1. Off Grid Living Without a Generator Solar Powered AC Coupled Micro Grid © Boyd Solar corp. Didsbury, AB www.boydsolar.com

2. The short answer is yes, but….. Is the Sun all you really need?

3. What kind of picture comes to mind when you hear “Off Grid” living?

4. ©Boyd Solar corp. Didsbury, AB www.boydsolar.com “Off Grid” people usually have different motivations than “On Grid” people Energy Independence and Security Fear of Electricity prices rising substantially Grid is too far away Have the money now, I will prepay my Electricity Save Money – (depends on where you are) Motivations

5. What is an Off Grid Solar Power System?

6. ©Boyd Solar corp. Didsbury, AB www.boydsolar.com Different designers, dealers and customers size the systems differently. Some design so that the upfront cost is low in order to make the sale. This will usually result in a much higher total cost and much frustration during the life of the system. Generally this approach will require the battery banks to be replaced much more frequently, require more frequent generator charging and maintenance of the batteries and the accompanying time. Designing the system for a minimum of maintenance and longevity will generally provide the best value and provide for a positive experience with the Solar Power System. Sizing

7. ©Boyd Solar corp. Didsbury, AB www.boydsolar.com Well, most of the time, this is the starting point Where do we start?

8. ©Boyd Solar corp. Didsbury, AB www.boydsolar.com List all the things that we would ideally like and expect Size and design of the Home Garage? Appliances Heating system Lifestyle Generator? The Wish List

9. ©Boyd Solar corp. Didsbury, AB www.boydsolar.com This usually entails doing an energy audit and filling out an energy worksheet Most people will need to start by learning some basic electricity So let’s look at an example Tally up the Power Requirements

10. ©Boyd Solar corp. Didsbury, AB www.boydsolar.com We have lost the direct correlation of energy consumption to input How much energy does a small heater use and how much solar power would be required to provide this? It takes 12.5 Amps at 120 Volts Power = Voltage X Current = 1500 Watts or 1.5 KW Running 24 hours then 1.5 KW X 24 = 36 KWH No problem right? Energy

11. ©Boyd Solar corp. Didsbury, AB www.boydsolar.com So…. The average Calgary home uses about 21 KWH per day mmm…… A typical Solar module is about 250 Watts, so how many do we need to run this little heater in the winter for 24 hours on average in the Winter? Energy

12. ©Boyd Solar corp. Didsbury, AB www.boydsolar.com So what size of battery bank would be required to store this amount of energy for 1 day Since we do not want to discharge a battery bank more than 50%, we would need a minimum of 72 KWH available The Rolls 2KS 33 in a 48 Volt configuration would have a maximum rated capacity of a about 83 KWH based on the 24 hour rate, thus this would be the minimum Energy

13. ©Boyd Solar corp. Didsbury, AB www.boydsolar.com Now if we wanted to have 6 days of Autonomy Energy

14. ©Boyd Solar corp. Didsbury, AB www.boydsolar.com So…. How much natural gas then would it take to generate the same amount of heat Well…… 1 KWH = 3412 BTU Therefore 36 KWH = 122832 BTU 122832 BTU =.13 GJ Price per GJ of Gas $ 2.828 on the last bill Price then for using natural gas is about 37 cents (plus of course all the “other charges” Energy

15. ©Boyd Solar corp. Didsbury, AB www.boydsolar.com  Energy efficiency is the first place to start  Windows and doors usually represent a very significant percentage of the energy that is lost in a home  Heating system – what type?  Fridge, Freezer – usage? – location?  Lighting 1. Technology 2. Quantity 3. Type A. Area B. Directional C. control Energy Efficiency

16. ©Boyd Solar corp. Didsbury, AB www.boydsolar.com The Solar Array

17. ©Boyd Solar corp. Didsbury, AB www.boydsolar.com The Racking for the Array

18. ©Boyd Solar corp. Didsbury, AB www.boydsolar.com The Racking for the Array

19. ©Boyd Solar corp. Didsbury, AB www.boydsolar.com The Racking for the Array

20. ©Boyd Solar corp. Didsbury, AB www.boydsolar.com The Racking for the Array

21. ©Boyd Solar corp. Didsbury, AB www.boydsolar.com The Racking for the Array

22. ©Boyd Solar corp. Didsbury, AB www.boydsolar.com To Track or not to Track

23. ©Boyd Solar corp. Didsbury, AB www.boydsolar.com The Batteries

24. ©Boyd Solar corp. Didsbury, AB www.boydsolar.com The Batteries

25. ©Boyd Solar corp. Didsbury, AB www.boydsolar.com Proper Battery Charging  Proper battery charging is crucial to obtaining maximum battery life  The top picture shows the charging current on a sunny day in March. The absorb cycle starts at about 10:00 AM and is done at about 1:00 PM  The bottom picture shows a heavy overcast day at the end of March. The absorb cycle here starts at about 11:15 AM and does not end until about 4:00 PM.  As is obvious from this, a properly sized system will charge the batteries properly even in bad weather and avoid sulfation of the batteries, which would really shorten their life and be expensive.

26. ©Boyd Solar corp. Didsbury, AB www.boydsolar.com The Inverter

27. ©Boyd Solar corp. Didsbury, AB www.boydsolar.com The Generator

28. ©Boyd Solar corp. Didsbury, AB www.boydsolar.com Cost Analysis

29. ©Boyd Solar corp. Didsbury, AB www.boydsolar.com Cost Analysis In looking at a cost analysis, we need to remember the initial motive for going “Off Grid”, so the monetary comparison is not the only factor The location of the system in contrast to getting a “Grid” supply is going to affect this. That being said, let’s continue. A good “Off Grid” power system is going to run roughly $ 10.00 per Watt, so 12,000 Watts (12 KW) is going to be around $ 120,000.00 installed We’ll continue after we treat you for the heart attack

30. ©Boyd Solar corp. Didsbury, AB www.boydsolar.com Cost Analysis Frequently, at this stage we get

31. ©Boyd Solar corp. Didsbury, AB www.boydsolar.com Cost Analysis …that is why we start with energy efficiency and very carefully looking at all the loads The “Boomer” system would be used for a load demand of 24 KWH per day if used in conjunction with a back-up generator or 8 KWH per day if used without a back-up generator For this analysis, let’s assume the latter and a lifespan of 15 Years on the batteries. (the other components will last longer) 8 KWH per day then comes out to 2960 KWH per Year

32. ©Boyd Solar corp. Didsbury, AB www.boydsolar.com Cost Analysis So….. 2920 KWH per Year, if you are on Grid, at the present rate will cost about $ 650.00 per year or a total of just under $ 10,000.00 for 15 years (without accounting for inflation and other factors) Replacing the batteries will be about $ 30,000.00 after 15 years So, the cost per KWH in the first 15 years would be about $ 120,000.00 divided by 43,800 KWH = $ 2.74 per KWH If the monetary payback is the only consideration, then the only places that these system make economic sense are in locations where power would be very expensive, such as remote locations that would otherwise need to have a generator running 24 hours a day

33. ©Boyd Solar corp. Didsbury, AB www.boydsolar.com Cost Analysis Efficiency Careful planning of loads and appliances, especially the heating system Lifestyle Result is a smaller required system, therefore, less expensive With proper planning and lifestyle adjustments, people can live fairly comfortably with a $ 40,000.00 system, but generally don’t expect to be on the low end of the price range

34. ©Boyd Solar corp. Didsbury, AB www.boydsolar.com Living Off Grid can range anywhere from a couple of Solar modules to power a light and maybe the odd other thing to a home where you would not even know it is Off Grid. Generally speaking though, normally a small adjustment in lifestyle and building a very energy efficient home will allow for a reasonably sized system where there is very little difference in living from a Grid connected home. Just for example, we cook with electricity, run computers, all sorts of tools and most things that people would normally use Most of the time, it comes down to how much space is available and how much money the person willing to spend Living Off Grid

35. ©Boyd Solar corp. Didsbury, AB www.boydsolar.com Challenges

36. ©Boyd Solar corp. Didsbury, AB www.boydsolar.com Check the motivation for doing so again Check the options and costs Willingness and/or ability to understand electricity and the system Willingness and/or ability to maintain it Willingness to live within the capability of the chosen system Remember, this is a power plant that you are purchasing, and just like any other power plant, there are maintenance costs, both in terms of time and money. Servicing by a professional will tend to be quite expensive, just like it is for the Grid generators and wires owners. Is Going “Off Grid” for me?

37. Off Grid Living Without a Generator Solar Powered AC Coupled Micro Grid © Boyd Solar corp. Didsbury, AB www.boydsolar.com