Current clean energy technology
From SPSU Wiki
Subject: SunPower Solar
Robert,
I received your name and contact information from SunPower Corporation as a result of your inquiry regarding solar energy for your home. Thank you for your interest. Below is an email we send to prospective clients as an intro to OneWorld and PV (photovoltaics - solar electricity) in general. It’s loaded with pertinent information and can help you decide if you would like to continue pursuing solar technology.
About OneWorld…
OneWorld Sustainable offers a diverse selection of products and services including solar, wind, and micro-hydro energy generation systems as well as energy efficiency audits and green building renovation for homes, businesses, and institutions throughout the Southeast. OneWorld is responsible for the development of the Georgia Solar Schools Program - an initiative designed to encourage student interest in environmental and social sustainability issues. Our international initiative includes a variety of projects in Kenya, Sudan, Uganda, and Tanzania.
Our work in PV…
OneWorld specializes in grid-tied solar energy systems (also referred to as utility-tied or utility-interactive systems) which use the power of the sun to generate electricity. This solar electricity is used to offset the amount of electrical power you require from your utility during the day. Excess solar generation can be sold back to the utility which is then used to supply energy to the utility’s grid. During dark hours when your PV system is off line your electrical needs are supplied by your utility company.
Following are some general rules of thumb for PV system design that may be helpful with going forward:
1) PV system cost is estimated by dollars per watt installed (“installed” meaning all equipment, permitting, and labor necessary for complete installation). Cost for most of our roof-mounted, grid-tied residential installations is around $8 - $9/watt.
Approximate turnkey cost for a roof-mounted, residential 5000W PV system, for example, could be calculated as follows:
5kW (5000 watts) x $8.50/watt = $42,500 installed (more or less, depending on mounting variables and system size).
2) Typical grid-tied residential installations fall in the 4kW to 8kW size range.
3) 100 sq. ft. of roof space (preferably, flat or south-facing) is required per kW of PV system size (5kW = 500sq. ft. of roof space needed for that size PV system).
4) PV systems are modular and can be increased in size over time as your budget allows.
To determine the amount of useable AC electricity your system will generate, please use the following formula:
If you were to install a 5kW (5000W) PV system:
5000W x 5hrs/day (annual average of approximate hours of solar irradiation per day for your part of the country) = 25Kwh/day DC. 25Kwh/day – 5Kwh DC (20% derate factor for converting DC into usable AC) = 20Kwh useable AC/day or 600Kwh/month.
Again, thank you for your interest in solar for your home. I hope you found the information presented here helpful. If you find that you have questions as you go forward, please don’t hesitate to email me or call me at either of the numbers listed below.
Sincerely,
Pen Smith
(352) 434-1066
p.smith@oneworldsustainable.com
OneWorld Sustainable, Inc
Technology for sustainable living
