ENG:TECH: Optimal PV Mounting Considerations - NABCEP credential documentation news!!

        The conversion process of my NABCEP Entry-Level award has finally concluded, as my certificate has arrived from NABCEP. As shown on the bottom left corner, my status as an associate certified individual may also be viewed on the NABCEP Associate online directory. The promotion of this program as well as my experience in the field will truly elevate my status as a PV professional and aid in the process of my renewable goals. Thank you all for your support! Without further ado, here is the next article featuring PV system basics covering mounting options and considerations..

        ...So going off the first post on solar installation, design, maintenance, and engineering, this post will cover some basic principles regarding mounting tips and considerations for obtaining maximum efficiency. Whether it be a residential, commercial, or utility-scale systems, mounting your modules optimally not only provides quality sun exposure, but also has an effect on cost and practicality. Mounting the modules with minimal-low shading serves as the objective when going through different mounting options. The best orientations normally face due south, if your location is in the Northern hemisphere, and vice-versa. As far as altitude considerations, the best bet is to orient the panels to the best fit maximum solar altitude which usually occurs in the middle of the day containing hours of the peak sun demand, and seasonally of course, the time at which the middle of the equinoxes occurs, based on how you must conform to a fixed array. This angle of incidence also depends however on the latitudinal location of your array. Also, identifying true south of course will rarely ever be a perfect 180 degree orientation due to magnetic declination and the tilt of the Earth's axis never matching due to Earth's imperfect composition. Also of course comes the factor of tall trees, foliage, and roof obstructions that may block the roof's area, as well as county codes and local jurisdictions that comply and restrict design parameters due to safety concerns.
        The topic of discussion in this next paragraph will initiate specific tools regarding irradiation/insolation, and irradiance measurement and data other than the Solmetric Suneye or Solar Pathfinder, referenced in the FAQ section of the blog. By hand, experienced engineers and PV technicians may calculate desired azimuth and tilt positions to fix PV arrays, but the time and costs associated become extremely tedious, time-consuming, and expensive. Also several years of practice and training may be required to achieve quality data. Thus with the emerging industry of PV technology, eventually came out the invention of meters and handheld devices known as pyranometers, and pyroheliometers.
        Pyranometers and pyroheliometers are devices used to measure solar irradiance by a way of visible sunlight striking a dark, thermopile sensor based on the temperature of the atmosphere. This converted by the heat generated into an electrical signal that proportions current to a level of irradiance, measured in watts per square meter. The only difference between these two devices are that pyranometers may be measured on a planar surface covered by the total global radiation from all sides, and surfaces in which the transparent dome captures, while pyroheliometers may only be measured with direct beam radiation patterns.            
 

FIN/ENV: Solar legal rights and investments....Welcome back!!

Hey all! It's been a long layoff since I've blogged back in June, leaving off with the achievement of the NABCEP PV Associate credential. Since then, my school semester started, and I've been working at a solar contractor, as well as designing some DC battery-based systems on various shed structures. Even though its unorthodox and unpopular to speak of in this day and age, the process of maintaining a motive, passion, and knowledge of any discipline in life is the key to success, never the actual product. I will forever commit to all phases of solar PV engineering, no matter the cost or titles gained in life. Without further ado, is here an article featuring a large perspective into legal and cost-worthy traits of owning a PV system!

FIN/ENV: So, owning your own PV system as we know does come with a financial cost. However, with that cost comes aid in the form of tax rebates, financial incentives, tax credits, and effect of PV running the meter backwards, driving electric utility rates down the hill over time! However, another important aspect of the solar energy market is the legal implications and rights. If a true, blue solar contractor wants to assure its customer with assurance of their PV product, the active collectors, and architectural design features must not reduce the value by construction. As the trend in the United States continues to rise, solar access has gained fame and popularity, but also concept of scrutiny from certain parties in the legal world, even though extreme cases in official courts are rather rare. Other legal implications regarding solar access rights includes modified building codes, material and equipment usage, utility rates, and interfacing with the power grid. The problem stems from the origin of the country having legal issues and reaffirming rights of individual freedom of action with the private property of one's household. The assumption that freedom is limited when it is exercised causes harm or loss to others has not in the past encompassed, characterized, or even reflected closely the impact that direct solar energy has on the world. 

Going back to the first few sentences of this article, one major part of a PV project investment involves initial costs. The initial cost includes the purchase of equipment and labor of installation. However, once the system is installed, it proves a turnkey function, in which it operates immediately and collects energy as soon as its finished. This is where payback period begins, in which an amount of time is measured in regards to energy consumed and used based on system size pays back your investment with saved costs from PV energy collection forcing the utility meter to progress backwards. For example, let's say you install a water heating system for $5,300 and using it saves you $60 a month on your power bill. Therefore, your system should pay itself off in about 88 months. This cost structure on payback period is similar for solar photovoltaic systems. According to NAREA, The National Association of Real Estate Appraisers, every dollar you save yearly on annual energy costs from solar production will increase your home's value up to 20 times your annual energy savings. HOW?! Because as solar equipment costs have dropped down significantly, and homeowners are willing to pay more for solar that promises shorter electric bills, and efficient energy savings. This will definitively leave a homeowner risk free from rising or expensive energy costs.


Sources: 1) "Solar Energy". Donald Rapp, Ph.D, 1981. Prentice Hall, Inc.
              2) "Solar Power your Home for Dummies". Rik DeGunther, Wiley Publishing, Inc.