Solar Southwest Florida

“I have a 2,500 square foot house. How much solar can you put on it?”

It’s a question every solar professional has heard, and a question that is almost always answered starting with, “It depends on…”

I wish the answer was easy. Unfortunately, it does depend on… a lot! What shape is your home? What is the roof pitch? How is the home oriented, and what side faces south? What obstructions are present? Is it a hip or gable roof, a combination, or a hybrid roof design? Are there any obstructions that could cause shade like trees, chimneys, power lines, neighboring buildings, etc?

I’ll show you why there is no simple answer or rule-of-thumb.

Here is an example of two homes that are both 2,500 square feet, but are vastly different in terms of how many solar panels can fit on the roof because of the shape of the home. The home on the right has the exact same floor space, but the roof is cut up into many more sections, reducing the number of solar panels possible.

The number of solar panels depends on the shape of the home.

The type of roof framing can have a dramatic effect on the number of solar panels. A hip roof cannot accommodate the same number of panels as a gable roof as shown below. These homes have the exact same floor plan (footprint) but dramatically different roof space.

Gable Roofs Accommodate More Solar Panels

The orientation also has a big impact on solar panel placement. Take a look at the two identical homes below that are located across the street from one another.

The same home model may accommodate fewer solar panels due to orientation.

We have fantastic tools available to tell us how many solar panels will fit on your home. We can look at aerial images, property appraiser data, take physical measurements, or even make a 3D computer model of your home! If you want to know how many solar panels will fit on your roof, don’t expect a quick answer in casual conversation. Give us a little time, tell us where you live, and let us come see your home so we can advise you properly on how many solar panels will fit on your roof!

Most people are surprised to learn that a typical solar photovoltaic (electric) system does not provide power when the utility company electricity goes down. Most solar photovoltaic systems are grid-interconnected, and in a way, grid-dependent. Due to the variable nature of solar panel output, having power during utility outages requires a battery.

Let me say up front that batteries are relatively expensive, dirty, dangerous, short-lived, inefficient, heavy, and big. That’s why I typically don’t recommend battery based solar energy systems. However, I was reminded recently that I should listen to our customers and understand a little better what their goals are. There may be a good application for battery technology in many circumstances. For example, I shouldn’t dismiss a customer who just wants to have their refrigerator powered by solar energy. This may be a great fit for solar energy!

Boats and RVs have been using 12V or 24V DC refrigerators for many years, and some models can be extremely efficient. What if you could have a small refrigerator with one or two solar panels and a few batteries. Perhaps this would fulfill the essential refrigeration functions required during and after a storm. I could be done relatively inexpensively and be made reliable with proper system design.

An expensive part of a battery based solar energy system is the electronics to convert the solar panels’ DC energy to AC energy for household appliances and lighting. System design, engineering, permitting, and wiring (or rewiring) also add substantially to the cost. If you are able to identify clearly what you want to power during an outage, it can make a battery-based solar energy system a much more cost effective and reasonable solution.

You can do just about anything with a battery based solar photovoltaic system – for a price. Once you break it down the the real essentials, the concept becomes a lot more feasible. I’m ready to hear your battery backup needs, and I promise I won’t be so quick to dismiss the idea!

As a financial analyst by education, I’m surprised at how few posts I’ve made on the investment returns of solar energy products. Residential solar energy systems provide a return on investment that rival investments of similar risk. One factor that is often left out of financial analyses is the impact of personal income taxes, not from the perspective of tax credits, but from the perspective of electricity costs. Let me explain…

When you pay for your utility bill each month, you are probably paying with money from your checking account. This is money upon which you have presumably paid taxes, or will pay taxes. Let’s say your utility bill is $160 this month. Let’s also assume that your marginal tax rate (the rate you pay on your next dollar of earnings) is 20%. How much did you have to earn to pay the $160 utility bill?

$160 / (1-20%) = $200

Let’s assume that you install solar panels that produces enough energy to reduce your electricity bill by $160 this month. You will have “earned” $160, and no taxes are due! Why is this important?

We often compare the investment in solar energy systems with other investments with similar risk profiles. For example, a stock may provide a dividend yield, but that investment income is taxable. We should be looking at pre-tax rather than after-tax cash flows. You would have to earn a $200 dividend to equal a $160 cash savings on your utility bill!

This fact is usually left out of the financial analysis performed when evaluating a solar energy system’s investment performance. Most financial models are too simplistic, understandably so, because there are already a multitude of factors that go into the analysis making it quite complex and sensitive to a few key variables. Moreover, changing and unpredictable tax rates and structures over the 25+ year lifetime of a solar energy system make taxation a difficult and risky factor to include in the analysis. However, savvy investors know that taxation plays a large part in investment planning, and can be an important decision-making factor.

If you are in a higher tax bracket, expect to be in a higher bracket in the future, or expect tax rates to increase, the savings are amplified and the decision to invest in a solar energy system is that much easier!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SUMMARY:
On August 9, 2012 Fafco Solar, a Cape Coral solar company, will host a Learn About Solar Energy event in order to provide answers to the public’s questions about solar power and it’s available technologies.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Jason Szumlanski – VP
Fafco Solar
(239) 574-1500
Jason@FafcoSolar.com

CAPE CORAL, FLORIDA (July 12, 2012) Before America was even considered a country, Swiss scientist Horace de Saussure, in 1764, discovered solar radiation; capturing the sun’s light and heat for use as an energy source. Then in 1839, a French physicist named Becquerel identified the photovoltaic properties of the sun’s energy which lead to further discoveries between the sun and its uses in generating electricity. The spirit of these pioneers continues today. Advances in solar power design and application have been exceptional, allowing mankind to tap into this continuous, green energy resource called solar power.

Fafco Solar of Southwest Florida has provided renewable energy solutions to its customers for over 35 years and remains current with all solar power technologies. On August 9, 2012, this Cape Coral solar company will host a Learn About Solar Energy event at Larson Education Center, 1400 Colonial Boulevard #44, Fort Myers, FL 33907. From 6pm to 8pm, an informative presentation on the various kinds of solar energy that are popular in Southwest Florida will be given. Interactive and hands-on-displays of the latest and various solar panels, along with other solar technologies, will be available for examination.

Company Vice President Jason Szumlanski explains the event’s purpose, “So much has been said about solar energy in the news recently. I want to help people cut through the rhetoric and provide answers to their solar energy curiosities. There are huge advantages to solar power and both the Federal Government and utilities are offering incentives for people who want to improve their home or business through the use of sustainable energy.”

Congress passed, The Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008, significantly expanding and extending the corporate and individual investment tax credits for solar power investments, through the end of 2016. In brief terms, homeowners who install a solar energy system may be eligible for a tax credit of 30 percent of installed costs. Additionally, utility incentives abound. For example, FPL is currently making available a $1,000 rebate for residential customers installing solar water heating systems. Commercial interests are also eligible for rebates. Incentives and Tax Credits are just some of the many topics to be covered during the event.

Other topics presented will include:

• The SWFL solar marketplace and history
• Currently viable solar technologies
• Connecting to the utility grid
• Solar with battery backup systems
• Monitoring your solar energy system (with a demonstration of real working systems)
• Return on Investment
• Financing and Leasing
• Myths about solar

“We want people to have a chance to have their questions about solar answered, without bias and high pressure sales tactics. The technologies exist for people to improve their world and environment through solar power. We want people to be informed and have the choice to choose what’s best for them,” added Szumlanski.

Products such as solar pool heaters, solar water heaters, solar electric systems, solar tubular skylights, solar attic fans and solar pool pumps will be available for inspection and professional staff will be available for questions throughout the event.

Event registrations will be taken by phone, (239) 574-1500 or by web form at http://www.fafcosolar.com/go/Learn.

ABOUT FAFCO SOLAR:
The Fafco Solar Team is a dynamic blend of talent and dedication. This Cape Coral solar company is committed to giving professional customer service. Fafco Solar is the oldest and most trusted name in solar energy in Southwest Florida. With over 244 years of pooled solar energy experience, the Fafco Solar Team is committed to reducing your use of fossil fuel. To find out more, call Fafco Solar at (239) 574-1500 or visit them online at http://www.FafcoSolar.com. Also, be sure to check out their blog at: http://www.GoSolarEnergyForLife.com.

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A recent story about a homeowner in Largo, FL casts a shadow on what happens if a neighbor’s trees shade your roof (ref: http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/energy/solar-powered-largo-homeowners-fights-neighbors-trees-gains-little-ground/1231054).

Microinverters Reduce Effects of Shading on Solar Panels

In Florida, we do not have particularly strong solar access laws with regards to shading. If your neighbor builds a second story or plants a tree that shades your solar panels, you are most likely out of luck. But that does not mean you can’t install solar panels and see benefits!

In the past, shading a single panel, or even part of a panel in a solar array could have devastating performance impacts. Today we have access to technologies that make solar arrays more shade tolerant. On of those technologies is the microinverter, which converts sunlight to usable household AC power on a panel by panel basis right on the roof. If part of your solar array is shaded, the unshaded panels will continue to perform.

Keep in mind that the sun moves from the east to the the west horizon each day and rises to a varying height in the sky each day dependent on the time of year. Shading may not have the impact you think on a solar array. The best thing to do is have you solar professional do a shading analysis to estimate the impact of an object between your property and the sun throughout the year. Early morning and late afternoon shade typically have a negligible effect on the overall production of a solar energy system.

If you want to learn more about solar access laws, here are some additional resources:

Solar ABCs guide on solar access laws in the US: http://www.solarabcs.org/about/publications/reports/solar-access/pdfs/Solaraccess-full.pdf

Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE): http://www.dsireusa.org/incentives/incentive.cfm?Incentive_Code=FL01R&re=1&ee=1

SunPower is just getting ready to ship the first E20 series panels to dealers in about a week. There is a lot of hype around the most efficient and best performing solar module in the industry for residential and commercial applications. The new E20 Series modules are currently rated at 327W and boast a 20.1% efficiency, an improvement from the 19& efficient E19 series.

My first 3D computer model just came out with the new SunPower modules. They look great!

SunPower E20 327W Photovoltaic Module 3D Drawing

It’s a common question. “How many solar panels do I need to power my ### square foot house?”

The answer is not so simple. In fact, I can’t even give you a rule of thumb. Some industries can tell people a reasonable range for sizing equipment, and often building codes dictate sizing of appliances. For example, an A/C company might tell you that on average you need one ton of air conditioning for every 600 square feet of living area for a Southwest Florida home. A plumber might tell you that you need a minimum 50 gallon water heater for a 3 bedroom, 2 bath home. There is no such approximation with solar energy.

The energy used by a home, and more specifically a homeowner, can vary tremendously (note: homes don’t use energy – people do). My 3,000 square foot home uses about 2,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity each month. I’ve been at a customer’s 2,500 square foot home that uses 3,500 kWh of energy! That would be a range of 0.67 – 1.4 kWh per square foot per month – hardly a useful range to use as a rule of thumb.

Energy use is complicated. People have very different habits, standards of living, and luxuries.

I was at a customer’s home where they had two refrigerators in the garage. That is the worst place to put a refrigerator in Florida (because of the ambient temperature). But two?! They were wondering why their electric bill was so high despite the installation of solar products. I think I have an idea…

Pool homes consume more energy generally. Old air conditioners and poor insulation cause poor efficiency for cooling. Some people run incandescent lights in their yard 12 hours a day. And many times, habits are the cause.

Even the utility company averages have little value. LCEC and FPL report about 1,100 kWh per residential account. However, that includes small condos, separately metered buildings, manufactured homes, and seasonal residents. It’s not a good metric to use – just about every customer we visit consumes more than the “average.”

What we need to know is how much energy you use. Fortunately, that’s easy to find out. Both utilities in Southwest Florida have online account history that shows you energy use by month. Fafco Solar’s solar advisers can help you figure out how much energy you are using and how many solar panels you need to power your house!

There are lots of Spanish tile roofs in Southwest Florida. There are lots of hip roofs and broken up roof surfaces, too. These present some challenges, but as this picture shows, pretty much anything is possible.

With three different panel lengths in two banks of panels, there is complex plumbing, but it gets the job done – the pool is warm!

The Solar Energy Industry Association (SEIA) reported that Florida dropped from #8 in 2010 to #17 in 2011 for the amount of solar electricity capacity installed. In addition, total installations decreased by 60% from 35 megawatts to 14 megawatts.

Why the big decrease? It’s my contention that the FPL rebate program is stifling the market. That’s right – a rebate intended to encourage solar energy installation had the opposite effect!

The interesting thing is that solar prices have never been lower, even without a rebate involved. The perception about solar needing rebates to be successful is an outdated notion. Getting this message out is on the shoulders of the solar industry, but our reliance on rebates over the years has misplaced our focus.

Let’s hope that we can make a better showing in 2012!

For those of you who don’t know, the largest utility in Southwest Florida, FPL, is giving away money – lots of money! If you ever had an interest in solar panels, NOW is the time to act. There is money available for solar electric systems and solar water heating systems, and combined with record low prices on solar panels, this is an amazing opportunity. The program is a huge success, but I want to talk about how FPL can improve the Solar Rebate Program, especially the rebate for solar electric panels.

FPL is offering $2 per watt of installed system rating with a residential limit of $20,000 (for a 10 kilowatt system). Smaller systems qualify for the same $2 per watt rebate amount. Most homeowners install around 5kW and receive a $10,000 rebate. How can this be improved? REDUCE the rebate amount!

What?! Huh?! No – don’t say that!!! You’re in the solar business!

Stay with me here as I explain. The first round of rebate funding ran out in under 15 minutes. That’s how much demand there was. That’s how unbelievable this deal is. That’s great, but there are some serious downsides to the program as it stands:

• Only 310 lucky people received a rebate reservation in the first round of funding.
• The first-come first-served system isn’t really fair – it benefits mainly people who can type their application fast on the FPL website. With this level of demand, a lottery would be a more fair distribution of funds. (Note: a lottery could have negative consequences for solar dealers who would not be able to predict future business.)
• Solar contractors must race to get all of their sold systems installed in a 90 day window to have the rebate paid, then there is almost no work for the next 9 months. Who is going to buy solar without a rebate if they know one is right around the corner. This makes it very difficult for qualified solar installers to stay in business and employee people year-round.

If the rebate program can “sell out” in under 15 minutes to 310 customers, how long would it take to sell out at $1 per watt? 50 cents? 25 cents? How many more people would install systems?

If FPL’s goal is truly to get more installed solar capacity in Florida, they would get the best bang for their buck by reducing the rebate amount to maximize the amount of solar electricity installed! Under the current scenario, FPL actually reduces the amount of solar energy installed in Florida, and essentially controls the market. They can predict quite well how much solar will be installed in a given year, and maybe that is their intention. The math is quite simple – if they devote half of the $15.5M annual program budget to photovoltaics, somewhere around 3.75 megawatts per year would be installed and interconnected to the utility.

Imagine the impact if the rebate amount were reduced. I’m willing to bet that if the rebate amount were cut to 50 cents per watt, 1/4 of the current amount, that four times the number of systems would be installed, especially if the installation window were increased to 9-12 months. This would help bring much more solar power to the utility’s system, and would keep solar dealers humming along installing systems year-round, employing more people and creating a greener future for everyone in Florida.

What is FPL’s motivation? What constraints exist from the Public Service Commission approved program? I don’t know all of the answers, but I’d sure like to hear from FPL about my proposal!

I was just notified that some solar photovoltaic (electric) panels were stolen from a doctor’s office in Naples, FL yesterday. NBC 2 News asked me to comment on the story. Although we did not install the panels, I appeared on the evening news giving my take on stolen solar panels.

NBC-2 Story Here

Here is what you need to know:

Homeowners and Business Owners

• Your homeowners insurance normally covers solar panels that are properly permitted and installed on your home or business. They become part of the structure and property, and are every bit as insurable as the air conditioning unit and other parts of your home.
• It isn’t easy to steal solar panels. While basic hand tools or battery operated tools are all that’s required, the panels weigh almost 50 pounds, and maneuvering them on the roof is not for the faint of heart.
• This is the first incident of solar photovoltaic panel theft that I have heard of in Southwest Florida.
• There are theft mitigation options like security bolts and cables, but these are easily thwarted with cutting tools. I would generally not recommend these options unless there is a serious risk of theft due to location or the location is unattended and isolated.
• The solar panels represent a small fraction of the total cost of the system in today’s market. The other components, services, and labor represent a far greater share of the cost.
• In most solar electric systems, a suitable replacement panel must be found. Because the industry changes quickly, this can be a challenge. Not only is the same size solar module important, but the electrical characteristics must match. If you are lucky, the same module is still available. If not, there are options. You will need an experienced solar dealer to help you through the replacement.

Thieves

• You are nuts. You risk electrocution by up to 600V exposed electrical wires on the roof.
• If the electricity does not kill you, the fall probably will.
• The value of a solar panel is about 1/4 what it was just a few years ago. It only represents 25%-33% of the total cost of a solar energy system. It is silly to steal the panels, because without “everything else,” you aren’t going to be able to use it in your home. You can’t steal “everything else.”
• There is essentially no scrap value for the panel.

The risk of solar panel theft is low based on the historical record. If you do experience a loss, call your insurance carrier immediately, then call Fafco Solar to get a replacement quote!

A Bonita Springs, FL home with BIPV

Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) describes solar panels that are integrated with a roof. The solar panels replace roofing tiles, and create a seamless appearance with the roof, other than the color, which is typically dark blue or black.

The benefit of BIPV is the appearance. That’s generally where the benefits end. The downsides are numerous:

• In most cases, it’s more expensive to integrate BIPV, even though the solar panels replace roof tiles.
• The energy produced is about one-fourth what is attainable using traditional solar modules (crystalline-silicon) in the given area.
• The return on investment is typically far lower.
• The 2010 Florida Building Code that goes into effect 3/15/12 places increased requirements on BIPV products, which may significantly increase the cost of a BIPV installation.
• BIPV installation requires special training that your average solar installer may not possess.

If your primary consideration is aesthetics and you prefer the look of BIPV, you might be a candidate for this technology. Hopefully the technology will advance to the point that it is economically competitive. For now, I do not recommend or sell the product, and I am not aware of any major local solar installer that does.

My colleagues will tell you that I am rarely wrong, and my wife will tell you that I rarely admit to being wrong. Well, here it goes. I was wrong!

A while back I wrote that all that matters for making a solar electric purchase decision is dollars per watt. I recently attended a Sunpower sales meeting. Fafco Solar is becoming a Sunpower authorized dealer through Abacus Energy Partners. I was very surprised and excited about what I learned. Sunpower offers some unique technologies that make the total output of its solar modules greater over their lifetime then competitive technologies. Sun power modules result in lower degradation over time and produce more kilowatt hours then competitive modules.

Although sun power modules cost more than lower-priced competitors the increase in total lifetime energy output makes up for the increase in power/energy.

What really matters is dollars per kilowatt-hour not dollars per watt.

My previous article was somewhat accurate, in that dollars per watt is all that matters in a class of module where deficiencies are generally the same and manufacturing methods are similar. In the case of similar solar module manufacturing technologies, dollars per watt is in fact a good indicator of what you should purchase because generally speaking all module manufacturers use a similar process, similar materials, and have similar energy densities per unit of area.

I was pleasantly surprised that the premium for the Sunpower brand is only around 20% in today’s retail solar market. Between the extra energy produced over the lifetime of a Sunpower panel and the peace of mind gained by having a superior product, I can now recommend this brand despite the higher dollar per watt price of the PV module.

Take a look at these videos from Sunpower that demonstrate the Sunpower Advantage. Once you see the quality and technology that goes into this manufacturer’s products you will understand the rationale for the premium price.

NOTE: See UPDATE at the bottom of this post.

Southwest Florida is starting to see all Lamar Advertising’s Billboards getting solar panel upgrades. My frustration level with this project is quite high already, first because I believe it was ill-conceived greenwashing, but also because it was poorly implemented. Here is a picture of a billboard in Fort Myers (which thankfully does not host Fafco Solar’s advertisement). Can you spot anything wrong?

Lamar Advertising Solar Billboard in Fort Myers on US41

Lamar used cookie-cutter prefabricated steel racks on their billboards. It would have been far more efficient to install all of these 12 solar panels on a single rack system, purpose-built for the billboard. But that is not the main problem here.

This system was installed by an electrician, whose name I will not mention. Electricians are authorized by Florida Statute to install solar electric systems. That does not make them experts, and here is a prime example. Still looking for the reason that this was done wrong?

A rack mounted solar array at optimal tilt and orientation has all solar panels facing the same direction.

There is only one ideal tilt angle and compass orientation for grid-connected solar photovoltaic systems in Southwest Florida. This tilt angle and orientation will harness the maximum amount of solar energy over the course of a year. Unless there are other cost, aesthetic, or technical reasons for an alternate orientation, solar panels should always be installed in manner that maximizes solar output. All six of the solar arrays are installed with different tilt angles and different compass directions. Although they are generally pointing south, and at a reasonable tilt angle, there is no physical constraint that would cause someone to design the system this way. Plus, it looks terrible.

The optimum tilt and orientation for solar modules can be found using publicly available resources that use a long history of local weather and solar radiation. It’s no secret where to find this information. The National Renewable Energy Labs is the preeminent source used in the U.S. to help solar installers maximize performance under given circumstances.

I would love to give Lamar and the installer the benefit of the doubt, thinking that this would be a test system to see what orientation works out best. After all, each of the six arrays features it’s own microinverter (the now obsolete Enphase D380). It would be easy to monitor each array to determine which produces the most energy over time. However, I can’t imagine this was the intention. I believe it is just a sloppy installation, bordering on complete incompetence.

The lesson: hire a solar professional, preferably someone local.

UPDATE February 29, 2012:

I have been having a lively discussion with Lamar’s Director of Sustainability and Product Research both in the comments below and by email. I am happy to report that the solar panels were askew in the picture above at the time of an upgrade to a digital billboard. It certainly makes sense that more solar capacity is present on this billboard than others, as the electrical draw will by significantly greater. I’m not sure how “sustainable” it is to use an electronic billboard, but it does look great and at least it is powered in part by solar energy.

It’s clear to me now that Lamar does take this project very seriously. After all, just having a Director of Sustainability shows significant commitment. We have a legitimate and passionate disagreement about how the money was spent on this project, and that’s fine with me. My position is borne out of financial reason. His position is that I am being short-sighted.

To be clear, I acknowledge that Lamar is vigorously and sincerely trying to encourage people to use solar energy, and that they are dedicated to a prominent sustainability program. I also appreciate the Director of Sustainability’s passion in defending the program.

There’s no perfect way to spend money to encourage people to “go solar.” Case in point is FPL’s $15.5M per year funding of its solar rebate program. Of this money, $5.6M was allocated to residential solar electric projects in the first round of financing for 2011, resulting in 2.8 megawatts of solar electric capacity (estimated based on the $2/w rebate amount). That’s a much better bang-for-the-buck than Lamar got with it’s spending to encourage solar energy. By the way – the funds for the rebate were exhausted in about 15 minutes after the rebate windows was opened. But, there have been negative consequences of the program. Primarily, the funding strategy limits the number of  ”lucky winners” in a very short window and discourages adoption of solar energy by those that cannot access a rebate because of the perception that solar energy needs rebates to be viable.

I have to ask – how much solar capacity has been installed in Florida as a result of the $2.5M of Federal grant money and $10.0M investment made by Lamar? Unfortunately, unlike the FPL rebate program, Lamar’s advertising campaign does not have people banging down the doors of solar dealers in Florida. I should probably be saying “thank you” for the free advertising, but I still contend that it’s solar done wrong.

One of our solar installers, Cory, took these great pictures of a Solar PV (Electric) System that Fafco Solar is installing in Fort Myers. on a new home in Town & River. This is a super looking system using Canadian Solar CS6P-235P solar modules at 235W each, Enphase microinverters, Unirac mounting system, and non-penetrating S-5! clamps on a standing seam metal roof.

This customer will enjoy the best product installed by the best company installing solar energy products in Fort Myers. Call Fafco Solar for your solar energy needs today!