into the silicon and randomly strike silicon atoms. When a photon strikes a silicon atom, it ionizes the atom, giving all its energy to an outer electron and allowing the outer electron to break free of the atom. The photon disappears from the universe and all its energy is now in the form of direct electron movement. September 16, 2009 Free Electricity From Sun The DC current is taken from the solar cells and manipulated into an AC waveform through an inverter. Inverters sense the voltage and frequency of the AC systems that they are attached to and begin to “push” current against that system. Inverters come in many shapes and sizes for all types of environments. September 16, 2009 System Integration A complete system includes: Solar Panels, Inverters, Mounting System, Conduit System, Combiner Boxes, DC Isolation Disconnects and the Connection to the Buildings AC Service. September 16, 2009 Balance of System Inverters: Converts DC Current into AC Current so it can be inter-mixed with the AC Current coming from the Electrical Utilities September 16, 2009 Balance of System Mounting Systems: – – – – – – – Ballasted Mount Ground Mount Rack Mount Laminates Rails Standing Seam Mounts Single and Dual Axis Trackers September 16, 2009 Net-Metering Net-Metering State regulations that permits the sale of our unused production of Solar Electricity to the utility for the same price per KWH as we purchase it. Over the course of the year we cannot produce and sell more electricity than we consume. September 16, 2009 Installation Considerations Orientation – Does the Array Point Southward? The more our Array point Southward the more energy production we will realize September 16, 2009 Installation Considerations Angle of Inclination – The angle that a Solar Module is positioned above the Horizon. – What is the Tilt of the Panels in the Array? The ideal Tilt for our Array is equivalent to our Latitude Location. The Closer to the Latitude Tilt we get the more Electricity we will Generate. September 16, 2009 Installation Considerations Angle of Inclination September 16, 2009 Installation Considerations Shadowing – A Shadow on our Solar Panels will Significantly reduce the Electricity the Array will Produce. September 16, 2009 NJ’s Clean Energy Program New Program – Renewable Energy Incentive Program (REIP) Rebates – Created by Electric Discount and Energy Competition Act (EDECA) – Established Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) • 20% Renewable Energy by 2020 • 2% Solar Energy by 2020 – $1 Per Watt up to 50,000 Watts – System size may not exceed 50KW September 16, 2009 NJ’s Clean Energy Program Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs) • One Certificate given per MWH of Solar Electricity Produced • Certificates Traded on the Open Market • SRECs ultimately are purchased by the Power Generators (LSE) to offset their requirement to produce Clean Energy September 16, 2009 Solar Solutions Margate Board of Education 518 KW on three schools September 16, 2009 Solar Solutions Toms River Board of Education – High School North September 16, 2009 Solar Facts PHOTOVOLTAIC PROJECT PLANNING Site survey/solar orientation, obstructions, shading, etc. Roof analysis- condition, type, remaining years of life, warranties (Consider roof replacement if necessary) Structural analysis Electrical service location and evaluation Determine potential PV system size and area Evaluate project financing options including Debt Service (if debt is incurred), Renewable Energy Incentive Program (REIP) Rebates (for systems up to 50kw) and Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SREC’s) Determine expected utility bill savings via ‘net metering’ Calculate expected simple payback period and revenue stream September 16, 2009 Approx. $7/Watt average system cost 25- 35 years expected panel life span (25 year warranty) $50 - $60/SF average construction cost 1,050 average solar hours in NJ Educational Aspect Real time system monitoring via lobby kiosk and integration with computer network Northfield Community School September 16, 2009 Northfield Community School September 16, 2009 Photovoltaic Project Cost Work Sheet 50 KW maximum allowed system size to obtain rebate District Aid Percentage (DAP) – 33.34% Minimum Debt Sources Aid Level – 40% September 16, 2009 Photovoltaic Project Cost Work Sheet $50,000 Simple payback period 7.73 years Total revenue to year 15 after payback period $217,625 September 16, 2009 NJDOE PROCEDURES/PROCESS Project initiation to obtain state project number, verification of district’s district Aid Percentage (DAP)- which may have changed in July of 2008 Completion of project application package and forms Board resolution using standard draft resolution language template LRFP amendment request if required Board meeting to pass resolutions to submit project and amend LRFP (if necessary) Submission of completed application to NJDOE timed for project completion (i.e.referendum, summer work, etc.) NJDOE issuance of Preliminary Eligible Cost (PEC) letter- project schematic approval Board accepts PEC letter Board forwards bond referendum question to County Board of Elections NJDOE issues Final Eligible Cost (FEC) letter September 16, 2009 • PV Projects are eligible for NJDOE Debt Service Aid but are not eligible for ROD Grants • A bond issue for a PV project may result in no tax increase• The cost of a roof replacement project may be able to be fully or partially offset by the PV project revenue stream• Consult with your financial adviser in regards to the above. PROJECT TIME LINE Referendum September 29, 2009 Complete Construction Documents & November 23, 2009 Submit to Local Construction Official Referenda Dates January (4th Tuesday) March (2nd Tuesday) Advertise for Bids December 14, 2009 April (3rd Tuesday- with annual budget vote) Receive Bids January 9, 2010 September (Last Tuesday) Award Contracts December (2nd Tuesday) January 14, 2010 Contracts, Shop Drawing Preparation Material Acquisitions January 27, 2010 through June 16, 2010 NJBPU/Office of Clean Energy Extension & June 9, 2010 Construction Begins REIP Rebate June 18, 2010 Substantial Completion August 12, 2010 Final Completion & Spec. Initiation September 2, 2010 September 16, 2009 REIP Rebate Receipt upon successful completion and certification/inspection of system SREC’s Receipt upon the sale of first megawatt of power and each megawatt thereafter Wide Range of Career Ops Career Paths – Financial: Accounting, Tax Law, Investment Banking, Venture Capital – Scientific: Research, Product Development – Engineering: Electrical, Mechanical, Structural, Solar, CAD Design – Sales and Design – Trades: Electricians, Carpenters, Roofers, Laborers September 16, 2009 September 16, 2009 September 16, 2009 Thank You! Any Questions? September 16, 2009