solar assistance: solar heat for low-income families
TRANSCRIPT
Solar Assistance: Solar Heat for Low-
income Families
“Dedicated to making Solar Power accessible to people of all income
levels.”
Programs
4) Research, development and manufacturing
3) Youth Training
2) Solar Contracting
1) Solar Assistance
Solar Assistance
Fuel Poverty
A lack of financial resources that requires families or individuals to
choose between heat and other basic necessities.
Energy Assistance in Minnesota:
• $75 million each year!
Does Energy Assistance offer a long-term solution?
•125,000 Families Served
• 250,000 families apply
• Average allotment: $536
Fuel Poverty
Heating Costs
Energy Assistance Funding
# of Families in Need
CRISIS!
SOLUTION!
Types of Solar Heat
Active Passive
Air Thermosiphon Hot Water
Solar Forced
Air
Water
Passive Home Design
Thermosiphon Air Heater Closed Loop
AntifreezeDrainback
Typical Solar AssistanceSystem Performance
• 3 Collectors (96 Square Feet)• 9 Million Btus per heating season• $4500 installed cost
Solar Assistance Program Eligibility
• Energy Assistance Recipient• Good Solar Site• Weatherized Home• Home Ownership• Sweat Equity
“Efficiency Before Renewables!”
Conventional EfficientIntegrated
efficiency &renewable Conventional energy use
Renewable energy use
Quantity of Energy
?
Solar Rating & Certification Corporation
• An independent nonprofit organization that tests performance and certifies almost every solar water heater on the market today
• Reports efficiency line and annual performance for different climates and temperature uses
Contact informationSolar Rating and Certification Corporationc/o FSEC, 1679 Clearlake RoadCocoa, FL 32922-5703(321) 638-1537E-mail: [email protected]
Costs and Benefits of Solar Assistance
Heating bill reduction method
Initial cost Years until savings exceed cost
Years savings will last
Weatherization* $3,000 8-12 15
New HE furnace** $6,000 20 20
Fuel Assistance $467 NEVER 1
Solar Air Heat $4,500 13-17 50+
Payback Comparisons*Using 20-30% energy reduction rate on a $1,000 initial annual heat bill.** Assuming a 95% efficient furnace replacing a 70% furnace on a $1,000 initial annual heat bill.
Fuel Source Payback Years Simple Payback Years
Return on investment
Propane 13 11 9.1%Fuel oil 15 12 7.9%Natural Gas 21 15 6.6%Electricity 26 15 6.0% LIHEAP Weighted Average
20 15 7.1%
State and Federal Initiatives for Renewable Heat for Low-income
Heating Assistance
MN House File 2137 – Petroleum Inspection Fee to
be used for Weatherization
funding for Solar Heat for Low-
income Families
Federal Weatherization Assistance Program Rule
Change encouraging solar heat for low-
income weatherization (Federal Register v.71
n.120. 6/22/06)
Benefits of Solar Assistance
• Long-term Solution Fostering Self-reliance• Ending program dependency• Clean technology • Compliant with RES• Promotes National Security• Hedge against energy insecurity• Social Justice and Environmental Issues
Addressed with the Same Dollars!
The RREAL Solar
Powered Furnace
Nothing New...
19??
Governing Design Principles
• High Efficiency and Performance• Indoor Air Quality• Durability• Aesthetics• Compatibility with HVAC• Suitable for Small Residential or
Large Commercial Install
Solar Forced Air
Commercial Installation
SPF Calculated Efficiency
RREAL SAH Estimator
8760
1hourhourusableQsavingsEnergy
LuL
Luuusable EQE
EQQQ
,
,
overheatEE
EQE
EQQQ
LL
LuL
Luuusable
1
,
,
*
**
*
0,0
0,1*
HDD
HDDoverheatEE LL
T
aiLRR I
TTUFF ,0max
ground diffuse+sky diffuse bbT RII
aB TbbbE 2,0max10 *
aFUELFUELFUELaELECELECELECB TbbbTbbbE 2,0max102,0max10 **
3. Predicted output for climate:tmy2ifallsM
NOffset elec. Offset fuel
16% 415 0.0mmBtu 41.5 mmBtu
Heating Therms 0 kWh 455 gallons propaneload Yearlyoffset
“Dedicated to making solar energy accessible to people of
all income levels.”