Solar Photovoltaics and

Distributed Generation

National Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee

for the Electrical Industry

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 Market Drivers for Renewable Energy and
Distributed Generation
 Increasing costs and dependence on
imported energy from unfriendly countries
 Environmental impacts from fossil fuel use –
pollution and global warming
 Electric utility restructuring and deregulation
 Net metering and interconnection rules
 Legislative mandates for new generation –
renewable portfolio standards
 Utility surcharges and public benefit funds
 Federal, state and other incentives – rebates,
tax credits, production incentives and
tradable renewable energy credits Financing,
power purchase agreements and energy
services contracts
 Increasing public awareness and interest

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 U.S. Total Energy Consumption
 Since 1950, U.S. annual energy consumption has increased three fold
to over 100 quadrillion Btu (Quads), accounting for 25% of total world
consumption! (U.S. population is 5% of world)
 Since 1970, U.S. net energy imports have grown from zero to 30% of
total consumption.

The turning point: production peaks,

consumption exceeds production

Source: U.S Dept. of Energy

Energy Information Agency
http://www.eia.doe.gov

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U.S. Energy Flow: 2007
(Quadrillion Btu)

Source: U.S Dept. of Energy

Energy Information Agency
http://www.eia.doe.gov

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Renewable Contribution to
U.S. Energy Supply: 2007

Source: U.S Dept. of Energy

Energy Information Agency
http://www.eia.doe.gov

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 U.S. Electricity Generation: 2007

 70% of U.S. electrical energy is produced from burning

non-renewable coal and natural gas

Source: U.S Dept. of Energy

Energy Information Agency
http://www.eia.doe.gov

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U.S. Electricity Flow: 2007
(Quadrillion Btu)

Source: U.S Dept. of Energy

Energy Information Agency
http://www.eia.doe.gov

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 Conventional Central Power Generation
 Conventional thermal power plants convert only 30-40% of the
energy content in the fuel source to electrical energy, with the
remainder wasted as heat.
 Most power plants are located remote from population centers and
thermal energy users, resulting in this excess heat going unutilized.

CO2 + Pollution

Waste Heat
67%

33% Electricity
Fuel
100% Power Plant

(Remote from thermal users)

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 Distributed Generation:
Combined Heat and Power (CHP)
 When smaller, distributed power generation is located closer to end
users and thermal loads, waste heat can be recovered and utilized.
 While many CHP technologies rely on fossil fuels, their value lies in
utilizing the fuel more efficiently and providing power where and
when it is needed.

CO2 + Pollution

Waste Heat
10%

Electricity

Fuel
100% CHP Plants 90% Steam

Chilled
Water
(located close to thermal users)

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 Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Systems
 The total components and subsystems that, in combination, convert
solar energy into electrical energy suitable for connection to a utilization
load.

power
conditioning power
distribution load

energy
source
PV Array Load
Inverter Center
energy
conversion

electric
energy utility
storage
Battery

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 Types of Photovoltaic Systems

 Stand-Alone Systems
 Operate independent of the utility grid
 Utility-Interactive (Grid-Connected)
Systems
 Operate interconnected (in parallel) with
the utility grid, a bi-directional interface is
required
 Bi-Modal Systems
 May operate in either utility-interactive or
stand-alone mode, but not concurrently

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 Interactive PV Systems

 A solar photovoltaic system that operates in parallel

with and may deliver power to an electrical
production and distribution network.

Photovoltaic output circuit

Inverter input circuit

Inverter output circuit

Photovoltaic source Electric production

circuits and distribution
network connection
Interactive
Adapted from NEC® Inverter
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Basic Utility-Interactive or
Grid-Connected PV System

AC Loads

PV Array Inverter Load

Center

Electric
Utility

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Utility-Interactive PV System
with Energy Storage

Backup Primary
AC Loads AC Loads
Bypass circuit

Critical Load Inverter/

Sub Panel Main Panel
Charger

PV Array Battery Electric

Utility

* Arrows indicate directions of power flows

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 NJATC Photovoltaic Systems Textbook

 Developed in partnership
with American Technical
Publishers, SMEs and
training partners in 2007.
 An industry standard on
the fundamentals, design
and installation of PV
systems.
 Emphasis on safe, code-
compliant and accepted
industry practice.

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Curriculum Scope
Task Analysis for PV System Installers
Working Safely with PV Systems

Conducting a Site Assessment

Selecting a System Design

Adapting the Mechanical Design

Adapting the Electrical Design

Installing Components and Subsystems

Performing System Checkout and Inspection

Maintaining and Troubleshooting Systems

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Textbook Features

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 Textbook Features

 Full-color, durable hard-bound book; 15 chapters, 450

pages, including appendix and glossary.
 Detailed, full-color illustrations depict the principles of
PV systems, and testing and measurement procedures.
 Photographs are used extensively to detail components
used in PV installations, and to exemplify best
installation practices.
 Factoids contain technical tips or background
information.
 Vignettes highlight cases studies, additional technical,
historical or safety information that supplement the text
material.

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 Chapter Layout

 Full-page openers
 Introduction
 Chapter objectives

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 Illustrations

Electrical diagrams
Component detail
Installation

20
Chapter Summary and Review

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CD-ROM Overview

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CD-ROM Main Menu

23
Illustrated Glossary

24
Solar Radiation Data Sets

25
Video Clips

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Instructor Resource Guide

Instructor’s Guide
Instructional Outlines
PowerPoint® Presentations
Sample Exams
Electronic Slides
Media Clips
Answer Keys
Test Development Software

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 NJATC Training and Workforce Development

 Meeting the Needs of the Electrical Industry

DVD
 Training Partners
 Training Centers
 Training Programs
 Markets and Opportunities

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 NJATC Solar Industry Training Partners

 Sharp Electronics
 World’s leading PV module manufacturer
 www.sharp-usa.com/solar

 Sunwize Technologies
 Largest U.S. distributor of PV products
 www.sunwize.com
• Contact: David Love, 888-870-9493
• [email protected]

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 Worldwide PV Markets are Booming!

 Record high 2,826 MW

installations in 2007 - 62%
growth from 2006!
 Germany's PV market
reached 1,328 MW in 2007,
47% of world total
 Spain grew 480% to 640
MW
 Japan declined 23% to 230
MW
 United States increased by
57% to 220 MW

Source: www.solarbuzz.com
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 Show Me the Money
 The PV industry raised nearly
$10 billion in 2007
 84 identified financial
transactions accounted for $7.5
billion in 2007, including
 $5.3 billion from equity
financing
 $2.2 billion from debt
financing
 The PV industry generated $17.2
billion in global revenues in 2007
 $30 billion expected by
2012

Source: www.solarbuzz.com
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 2007 U.S. Grid-Connect PV Market
 The U.S. grid-connect market grew 57%, from 112 MW in 2006 to
175 MW in 2007
 California Solar Initiative funded at $3.3 billion, 63% of total US
market
 PV systems above 1 MW accounted for 23% of the market
 Over 1 GW of PV projects planned in utility, corporate and
government sectors

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 Solar Big-Box Boom
 Big-box stores across the country are going green
and investing in PV systems and energy efficiency
measures.
 Safeway plans to install solar arrays on the roofs
of 23 stores as part of a broad renewable energy
initiative.
 Wal-Mart plans installations at 22 stores across
California and Hawaii, totaling 20 MW, meeting
about 30% of energy use.
 Best Buy plans PV installations on 35 stores in
2008.
 Others with announced plans include Staples,
Target, Home Depot and Costco.

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 Financial Incentives for PV Installations

 Rebate programs
 Typically based on $/watt of PV
capacity installed
 Offered by states, local government
and utilities; qualified participation
 Federal tax credits,
depreciation
 Production incentives, feed-in
tariffs
 Grants and loans
 Sales and property tax
exemptions

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 Database of State Incentives for
Renewable Energy (DSIRE)
 National resource for PV
project developers:
 www.dsireusa.org
 Includes financial incentives,
grants, rules, regulations and
policies for renewable
energy and energy efficiency
 Also see SEIA Guide to
Federal Tax Incentives for
Solar Energy:
 www.seia.org

www.dsireusa.org

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 Power Purchase Agreements (PPA)

 A legal contract between an electricity generator and

a purchaser of energy.
 Used by owners of power generation assets to raise
financing and capital, and create revenue streams.
 Depends on accurately defining costs and performance,
typically based on unit energy price and escalation factor.
 In 2007, 50% of non-residential photovoltaic
installations in the U.S. used a PPA, and expected to
exceed 90% by 2009.
 Major financial and venture capital firms are
accelerating investments in PV markets.

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Typical Big Box Retail
500 kW PV System
Home Depot
Daytona, FL

Total roof area:

100,000 sq. ft.

370 ft

270 ft

If 50% of roof (50,000 sq. ft.) can be covered with PV, a 500
kW array can be installed.
A 500 kW PV array will produce enough energy on an average basis to meet
the electrical load in typical light commercial retail.

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 Estimating Tools
 PVWATTS:
 http://rredc.nrel.gov/solar/codes_algs/PVWATTS/
 Clean Power Estimator
 http://www.clean-power.com/
 http://www.clean-power.com/nyserda/
 On-Grid Solar
 www.ongrid.net
 Back of Napkin:
 DC Rating x 75% = Peak AC Output (kW)
• 75% factor includes inverter efficiency, losses and
temperature derating
 AC Output x peak sun hours = Energy Production
(kWh)

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 PVWATTS Performance Calculator for
Grid-Connected PV Systems

 Based on array DC
rating (sum of module
ratings)
 Factors in system
losses for AC output
 Energy production
determined by array
orientation and solar
resource
 Provides monthly total
energy production and
value

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 Green Building Technologies and the
Electrical Industry
 Electrical Contractor Magazine
 www.ecmag.com
 Electrical Construction and
Maintenance (EC&M)
Magazine
 http://www.ecmweb.com
 GreenBiz opportunities for
electrical markets: E-mail

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 Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design (LEED)
 (LEED) Green Building Rating System™
 National benchmark for the design, construction,
and operation of high performance green buildings
 Over 50% of LEED points can be attained by work
under the scope of the electrical contractor:
 Building automation
 Lighting controls
 Energy management
 Photovoltaics and other renewable and distributed
energy systems

www.usgbc.org/leed/

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 Leadership in Energy and Environmental
Design (LEED)
LEED certified buildings:
 have lower operating costs and increased value
 are healthy and comfortable for their occupants
 reduce waste sent to landfills
 conserve energy and water
 reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions
 qualify for tax rebates, zoning allowances and other
incentives in hundreds of cities
 demonstrate an owner's commitment to environmental
stewardship and social responsibility

www.usgbc.org/leed/

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 NABCEP PV Installer Certification
 North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP)
 Voluntary credential for PV professionals
 Not a contractor’s license
 A job task analysis for PV installations is the basis for the
certification program and examination content
 Becoming increasingly important to participate in this industry
 Over 500 individuals certified nationwide
 Electrical industry is encouraged to attain certification
 www.nabcep.org

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 NABCEP Entry Requirements
 Due to numerous issues, the NJATC/IBEW/NECA have gained
NABCEP board approval to modify candidate entry requirements
for installation experience.
 Qualfied JWs will be able to take exam based on “installation
training equivalent” – to be defined by special committee.
 Will include compulsory hands-on training and independent
recognition for such training programs
 Qualifying candidates will be permitted to take exam in September
2009, look for details early next year

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 International Association of Electrical
Inspectors (IAEI)
 Regular articles in IAEI News on PV installations, code compliance and
inspections:
 Article on licensure and qualifications for PV installations to appear in
September issue of IAEI News.
 http://magazine.iaei.org/
 http://www.iaei.org

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 Bigger is Better

 A total of 30 systems larger than 500 kW accounted for

30% of the 2007 U.S. installed PV capacity.
 IBEW and NECA are involved with some of the largest
installations in the U.S.

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 Nellis Air Force Base - Las Vegas, NV
14 MW Installed by Bombard Electric
 Largest PV system in U.S.

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Google Complex – Mountain View, CA
1.6 MW Installed by Cuppertino Electric

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 Habilitation Center - Portland, OR
870 kW Installed by Dynalectric
 Largest PV system in Pacific Northwest

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Denver International Airport
2 MW Inter-Mountain Electric

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 Wind Turbine Generators
 Wind energy is the fastest growing renewable energy resource in the world.
 U.S. wind generation capacity has increased three-fold over the past 5 years
and now totals over 7000 MW (< 1% of total U.S. generation)
 Utility-scale wind power projects now under development will add at least
5,000 megawatts of U.S. capacity over the next five years.
 Wind turbine systems are generally classified as either small scale (<100
kW) or large scale (> 100 kW) generating units.

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 Wind Energy Systems: IBEW Initiatives

 Strengths of Electrical Industry

 Construction vs. Maintenance
 Maintenance is multi-craft
 Competencies Involved
 OSHA - safety training
 Climbing and fall protection
 Substation work
 Transformers
 Cable splicing
 Grounding, bonding and lightning protection
 Industry Partnerships?

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 Contact Information
 Jim Dunlop, NJATC Curriculum Specialist
 321-704-1097
 [email protected]
 Presentation Downloads:
 http://www.njatc.org/
 http://www.farm-energy.ca/IReF/
 Bill Ball, NJATC Dir. of Inside Curriculum:
 812-853-3564
 [email protected]

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