Solar PV Electricity and Solar Heating - Howell-Mayhew Engineering

Solar PV Electricity and Solar Heating– An Overview of the Basics –Gordon Howell, P.Eng.EdmontonPhone: +1 780 484 0476E-mail: ghowell@hme.ca©1995-2010 Howell-Mayhew Engineering, Inc. All rights reserved.BP A+ for EnergyEducation ConferenceKananaskis2010 August 17Solar Energy Project Development Specialists

A+ for EnergyFirst of all…I want to acknowledge that we meet on thetraditional lands of theNakoda-Stoney peopleand that I respect their spiritual relationshipwith their country.As per the introductory comments in every speech ofHon. Mike Rann, Premier of South AustraliaSolar Energy Project Development Specialists 2

A+ for EnergyIntro: Me! ––• I develop, design, supply equipment , andcommission solar electricity systems• I have no vested interest in any particular technology• My interest is that you choose wisely– with your eyes wide open– based on the facts and… then decide on whether it is right for you or not.The Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need,Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi…but not every man's greed. (Mahatma) IndiaSolar Energy Project Development Specialists 3

A+ for EnergyPresentation Outline• What is solar electricity and solar heating?• How does it work?• We need to be aware of the changes that are happeningwith these technologies because they are starting to take aprominent place in our energy mix• Policies… Do we have to get into politics?(yes… but not today)FAST GOOD CHEAP… you are only allowed to choose two of them!Solar Energy Project Development Specialists 4

A+ for EnergyFrom where does Alberta’selectrical energy come?Energy Ability tosupply generate• Coal 72% 49%• Natural gas 17% 39%• Hydro 4% 7%• Wind 2% 4%• Biomass and other 1% 2%• Imports from BC and SK 4% 8%KeephillsCoal-ElectricWabamuncoal minesSolar Energy Project Development Specialists 5

A+ for EnergyWhere does our electricity go? (as of 2006)• Farm 3%• Residential 16%• Commercial 25%• Industrial 56%plus• UFE (unaccounted for energy) ~3% ?• Transmission line losses ~8% ?• Distribution line losses ~8% ?Solar Energy Project Development Specialists 6

A+ for EnergyAlberta: The Solar Province–Our MostAbundantEnergy Resource• In resource terms:Alberta's annual solar energy is 300 times more than our annualfossil fuel generation.• In system terms:our solar energy (on available land and with available technologies)could generate about 12 times more than we use here.In many ways our future is passing us by,… and our energy riches may one day look like fool's gold.Gary LamphierEdmonton JournalSolar Energy Project Development Specialists 7

A+ for EnergyContext: Energy Efficiency vs. Adding Energy…• Solar electricity option:– Does NOT reduce your electricity consumption!– Instead it substitutes your electricity sourcefrom coal and natural gas over to the sun…• Energy efficiency option:– This is the cheapest, most important and shortest payback option…– but it is emotionally boring• Solar electricity has much higher costs and longer paybacksthan energy efficiency– It is exciting and something you can brag about to your friends…Socialism collapsed because it did not allow the market to tell the economic truth. Øystein DahleCapitalism may collapse because it does not allow the market to tell the ecological truth. Exxon NorwaySolar Energy Project Development Specialists 8

A+ for EnergyContext: Why Use Solar Energy?Economic: Save Money and Reduce Risk• Reduces electricity and gas bills– you pay for solar energy equipment up front• Reduces vulnerability to unknown future energy pricesEnvironmental: Reduce your Footprint• Reduces how much air pollution you cause fromelectricity generators to emit on your behalf• Increases the reserve of coal and natural gas youleave for your grandkidsPolitical will arises from personal momentumWe need to be the leaders to our governments and corporations.Solar Energy Project Development Specialists 9

A+ for EnergyContext: Why Use Solar Energy?Social Opportunity• Provides the leadership that we need• Encourages the government to facilitate itinstead of blocking itBusiness Opportunity• Serves the growing public interest• Serves the multi-billion $ world marketsThe superior man seeks what is right;the inferior one, what is profitable.ConfuciusSolar Energy Project Development Specialists 10

A+ for EnergyContext: Benefits of Solar Energy…• Proven technology– thousands of systems across Canada• Can provide energy security and independence• Inflation-proof• Political-proof• No noise• No emissions• Low or zero maintenance costsNature does provide us with a free lunch,…but only if we control our appetites.WilliamRuckelshausSolar Energy Project Development Specialists 11

A+ for EnergyContext: Challenges with Solar Energy…• Purchase costs are high• Supply and installation chain is growing in its experience and depth• Not a lot of broad-based experience in Canada• Has to compete with highly subsidized coal- and natural gas-electricity• Previously, little interest by governments in developing policies andprogrammes that facilitate it– Ontario, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, (BC ?), Medicine Hat, Edmonton, now haveincentive programmes for solar– Canada and Alberta instead have incentive programmes for coal, oil, gas,tar sands and nuclear(do these energy sources need heavy subsidiesin order to remain viable in the face of clean energy sources?)Insanity is doing the same thing over and over…and expecting different results.BenjaminFranklinSolar Energy Project Development Specialists 12

A+ for EnergySolar Energy – where can it be used• Anything that uses electricity, any time, any where• Space heating• Water heating – for domestic water, pools• Industrial and commercial process heatingOkotoks swimming poolsolar heating• Cooking• Daytime illuminationPhoto Credit:SPS EnergyCochrane High SchoolSolar Energy solar Project electricity Development Specialists 13

A+ for EnergyWhat Technologies Generate Solar Electricity?• Common technologies:– Solar photovoltaics– Solar thermal electricSolar Energy Project Development Specialists 14

A+ for EnergySolar Power Tower• Mojave Desert, California• Industrial-scale electricityproduction• Cheaper electricity price thansolar photovoltaics• Some 1300 heliostats• Turns the black central receiverwhite hot• 10 000 kW?, prototype for100 000 kWSolar Energy Project Development Specialists 15

A+ for EnergySolar Power Tower Concept DiagramThe future does not belong to those who are content with today, fearful in the face Robert Kennedyof new ideas and bold projects. It will belong to those with a personal commitment. 1966Solar Energy Project Development Specialists 16

A+ for Energy Solar Cells Absorbthe Energy inPhotons• The technology is called "photovoltaics", but we only call it "PV".• The energy in the photons knocks electrons out of their orbital shell–– 1 electron for 1 photon.• The electric field generated by this turns the electrons into an electric current.• Wires carry the current away.Solar Energy Project Development Specialists 17

Solar heating andA+ for Energysolar electricityare NOT the same…• Solar heating– A dark surface sitting in the sun light– Water or air runs past the solarheated surface carrying heat to thebuilding.• Solar electricity– A semiconductor device like a computerchip– Photons bump electrons out of an atom.– Wires carry the electrons away.Solar Energy Project Development Specialists 18

A+ for EnergyWhat words do we use?• Solar heating– thermal collectors• Solar electricity– photovoltaic modules• Solar panel – when several PVmodules aremechanicallyfastened to a railSolar Energy Project Development Specialists 19

A+ for EnergySolar PV WordsSolar PV CellSolar PV ModulePV can generate any amount of electricity.Large PV systems = more PV modules.Solar PV Array5,000 modules1000 kW170,000 modules (200 W ea.)34,000 kW PV array30,000 modules, 6000 kWPV TermsSolar Energy Project Development Specialists 20

How many solar panels What words do you do see we use?here?A+ for EnergySolar electric generating system32Solar domesticwater heatingsystemDirect gainpassive solarspace heatingwindows21Solarwall ventilation air pre-heating systemSolar Energy Project Development Specialists 21

A+ for EnergySolar Electricity – used everywhere!1. Off-grid stand-alonePhoto Credit:Ralph CartarFrom calculators and watches tolarge generating stations.2. Off-grid hybrid: + generator or wind3. Grid-connected– to electrical distribution & transmission gridsSolar Energy Project Development Specialists 22

A+ for EnergyGrid-Connected Solar – Major ComponentsSolar PVmoduleSolar battery…maybe…Anyone who thinks they are too small to make a difference…has never spent the night with a mosquito.Grid-connectedsolar inverterInverters convert• dc electricity (produced bythe solar array)• to ac electricity (used by anyAC load).AfricanProverbSolar Energy Project Development Specialists 23

A+ for EnergyQuestions ???• Next:How does it work?Making the simple complicated is commonplace.Making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity.Charles MingusSolar Energy Project Development Specialists 24

A+ for EnergyContext: Can We Really Get Connected?• Yes!• The solar electric or the microwind electric system is typicallyconnected to the home, business, or farm.Solar or Wind Electric CustomersHouse voltages: 240 and 120 VTransformerand electricaldelivery poleElectricitygeneratingplantsTransmission gridfrom 25,000 volts to 250,000 voltsHigh voltagetransmission towerElectrical substationDelivery grid25,000 volts and lowerSolar Energy Project Development Specialists 25

A+ for EnergyGrid-Connected System – Grid-dependent• 4 majorcomponents:– PV array– DC disconnect– Solar inverter– AC disconnectSolar PV1array• No energy storage• Most commongrid-connectedconfiguration• 600 in Canada???• 120 in Alberta?34• 5+ million aroundthe world…2Solar Energy Project Development Specialists 26

A+ for EnergyElectric Wires Company’selectrical distribution gridImportmeterExportmeterkWhkWh12Solar electricarrayDCHow can yougenerate solarelectricity intoyour houseand alsoback into the grid?3InverterAll electrical circuits in a house or building4AC©1995-2010• Sells to the gridwhen there is a site surplus.• Buys from the gridwhen there is a site shortage.Solar energy is the ultimate in wireless nuclear fusion… where the fusion generator is very safely stored 150,000,000 km away!Solar Energy Project Development Specialists 27

A+ for Energy1 kWh 1 kWh 1 kWhElectricitypaid in full15.32 ¢/kWhImportHow does Alberta’s net billing work?Energy Retailer,Electric Wires Company12kWhElectricity is delivered to your neighbours by yourElectric Wires Company for their normal delivery fee.Electricalenergy credit~10.62 ¢/kWhExport3Electricitypaid in full15.32 ¢/kWh4kWhElectricitydistribution wiresEnergy Retailer sells yourenergy to your neighbourfor full retail price.Ordinary kWhmeterBidirectionalkWh meter(2008 electrical energyprice from DERS/ATCO)PV systemownerNet billing allows exported electricityto be valued at any price, such as:-a discounted wholesale price,- a price equal to the import price, or-a premium feed-in (green) price.1 kWh supplied, 1 kWh paid for©1995-2010NeighbourSolar Energy Project Development Specialists 28

A+ for Declining Energy Solar PV Prices,Increasing Grid Prices56 ¢/kWh (solar, with 5% mortgage)42 ¢/kWh (solar, with 3.5% mortgage)Solar Electricity Price• unsubsidized• no environmentalside-effects32 ¢/kWh (solar, with 2% mortgage)23 ¢/kWh10.4 ¢/kWh(2009 grid pricein Edmonton)(solar, using yourown money)Grid parity: Utility Solar Assessment Studywww.cleanedge.com, www.solarcatalyst.org2009Grid Parity2012 to2014…Grid-Electricity Price• hugeenvironmentaleffects• highly subsidized• fossil fuelledelectricity does notpay for the damageit causes to theenvironment and toour health carebudgetsSolar Energy Project Development Specialists 29

A+ for Energy120 kW, Berlin2.9 kW, AlbertaLegislature85 kW, GermanyPlaced onRoof-Tops1300 kW, NetherlandsIf you're not in favour of zero waste …Solar Energy Project Development Specialists 30how much waste are you in favour of?

A+ for Energy Integrated into Roofing MaterialsWithconcreteroof tilesWith metal roofsAs shinglesWith slate tilesSolar Energy Project Development Specialists 31

A+ for EnergyBuildings are becoming Solar Power Plants!Aachen,Germany1 MW, Munich5 kW, Waterloo6 000 kW, GermanySolar Energy Project Development Specialists 32

A+ for EnergyCities are Becoming Solar Power PlantsOta City, JapanSolar Energy Project Development Specialists 33

A+ for EnergyLaebon CHESS NetZero Energy House – newRed DeerSize: 2.2 and 4.5 kW. 36 Sharp 187 W modulesCost of solar PV system: $50,000 (?)Generates $750 of electricity per yearSolar Energy Project Development Specialists 34

A+ Riverdale for EnergyNetZero Energy HomeSolar PV system forelectricity– 33 m2, 5.6 kW, 53°tiltProvides6% of domestic water heating,11% of space heating and108% of electricity consumptionPassive solar forspace heating– all windowsProvides 40% of ourspace heatingActive solar heating system: 21 m2, verticalDomestic water heat store: 300 litresSpace heat store: 17,000 litresProvides83% of domestic water heatingand21% of space heatingSolar Energy Project Development Specialists 35

A+ for EnergySolar HomeSpace Heating• Complex to– design, model,– install, commission,– control,– describe, document, and train• Takes up floor space for:– space heating tank– domestic water tank– fan coil• Unknown maintenance– Can have air locks in piping– Risk of valve and tank leaksSolar Energy Project Development Specialists 36

A+ for EnergyQuestions ???• Next:Solar water heatingI do not believe in a fate that falls on men however they act;but I do believe in a fate that falls on men unless they act.Solar Energy Project Development Specialists 37+G.K. Chesterson

A+ for EnergySolar Energy – where can it be used• Anything that uses electricity, any time, any where• Space heating• Water heating – for domestic water, pools• Industrial and commercial process heatingOkotoks swimming poolsolar heating• Cooking• Daytime illuminationPhoto Credit:SPS EnergyCochrane High SchoolSolar Energy solar Project electricity Development Specialists 38

A+ for EnergySolar Heating for Residential Domestic WaterAurum Lodge, near Nordegg, 2004Mary-Anne Rice home,Edmonton, 2007Tim Belec home,Pigeon Lake, 2007Solar Energy Project Development Specialists 39

A+ for EnergySolar Water Heating CollectorsUnglazed flat-platecollector– primarily used inoutdoor pool heatingGlazed flat-platecollector– commercial,industrial, residential– most commonEnerworksEvacuated tube collector– high-temperatureprocess heatingSolar Energy Project Development Specialists 40

A+ for EnergyGlazed Flat Plate CollectorsFrameProtects the collectorFluid circuitHarnesses heat fromabsorberAbsorberConverts sunlightinto heatInsulationReduces heat lossesGlazingLets light in, reduces heatloss, like a greenhouseYou must skate to where the puck is goingnot to where it is now.Solar Energy Project Development Specialists 41Wayne Gretzky

A+ for EnergyFlat Plate Collectors – Mechanical Design• Water or glycol is pumped into the bottomheader and then rises to the top headerSolar Energy Project Development Specialists 42

A+ for Energy Glazed Flat Plate Collectors• Contains frame, window, absorber, piping, brackets, insulation, gaskets, screws• Made of glass or polymers, aluminum, steel, copper, insulation, EPDM• Typically for residential and commercial applicationsSolar Energy Project Development Specialists 43

A+ for EnergyEvacuated tubecollector – heatpipeSolar Energy Project Development Specialists 44

A+ for EnergyApricusETCcut-awaySolar Energy Project Development Specialists 45

A+ for EnergyApricusETCOperationSolar Energy Project Development Specialists 46

A+ for EnergyHeat Storage TankPump controllerStorage tankwith heatexchangerinsideSolarcirculationpumpOften also has a drainbackreservoir and a flow meterLet us put our minds togetherand see what kind of life we can make for our children.Solar Energy Project Development Specialists 47Sitting Bull

A+ for EnergyMajor ComponentsSolar collectors($1000 each)Solar controllerPiping connectionsHeat exchangerPre-heatwater tankSolar Energy Project Development Specialists 48

A+ for EnergySystem Operation – Controller Turns on PumpIn this example, , a solar pumpis located on top of the heatexchanger;The controller sends a signalto the pump to turn on…Solar Energy Project Development Specialists 49

A+ for EnergySystem Operation – Liquid is CirculatedGlycol (anti-freezefreeze) is thencirculated between the heatexchanger and the solarcollectors…Solar Energy Project Development Specialists 50

A+ for EnergySystem Operation – Liquid is HeatedWithin the collectors, , the glycolabsorbs the solar heat…The collected solar heatcirculates back to the heatexchanger…1Solar Energy Project Development Specialists 51

A+ for EnergySystem Operation – Heat is TransferredCold water is circulated betweenthe solar tank and the heatexchanger…The heat exchanger transfersthe solar heat into the water…1The heated water returns backinto the solar tank.2Solar Energy Project Development Specialists 52

A+ for EnergySystem Operation – Hot Water is StoredThe heat collection processoperates over the wholeday…The solar tank water heats upthroughout the day…Until the whole solar tank isfilled with hot water!12Solar Energy Project Development Specialists 53

A+ for EnergySystem Operation – Delivered to YouWhen hot water is drawn offfor usage…Solar heated water flows intothe gas or electric boostertank…1And cold water from the city isdrawn into the solar tank…23Solar Energy Project Development Specialists 54

A+ for EnergyTim Belec, Pigeon LakeCollectors– mounted horizontally on roof rackThermoDynamics Solar BoilerSolar Energy Project Development Specialists 55

A+ for EnergyMounted on ametal roofIf we are going to throw anything out,let it be the concept of garbage.The OteshaProjectSolar Energy Project Development Specialists 56

A+ for EnergyMountedagainst awallEconomic prosperity goes hand in hand with good health and a clean environment.…These inalienable rights are also the mission of successful companies.Solar Energy Project Development Specialists 57

A+ for EnergyCosts…• Typically $8000 for a 2-collector solar domestic waterheating system on a home– Can supply 2/3 of your domestic water heating,which is ¼ of your natural gas fuel consumption• $200,000 to $300,000 for a solar water heating systemon a municipal swimming pool– To supply ~25% of the pool’s heatingSolar Energy Project Development Specialists 58

A+ for EnergyWant to learn more?• Eco-Solar Contacts and Services List– available on request by e-mail• Solar Energy Society of Alberta(www.solaralberta.ca)• Canadian Solar Industries Association(www.cansia.ca)• Eco-Solar Home Tour, Edmonton, mid-June,www.ecosolar.caSolar Energy Project Development Specialists 59

A+ for EnergyIt's our turn now…It's our choice…our walletour community and childrenand the planetawait us…If not here…then where?If not you…then who?If not now…then when?Solar Energy Project Development Specialists 60

A+ …we for Energy hold the future in our handsWould our kids want this futureif they knew what we were handing them?Download this presentation and others fromwww.hme.ca /presentationsPhoto credits: Gordon Howell, Natural Resources Canada and several othersGordon Howell, P.Eng.Howell-Mayhew EngineeringEdmontonPhone: +1 780 484 0476E-mail: ghowell@hme.caSolar Energy Project Development Specialists ©1995-201061