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.

   

NABCEP PV Associate credential success!!

Hey all! I just wanted to thank all of the supporters and well wishes that have stemmed from the beginning of my solar PV journey! I know its not a huge accomplishment, but it certainly is very significant,  and means very much to me. For all who are wondering, the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners, or NABCEP for short, is the No. 1 quality credentialing and certification program involving renewable energy in all of North America. They are a non-profit, non-governmental association that provides an integrity for professionals and consumers alike. The knowledge demonstrated through NABCEP is essential to growing in the solar PV, thermal, technical sales, and wind energy practices. This here is the program's Associate exam, which requires at least 40 hours of basic solar PV training of installation, maintenance, operation, and design. There is also the NABCEP Solar PV Professional Installer Certification, which is ultimately the gold standard of the program and a personal dream of mine. For any more questions about NABCEP, don't hesitate to post a question!!

 

TH/HW: Solar Thermal/Hot Water Systems.

So most of this blog covers PV systems in all aspects. However, I thought it would be beneficial to dedicate a section to solar thermal/hot water systems. The sun is the perfect water heater, since it exposes water from its sunlight with zero pollution. Installing water heating systems in the United States can help reduce our household energy consumption, as well as the nation's unhealthy reliance on toxic fossil fuels. Not only will solar thermal systems operate efficiently in rather sunnier states, but anywhere in the country will do!

How it basically works is the sun heats a solution that is mounted on the rooftop from solar thermal flat plate collectors, or tube collectors. The solution is heated, and then pumped through a heat exchange contained inside the hot water tank. The solution then recirculates back to the rooftop solar collectors, where the cycle continuously repeats, while the heated water in the hot water tank becomes ready and available for utilization.

Source: U.S. Department of Energy EERE consumer's guide

ENG/TECH: The building blocks of solar!

One of the first things I realized about solar PV was that it truly encompasses all forms of engineering and technology! Just think about it! It clearly epitomizes mechanics and electronics, its environmentally-friendly, the integration of buildings and rooftops involves civil and structural studies, and the building process of the solar modules themselves surrounds itself with the use of certain elements and chemicals that produce electricity when facing the sun. This being the first post on design, construction, and installation, I'll keep it short and simple for now.

So in the new millennium, utility-interactive PV systems had just started to open its wings on the world. Only a few inspectors and installers truly knew the codes and requirements involved in the design and execution of PV systems. As costs of PV modules and materials started to decrease, and production of fossil-generated electricity continued to increase, the need for more PV installers and practitioners increased, and actually continues to do so today!! Mounting solar PV systems isn't too hard or complex to learn, but it certainly takes years of experience and practice to master. 

First off, it requires a location that will not be shaded for the most part. It also needs to fulfill structural requirements and tests to that would be fixed or tracked from a certain surface that will be able to withstand wind and earthquake loads, and endure weather over the lifetime of the system. Electrical requirements are also not too complicated, as long as they are securely followed under the NEC regulations for solar PV systems. PV design and layouts may include a variety of installation operations, so the installer and site assessor can submit the appropriate documents and packages for the proposed installation. Finally, building and electrical inspectors need appraisal of PV system simplicity through aesthetic, efficient operation and maintenance of the system. This will have the PV permitting process reasonably streamlined in time so the necessary fees maybe charged, and rebates sent out to consumers.

Source: Messenger & Ventre. "Photovoltaic Systems Engineering." CRC Press, Inc.
  

A Little Catchup!

Hope everyone has been well! After taking off last month, I'm back on with a bang! Lately I've started designing and constructing my own DC-coupled PV solar model used to operate a 12 volt fan. The hours have been long, but its worth it. Its a great way to learn about different elements of design and installation. I'll be posting some pictures as soon as its finished, including the step-by-step process in order of each phase approached. And in case your wondering, the next post will introduce exactly that...design, installation, operation, and maintenance!

ENV/SUS: Environmental Warfare!

So I'm sure we've all once heard before about how solar photovoltaics is this great up-and-coming source of renewable, sustainable energy and can offset loads of atmospheric pollution and help keep the world a healthier place, right? Would you like to know why, or how this is true? Or just what exactly we can do to start improving our methods to produce energy-efficient models? These questions revolve around the subject of our planet's environmental and sustainability models.

In this electronic revolution, the energy industry is lagging way behind. Don't believe me?? Go to your closest coal-fired power station. Its like stepping in a damn time machine! You see, to generate their electricity, facilities similar to these burn fossilized trees dug out of holes in the ground, wasting huge amounts of energy, heat, and water. Through this process, coal is transported and steam is produced, thus cooling it down afterwards. This alone discharges THOUSANDS of tons of mercury-containing, asthma-inducing, atmosphere-warning greenhouse gases! One day, all of our unhealthy, expensive, traditional forms of energy we utilize will become depleted. What will we do then?...

Without a shadow of a doubt, solar energy WILL eventually become the number one electric utility model in the world. A great reason to provide clean air and energy independence however, is not only to make the world a more healthier ecosystem. It also means for a new industry, greater forms of technology, business and market development, green-collar job availability, and overall economic and environmental growth. For decades, American politicians have ignored the issue of energy security. It is time for this country to step up the way I know it can beside countries such as Japan and Germany, the latter of which leads the worldwide solar PV industry. To make this happen successfully, we must ALL get involved! We must push solar on our politicians with no rest! Catastrophic climate change confronts us down the road, and we cannot afford to delay that any longer!


Source: Bob Johnstone. "Switching To Solar." Prometheus Books.
  

FIN/ECO: The Financial World of Solar Technology!

Isn't solar energy just amazing? The sustainable impact,  job openings, and costs that are spared from millions of residential homes and commercial structures alike help prove the positive influence photovoltaics has left on the environmental and economic infrastructures'. I've met dozens of customers from the solar firm I'm currently employed at who can't thank us enough for installing their residential PV systems, bringing along their reduced electric bills. I mean bills going from $250.00 - $300.00, literally down to $10.00 - $20.00 in a matter of months!!

On June 26th of 1997, President Bill Clinton announced the launch of the Million Solar Roofs' Initiative (MSRI) to the United Nations' Session on Environment & Development in New York, claiming that our country "Will now work with businesses and communities to use the sun's energy to reduce our alliance on fossil fuels by installing solar panels on one million or more roofs around our nation by the year 2010." The implementation of this ambitious program has not only succeeded, but surpassed expectations, thus gaining the potential to provide jobs through a sustained effort well through the year 2035! Some other positive effects from the MSRI included job availabilities for thousands of individuals in  highly-technological fields, mass improvements in reduced carbon and sulfur oxide emissions, and many companies and market forces within the country remaining stable, and competitive.

However, significant work in research, development, and public education still need to be done in the field of sustainable and renewable energy, particularly photovoltaics and solar thermal systems. It is up to the engineers, technicians, physicists, and political figures of this generation...OUR generation, to help preserve the world's atmosphere and ozone, save residents from harsh, heavy expenses, and to provide the next generation overall, better opportunities with a healthy planet to strive upon!


Source: Messenger & Ventre. "Photovoltaic Systems Engineering." CRC Press, Inc.

Welcome!

Welcome! Thanks for checking upon my solar site everyone! Its greatly appreciated. Now I'm sure you might be eager to browse around and scope things out, but I'll go ahead here and post a little directory message to clear the air, and let in the sunshine!

"The Enlightenment" will consist many of the interesting components used to shape the solar industry today, including financial and economical aspects (FIN/ECO), the current environmental/sustainable impact (ENV/SUS), design/engineering, maintenance, and installation procedures (ENG/TECH), and solar thermal and hot water systems (TH/HW). I will be posting new articles once a month, so definitely stay updated with what the solar world has to offer. There isn't a day that goes by that solar energy doesn't effect everyone's daily life!

The next section is a short explanation of who I am, and where I'm currently at in my solar career. I think posting about the solar industry is a great way to educate others as well as myself who are willing to acquire more knowledge about solar photovoltaics and hot water, whether that be for educational purposes, DIY project management, or for homeowners just looking to understand their systems a little better.

The next section will include some great literary sources and publications relating to both the solar photovoltaic and thermal/hot water industries. Whether they be code-requirement manuals, catalogs, or professional solar industry subscriptions, I believe a good read is one of the most efficient methods to developing one's knowledge and skills.

Last but not least will be a section providing frequently asked questions that may vary between different solar contractors, project managers, sales representatives, teachers, scholars, and homeowners. Solar is still in its infancy, and many people have various concerns or comments regarding their systems or costs. If you have a general wondering on your mind, this is a great section to be enlightened! Enjoy!