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Solar Washington

FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions

• Solar FAQs
• Wind FAQs
• MicroHydro FAQs

SOLAR FAQ's

What is solar electricity?

The sun's energy is captured and converted into DC electricity through a device called a photovoltaic (PV) panel system. A PV panel system converts sunlight directly into electricity anytime the sun is shining, but more electricity is produced when the light is more intense (a sunny day) and is striking the panels. Solar electric panels do not use heat to make electricity. Instead, electricity is produced as electrons are freed by the interaction of sunlight with semiconductor materials in the solar panels.

Solar electric systems use PV cells to convert sunlight into direct current (DC) electricity. PV cells are made from silicon and were originally developed to power spacecraft and space stations. The cells come wired together in panels. A group of panels mounted on a frame is called a PV array.

To provide electricity reliably and safely, PV systems include several pieces of equipment in addition to the PV array. This balance of system components typically includes a charge controller, an inverter, wiring, safety breakers or fuses, and a form of electricity storage (typically batteries).

What are the benefits of solar electricity?
A PV system reduces or eliminates the amount of electricity you purchase from your electric service provider, or it can provide power for sites where no power is available, or where the cost to bring in utility power is prohibitive.. The electricity generated by your PV system is clean, renewable and reliable. Solar technology produces no air or water pollution, is emission free, silent and unobtrusive. It makes it possible for home and business owners to generate their own power from a 100% renewable resource - the sun. It will immediately lower your utility bill, act as a hedge against future price increases, and even add to the resale value of your structure.

Additionally, you help your community by reducing the load on the utility grid and you can provide additional electricity for the grid when you generate more than you use during the day, when electricity demand is highest.

How much solar electricity do I need?
Accurately sizing the components of your solar electric system helps ensure that your system will produce the amount of power you want it to produce at a reasonable rate of return on your investment. Consider what portion of your current electricity needs you would like your PV system to meet. A system should be sized to meet no more than your whole load on the sunniest day of the year, and rely on some grid power or battery backup during winter or on cloudy days. If you reduce your electricity loads, you can generally buy a smaller, less expensive PV system.

In addition to how much electricity you'd like to generate, the size of your system also depends on these factors:
The site's solar resource or available sunlight;
The system's orientation and tilt;
The system's efficiency at converting sunlight to electricity;
Other electricity sources, like a utility, a wind turbine, or a fossil fuel generator.

PV systems are classified by their rated power output (the peak power they produce when exposed to solar radiation of 1000 watts per square meter at a module temperature of 25°C). Systems rated between 1 and 5 kilowatts are generally sufficient to meet most of the needs of home and small business owners.

The easiest way to size your solar electric system is to have Fire Mountain Solar come to your home and perform a site analysis and load assessment. We have the experience and tools necessary to gather the data needed for the calculations, and will design a PV solar system package to meet your needs. Purchase your system based on your budget, your present needs, and future expansion potential for more solar electric power and/or batteries.

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Is my site a good place for a solar system?
Your site must have clear, unobstructed access to the sun. Buildings, trees or other vegetation should not shade your site. South-facing roof exposure is best, but roofs facing east and west may be OK. If a rooftop is not available, your PV system can also be mounted on the ground.

Does a PV system replace an electric utility?
A. PV systems are typically used as either stand-alone systems or grid-connected systems (also known as grid-interactive or grid-tie systems). The role of photovoltaics in these two types of systems is very different, and the design decisions and performance requirements are very different as well.

Stand-alone PV systems generate all of the on-site electricity needs of a home. Therefore, they are not connected to any electric utility. Stand-alone systems can provide AC or DC electricity, and typically include batteries to store electricity for use when the sun is not shining. Stand-alone systems are often cost-effective when installed in remote areas where access by electric utilities is difficult and expensive.

Grid-connected PV systems are typically sized to meet 50% or more of a home's electrical load. These systems are not always sized to meet all of the electricity loads of a house because of the higher upfront costs associated with purchasing a larger system. A larger system will cost less per kilowatt-hour generated due to the economies of scale associated with manufacturing processes. Thus, a grid-connected system will generate all or part of the electricity required in a home, while the remaining electricity loads are met by the utility.

Isn't solar expensive?
At first it may seem that a solar electric system is expensive, but solar is actually much more economical than utility power. Many states and utilities have incentives and/or rebates, and the Federal government offers a $2000 deduction for installing an alternative energy system.

After the state rebates and tax credits, if you finance the system over it's warranty period, the monthly cost of solar will run about the same as your current electric bill. The big advantage is that this cost will never increase, while the cost of electricity from the utility has increased at an average rate of 6% per year over the last 30 years. Solar is a great investment for the long term.

Do I need to buy a system that will eliminate my electric bill?
No. Many people buy systems that only eliminate part of their electric bill. The utilities have adopted a rate structure that increases the cost of electricity as you use more of it. Many people choose a system that will only eliminate the most expensive electricity. This increases the return on your investment.

How much does it cost?
Grid-tie PV systems typically cost $7 to $9 per watt, installed. An average residential system large enough to provide enough power for a household of 3 or 4 people would be about a 4 kW system and would run around $32,000 installed.

What's the payback period?
A residential system in western Washington will typically pay for itself in around 10 to 14 years. Considering that the panels come with a 25-year warranty, and have a 30-40 year design life, that basically means that after the first 14 years, they've paid for themselves, and then they go on to generate 15-25 worth of 'free power.' That's 30 years of positive cash flow, money in your pocket in the form of avoid electric bills.

Payback is usually used to describe the time it takes for an investment to pay for itself, similar to Return On Investment. However, the basic assumption behind a payback calculation is that this is a discretionary expenditure, I can choose to invest in this energy equipment, or not, and if I don't, I can put that amount of money in the bank and with no risk, make some 3-4%.

Paying an electric bill is not a 'discretionary' expense for most people; they have no choice! By buying a solar electric system you are taking money that you would be "giving" to your electric utility and investing it in your home.

What is the lifespan of a PV system?
Solar Electric systems last a long time depending on the amount of active use, or the amount of sunshine converted into electricity by the PV cells. Most systems are only in use for 6 to 8 hours per day. Manufacturers will usually provide 10 to 20-year warranties, but PV modules will likely last longer than that. The balance of system components, however, will have a shorter life.

Can I use solar electricity to heat water or to heat my house or office?
It is impractical to use solar-generated electricity to heat water-a solar water heating system is a far more cost-effective choice. Similarly, space heating is best accomplished with solar thermal strategies or equipment designed for the task-passive solar designs or transpired collectors, for example.

What is involved in maintaining and operating a Solar Electric system?
Without any moving parts, maintaining a PV system is relatively simple. For grid-connected systems, minimal maintenance is required, including keeping the panels free of any debris such as fallen leaves, bird droppings, etc. For stand-alone systems, the batteries usually require the most maintenance. Contact your PV system retailer for more information on maintaining battery banks.

Does my electric meter really spin backwards?
When a grid-connected solar electric system generates more power than the appliances within the home are consuming, the excess electricity goes back out into the utility grid. Excess power going back into the grid spins your meter backwards and your neighbors are using clean quiet solar power. This is called "net metering", and allows the utilities customer to only be billed for the "net" electricity purchased over the entire billing period. At the end of each billing cycle your meter will not have spun as far forwards as compared to not having solar electricity.

Will I have power if the utility grid experiences a blackout?
A battery option is available to provide electricity in the event of a blackout offering you greater security and convenience.

Are there any incentives or rebates available?
Many states and utilities offer incentive programs. For more information on incentives available in your area, follow this link to the Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE).

Other questions?
Fire Mountain Solar can answer all your questions about alternative energy and other sustainable lifestyle products.
Contact us Toll-Free at: 1-877-230-7710

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Solar Electric System Pricing

Click here for information on Package System Pricing

or call us toll free at 1-877-230-7710 so we can help you determine the correct size solar electric system for your specific application.

WIND FAQs

How do residential wind turbines work?

When the wind blows, the propeller stops a percentage of the wind. That percentage is what is converted into energy. According to physics, the maximum amount of wind energy that can be converted is 59.3%. This is known as the Betz Limit. The design details that determine which turbines are best suited for various wind speeds get more involved, but all wind turbines operate in the same manner.

In a normal residential application, a home is served simultaneously by the wind turbine and a local utility. If the wind speeds are below cut-in speed (7-10 mph) there will be no output from the turbine and all of the needed power is purchased from the utility. As wind speeds increase, turbine output increases and the amount of power purchased from the utility is proportionately decreased. When the turbine produces more power than the house needs, the extra electricity is sold to the utility. All of this is done automatically. There are no batteries in a modern residential wind system.

Small wind systems for remote applications operate somewhat differently.

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What are the benefits of a wind energy system?

A wind energy system can provide a cushion against electric power price increases. Wind energy systems help reduce U.S. dependence on fossil fuels; and they are nonpolluting. If you live in a remote location, a small wind energy system could help you avoid the high costs of having utility power lines extended to your site.

Although wind energy systems involve a significant initial investment, they can be competitive with conventional energy sources when you account for a lifetime of reduced or altogether avoided utility costs. The length of the payback period - the time before the savings resulting from your system equal the cost of the system itself - depends on the system you choose, the wind resource on your site, electricity costs in your area, and how you use your wind system.

How is wind energy used?

Wind turbines are very useful in almost any marine or household electrical system. In marine use, the movement of the boat will raise enough breeze to get the generator turning even when actual winds are fairly low, making them an extremely reliable source of onboard power.

For residential systems, wind power can be a wonderful source of power during low-light winter months and even year-round, depending on the site. They can also be configured to power dedicated water pumping systems, which may be of particular interest to individuals currently without running water.

Is wind power practical for you?

Small wind energy systems can be used in connection with a grid-connected systems, or in stand-alone applications that are not connected to the utility grid. A grid-connected wind turbine can reduce consumption of utility-supplied electricity for lighting, appliances, and electric heat. If the turbine cannot deliver the amount of energy you need, the utility makes up the difference. When the wind system produces more electricity than the household requires, the excess can be returned to the grid. With the interconnections available today, switching takes place automatically.

Stand-alone wind energy systems can be appropriate for homes, farms, or even entire communities (a co-housing project, for example) that are far from the nearest utility lines.

Who should consider buying a wind turbine?

A residential wind turbine can be a relatively large device and is not suitable for urban or small-lot suburban homes. Except for very small wind turbines (i.e., with rotors one meter or less in diameter) on very small towers, a property size of one acre or more is desirable.

The economics of a wind system are very sensitive to the average wind speed in the area, and to a lesser extent, the cost of purchasing electricity. As a general rule of thumb, if economics are a concern, a turbine owner should have at least a 10 mph average wind speed and be paying at least 10 cents/kWh for electricity.

Do wind turbines make noise or interfere with TV reception?

Small wind turbines do make some noise, but not enough to be found objectionable by most people. A typical residential wind system makes less noise than the average washing machine. Wind turbines do not interfere with TV reception.

Is Your Site Right?

The US Department of Energy (DOE) has compiled wind resource maps that are available online (insert link). DOE maps are good sources for regional information and can show whether wind speeds in your area are generally strong enough to justify investing in a wind system.

To do an accurate assessment you will need site-specific data to determine the wind resource of your exact location. If you do not have on-site data and want to obtain a clearer, more predictable picture of your wind resource, you may wish to measure wind speeds at your site for a year. You can do this with a recording anemometer.

Fire Mountain Solar can help determine if your site is a good candidate for wind power.
Contact us Toll-Free at: 1-877-230-7710

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What size system do you need?

Before choosing which type of turbine is best for a particular site, some sort of wind speed measurement should be taken for a few consecutive months (or ideally, a full year). With long term wind measurements an accurate average wind speed can be calculated, as well as determining likely maximum wind speeds. Armed with this information, a turbine can be chosen that will maximize performance at the average wind speed, as well as one that will withstand the likely maximum forces.

I've heard about a new small wind turbine that starts up and runs at very low wind speeds. Is that a new idea?

No. Many inventors have developed turbines that run at low wind speeds. But because the energy available in the wind is a function of the cube of its speed, there is very little energy available to be harvested at wind speeds less than 4 meters per second (m/s) (9 mph). If you are considering the purchase of a small wind turbine, the ability to run at low wind speeds should not be an important consideration in selecting a machine.

Where should your wind turbine be located?

You can have varied wind resources within the same property. If you live in complex terrain, take care in selecting the installation site. If you site your wind turbine on the top or on the windy side of a hill, for example, you will have more access to prevailing winds than in a gully or on the leeward (sheltered) side of a hill on the same property.

Consider existing obstacles and plan for future obstructions, including trees and buildings, which could block the wind. Also realize that the power available in the wind increases proportionally to its speed (velocity) cubed (V3). This means that the amount of power you get from your generator goes up exponentially as the wind speed increases. For example, if your site has an annual average wind speed of about 12.6 miles per hour (5.6 meters per second), it has twice the energy available as a site with a 10 mile per hour (4.5 meter per second) average.

What are the restrictions for installing a wind generator on my site?

Before you invest any time and money, research potential legal and environmental obstacles to installing a wind system. Some jurisdictions restrict the height of the structures permitted in residentially zoned areas, although it's often possible to obtain a variance. Your neighbors might object to a wind machine that blocks their view, or they might be concerned about noise. Consider obstacles that might block the wind in the future (large planned developments or saplings, for example). If you plan to connect the wind generator to your local utility company's grid, find out its requirements for interconnections and buying electricity from small independent power producers.

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Pricing a System

When you are confident that you can install a wind machine legally and without alienating your neighbors, you can begin pricing systems and components.

Approach buying a wind system as you would any major purchase. Obtain and review the product literature from several manufacturers. Once you have narrowed the field, research a few companies to be sure they are recognized wind energy businesses and that parts and service will be available when you need them. Also, find out how long the warranty lasts and what it includes.

A residential wind energy system can be a good long-term investment. However, because circumstances such as electricity rates and interest rates vary, you need to decide whether purchasing a wind system is a smart financial move.

How much does a wind system cost?

Small wind energy systems cost from $3,000 to $5,000 for every kilowatt of generating capacity, or about $40,000 for a 10-kW installed system. This is much cheaper than solar systems, but the payback period can still be lengthy.

That's why it's important to take advantage of rebates or tax credits available for small wind system installations. Well-sited small wind turbines can usually pay for themselves within 15 years, about half their serviceable lifetimes, if the right incentives are applied.

What is the payback period?

A wind system will usually recoup its investment through utility savings within 6 to 15 years and after that the electricity it produces will be virtually free. Over the long term, a wind turbine is a good investment because a well-sited wind system increases property value, similar to any other home improvement. Many people buy wind systems in preparation for their retirement because they don't want to be subject to unpredictable increases in utility rates.

Is a wind turbine difficult to install?

Installing a wind turbine is a bit more involved than installing solar panels, but they are still relatively easy to incorporate into your alternative energy system.

Some smaller turbines can be mounted to the rooftop of your house, but vibrations from the turbine may be transferred to the frame of the building. Rooftop turbine mounts often come with rubber vibration dampers to minimize this problem. As a general rule however, the higher in the air you can get your wind turbine the more effective it will be, so independent, guyed towers are the recommended mounting system. The wide variety of available tower heights and styles makes it much more likely you will find a mounting kit to suit your needs.

What about towers?

An 80- to 120-foot tower is usually required along with the wind turbine. Towers this tall are necessary to raise the wind turbine above turbulence generated by obstacles on the ground and trees. Wind velocity and, therefore wind turbine performance, increases with altitude. Several different types of towers are available, depending upon which manufacturer you select. Each type has its advantages; the most economical type of tower is the guyed lattice tower, but a hinged tower can be easier for you to install yourself and provides easier access for maintenance.

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Are small wind turbines safe?

Yes. However, neighbors who are uneasy about a nearby homeowner installing a small wind turbine may raise all sorts of questions about safety. Brief answers to some of these concerns:

Falling tower: Thousands of wind turbines are installed in the US, and their safety track record is excellent. Trees are much more likely to fall than a properly installed wind turbine, but no setbacks or minimum property sizes are required for trees.

Safety of utility repair personnel during a power outage: Small wind systems shut down automatically in the event of a power outage, and will not energize a dead power line.

Ice throw from rotor blades: Ice buildup makes wind turbine blades less aerodynamic, so that they turn more slowly. Typically, ice will drop to the base of the turbine tower instead of being thrown.

Children climbing the tower and falling: Possible, but wind turbines should be treated no differently than other climbable structures such as water towers or amateur radio antennas.

What is involved in maintaining and operating a wind energy system?

Most small turbines have very few moving parts and do not require any regular maintenance, but it is recommended that the generator receives annual visual checkups to ensure the propeller blades haven't been damaged.

What is the lifespan of a wind turbine?

They are designed for a long life (up to 20 years) and operate completely automatically.
Will I have power if the utility grid experiences a blackout?
A battery option is available to provide electricity in the event of a blackout offering you greater security and convenience.

Do small wind turbines kill birds?

While no studies have been done of this question, anecdotal evidence indicates that birds occasionally collide with small wind turbines, as they do with any other type of structure. However, such events are rare and very unlikely to have any impact on bird populations. House cats in the US, by contrast, are estimated to kill roughly one billion birds each year. Statistically, a single house cat is a much greater threat to birds than a small wind turbine.

What incentives are available?

Many states and utilities offer incentives or rebates. Additionally, the US government offers a $2000 deduction for alternative energy systems.
For more information on incentives available in your area, follow this link to the Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE).

Other questions?
Fire Mountain Solar can answer all your questions about alternative energy and other sustainable lifestyle products.
Contact us Toll-Free at: 1-877-230-7710

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Micro-Hydro FAQs

What is micro-hydro power?

Hydropower systems that generate up to 100 kilowatts (kW) of electricity are often called micro-hydro systems. Most of the systems used by home and small business owners would qualify as micro hydro systems. In fact, a 10 kW system generally can provide enough power for a large home, a small resort, or a hobby farm.

How does a micro hydro system work?

Micro hydro systems use the energy in flowing water to produce electricity or mechanical energy. A portion of a river or stream's water is diverted to a channel, pipeline, or pressurized pipeline (penstock) that delivers it to a waterwheel or turbine. The moving water rotates the wheel or turbine, which spins a shaft. The motion of the shaft can be used for mechanical processes, such as pumping water, or it can be used to power an electric generator.

The basic principle of hydropower is that if water can be piped from a certain level to a lower level, then the resulting water pressure can be used to do work. If the water pressure is allowed to move a mechanical component then that movement involves the conversion of the potential energy of the water into mechanical energy. Hydro turbines convert water pressure into mechanical shaft power, which can be used to drive an electricity generator, a grinding mill or some other useful device.

What are the system components?

Small hydro power systems consist of these basic components: Water conveyance-A channel, pipeline, or pressurized pipeline (penstock) that delivers the water; a turbine or waterwheel, which transforms the energy of flowing water into rotational energy; an alternator or generator, which transforms the rotational energy into electricity; a regulator, which controls the generator, and wiring, which delivers the electricity .

What are the advantages of using a hydro system?

Although there are costs in buying and installing the system, a hydro power system will typically last a long time and maintenance is usually not expensive. In addition, there are a variety of financial incentives available on the state, utility, and federal level for investments in renewable energy systems. They include income tax credits, property tax exemptions, state sales tax exemption, loan programs, and special grant programs.

Is micro hydro practical for you?

To build a small hydropower system, you need access to reliable flowing water. A sufficient quantity of falling water must be available, which usually, but not always, means that hilly or mountainous sites are best. There are specific methods for calculating whether the water flow you have is sufficient to power a turbine.

How do I know if I have a good microhydro site?

If you have enough head and flow and have designed the catchment, distribution and generating system so that it can't freeze (or to prevent its operation in freezing weather) and have connected the generator to a suitable energy storage system, then you should have the covered the basics for a useful micro hydro installation.

Quantitative measurement of both head and flow must be done in order to know how much energy your hydro site is capable of producing. Also, since there will be considerable seasonal variation in the flow rate of area streams, it is important to know how the flow rate will vary over time. Month-to-month and even year-to-year variability needs to be estimated in order to make even a rough approximation of total energy output from a hydro source.

In the end, it is usually some combination of actual measurement and guesstimation that yields a final number. Indeed, uncertainty in micro hydro potential often discourages its consideration as a feasible renewable energy option. On the other hand, equipment costs can be the lowest among renewable options, which may offset this uncertainty factor.

As with other renewable energy options, a site evaluation is recommended to assess the feasibility and the costs.

Is it legally feasible?

Most water is regulated by government, in some form or other. Before constructing anything you should consult with local and regional government offices regarding permits and restrictions.

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How much does it cost?

On a per watt basis, micro hydro generators are not as expensive as photovoltaics or wind turbines. Combine this with the fact that hydro is often a constant-output, 24/7 resource, and you have a compelling argument to invest if you have the resource available to begin with.

Total costs including labor for a small off-grid micro hydro system (with inverter, batteries, load panel and code-compliant safety equipment) may run between $10K and $30K, where labor is the largest variable.

For remote locations, the outlay to acquire grid interconnection will likely make a robust micro hydro site very appealing. For a home or business already connected to the grid, micro hydro may also be advisable, depending on the power available at the site.

As with the other renewable energy options, a Site Evaluation is necessary to assess the feasibility and the costs.

Can I sell my power?

You can usually sell any excess power to your local utility. If you decide to sell, you'll need to contact the utility to find out application procedures, metering and rates, and the equipment the utility requires to connect your system to the electricity grid. (It's generally best to do this before you purchase your hydro system.)

What's the environmental impact?

Hydropower is a very clean source of energy. It is one of the most environmentally benign energy conversion options available, because unlike large-scale hydro power, it does not attempt to interfere significantly with river flows. After use, the water is available for other purposes (although on a lower horizontal level). And unlike traditional power stations that use fossil fuels, micro-hydro generators have practically no impact on the environment. In fact, by reducing the need to cut down trees for firewood and increasing farming efficiency, micro-hydro has a positive effect on the local environment.

For more information on incentives available in your area, follow this link to the Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE).

Other questions?
Fire Mountain Solar can answer all your questions about alternative energy and other sustainable lifestyle products.
Contact us Toll-Free at: 1-877-230-7710

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