The tied inverter can take the DC energy and convert it into electricity that is phased matched. The local solar energy system is also phase matched allowing for electricity to be interchanged when needed.

A grid tied system works in conjunction with the existing grid.  In the most simplest terms pulling energy from the grid when needed and supplying energy to the grid when energy is not being used at the solar site.

Post written by: David Zamostny, Solar Energy World Intern

This years Show House just happens to be a Solar Energy World client, at a residence called Holly Manor, showcasing all that is right about the Maryland solar industry.  The theme, perfectly named:  A Journey From Colonial to Contemporary.  Designers from Baltimore and the Washington DC area have paid homage to the home’s 18th century historic roots as well as its 21st century possibilities.

The home is open for touring from September 24th to October 23rd.  While you’re touring, don’t forget to check out the solar panels on the barn!

Solar Energy World project and client:
Fulton, MD homeowners turned a newly built barn into a revenue generating rooftop.  Once the tech-savvy homeowners compared solar energy to other financial investments, they found it to be a solid investment with the shortest ROI.

Connecting with Solar Energy World at a home show in 2009, the homeowner and Solar Energy World stayed in contact.  When Solar Energy World learned that the Howard County Property Tax Credit was coming to an end – this Fulton homeowner was on the top of the list to contact.

Immediately he was ready to go and chose Solar Energy World because of the relationship built over the 2 years.

Installed in September 2011, the photovoltaic solar panel system includes 57 – 190-watt panels with Enphase microinverters – making this one powerful system.  Each solar panel is linked to a microinverter to maximize the energy harvest of the panel.  A traditional configuration would link several panels together in a series connected to one inverter located usually in the home near the electrical box.

Enphase Microinverters allow each solar panel to operate independently and control the power from each with 99.6% accuracy.  This results in a significant increase in the performance of the entire system.

Choosing a trustworthy supplier was essential.

“Solar Energy World did a fantastic job,” this Maryland homeowner says. “They really knew what they were doing, they were responsive, and were very helpful. I have very high praise for everyone we dealt with.  Now I just watch my electric meter run backwards.”

This 10.83kW system will reduce harmful CO2 emissions by 10.3 tons, which is equivalent to not consuming 1,050 gallons of gasoline.

Project Overview
Location:  Fulton, Maryland
Completed:  September 2011
Number of Panels:  57
Products:  Schuco® 190-watt solar panels with 57 Enphase Microinverters

Benefits:

• Eliminates $1,950 per year in energy costs
• Earns $3,750 per year from Solar Renewable Energy Credits
• Saved $27,054 in government incentives
• Will realize ROI in 5 years and 5 months
• Reduce CO2 emissions by 20,647 pounds per year

Early inventions paved the way for the modern silicon cell, most notably by French physicist A. E. Becquerel in 1839 who discovered the photo-electric effect- the birth of the photovoltaic cell.  It was in 1883 that the first cell was built by Charles Fritts. These cells used a layer of gold to form junctions and were about 1% efficient.

A few iterations later, the modern silicon cell was stumbled upon by Bell Labs in 1954. While researching semi-conductors, scientists realized that when silicon was combined with certain “impurities” it became highly sensitive to light.

Daryl Chapin, Calvin Fuller and Gerald Pearson, all of Bell Labs, converted the accidental discovery into the first practical device that converted sunlight into energy, the beginning of modern solar energy. Dubbed a solar battery, the first modern silicon cells debuted by powering a toy windmill and a radio, reaching an efficiency level of 6 percent.

The silicon cells became the basis for launching the solar energy industry. One year later, Western Electric licensed commercial solar cell technologies, and in 1957 the three scientist received a U.S. patent for a “Solar Energy Converting Apparatus.”

Shortly thereafter, in March of 1958, the scientists at Bell Labs reached true “stardom,” as the U.S. satellite Vangard I was launched with solar panels. This use of solar energy helped to spur government investment into solar energy, further bolstering the creation of the solar energy industry.

Today, new technology is starting to eclipse the use of the silicon cell, but many solar panels you see still use, or are based on, the silicon cell model as a means of converting natural sunlight into clean energy.

Myth # 1- Solar energy is too expensive:
There is an upfront cost to convert your home to solar energy, but that doesn’t mean it is too expensive. In fact, solar has never been more affordable. Depending on your state, there are huge incentives, including tax breaks and Solar Renewable Energy Credits, which can offset some of the upfront cost. The truth is that you can see a return on your investment from Day 1. Locally, the Maryland solar industry has fairly competitive incentives.

Myth # 2 – Solar doesn’t work on cloudy, cold days.
While solar panels work slightly by effectively in direct sun, solar systems work just fine on cloudy days. Consider that Germany, a country not known for its bright, sunny days, is the solar capital of the world. As for the cold? Just because it might be cold, doesn’t mean that there isn’t sunlight. Plus, solar systems actually work better in colder temperatures since the panels can conduct electricity more efficiently in milder weather.

Myth # 3 – With all the advancements in solar energy, I should just wait. Prices will come down.
The time to buy is now. While it may be true that the cost of solar panels might come down, so will the large amount of federal and state incentives. The solar incentives are not going to be around forever, so why not start cutting your electricity bills in half now?

Myth # 4 – I am not going to be in my house long enough to see a return on my investment.
You will still see a return on your investment even if you move out of your house just a few years after you install a photovoltaic solar panel system: it just won’t come as reduced energy bills. Installing a solar system can increase your house value by $20,000 for every $1,000 saved in annual utility costs.

Myth # 5- Solar is hard to maintain.
Solar panel systems that are connected to the grid are easy to maintain. They just need to be rinsed off with water occasionally. The only maintenance they really require is to be kept free of things like dust, debris and snow. In fact solar panels are made to withstand rain, hail, and pretty much anything Mother Nature can throw at it.

In Boston, a team at MIT announced a breakthrough, reducing the scale of solar energy. Just like the first computers took up entire rooms but now fit into your pocket, MIT has produced a solar panel the size and weight of a piece of paper.

The new technology “prints” solar energy cells onto an array of surfaces, including paper and fabric. This drastically reduces size and weight of solar panels, essentially creating portable solar energy sources. While not as efficient as traditional solar panels, the technology, which boasts a low manufacturing cost, will allow people to power individual electronic devices. Not to mention the potential uses for them as the technology gets further refined.

On the other end of the scale, Hawaii started constructing its largest solar energy installation to date. Hoping to create one of the largest solar communities in the U.S., military families at the Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam will soon be powered by solar energy. In addition to creating 55 green jobs, when finished, the four MW installation is expected to produce more than 5.6 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) and power over 2,000 homes.

And here in the DC Metro area, the Washington Redskins are bringing solar to FexEd field. Officials announced plans for a two MW system that is expected to generate enough power to run the stadium on non-game days and off-set some electricity usage during game days. The photovoltaic solar panel system would span over 800 parking spots. While the league hopes the location will help increase solar visibility to its fans, the solar array will also creatively double as a covered parking area.

The big reason why Jersey can use solar energy is that the state’s energy economy makes renewable power easier to sell. New Jersey gets about half of its power from nuclear plants and imports about 30% power from other states. The bulk of New Jersey’s expanding electricity need to be met by coal and natural gas. All of these factors keep New Jersey’s electricity prices in line with nearby states. Renewable’s prices don’t have to come down as far in price to become competitive.

The state also imposed a renewable energy standard that dictates, by 2020, it will receive 20 percent of its energy from renewable sources.

There were limited energy options for New Jersey. New Jersey generally has flat topography meaning that hydropower isn’t much of an option. Many of the estuaries and rivers that do flow into the ocean in New Jersey have excellent potential as sources of tidal power, but that technology hasn’t yet advanced far enough to allow deployment. Due to the fact that open land is so precious and preserved, New Jersey did not really have many options other than to turn to solar energy, unless it wanted to build a big utility facility. However, in terms of space for solar energy, rooftops are everywhere- enter the photovoltaic solar panel system.

In addition to the political and economic situation of New Jersey the state devised a system based on what are called Solar Renewable Energy Certificates, or SRECs.  The utilities can buy SREC bundles and use them to meet their annual quota of renewable power; falling short will net them a fee. An example of this can be seen from 2009 when it was required that Jersey Central Power and Light and Public Service Electric and Gas obtain 20% of their power from solar. The SREC market acts as a cap and trade system with a maximum value for the SRECs.

Unlike SRECs, selling the credits that your system produces, you can save money by saving electricity. As your system produces electricity and sends excess back to the grid, your meter is running backwards or keeping track of electricity sent. When your system is not producing electricity it is pulling electricity from the grid at no charge if you are using what you contributed at an earlier period. Through this process you can save money on your monthly electricity bills while also receiving money from selling your SRECs credits.

These characteristics make renewable so easy to sell in New Jersey that could not be sold anywhere else due to the limited competitiveness of the renewable market. The Maryland solar industry is attempting to model the state’s policies after regulations found in New Jersey.

Post written by: David Zamostny, Solar Energy World Intern
Citation: http://arstechnica.com/science/news/2011/07/why-new-jersey-is-2-in-solar-power-and-why-this-isnt-good.ars

Commercially, solar power made its debut in the late 1800’s. After black boxes started dotting the rooftops of Baltimore, Charles Kemp patented the first solar water heating system. The original systems were basic: the back boxes held water that were heated throughout the day. Kemp combined this style with the scientific principle of a hot box and the Climax was born.

Known as the simple batch system, the Climax cost $25 and would save homeowners around $9 a year. Sales to wealthier Marylanders supported the business originally, but Kemp would later move to the sun-rich grounds of California. By 1900, the Kemp had sold over 1,600 systems.

By 1909, William Bailey transformed the solar heating system, fixing one of the major flaws of the Climax. Since Kemp’s system was entirely housed outside, it meant hot water was only possible during sunlight. The water would cool off as soon as the sun sank below the horizon.

Called the Day and Night, William Bailey invented and patented a thermosyphon system, which kept the heating component outside to reach the sun, but stored the heated water inside so it would retain heat. Bailey also targeted sunny California to sell his solar energy system, and soon put Kemp out of business. The Day and Night sold over 4000 units from 1909 through 1918.

As production of the solar thermosyphon system prospered during the 1920’s, economics soon made the solar heat irrelevant. With the discovery of large amounts of natural gas in California, the cost to heat water plummeted and solar energy systems could no longer compete for business. Bailey did invent a gas version of the Day and Night that flourished in Florida, but the mass production of electricity made the new system obsolete as well.

Today, the tides have changed. While solar energy is still requires an upfront investment, new technology, financial incentives, and the increasing cost of oil make solar once again a financially viable option (see how much you can save with our Solar Savings Calculator).

Solar electric systems use photovoltaic panels in conjunction with a regular source of electricity provided by your utility company. The panels capture solar energy and convert it, then power it back into your electric system. If you don’t use the solar power generated energy, it goes back into the grid and you’re credited with it.

Solar thermal systems heat water, one of the biggest energy consumers in your home. Sunlight will heat your water from about 50 degrees Fahrenheit to up to 140 degrees Fahrenheit. The resulting energy savings can be drastic!

Solar Energy World can help you navigate the best solar energy systems and help you choose the right ones for your home. Contact us to get started!

Construction is planned to begin this year with completion by December 2012. The solar energy farm would project enough energy to power 2,250 homes and help meet requirements of a state law mandating that 20 percent of Maryland’s electricity be generated from renewable energy sources by 2022.

Maryland’s Department of Public Safety and Correctional Service approves of the project, noting that the photovoltaic solar panel farm would make productive use of the land and provide employment opportunities for inmates in the pre-release system. The installation is a great example of the commercial use of solar energy.

Source: BusinessWeek

The first of these variables involves calculating how much power in watts your household uses on a daily basis. Using your electrical bill and/or a kWh (watt-hours) load tool you can calculate total watts you use per day or month.

The next step would be to calculate the amount of useable sunlight in your area or insolation, when your solar panels will produce their rated voltage. This can be done using a solar calculator to find the tilt and size of a suitable system, and total hours of usable energy or you can use solar insolation table to determine the average hours of sunlight.

Determining the size of the system

To then calculate the size of the system in kW (kilowatts), divide watts-hours by your insolation value. In order to account for average energy losses and inefficiencies you can increase this number by 30%. This will give you the size of the solar energy system needed in kilowatts.

What type of solar panel is right for me?

This all depends on how much energy you need to produce and how much space you have. It is possible to have one bigger solar panel that produces the same watts-hours as six smaller ones. It is also possible that one type of solar panel is more aesthetically pleasing than another. This may be the case with the new SunPower solar panels.

The best way to determine how many solar panels you need would be to have a professional come to your property to survey the proposed area. This is done as part of a solar assessment.  During the solar assessment, you’ll discover all the financial benefits that come along with solar too.