Solar BasicsIPED Financing Renewable Energy Conference - Washington D.C. May 21, 2009Generate change. Choose solar!

Presented By: Richard Raeke

Director of Project FinanceBorrego Solar Systems

Presentation Outline• Current Energy Problem• Utility Solar • Distributed Generation• Solar Technologies• Components• Design Considerations• Case Studies

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Borrego Solar Systems, Inc.Company highlights:• Leading provider of turnkey

photovoltaic systems• 29 years of solar experience• Completely integrated set of services• Offices on both coasts• Can mobilize anywhere for large

projects• Over 800 projects completed in CA

and MA

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Borrego Solar Systems, Inc.Services and qualifications:• Design, engineering and

consulting

• Project development, feasibility studies and financial modeling

• Permitting and utility interconnection

• Warranties, service and maintenance

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Current energy problemWhere our energy comes from:

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Fossil fuels make up 86% of US Energy Supply. Solar only contributes .06%

*Source: Energy Information Administration. Part of US Department of Energy

Current energy problemProblems with current energy sources:• Supply• Global warming• Pollution• Limited Sources

– Need to import• Reliance on Middle East• Volatile prices

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Solar as a solution• Abundant local supply• No emissions

– Global warming– Pollution

• Coincides with peak demand• Less distribution losses• Stable fuel prices• Creation of Jobs

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Solar Technologies

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Utility Scale• Large Projects – 5 MW+ • Solar is tied into the grid• Built by utility companies or by Independent Power Producers• Can be CSP, co-generation facilities

Distributed Generation• System tied into customer’s meter (net metering)• Off sets on-site load • Usually solar PV

Grid tied photovoltaics

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PV system overview:

Grid tied photovoltaicsNet Metering

• The systems stays attached to grid• When panels produce excess

power, the meter spins backwards• This builds up credit with the

utility company, preferably at the retail rate

• During off hours, customers use those credits to offset their bill

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Solar Components• Solar Modules

– Reliability is most important factor– Crystalline silicon is market leader– Many unproven thin film (or nano)

products under development• Inverter

– Brains of a solar electric system– Limit efficiency and performance

• Racking– Needs to be designed for >30-year lifetime– Aluminum or Hot Dipped Galv steel

required– Different solutions for different applications

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TechnologyTerminology and definitions:• Solar Cell

– Power producing unit– Usually made of Silicon

• Solar Module– Also called solar panel– Solar cells wired together– Encapsulated in glass

• Solar Array– Modules in series and parallel

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Solar modules• Largest single cost in system• Up to 60% of system cost• Typically Silicon based cells• Single crystal, multi-crystal, or

amorphous• Amorphous less efficient• Glass encapsulate• Aluminum frame• Requires grounding• Available with black frames• 25-year warranty is standard

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Inverters• Convert DC power to AC power• Efficiencies 94.5-98% conversion• Battery backup power not standard• Inverter limits production of system

– Inverter selection is very important

– Inverter failures are more common than module failures

• 10-year warranty standard

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Design considerationsOrientation:• West to Southeast are acceptable

orientations• South face produces most power• West face produces more peak

power • Lower pitch = more flexibility• Flat roofs work well• Rack at 10 degree pitch to

promote runoff

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Design considerationsArray:

• Age and condition of roof• Obstructions

– Vents, HVAC, pipes, etc.– Shade from trees or buildings

• Roofing material• Support structure• Attachment method• Topography and soil conditions

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Design considerationsOther important factors:

• NEC Article 690• Grounding• Stringing• Shading• Wind speed – exposure

category• Matching modules• Temperature & voltage

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Padre Dam Municipal Water District

862 kW – Santee, CA

University of California – San Diego

880 kW – San Diego, CA

Warner Brothers

538 kW – Burbank, CA

Villa Nueva

697 kW– San Ysidro, CA

Mishawum

480 kW – Charlestown, MA

Mosaica

130 kW – San Francisco, CA

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Accelerate the adoption of Renewable Energy

www.borregosolar.com

IPED May 2009Solar Basics

Richard RaekeDirector of Project FinanceBorrego Solar Systems, Inc.

rraeke@borregosolar.com(510) 849-5414

www.borregosolar.com