Powered by the Sun!

Daniel Island warming up to SC solar energy trend

Still doubting that an intergalactic takeover is imminent? Recently overheard at a local Starbucks (no pun intended): “You bought your own solar system? Oh, we decided to lease ours, you know, as a way to avoid exposure to alien holder.”

Hang on. We just said that out loud. A lienholder. Okay, and maybe it was a discussion about solar energy procurement, not an extraterrestrial coup. Makes sense, in light of an observable movement toward renewably-resourced power in recent months.

Solar finally gets the green light

In summer of 2014, Governor Nikki Haley signed a bill loosening restrictions on solar energy after it overwhelmingly passed the state legislature that spring. Prior to the compromise the bill sought, renewable energy advocates and solar companies had been in contention with the state’s profit-protective power companies. Beyond going green, the legislation was aimed at helping the state attract international businesses, lowering energy costs for homeowners, and catching up with the efforts of more solar-powered neighbors Georgia and North Carolina.

The new law also allowed for the first time solar energy leasing, a means to make affordable to homeowners the relatively expensive panels (and without being regulated as a utility). In March 2015, the South Carolina Public Service Commission approved a settlement agreement on what is termed net energy metering (NEM). Customers with solar energy systems installed before the end of 2020 will earn full retail value bill credit for each “surplus” kilowatt-hour that goes to the power company’s utility grid. The act also required that leased systems only serve one customer and one location, prohibiting the sale of electricity to third parties.

Photovoltaics 101

Here’s the brief science behind it all: Solar electric panels capture light from the sun and convert it to clean power when photons of light are absorbed and electrons are released. Each panel is made by combining many solar cells together, and then panels are configured together to create a solar electric system or solar array.

As an alternative form of energy, solar power does not create toxic waste like that produced by nuclear power plants or air pollution like that generated at coal plants. A solar electric system can reduce literally tons of greenhouse gas emissions. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates the average American home emits nearly 11 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year due to energy usage.

In modern application, a typical solar electric system consists of solar panels and an inverter, though some systems may also include a battery and charge controller. And each system falls into one of three categories: grid-connected, grid-connected with battery backup, and off-grid (stand-alone).

A grid-connected system’s solar panels are linked to a local utility’s electrical grid to complement normal power supply from the utility company. An inverter converts electricity produced by the system from direct current (DC) energy to alternating current (AC) energy. The home’s breaker panel is connected to the solar panel wiring via a junction box, and a utility meter displays how much power the home produces and uses.

With the addition of the battery back-up, solar panel-generated power stored in “battery banks” can be used during power outages in grid connected systems with this enhancement. An emergency breaker box is added to the system, as well as a charge controller to prevent overcharging the battery.

Most common in remote areas, off-grid or stand-alone systems are not tied to utility power lines. Batteries store unused solar energy for use at night, and generators are sometimes used as backup power.

Up on the roof…

Solar panels are assigned a rating in watts based on the maximum power they can produce under optimal sun and temperature conditions. This rated output, along with roof orientation/tilt and system efficiency, is used to estimate the number of panels needed to meet electrical needs.

A residential solar energy system will generally require 75 to 100 square feet of unshaded roof space for every kilowatt of electricity produced. South-facing roof space is ideal, though southeast- or southwest-facing space can often be accommodated. The typical lifespan of a solar electric system is 30 years, and a full return on the system investment – after state and federal tax credits are applied - is estimated at the nine or ten year mark.

A handful of permits and special requirements must be obtained and met prior to operation of a new solar electrical system. Most installers will assist with this process, which includes a utility onsite inspection, net energy metering application and interconnection agreement, certificate of insurance, and city/county inspection.

Professional, licensed installers will also help file the appropriate paperwork for tax credits and rebates. The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners is a good resource for certified solar electric contractors. The average length of time it takes to install a complete residential solar energy system is about three months.

Solar electric systems cost on average $3 to $5 per watt installed; the cost per watt typically goes down as the size of the system increases. South Carolinians can take advantage of tax credits for the purchase and installation of a solar electric system. The 30% federal tax credit, which is limited to taxable income, is available through the end of 2016. The state residential tax credit for solar electric systems stands at 25% indefinitely, with a maximum of $3,500 per year up to ten years or 50% of tax liability, whichever is less.

Panels popping up on Daniel Island

In South Carolina, homeowners associations are permitted to restrict the placement of solar panels. Jane Baker, Vice President of Community Services for the Daniel Island Property Owners Association, says that she is encouraged by the nationwide trend of renewable energy solutions being incorporated in new construction. Baker states that in 2015, the Daniel Island Architectural Review Board (ARB) received two applications for solar panel systems on new homes and six modifications to outfit existing homes (see one of these new systems detailed in separate article on page 17). This is compared to one request the previous year.

“While we are supportive of alternative energy solutions,” she explains, “we seek to balance these solutions with the aesthetic expectations as set forth in our Design Guidelines.” Baker clarifies that, although the Daniel Island ARB strongly prefers for solar panels on roofs to be placed in a manner that renders them “invisible” from any public right of way, the ARB does understand that, in some instances, this may not be possible due to the orientation of the roof relative to sun exposure. She also states that the ARB strongly prefers that the solar panels and their frames blend in with the roof color as much as possible, and requires that all wiring for the panels be internal.

Chris Selverian, sales manager with Vivint Solar, confirms that the ARB is approving applications for solar projects on Daniel Island on a case-by-case basis. Vivint is a lease-only outfit, offering a 20-year contract with customers.

“We are a solar energy company, not a solar panel company,” Selverian clarifies.

A resident of the island himself, he’s already met with dozens of fellow islanders to discuss the conversion process, conduct surveys, and initiate applications. The professional installation of the panel system is provided free of charge by Vivint Solar, with customers then paying a predetermined monthly rate to produced a guaranteed level of electrical power for the household’s needs based on two-year historical averages.

Island residents Dan and Claudia Dion had the first ARB-approved solar hot water system on the island, installed in December 2011. A hybrid system using a passive solar tank and panel along with an electric heat pump, their setup has operated as expected, though Dion concedes the energy savings has been hard to quantify, since the following year they had a new high efficiency heating and air conditioning system installed. “While our electric usage is down, it is hard to say if it is largely due to the solar hot water heater, the new HVAC system, or global warming,” Dion states. “I can say that the electric component (of the water heater) seldom comes on from early April through September, so heating water costs virtually nothing for those months.”

It would not be surprising to see an increase in commercial use of the renewable energy in the months and years ahead as well. A solar energy system has been helping to power the Charleston Battery’s professional soccer home for nearly eight years. Battery president Andrew Bell tells us that MUSC Health Stadium’s 11-kilowatt array system, installed in early 2008, generates power used to offset the overall facility electrical usage.

The future of this renewable energy is only getting brighter. Solar cells are already fueling all satellites in space, powering the world’s communications products. It seems as a viable replacement for less green sources, solar is the real deal.

So, trust us, when the guy in front of you at the Kangaroo check-out line says he’s going to destroy that Milky Way, simmer down. He’s just really looking forward to his mid-day sugar fix.

Learn more about residential solar opportunities at vivintsolar.com or southerncurrentllc.com.

 

Daniel Island Publishing

225 Seven Farms Drive
Unit 108
Daniel Island, SC 29492 

Office Number: 843-856-1999
Fax Number: 843-856-8555

 

Breaking News Alerts

To sign up for breaking news email alerts, Click on the email address below and put "email alerts" in the subject line: sdetar@thedanielislandnews.com

Comment Here