Shawn Murphy September 29, 2011

Shawn Murphy, PE ENGR10 Guest Speaker  Solar Photovoltaics ◦ Electricity Generation, the CEC and PUC ◦ Silicon Solar Cell production ◦ Technical challenges of grid-tied solar ◦ Grid-tied issues ◦ Permitting and Rebates ◦ Net Metering ◦ Design issues  Solar Engineering as a Career ◦ General class recommendations ◦ Training on solar PV

Shawn Murphy, PE ENGR10 Guest Speaker

 There is no good way to store electricity  Batteries  Peak energy is more expensive and more polluting  Energy produced during high demand periods is more valuable

Shawn Murphy, PE ENGR10 Guest Speaker

 California Energy Commission  Founded early 70’s  CEC goals ◦ Generate power using alternative means ◦ Generate power during peak hours  Public Utilities Commission  Regulate public utilities like PG&E, SCE and SDG&E  Tells utilities what they can charge for electricity  Decoupled utility profits from electricity generation

Shawn Murphy, PE ENGR10 Guest Speaker  Similar process as semiconductor manufacturing.  Conventional silicon still dominates market

Shawn Murphy, PE ENGR10 Guest Speaker

 Much simpler than battery-based system.  Grid serves as free, infinitely-large, no- maintenance battery  System sizing not as crucial  Can be designed to maximize yearly annual electricity generation. Does not have to be optimized for winter production.  Can operate at much higher voltages, saving power losses.

Shawn Murphy, PE ENGR10 Guest Speaker

 CEC goals ◦ Generate power during peak hours ◦ Generate power using alternative means  Grid connected solar photovoltaic ◦ Maximum generation during sunny summer days ◦ Distributed generation ◦ Uses existing spaces ◦ Very quick deployment

Shawn Murphy, PE ENGR10 Guest Speaker  Power Quality  Safety  Connection to Existing Equipment

Shawn Murphy, PE ENGR10 Guest Speaker  How do you keep track of the power?  How much do you pay for the power?  How do you take into account when the power is produced?  How do you determine the rebate amount?  How do you incentivize grid-connected solar at the proper amount over time?  How often do you read the meter?  Who inspects the system?

Shawn Murphy, PE ENGR10 Guest Speaker  One single meter that spins forward and backwards.  Meter can take into account time of use rates  Annual true-up  Minimum monthly meter fee, $4 to $13, charged by utility

Shawn Murphy, PE ENGR10 Guest Speaker  Tax Credits and deductions ◦ 30% FITC ◦ MACRS depreciation ◦ Various state tax breaks  Renewable Energy Credits  State Rebates  California Solar Initiative ◦ Declining schedule – based on expected performance

Shawn Murphy, PE ENGR10 Guest Speaker  Must know how much a customer is paying for electricity  How do you compare one-time cost of a solar system versus the value of lower electricity bills in future years?  Engineering economics ◦ Payback ◦ Net Present Value ◦ Internal Rate of Return

Shawn Murphy, PE ENGR10 Guest Speaker

 Engineering Economics  Accounting  Technical Writing  Public Speaking  Engineering Statistics  Computer Drafting/ CAD ◦ Google Sketchup ◦ Autocad ◦ Solidworks ◦ Pro-E

Shawn Murphy, PE ENGR10 Guest Speaker  PG&E Energy Center  Diablo Valley College  Private classes ◦ Solar Living Institute ◦ Solar Power International  Semicon – Intersolar SF July