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an Electric Bill PVWatts + the Golden Ratio of
Solar Performance Identify Your Net-Metering Policy How Much Are
Solar Arrays Worth? Fitting the Array on the Roof Google Earth
+ Satellite Imagery Shade Analysis Developing a Rooftop
Sketch Solar Module Selection Reading a Module
Specification Sheet Array Layout Solar Inverters Point of
Interconnection Racking Design Interconnection Application Budget and
Payback Revisiting the Design with CIGS + DC Optimizers
Design Conclusions Design Resources
Note:
Energy efficiency is not the same as power generation.
It may be obvious that switching from incandescent to LED
light bulbs results in a better payback than installation
a solar power generator to a home. But the
LED bulb will still require energy to run, and lighting is
only a portion of the entire homes energy use. It
may also be easier to install one solar array than estimate
and implement dozens of energy efficiency measures to reduce
a homes electric bill. Solar is often a costlier
investment with a lower payback than cherry-picked efficiency
improvements, but it also produces a more dramatic impact
on the electric bill than those efficiency-improvements.
Change the array size to 1kW. The default value is 4kW, but
I like modeling at 1kW levels for development of my self-
titled Golden Ratio figure.
Change the array type to roof mount. PVWatts will account
for less air flow under the modules, and higher rooftop
temperatures. Open Rack setting would be more appropriate for
ground mounts.
Leave everything else the same for the time being. A 20-degree
tilt is roughly equivalent to the standard 4:12 roof pitch.
PVWatts has advanced parameters, which allow you to explore
inverter efficiency and clipping losses, plus defaults the
following losses. The default loss values are conservative.
The array may not be shaded, module-level electronics might
eliminate mismatch. Systems are not typically offline for
3% of the year.
Due West
I went back and changed the orientation to due west (270
degrees orientation). This reduced my array performance by ~10%.
Determine this ratio for your local area, and memorize it. Now you
can perform offthe-cuff solar production estimates! For
instance, if a potential customer asks me how many kwh a
solar array produces in North Mississippi, I can respond
with A 10 kW array produces around 13,000 kwh. Or,
if another customer says their home uses 15,000 kwh a
year, I can tell them they need around a 11.5kW solar array.
If my turnkey installation rate is $2.50/W, Id tell
them to budget around $30,000.
electricity less than electricity consumed onsite. This does not mean
that a system design must avoid exporting electricity
to the grid at all cost. Nor does it necessarily mean
storage and load-shifting technologies will become cost-
effective to the point where solar customers disconnect from the grid
entirely. But solar designers should consider all sides of
a building when approaching solar design. Project economies-
of-scale, building power consumption, time-variable energy rate
structures, net-metering rates, and potential for future grid
disconnection can all impact which building surfaces are
best for the design. Heres how the net-excess generation
rate varies in my community, representing higher electric use
in the summer rather than the winter:
Because of the higher summer rates, the economics
of non-south-facing solar arrays improved. An increase in air
conditioning loads means more electricity is consumed onsite
rather than is exported. Shallower tilts, and even
north-facing arrays, will skew production towards the summer.
Based on total system production, a south-facing solar
array wins the race. But after economic assessment is applied, you
could determine that an array which covers the entire
rooftop may make the most economic sense. PVWatts
provides month-to-month and hourly energy estimates. Ive
run simulations for an 8kW array, which generates 100%
of my energy use for the year. But that doesnt paint
the whole economic story. A south-facing array is
the most cost-effective configuration in an unlimited net-metering
scenario. However, a west-facing or flat solar array may
be just as cost-effective under a month-to-month structure.
The optimal array might be a 6kW south-facing array,
which would only generate 25% less energy. Likewise, a
north-facing 8kW array, which produces 25% less
electricity, would only be 15% less valuable than its 8kW
south-facing counterpart, because of the time-value of
the generation. This value gap might further close if you have
no net-metering policy.
This graphic shows the Halfmoon roof is 23.5 long. Adjusting for a
4:12 roof pitch, we have almost 25 from the roof ridge
to the gutter. Subtracting the 3 from the top and
bottom of the roof line., were left with 19 from ridge to
gutter.
Note:
I prefer a portrait orientation, because it allows
underlying solar racking systems to run parallel with the
roof ridge and gutter. This gives me the ability to
run my racking attachment points evenly across the truss
chord - typically 4 offsets staggered every 2
between top and bottom rails. This arrangement is not
possible when the attachments run up the roof, rather than
across the roof. Some installers who mount in landscape will
still run the rails parallel to the ridge and gutter. This
increases racking budgets by ~30%, but is likely
cheaper than sistering rafters together underneath the roof
deck.
Shade Analysis
Shade analysis has had some major changes in the solar
industry. It used to be that extensive onsite analysis was
a prerequisite for solar design. A sun path and
reflective dome were used to visually determine how surrounding
objects cast their shadows, depending upon the month and time-
of-day. The Solar Pathfinder is one such example.
Array Layout
Lets perform two rooftop sketches, one for silicon and then
one for CIGS, on Halfmoons south-facing roof surface, to
determine our south-facing array wattage. Afterwards, well repeat
the design exercise with the CIGS module.
Module Dimensions:
Ive blocked out the appropriate areas for roof clearance (see
previous exercise), and given you extra charts in case
you want to make revisions. You should be able to fit around
83 modules on the roof.
Use the roof sketches below to fit the 255W silicon solar module
onto the roof:
Solar Inverters
I feel comfortable installing almost any listed solar module
in the field. Foreign-made solar modules have lower
failure rates than US-made inverters. Id much rather use
a cheap module, if it meant I had the budget to boost
inverter quality. It doesnt have to be an either-or
decision, but we do have to be budget conscious for
solar to grow as an energy resource.
The inverter is the work horse of the system. The
inverters job is to take the direct current generated by
the solar module, and convert it into alternating current
which can be used by our buildings and electric grid. In
a sense, its likeyour cell phone charger, which plugs into
your homes AC power yet charges your phones DC
battery. Except its larger, has greater safety provisions,
and works in the opposite direction.
proofing boot.
Heres how the finished product looks, with all racking, inverters, and
pull
Point of Interconnection
If we visit our micro-inverter manufacturer website, we
find the wiring diagram for their micro-inverter system. We
see the array interconnected to the grid at the bottom
of the electric service panel. This is a common, but
not absolutely required, practice based on NEC 2014
705.12.D.2.3.b which states:
Where two sources, one a utility and the other
an inverter, are located on opposite ends of a busbar
that contains loads, the sum of 125% of the inverter(s)
output circuit current and the rating of the overcurrent
protection device protecting the busbar shall not exceed 120%
of the busbar.
If you fail to locate the solar array at the
bottom of the busbar, you can still connect the array
to your existing service panel. However, you lose the
extra 20% busbar space allowance. NEC 2014 705.12.D.2.3.a would cover
this configuration, stating, The sum of 125% of the
inverter(s) output circuit current and the rating of
the overcurrent protection device protecting the busbar shall not
exceed the ampacity of the busbar.
In other words, if you connect the solar array
to the bottom of the busbar, you can install ~40
amps on a typical 200-amp electric service. This is
roughly an 8kW solar array. But you would have to limit the
main service breaker to 160 amps. You can use the same
philosophy with the 120% rule, connecting the array at
the bottom of the busbar while downsizing the main breaker.
Perhaps this could allow you to interconnect up to
an 80amp array on a 200-ampresidential service. Rather
than downside the main breaker, it might pay to have your
electrician check the busbar rating of the service panel.
Sometimes the busbars on 200A residential panels are rated
for 225A. You could swap out the service panel with
a 400 Amp panel, interconnecting a large solar array while maintaining
your utility 200A service.
the project:
You can see two LB pull boxes going into the wall of the
building. The conduit run connects the electric service
panel to the two 200A panels inside the building (pictured
above). On Saturday, the electrical contractor swapped out one
of the LBs with a larger junction box, which involved de-
energizing the building, pulling the 200A feeders, swapping the
box, and reinstalling the feeders into the main. All
the contractor did that Saturday was swap out the LB box
with a larger junction box. However, this was all that
needed to be done. We installed the array, and then
made the connection in the middle of the week,
crimping the array feeder conductors onto the
Racking Design
It used to be that youd need to thumb your way
through a racking design manual about as thick as
this program to determine all the racking components and
engineering calculations. Instead, we can use manufacturer design
software to tabulate this data for us. Like inverter
manufacturers, racking manufacturers want to make their
system design as easy as possible. Almost all have
design software available on their websites. Some manufacturer
software provides preliminary engineering analysis. Ironridge has
integrated some of its commercial racking into Helioscopes
PV design software, resulting in even more automated solar
racking design.
attachment.
During the projects remote site assessment, Halfmoon provided
photos of their attic space and technical drawings where
I noticed 2x4 horizontal purlins running above support
rafters. We also tracked down some building documents, which
helped me assemble some information for the structural review:
Interconnection Application
Before we order the material, we want to make sure the
utility will approve our application. Some utilities, particularly
in solar-heavy markets, might deny an application if too many
solar arrays have been installed on a circuit of the
distribution grid.
Simple Payback
Halfmoon pays an average of 13 cents per kwh for their
electricity, has a suitable netmetering policy, and has
a state sales tax exempt, resulting in a project budget
of $2.67/W.
A report is generated.
The circuit configuration can be found here.
Three strings or circuits of 11 DC optimizers on two
modules each. 3 x 2 x 11 x 2 inverters =
132 modules. An energy estimate is given :
Electrical Considerations
The inverter sizing software for this south side of
the building calls for two 10kW string inverters with three
circuits each. The circuit layout will look like this:
This is good news for everyone involved. Not only can new-to-
solar building professionals compete within the existing solar
installation market, but experienced installers can differentiate
themselves to remain competitive by adopting to new,
costeffective technologies.
Design Conclusions
Track A: Micro-Inverters with Traditional Modules
This track is recommended for:
Anyone new to the solar industry. Micro-inverter systems are
significantly easier to design and install. Project Managers
wanting to use their new-to-solar contractor and engineers.
For example, the Halfmoon Education Inc. project was
installed by the electrical contractor responsible for the
building, but they were new to solar. Small projects 4kW
or less. Micro-inverters allow you to easily install
systems with just a handful of modules -> even one
or two! Designers seeking to avoid external wire runs,
particularly on retrofits. AC wiring allows for ROMEX runs
through the attic. Designers unfamiliar with DC NEC provisions.
Certain DC equipment such as combiner boxes, DC disconnects,
and additional overcurrent NEC provisions will not be covered
in this program, so its best to avoid what you dont know.
Designers wanting to minimize wall-mounted equipment. Because
the inverter is on the roof, the only wall-mounted
equipment necessary is an AC knife-switch disconnect (which
might not be required by your jurisdiction).
Design Resources
Community.Solar Solar design resources, classes, incentives,
and energy www.community.solar DSIRE Database of
Federal, State, and Local energy incentives and policies
www.dsireusa.org Google Earth Software download for site
imagery and measurements. Photo date-stamp, ruler tool, and shadow
azimuth can be used to reverse calculate tree and object
heights. https://earth.google.com USA Naval Office Sun-Angle
Azimuth Chart Useful for determining angle of inclination
of the sun during summer/winter solstice + Google Earth
photo date-stamp. http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/AltAz.php PVWatts
An easy-to-use, yet surprisingly robust solar
performance estimate tool. http://pvwatts.nrel.gov/pvwatts.php
System Advisor Model Another free to use software
published by National Renewable Energy Labs. Has more advanced
features than PVWatts with a steeper learning curve.
https://sam.nrel.gov/ Commercial Solar Design Software
Aurora Solar 3D modeling, LIDAR data, solar performance estimates, array
layouts, construction documentation. http://www.aurorasolar.com/
Helioscope - 3D modeling, LIDAR data, solar performance estimates,
construction documentation. https://www.helioscope.com/ SolarDesignTool
Solar construction documentation and national electric
code reports. http://get.solardesigntool.com/ EnergyToolBase
Robust economic modeling, demand management modeling, and
battery bank sizing software. https://www.energytoolbase.com/
Solar-Roof-Check A residential structural engineering software review
which offers engineering stamping in many states.
http://solar-roof-check.com/