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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAlaska Village Electric Cooperative - Kaltag Solar Construction - Dec 2015 - REF Grant 7040049Solar Energy in Alaska Photo by: Cassandra Cerny, GVEA David Lockard, Solar Program Manager Alaska Energy Authority BIA Providers Conference December 2, 2015 Alaska Energy Authority: Mission “To Reduce the Cost of Energy in Alaska” AEA is an independent and public corporation of the State of Alaska Created by the Alaska Legislature in 1976 44.83.070: “ The purpose of the Authority is to promote, develop, and advance the general prosperity and economic welfare of the people of the state by providing a means of financing and operating power projects and facilities that recover and use waste energy and by carrying out the powers and duties assigned to it under AS 42.45.” 2 Presentation Outline AEA -funded Solar Energy Case Studies Denali Education Center Solar Thermal Project Kaltag Solar PV Project Eagle Solar PV Project Solar Codes and Standards Utility Interconnection Issues for Distributed Generation Power Cost Equalization (PCE) Implications of Solar PV Things to consider Opportunities for Solar in Alaska Denali Educ. Center Solar Thermal Project Developed by Golden Valley Electric Association with REF grant funding Installed in Aug. 2009 Funded as a demonstration project Open May-Sept only Previously had electric water heating 30’ x 50’ array 3k gal. water tank $210,879 cost $7,000 annual savings 30 year simple payback Kaltag AVEC Solar PV Project •Deveoped by AK Village Electric Coop with REF grant funds •80kW average load •9.6 kW solar system built in 2012 for $100k •Container used for transport and for mounting structure •Inverter replaced at startup under warranty, otherwise operating as planned •Solar system is small enough to act as a negative load, so no integration issues •FY14 solar production was 7,937 kWh •Saved $2,070 in fuel costs in FY14 •50 year simple payback Eagle Solar PV Project Developed by AP&T with REF grant funds Installed in July 2015 Initial PV capacity of 39kW reduced to 24kW of PV due to integration concerns 80kW average load $260k cost $7.5k annual savings 35 year simple payback 6 AK Solar Codes and Standards (Not comprehensive) UL 1741/IEEE 1547: Grid disconnection from inverter if the AC line voltage or frequency goes above or below prescribed limits. AS 34.15.140: Sec. 34.15.145. Solar easement. Fire Marshal Plan Review: required for solar PV installations on non- residential buildings 2011 National Electrical Code 2012 National Electrical Safety Code Solar thermal systems: the AK Fire Marshal has adopted the 2009 Uniform Solar Energy Code The AK Fire Marshal is in the process of adopting new regulations! Utility Interconnection Issues Critically important! Get a written agreement with the electric utility that addresses: rates net metering safety - disconnects, placarding, firefighter training Any required upgrades to meters, the service entrance, transformers, phase extensions, or other utility electrical equipment Note: The RCA has a net metering policy that applies to only some of Alaska utilities. AVEC has its own policy, which may be useful as an example. Power Cost Equalization Implications PCE kWh are 29% of total kWh sold in PCE communities Residential and community buildings are eligible Utility solar PV projects that reduce power generation costs may reduce PCE reimbursement rates Solar PV systems installed on PCE-eligible residences or community buildings may primarily benefit the PCE program Distributed generation solar PV systems reduce the number of utility kWh’s sold, so increase the utility’s non-fuel cost per kWh. This may adversely impact other utility customers in the community. Things to Consider Shading Solar Pathfinder, Suneye, etc. Consider growth rate and land ownership of vegetation Panel degradation rates (first year = 1%+, 0.5-0.8%/year) Inverter replacement at 12-15 years If roof-mounted, roof repairs or replacement during the 20-30 year life of the solar project Tilt angle can be adjusted seasonally to improve performance Tracking systems may be less economic than purchasing additional panels in most Alaska applications Opportunities for Solar Energy in Alaska Grant -funded projects Ecotourism Marketing Aesthetics quiet compared to a generator Environmental benefits (should be compared to alternatives) AKEnergyAuthority.org 12