Solar Southwest Florida

Florida House Bill 0277 (2013) has passed both the House and Senate unanimously. This bill makes official the de facto standard used by county property appraisers that excludes renewable energy (i.e. solar energy, wind energy) systems from assessed property values. This exclusion was inadvertently removed from law during a previous congress in 2008. Various attempts have been made to reenact the exemption, with no success until now.

According to the Florida Solar Energy Industries Association, “The bill implements a constitutional ballot initiative approved in the 2008 general election by Florida voters, which prohibits adding the value of certain home improvements specific to the installation and operation of a renewable energy source device and increasing the level of wind resistance protection to the assessed value of residential property. ”

I’ve been hyper-critical about the do-nothing Florida legislature in the past, but this appears to be a long-overdue victory for the Florida solar energy industry. I’ll give credit to them for finally getting it done. While the real impact of the new law will be minimal, at least it provides some peace of mind for those thinking of installing solar energy systems.

The exemption technically covers new solar energy installations completed after January 1, 2013, but based on the last 4-5 years of de facto exclusions, it is unlikely that any property appraisers will have an appetite to assess systems installed prior to this date. The broad definition covers most solar energy property including on-grid and off-grid (battery backup) solar electric systems, solar pool heaters, solar water heaters, solar attic fans, solar tubular skylights, and associated solar energy equipment.

House Bill 0277 is on the Governor’s desk for signature. Governor Scott is expected to sign it.

The Senate bill summary page can be found here: http://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2013/277

The full text of the bill can be read here: http://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2013/0277/BillText/er/PDF

With so many people in Southwest Florida preparing to head north for the summer, Fafco Solar is getting lots of calls from people with solar panels. How do you get your solar pool heater ready for summer?

If you are not planning to use your solar pool heater in the summer, the most important thing you can do to protect your system is to drain and isolate it completely. Most of the systems Fafco Solar has installed, and all of the systems we have installed in recent years, have isolation valves that allow you to stop the flow of water into and out of the solar panels and roof plumbing. Just closing the 3-way solar bypass valve is not enough. There are two ways that water can continue to rise to the roof when the bypass valve is closed (through the return line if there is no check valve present and through a small hole in the 3-way valve that is present for daily draining purposes).

Solar Pool Heat Valves Closed (Isolated)

If you do not drain your system completely, water can stagnate in the panels and plumbing causing excessive temperatures. While usually not a problem, occasionally this leads to severely warped or swollen PVC pipe on the roof. Black pipe exhibits this problem more than white pipe, but extreme temperatures can also cause white pipe to discolor and warp. This phenomenon may be more pronounced in Southwest Florida due to our long, hot summer and numerous part-time residents. Roof plumbing issues due to improper operation of your system is not covered under warranty.

Your system is likely plumbed to drain automatically when the pool pump is turned off, or a manual drain may be installed. To isolate your system, first turn your pump off, let the system drain completely for a couple of hours (or drain panels manually if necessary). If you are able, opening the lower header end cap on the roof is a fail-safe way to make sure your panels are completely empty. Once the system is completely drained, close your isolation valves. Please keep reading, especially if you have automated valves!

It is critical that the 3-way solar bypass valve remains in the solar-off (bypass) position. If the 3-way valve is turned to the solar-on position and the isolation valves are closed, your pump will “dead head,” possibly causing catastrophic failure of your plumbing or pump.

Click here for additional information about how to identify open and closed valves.

If you have an automated controller, there are multiple ways to turn your solar pool heater off, but generally speaking you can turn the desired temperature down as far as it can go. Some controllers have manual off switches. The motorized actuator on the 3-way solar bypass valve has a switch that can be used to stop the valve from turning. Unless you are very comfortable with your automation system and/or pool valves, it is not recommended that you attempt to isolate your solar pool heater for the summer without professional assistance. For a nominal charge, Fafco Solar can come out to fully drain and isolate your system and return after summer to start, test, and optimize your system.

What is the ideal pool temperature in Southwest Florida? We ask people all the time, “what’s your desired pool temperature?” We get all kinds of answers, but usually it’s a number in degrees. I’d like to point out that it’s all relative!

An unheated pool today in Fort Myers was around 74°F. The outdoor temperature reached 84°F in clear sunny skies today. Getting into a 74°F pool might as well get you an honorary membership to the Polar Bear Club. Okay, maybe it’s not that bad, but a pool that is ten degrees cooler than the ambient temperature sure feels cold, especially at first. Even if you consider 74°F very comfortable, as my Canadian family might, the initial shock of a cold pool may make you think twice about enjoying your pool – and that’s a shame!

Naturally, this is the time of year that people start wanting to use their pools. Daytime temperatures are rising. Family and friends are visiting. Kids are on Spring Break. The disappointment of shockingly cold temperatures is enough to cause buyers remorse for that expensive pool in your backyard. The fact is, pool temperatures lag ambient air temperatures significantly, and most people do not get the enjoyment they want from “the most expensive room in their home” at the time when it’s more desirable to swim.

The solution, of course, is a solar pool heater. A typical solar heated pool in Southwest Florida today was 84°F - 89°F. Pools that remain covered when not in use are typically 5°F warmer. A customer told me today that his pool had reached 92 degrees and he had to turn his solar pool heater off for the first time this season already!

A solar pool heater remains important even into summer, especially for people who hate the initial shock of a relatively cool pool. Even an 85°F pool feels cold at first when it’s 95°F outside. It’s all relative!

P.S. A solar pool heater with an automated controller can actually cool your pool at night. If you like to really cool off on a hot summer’s day, we can make that relative temperature a reality, too!

Tonight I was invited to part of a panel before a public group at the Naples Community Hospital. I guess you could call it a Solar Panel.

Here is the text of my brief speech:

“I would like to address the most common misconception about solar energy: Solar energy is expensive and cannot survive without government and utility incentives.

The most common solar product installed in Southwest Florida is not solar electric or solar water heating for the home; it’s solar pool heating. Solar thermal energy has been effectively heating pools for four decades in Southwest Florida, and forms the bread and butter of the local solar energy industry. For virtually all of the 38 years that my employer has been installing solar pool heaters, there have been no rebates or tax credits. There has always been a clear and attractive return on investment with solar pool heaters vs. gas or electric heat pumps without any incentives whatsoever.

Solar electricity has long been seen as out-of-reach technology for the masses, and was admittedly expensive in the recent past. What most people don’t realize is that solar electric systems have come down in price dramatically in the last few years. In fact, wholesale solar electric panel costs have come down over 80% in just the last three years! The total installed price of a system has come down by 60%. Here’s a key fact: The cost of purchasing a solar electric system today without incentives is less than the cost of the same system with incentives three years ago! I should mention that there is still a 30% Federal Tax Credit available for solar electric systems.

Some effective solar energy products like solar water heaters currently have great incentives available, but don’t garner much attention. Others like solar attic fans and solar tubular skylights may have no incentives, yet the price point makes them a popular entry-level solar energy product.

Incentives can be very disruptive. They skew the market and create the perception that the true cost of a product is too high for it to stand on its own. The FL State Solar Rebate program (which is long behind us) was underfunded by the Florida legislature and left the industry with a black eye. Incentives encourage sellers to artificially inflate selling prices. Limited incentive programs like some utility rebates create an unfair playing field for potential buyers and ultimately reduce the adoption of customer owned solar energy systems. The solar industry and its customers gladly embraced all available incentives over the years. The news and marketing message from the industry ingrained the public perception that incentives are a fundamental requirement for solar energy.

The local Southwest Florida solar energy consumer has little to worry about when it comes to net installed prices. This happens to be the most price competitive area in the nation for solar pool heating systems, brought on by fierce competition and strong demand. Typical solar electric prices locally are a full $1 per watt lower than the national average – about 20% lower than states that have healthy incentive programs. While incentives have helped spur demand for solar energy in many states, the demand is largely a result of a slew of leasing companies chasing rebates, which has the effect of reducing the dollar benefit to the ultimate consumer. Incentives are, and should be, a short-term stimulus to an emerging industry.

The solar industry has emerged. We shouldn’t worry about solar rebates anymore. The likelihood of expanded Federal programs or new State programs for distributed solar power generation are less than remote. Utility rebate programs currently in place are ineffective and should not be renewed, at least in their current form. The combination of plummeting component costs, a highly competitive local marketplace, and a growing demand for solar products nation- and world-wide is great for the industry. The misconception that solar energy needs incentives to be successful is old news. Hopefully we can put the myth to bed here tonight!”

Note: my actual speech may have varied slightly from what I had prepared.

“How much will it cost to get me off the grid?”

It’s not a bad question. You’re probably just asking the wrong question about solar energy. Why is it the wrong question?

1. You probably don’t want to “get off the grid.”
2. What you probably mean is, “how much is it going to cost me and how much am I going to save?”

You’re not alone – just about everyone starts their journey into solar thinking they are going to say goodbye to the utility company.

Getting “off the grid” technically requires eliminating your connection to the utility grid. The fact of the matter is that running a home or business on solar energy and stored energy alone is usually very expensive, requires quite a bit of maintenance, and may require that you change your lifestyle significantly. You probably want to stay connected to the grid and offset your electricity bill while selling excess energy back to the utility company at a fair price. Does that sound like what you meant to say?

Once we get over this initial clarification about solar energy, the learning process goes much better. There is a chance that you do want to “get off the grid,” or maybe you want battery backup with solar energy instead of a generator. If that is the case, I can certainly help you with that! The vast majority of people learning about solar energy quickly learn that they just want to save money, change the source of their energy, or contribute to a better future for our planet.

Whether you are interested in truly getting off the grid, or just reducing your bills and dependence on utility electricity, I would be delighted to discuss your solar energy needs. Contact me at (239) 574-1500!

The average price of a gallon of regular gasoline just rose to $3.63 in Southwest Florida. That’s a 15 cent rise over last week’s average. Would people tolerate this if electricity costs were as unpredictable? No way!

How much would you pay if your local gas station was offering a guaranteed price for gasoline for the next 25 years, provided you were willing to pay for a certain amount of your expected usage up front? Let’s just say you wanted to buy enough gas now to drive 10,000 miles per year for 25 years. Let’s also assume that you will average 35 miles per gallon over that time. You would need to buy 7,143 gallons of gas now. Would you pay $4.00 per gallon to do so?

Sure, you would be paying more for gasoline than it costs now, and you would need to come up with about $28,500, but wouldn’t you look like an absolute genius if gasoline prices doubled in 10 years.

Think about what gas prices were 10 years ago. Did you know that gas prices in UK and Germany are over $8.00/gallon today?

If the average price of gasoline is just $6.00/gallon over the next 25 years, you will have saved $14,286 by hedging against increasing prices! What if gas prices go above $8? $12? More?!

Electric companies have the luxury of being able to recover all of their costs through regulation. They do a pretty admirable job of keeping prices stable by hedging against fuel price fluctuation. Unfortunately, the long-term effect is invariably rising electricity prices for consumers.

What if I told you that you can buy residential electricity in advance, locking in a price slightly higher than current rates, or possibly even the same or less than current rates? Doesn’t that sound like a fantastic hedge against the risk of rising prices? Is there really any risk of decreasing prices?

It’s the same financial offer as the gasoline example above. Is this really possible?

Yes!

Solar electric systems offer this fantastic promise TODAY! You will get a reliable and predictable return on your investment with solar electricity. More importantly, solar electricity allows you to effectively pay for future electricity generation in advance, locking in the price of electricity, and hedging against ever-rising energy costs.

And just like the gasoline example, you can purchase just a portion of your expected usage. Any amount you are able to purchase today will hedge against future price increases. The more you can purchase today, the more effective your hedge.

Patriot Stor-All, a Bonita Springs storage facility, is installing 76kW of solar power by Fafco Solar. The solar electric system will provide power to tenants in three of the ten buildings on the property, with plans for future expansion to other buildings.

The system features 313 solar panels by Canadian Solar, Enphase microinverters, Unirac Solarmount rails, and EcoFasten Solar mounting brackets on a new TPO roof membrane.

Storage facilities present a huge opportunity for owners who can harvest energy from otherwise wasted roof space and generate additional revenue to maximize productivity of property. Long-term real estate investments in storage facilities are compatible with the safe, reliable, and extended investment profiles of solar energy systems.

The project should be complete in just a couple of weeks.

How a Solar Pool Heater Works

Check out this graphic from FAFCO, the leader in solar pool heating, on how a solar pool heater works!

A solar pool heating system uses your existing pool filtration pump to send cool pool water to solar panels that heat the water. The heated water then returns to your pool. A diverter valve is installed to bypass your solar pool heater when your pool is warm enough, or when the climactic conditions do not permit the solar heater to work effectively. An optional electronic control panel can automate the operation of your diverter valve. If you have an existing pool automation system, the solar pool heating system will work with it!

Source: National Renewable Energy Labs, Tampa, FL Station

Today, December 21, is the shortest day of the year in the northern hemisphere. Today’s hours of sunlight in Southwest Florida will be approximately 10h 28m, three hours and twenty minutes shorter than the longest day. The sun also reaches is lowest height above the horizon, not even 45 degrees at it’s apex. Compare that to almost 90 degrees overhead on June 21.

Based on that, it should be no surprise that December has the lowest monthly solar radiation on average. Solar photovoltaic systems will produce the least energy, and solar pool/water heating systems will generate the least heat. The good news – it all gets better from here. January through April all show increases in solar energy production, with April being the best month on average for solar radiation in Southwest Florida. You might think that June would be the best month, with the longest days and high ambient temperatures. However, the summer months in Southwest Florida feature hazy skies and afternoon clouds that actually result in less solar radiation reaching the earth’s surface.

Incidentally, April is the height of “season” in Southwest Florida, and the time when the majority of people want to enjoy warm pools. The ambient temperature is warm enough for swimming, and solar pool heating systems work great.

Although homes typically use far less energy during the first four months of the year due to low/no air conditioning costs, grid interactive solar energy systems can “bank” energy with the utility company. The home will later draw from the banked credits, resulting in no lost/wasted energy.

While December 21 is not typically the best day for solar energy, we’ve recently been seeing plenty of solar heated pools in the 78-86 degree range – definitely comfortable for swimming. Properly sized solar pool heating systems can provide nearly 12 months of swimming in Southwest Florida (although, nobody really swims when the air temperature drops much below today’s expected high of 65°F). If you want to enjoy your pool in the late winter or early spring, NOW is the time to purchase your solar pool heater. We are extremely busy in solar pool heating season. Get your installation lined up be contacting Fafco Solar!

A big “thank you” to all of the residents of Sandoval in Cape Coral, FL who showed up to hear about solar energy in Southwest Florida. These events are critically important to help get the word out that solar energy is a realistic option for the masses. It’s so interesting to hear the questions and misconceptions that people have about solar energy.

If your community is interested in hosting a learn about solar energy event, we take care of everything. Just give us a venue – I love doing these events! I talk about solar in a practical, no pressure, no obligation  learning environment. Subjects include history of solar in SW Florida; products suitable for our area; prices, price history, and incentives; how solar works; the different kinds of solar; solar tech; emerging solar trends; and more!

The solar industry is relatively young and many new contractors entered the market in the last several years. It’s not uncommon to find the wrong parts used in a solar electric installation. I get to see plenty of solar energy systems installed by other contractors after they are long gone. Some mistakes are understandable (and common). Others are comical (from my point of view). Some are downright dangerous. There are a number of reason this occurs:

• Inexperienced solar contractors simply do not know what parts exist, so they use a common incompatible part.
• Electrical contractors may not be highly experienced with DC electrical components.
• Specialized parts are not available for purchase locally or require long lead times.
• Some parts seem inexplicably high in price, so cheaper alternatives are used.

The picture below (left) shows a strain relief fitting that is not listed for the environment in which it is installed, and is intended for a single wire to pass into an electrical enclosure. The rubber seal is cracking and the metal parts are clearly corroding. Most importantly, water can get into this enclosure because the seal is intended to tighten against one cable or wire.

It’s an easy mistake to make. Multiple hole strain relief fittings are available, but are certainly not well known, and are not widely available, at least in Southwest Florida. Some local electrical supply houses do carry single and multiple conductor strain reliefs, but they are often the wrong size (usually to large) to handle small wires from photovoltaic panels. Strain relief fittings made from nylon with up to 13 holes are not hard to find online, but are not common in local stores.

Part procurement takes a lot of planning, and local solar contractors need to carry an inventory of common parts that are needed in solar electric installations. Knowledge of the availability and suitability of the right parts for solar is key to a long lasting solar energy installation.

It’s just one more reason to hire a Southwest Florida licensed solar contracting professional that does solar installations as a primary line of business.

Here’s a cool interactive panoramic I took with my iPhone of a Solar Pool Heating installation in south Cape Coral, FL.

http://360.io/bWPjLH

It’s that time of year. People start calling to get solar pool heating systems installed as pool temperatures drop. New system owners get to experience the luxury of a warm pool at no operational cost for the first time. Existing system owners are faced with a few common issues.

• “My pool level is going down. There must be a leak.”
• “My solar pool heating won’t turn on.
• “My pool is ‘only’ 80°. Just last week it was 85°.” (Also, “My pool is ‘only’ 80 degrees, but I have the controller set at 85°.”)

Each of these issues can be resolved without a service call in many cases. The answer is often very simple:

Pool Level Going Down

A leak in a solar pool heating system can cause the pool level to go down as pool water leaks from fittings or panels. Tree branches falling on equipment, animals chewing on things, and other physical trauma can occur during the summer when solar pool heating systems are turned off and isolated or bypassed. A leak should be evident, with water coming off the roof, at the equipment pad, or through gutter downspouts. However, there is a more obvious reason for pool levels to go down this time of year… evaporation! Pool owners often forget that dry, sunny, windy weather causes the rate of evaporation to skyrocket this time of year, meaning that you need to periodically add water to the pool. New homeowners often do not realize this fact. A suspected leak may simply be water evaporating faster than recent experience. A few inches per week can easily be lost to the atmosphere this time of year.  (Word of caution: if you suspect an underground leak, contact a pool leak detection specialist to diagnose the problem.)

Motorized Pool Valve Actuator in the Manual Off Position

Solar Pool Heat Won’t Turn On

Solar Pool Heating systems often use automatic controllers and motorized valve actuators to turn the system on and off. If your solar pool heating system is not turning on, your valve actuator may have been placed in the manual off position (middle). You may need to experiment to see in which position the switch should be. Important: if you solar pool heating system has manual 2-way isolation valves, it is critical that you open these valves before turning on your solar pool heating system. Do not adjust your motorized actuator until you confirm that the solar pool heating isolation valves are open. Other reasons for solar pool heating systems not turning on include faulty sensors and incorrect controller settings. A call to your solar pool heating professional may help solve the problem. Otherwise, an annual system tune up is always a great idea to keep your system working properly and optimally.

My Pool is not Warm Enough

As temperatures dip, especially nighttime temperatures, the highest temperature of a solar heated pool will also drop. In Southwest Florida, optimally sized and oriented solar pool heating systems can achieve pool temperatures around 10 degrees higher than the Gulf of Mexico temperature. Higher temperatures are possible with the use of a pool cover, which traps the heat, especially at night. (Pool covers also reduce evaporation significantly.) Although solar heated pools will not reach summertime temperatures this time of year, the temperature is still very comfortable for most people. For example, the Gulf temperature today is 73° and a solar heated pool could be in the low 80′s. Because the high ambient air temperature today is expected to be 72°, an 80° pool will feel quite luxurious! Before you conclude that your solar pool heater is not working as effectively as it should, consult the local Gulf temperature page on the Solar Southwest Florida blog!

If you are still concerned that your solar pool heating system is not working properly or optimally after a long summer with the system off, give Fafco Solar a call and ask for an annual tune-up. It’s a cost effective way to make sure everything is in tip-top shape. Make sure you are home at the time of service and get re-familiarized with your system!

One popular idea for solar panels is using them to make a carport. Carports provide shade and protection from the elements, and produce energy for the property owner. It’s really a great dual-function application.

I recently saw a massive solar carport with hundreds of SunPower panels (Fafco Solar is a SunPower dealer). Can you guess where this is?

Hint: it’s not in SW Florida, and I saw it during my recent travels to the city where FAFCO solar panels are manufactured.

I like beer. That’s not news to people who know me well. I also like solar energy. That’s obvious. How can I best take advantage of this combination? Hmmmmm……

I’ll be in Chico, CA to visit the Fafco Solar panel manufacturing facility later this week. Chico happens to be home of Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, which happens to brew three of my favorite beers – Pale Ale, Torpedo Pale Ale, and Liberty Ale. How convenient!

Sierra Nevada also happens to have one of the largest private roof mounted solar electric systems in the United States. At 2 megawatts, it’s the same rating as the huge ground base solar array at Florida Gulf Coast University. Solar powered breweries are not uncommon, with others like New Belgium and Odell committing to solar energy. Sustainability and brewing go hand in hand, so it’s no surprise. After all, beer is natural, mostly sticking to the four natural ingredients of water, hops, malt, and yeast.

Will I get a chance to see the brewery during my short stay in Chico? Let’s just say it is definitely a priority. The question is, what access they will give me to see the solar energy system? I would love to see how they do things on the west coast, and bring back some thoughts about solar from brewery management.

Incidentally, a brewery is about to open up in my back yard in Naples, FL. No word from Naples Beach Brewery on whether they have any plans for solar energy, but I know just the guy if they decide to go in that direction!