Final Commercial Solar Photovoltaic Installation 06.14.12
Content
CGE Renewable Energy Fact Sheet Commercial Solar Photovoltaic June 2012
Commercial Solar Photovoltaic Installation
FAQ and general information 1. Benefits of having your own commercial solar installation: a. Companies and businesses can produce their own clean electricity, reduce their reliance on the grid, and reduce their carbon footprint. b. Full investment payback of solar installation after a period of time depending on size of system, current state and federal incentives and cost of current electrical usage. c. Tax deductions from accelerated equipment depreciation. d. Fulfillment of corporate green initiatives, LEED points and generation of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs). 2. Site Analysis: a. Ideally solar PV panels should be facing south and have unobstructed sun year round from 10:00 am to 3 pm for the most efficient production of electricity. b. In a commercial installation the ideal placement of PV panels is on a relatively flat roof and must allow for HVAC equipment and other roof obstructions for shading. c. An analysis for your facility and roof can be generated fairly quickly. d. Providing 2-3 months of utility bills showing price in cents/kWh, peak power cost, and load is necessary to determine how much offset solar energy can provide for your facility. e. Review current City of Evanston zoning code ordinances relating to solar panels. (Evanston Zoning Department 847 866-2928 ext. 2265. f. If the business is located in an Evanston Historic District or is listed as a historic building, the panel location will need to be reviewed and approved by the Evanston Preservation Committee. Carlos Ruiz in Historic Preservation at 847 866-2928 ext 2265. 3. Types of Solar Photovoltaic arrays: a. Monocrystalline – most efficient and most expensive and 30 yr. warranty. b. Polycrystalline – most common type of PV not as expensive 25 yr warranty. c. Thin Film – typically less expensive and up to a 15 yr warranty. 4. Contact Installers: a. Large scale installations (50kW and larger): b. Small to Midsize (1kw-45kW): SoCore Energy - 772.913.4402 Solar Service - 847.677.0950 Earth, Wind and Sun – 847.602.8696 Chicago Energy Solutions – 847.204.9653 Renewable Energy Alternatives, LLC - 847.291.7693
5. Roof Top: a. The roof should be in good working condition with at least 20 years plus left on remaining life span. A good flat roof with low pitch is typically preferred.
Citizens’ Greener Evanston works to make Evanston a more sustainable community— environmentally, economically and socially—and to address climate change by dramatically reducing our greenhouse gas emissions. greenerevanston.org
CGE Renewable Energy Fact Sheet Commercial Solar Photovoltaic June 2012
6. Estimated Costs and Incentives: a. Solar panel installation: approximately $3 to $5 per watt before incentives. b. Permit fees: varies based on system (likely range ~$200-$300) c. For a list of current financial incentives, go to http://www.dsireusa.org/ and click on Illinois. Frequently Illinois provides a 30% tax rebate that is capped at $15K per install (discuss availability with installer/apply early). Solar thermal systems also qualify for a 30% federal investment tax credit. 7. Estimated Payback Period: a. Request that this information be detailed by the solar thermal installer when bids are provided. Generally, the payback period will be in the six to ten year range, but that fluctuates with the cost of natural gas, the actual hot water demand usage, and the material cost of panels and piping and the current price of electricity. 8. Anticipated Performance: a. Commercial PV panels continue to produce electricity for the lifetime of their warranty and eve longer, with very minor performance degradation occurring over time. b. With no moving parts, PV systems require very little maintenance. Semi-annual cleaning will ensure peak performance.
Citizens’ Greener Evanston works to make Evanston a more sustainable community— environmentally, economically and socially—and to address climate change by dramatically reducing our greenhouse gas emissions. greenerevanston.org
Commercial Solar Photovoltaic Installation
FAQ and general information 1. Benefits of having your own commercial solar installation: a. Companies and businesses can produce their own clean electricity, reduce their reliance on the grid, and reduce their carbon footprint. b. Full investment payback of solar installation after a period of time depending on size of system, current state and federal incentives and cost of current electrical usage. c. Tax deductions from accelerated equipment depreciation. d. Fulfillment of corporate green initiatives, LEED points and generation of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs). 2. Site Analysis: a. Ideally solar PV panels should be facing south and have unobstructed sun year round from 10:00 am to 3 pm for the most efficient production of electricity. b. In a commercial installation the ideal placement of PV panels is on a relatively flat roof and must allow for HVAC equipment and other roof obstructions for shading. c. An analysis for your facility and roof can be generated fairly quickly. d. Providing 2-3 months of utility bills showing price in cents/kWh, peak power cost, and load is necessary to determine how much offset solar energy can provide for your facility. e. Review current City of Evanston zoning code ordinances relating to solar panels. (Evanston Zoning Department 847 866-2928 ext. 2265. f. If the business is located in an Evanston Historic District or is listed as a historic building, the panel location will need to be reviewed and approved by the Evanston Preservation Committee. Carlos Ruiz in Historic Preservation at 847 866-2928 ext 2265. 3. Types of Solar Photovoltaic arrays: a. Monocrystalline – most efficient and most expensive and 30 yr. warranty. b. Polycrystalline – most common type of PV not as expensive 25 yr warranty. c. Thin Film – typically less expensive and up to a 15 yr warranty. 4. Contact Installers: a. Large scale installations (50kW and larger): b. Small to Midsize (1kw-45kW): SoCore Energy - 772.913.4402 Solar Service - 847.677.0950 Earth, Wind and Sun – 847.602.8696 Chicago Energy Solutions – 847.204.9653 Renewable Energy Alternatives, LLC - 847.291.7693
5. Roof Top: a. The roof should be in good working condition with at least 20 years plus left on remaining life span. A good flat roof with low pitch is typically preferred.
Citizens’ Greener Evanston works to make Evanston a more sustainable community— environmentally, economically and socially—and to address climate change by dramatically reducing our greenhouse gas emissions. greenerevanston.org
CGE Renewable Energy Fact Sheet Commercial Solar Photovoltaic June 2012
6. Estimated Costs and Incentives: a. Solar panel installation: approximately $3 to $5 per watt before incentives. b. Permit fees: varies based on system (likely range ~$200-$300) c. For a list of current financial incentives, go to http://www.dsireusa.org/ and click on Illinois. Frequently Illinois provides a 30% tax rebate that is capped at $15K per install (discuss availability with installer/apply early). Solar thermal systems also qualify for a 30% federal investment tax credit. 7. Estimated Payback Period: a. Request that this information be detailed by the solar thermal installer when bids are provided. Generally, the payback period will be in the six to ten year range, but that fluctuates with the cost of natural gas, the actual hot water demand usage, and the material cost of panels and piping and the current price of electricity. 8. Anticipated Performance: a. Commercial PV panels continue to produce electricity for the lifetime of their warranty and eve longer, with very minor performance degradation occurring over time. b. With no moving parts, PV systems require very little maintenance. Semi-annual cleaning will ensure peak performance.
Citizens’ Greener Evanston works to make Evanston a more sustainable community— environmentally, economically and socially—and to address climate change by dramatically reducing our greenhouse gas emissions. greenerevanston.org
