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Alternative Energy
- Solar Power
Solar Energy is the most accessible and "least capital" intensive (relatively speaking) Alternative Energy available. Even with such advantages Solar Power economics are still cost prohibitive for anything above the "micro" level. Two RFQ's KVA has worked on demonstrate the scope of the "systems challenges" that need to be overcome. They also indicate the level of frankness required when Solar Power is proposed.
 
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Kabul, Afghanistan - 24/365 Development Center: Clearly a worthy cause. Clearly a crying need. Clearly an area with abundant sun: 300+ good sun days, a Class 5 solar area equivalent to Tucson, AZ. But.... Design Specs: Provide year round power for a Development Center with twelve laptops, network equipment, copier, lights - daily demand 19kWh. Winter was the defining period when Solar Energy was its weakest. Main System Features: 100 20% efficient PV panels, 35 Deep cycle lead Acid batteries, 4 Regulators, 4 Inverters 4 Bypass regulators for summer excess energy. System Cost: Flat PV Panels and frames $160,000, Battery Bank $35,000, Regulators and controls $20,000.
System Savings: $10,000 Annual gasoline costs to run generators, ~$5,000/yr annualized generator maintenance and replacement. Project Viability: (Limited?????) Systems are too expensive relative to the cost of gasoline, even at $10/gallon. IF gasoline shipments are completely blocked due to war, the economic equations change dramatically. |
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Possible Indiana Strip Mall PV Panel Install: In 2009 Indiana was offering up to $100,000 to support Alternative Energy Development. KVA evaluated the economic viability of installing both "flexible film systems" at about 7% efficiency and more costly standard rigid systems at 18% efficiency and at an angle appropriate for mid-May or Sept. so as to assist more with higher summertime demand, while also enabling some contribution to Winter time lighting and heating. Design Specs: Utilize 8,000+ s.f. of a 12,000 s.f. Strip Mall building for solar production. Compare thin film roll on vs. traditional framed flat panel PV units, either fixed or moveable. Back-feed all electrical production to the grid through appropriately sized inverters. System Cost -- Thin Film Panels: With installation, $200,000
Project Viability: Impossible to justify EVEN WITH a $100,000 grant when the panels would wear out and need to be replaced in 20 years, long before the initial payback even with the incentive!!? ACTION: To hold off anticipating better thin film efficiencies and wholesale rate packages. Continue to research and possibly pilot. |