Archive for May, 2010
Solar Works in the Rain
We often get questions about solar panels’ ability to produce electricity in the rain. Many people are concerned that Long Island winters and springs see more rain than sun and cause them to stop producing electricity. Although overcast skies decrease the amount of electricity produced, that does not mean the system doesn’t produce at all. We recently received an update from one of our clients expressing surprise that he is still banking hours, even though this spring was cloudy. Read his update below or find his whole story in our case studies.
“With a number of months down in the history books – it is great to see the performance of this system – last month and this month I had a $5.19 bill for using LIPA infrastructure and booked 63 and 100 KW hrs credit. It has been a great spring – even with the rain. I doubt anyone will believe the performance of the system – even with the rain we had. Also I am running a upright freezer and a dehumidifier in the cellar 24/7. So it is on its own amazing.
Thanks Jerry and keep us updated!
Have a success story of your own? Post it in the comments section below.
New York as a Solar City
Last week the NY Times reported that NYC conducted a laser analysis of the city to create a useful geographical map. The laser system used is known as Lidar, from light detection and ranging. In April, over the course of nine 6-hour nighttime flights, a plane equipped with Lidar collected data on the city which would allow the rendering of a detailed 3D map. This map will help identify wetlands and flat and pitched roofs, among other things, which would enable the city to determine which neighborhoods are more prone to flooding, which areas need more trees, and estimate the solar potential of different buildings. [Above is a picture taken during one of the nighttime flights.]
The map has yet to be produced, but its benefits will be numerous. While New York City receives plenty of sun light, it has unique conditions which limit its solar potential. Tall buildings shade nearby roofs; roofs house equipment like heating and cooling systems as well as water and cell phone towers which reduce usable solar space; many ratepayers who rent are not able to take advantage of solar incentives which usually go to building owners; and historic building preservation codes can restrict or prevent construction of solar structures. A detailed solar potential map will ease the identification of the best locations for solar.
NYC is taking action on other fronts to encourage its solar market. New York is one of the Solar America Cities – a group of 25 cities in partnership with the Department of Energy committed to increasing the adoption of solar technology. NYC has set the goal of installing 8.1 MW of photovoltaic energy by 2015.
The price of installation in the city remains high and the permitting process can be lengthy. The solar map will be a good step forward in catalyzing solar in the city. However, there needs to be continued focus on bringing down the costs of installation, streamlining the permitting process, and developing creative ways to finance solar projects which make them more accessible to everyone.
Check out the Solar Bill of Rights to learn more about practices and policies that will help to grow the solar market.
“EmPower” Yourself
People try to convince Sal that if something sounds too good to be true, then it probably is. However, Sal reassures them that it is that good; solar really is a “no brainer.” This is not the Sal you might have read about in our case studies, but his cousin, Sal Agricola. EmPower was excited to install a system at the Agricolas because it is one of the few solar systems in Lynbrook. The Architectural Review Board was intrigued when Sal and Ramona came to explain their system. After asking many questions about solar, Sal recalls, “Then they got into it [and asked], do you have any business cards?”
The Agricolas are incredible solar advocates. They knew they were hooked on solar when Ramona started creating solar slogans. Here is her great motto that holds a very powerful message:
Save a tree, recycle paper.
Save the planet, recycle energy!
Be a part of the solution, become independent.
“EmPower” yourself.
We can only hope their messages will inspire other residents in Lynbrook to install solar. Look for a full case study coming soon.
What Will Happen to Long Island’s Solar Industry?
Annual US Grid-Tied PV Capacity Additions
Solar energy is growing strong in the United States. Despite the deep recession, installations grew 38% in 2009. On Long Island solar installations have surged. Solar has been successful in the region because of a good solar resource, high electric rates, and great Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) rebate program. The growth of the industry has brought decreased system costs as manufacturers and installers achieve economies of scale. LIPA carefully gauges installation costs and decreases its rebate accordingly in order to maintain a relatively constant solar investment rate of return.
LIPA solar rebates started at $6/watt in 2001. Its sustained support over the past 9 years has been instrumental to the local industry’s growth. In January of this year LIPA announced a 4 MW rebate program comprised of 4, 1-megawatt (MW) blocks to provide a degree of visibility to the industry. The first block started at $2.50 / watt; the rebate decreases $0.25 / watt after 1-MW of solar rebate applications has been received. LIPA also committed to posting the real-time rebate allocation information on its website. We were pleased to have some degree of visibility.
Yesterday (May 3rd), LIPA lowered the solar rebate by $0.25 to $2.00 /watt, meaning that 2 MW of the 4 MW is already allocated. The first 2 MW were gone in just a few months – faster than expected – which shows that there is strong solar demand even at the lower rebate levels. However, it is cause for concern because this implies that funding for the solar program could be gone by late summer.
There is uncertainty right now and we understand that might make some feel uneasy. There has always been a notable amount of risk in this business because, despite decreasing equipment costs, we are still heavily dependent on subsidies. There are many questions: Is the solar business viable on LI without rebates? Does this mean companies should be more cautious about additional investment in the business and growth? Will there be cut backs and layoffs in the Long Island solar industry?
