1. Electricity from Sunshine or Photovoltaic Energy Production By Charles D. Land, P.E.

2. Discovered in 1836 Used for last 20+ years where commercial power not available outer space remote radio sites gate openers some sites build with grant $

3. Why isn’t solar power used everywhere today? Its “free”, isn’t it? $$$$$$

4. Costs of electricity usage today Cost to use a 60 watt light 4 hours a day 60 watts x 4 hours = 240 watt hours/day 240 watt hours/day x 30 days= 7200 watt hours/month 7200 watt hours = 7.2 kilowatt hours 7.2 kilowatt hours x $.08 = $0.57 per month Cost to use an air conditioner drawing 20 amps at 240 volts, 8 hours per day 20 amps x 240 volts = 4800 watts 4800 watts x 8 hours x 30 days /1000 = 1152 kilowatt hours per month 1152 kilowatt hours x $.08 = $92.16 per month

5. How much energy is there in sunshine?

6. So what does it cost to harvest “free” sunshine? Solar panels today cost about $4.70 per watt. Solar panels today cost about $4.70 per watt. Solar panels today are about 18% efficient. Solar panels today are about 18% efficient. So even though one kilowatt of energy will strike a one meter square panel, it will produce only 180 watts. So even though one kilowatt of energy will strike a one meter square panel, it will produce only 180 watts.

7. So it would take 6 panels to produce 1080 watts of electricity, and the cost would be $5,000 for the panels, plus around $2000 for inverter and installation. Those panels would produce about 7 kilowatt hours per day in June, averaging 5.6 kwh/day year around. So it would take 6 panels to produce 1080 watts of electricity, and the cost would be $5,000 for the panels, plus around $2000 for inverter and installation. Those panels would produce about 7 kilowatt hours per day in June, averaging 5.6 kwh/day year around. 5.6 kilowatt hours per day = 2208 kwh per year = $176.60 5.6 kilowatt hours per day = 2208 kwh per year = $176.60 Paying off a 25 year loan at 8% to buy the panels would cost $656 per year. Paying off a 25 year loan at 8% to buy the panels would cost $656 per year. Solar panels are expected to last 25 years with a 20% loss of output over that time. Solar panels are expected to last 25 years with a 20% loss of output over that time.

8. So what is the latest controversy? CitizenRE – is offering contracts to provide solar power at no cost to consumers. CitizenRE – is offering contracts to provide solar power at no cost to consumers. The customer must agree to pay CitizenRE what it would have paid the electric company for the electricity provided, at today’s rates. Contract options of 5-25 years. The customer must agree to pay CitizenRE what it would have paid the electric company for the electricity provided, at today’s rates. Contract options of 5-25 years. Consumer saves if electricity prices rise. Consumer saves if electricity prices rise. Looks like a scam, but they aren’t asking for money from consumer – yet. Looks like a scam, but they aren’t asking for money from consumer – yet. CitizenRE would have to reduce costs by at least 75% to make money on this offer. CitizenRE would have to reduce costs by at least 75% to make money on this offer. CitizenRE says it will invest $650,000,000, build a factory, and begin deliveries late 2007. No location announced yet. CitizenRE says it will invest $650,000,000, build a factory, and begin deliveries late 2007. No location announced yet.