The Solar Energy Industries Association issues a report showing the growth in four key solar power segments. The less expensive technologies, such as those for heating water, are more widely installed than expensive ones being pursued by companies that want to sell power to utilities.
by: Ucilia Wang
Bullet Arrow March 19, 2009
Solar power companies installed about 1.26 gigawatts of solar power in the United States in 2008, a 9 percent increase from the 1.16 gigawatts that came online in 2007, reported the Solar Energy Industries Association Thursday.
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The overall solar power production capacity reached about 8.78 gigawatts last year, up 17 percent from 2007, according to SEIA's year-in-review report. The new installations for 2008 included 342 megawatts of solar-panel systems, 139 megawatts (thermal equivalent) of water heaters, 762 megawatts of pool heating (thermal equivalent) systems and 21 megawatts (thermal equivalent) of space heating and cooling equipment.
No commercial concentrating solar-thermal power projects came online last year, the SEIA said. Building a solar-thermal power plant requires a lengthier permitting process, and each project tends to be large in size and located in sparsely populated areas. Solar-thermal companies say they can deliver lots of power cheaply, a claim that has led to many utilities signing deals to buy electricity from power plant developers. SEIA said more than 6 gigawatts of solar-thermal power projects are currently under development, particularly in the Southwest.
A solar thermal power plant uses a field of mirrors to concentrate and direct the sunlight to heat up water and generate steam, which is then fed to a turbine to produce electricity.
Ausra, a Silicon Valley startup, opened a 5-megawatt demonstration plant in California last year as part of its efforts to eventually build a 177-megawatt solar thermal power plant (see Ausra's First U.S. Solar-Thermal Plant Lights Up). Ausra has since changed its business plan to focus on selling equipment for building solar-thermal power plants, though it said it would complete the 177-megawatt project (see Ausra Update: Layoffs and Change of Business Plan Confirmed).
The SEIA looked at solar-panel installations by state and found that California led the country in installing 178.6 megawatts of new systems in 2008, followed by New Jersey with 22.5 megawatts and Colorado with 21.6 megawatts.
The United States boosted its domestic solar cell production as well. Citing numbers from GTM Research, SEIA said solar cell production grew 53 percent to an estimated 414 megawatts in 2008 from 271 megawatts in 2007. The manufacturing capacity also expanded by 65 percent to reach an estimated 685 megawatts in 2008 from 415 megawatts in 2007.
Installation of new solar water heaters grew by 50 percent in 2008 to reach 139 megawatts, the SEIA said. Sunny Hawaii led the country in this category, thanks partly to the high electricity rates for those island residents. In 2008, 37 percent of the new solar water heaters were set to work in Hawaii, followed by 20 percent for Florida and 7 percent for California. Overall, about 25,500 new solar water heaters were put to use last year, the SEIA said. But the country isn't as crazy about those heaters as China – one in 10 homes has one.
The solar-pool heating sector, meanwhile, saw a decline last year. Shipment of heating equipment dropped 3 percent from 785 megawatts in 2007 to 762 megawatts in 2008.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Let the Light Shine In: Toronto Rolls Out Solar Water Heater Program
Toronto's lawmakers are showing an increasing interest in pushing green initiatives. Though far too small and ineffective for some green activists, they are at least a start. As part of the city's green push, it recently launched a pilot program in the Toronto-Danforth ward - the Solar Neighbourhoods project.
The Solar Neighbourhoods project is supported by both the City of Toronto and Toronto Hydro, and it's designed to help residents in the ward purchase and install a solar water heater. In the process, help assessing a home's suitability for solar panels, assistance with installation and a kick in of about $1,000 of rebates will be provided.
A representative from the city says 84 homeowners have already paid for and completed the eco-energy audit and solar site assessment. He says the next step for these participants to select an approved contractor to install the system. He expects the first installs to be completed this spring.
This all sounds great - especially the fact that the city's $1,000 incentive comes on top a provincial and federal rebates equaling the same amount. But that $2,000 total still falls WELL short of the amount needed to install an efficient solar water heater. According to Solar Neighbourhood's website, a solar hot water system can cost anywhere between $3,500 and $8,500. While there are definitely better deals out there than the $3,500 quoted by the city, they're still far above what the homeowner would have to shell out.
Consider those costs in the face of the advertised savings of as little as $325 per year. Assuming the city's low-end $3,500 figure, it would take more than ten years and absolutely no maintenance costs for a homeowner to actually see the benefits of a solar hot water system.
Which begs the question: Is the city the serious about this initiative? If so, wouldn't it make more sense to highly subsidize the pilot program, so it would then have a larger sample size to analyze its effectiveness? In my opinion, the city would be better off buying the solar heaters for those interested in the project. If it's a success in producing lower energy bills and little hassle, then the program could be expanded to wards across the city.
As the program stands right now, it seems only those homeowners passionate about environmental and green causes are likely to sign on. Anyone who's slightly skeptical about green initiatives is likely to wait for the up-front costs to come down, or for the city or the provincial and federal governments to increase the value of rebates. In the face of all the recent power outages, there's every reason to believe an increasing number of homeowners would consider new power solutions. But I think the city needs to offer better bait if it wants them to bite.
The Solar Neighbourhoods project is supported by both the City of Toronto and Toronto Hydro, and it's designed to help residents in the ward purchase and install a solar water heater. In the process, help assessing a home's suitability for solar panels, assistance with installation and a kick in of about $1,000 of rebates will be provided.
A representative from the city says 84 homeowners have already paid for and completed the eco-energy audit and solar site assessment. He says the next step for these participants to select an approved contractor to install the system. He expects the first installs to be completed this spring.
This all sounds great - especially the fact that the city's $1,000 incentive comes on top a provincial and federal rebates equaling the same amount. But that $2,000 total still falls WELL short of the amount needed to install an efficient solar water heater. According to Solar Neighbourhood's website, a solar hot water system can cost anywhere between $3,500 and $8,500. While there are definitely better deals out there than the $3,500 quoted by the city, they're still far above what the homeowner would have to shell out.
Consider those costs in the face of the advertised savings of as little as $325 per year. Assuming the city's low-end $3,500 figure, it would take more than ten years and absolutely no maintenance costs for a homeowner to actually see the benefits of a solar hot water system.
Which begs the question: Is the city the serious about this initiative? If so, wouldn't it make more sense to highly subsidize the pilot program, so it would then have a larger sample size to analyze its effectiveness? In my opinion, the city would be better off buying the solar heaters for those interested in the project. If it's a success in producing lower energy bills and little hassle, then the program could be expanded to wards across the city.
As the program stands right now, it seems only those homeowners passionate about environmental and green causes are likely to sign on. Anyone who's slightly skeptical about green initiatives is likely to wait for the up-front costs to come down, or for the city or the provincial and federal governments to increase the value of rebates. In the face of all the recent power outages, there's every reason to believe an increasing number of homeowners would consider new power solutions. But I think the city needs to offer better bait if it wants them to bite.
Red tape slows Toronto solar water heaters project: environmentalists
A Toronto pilot project to turn rooftops into solar water heaters is caught in a bureaucratic squeeze at city hall as building officials try to adjust to the demand of green initiatives, according to residents and the city's partner in the project.
The "Solar Neighbourhoods" program, a city initiative along with the Toronto Atmospheric Fund, features the installation of solar water heaters about the size of a coffee table on rooftop panels. The solar hot water systems can run up to $8,000.
So far about 600 families have expressed an interest in the pilot project, but none of the rooftop panels have been installed yet.
Dealing with city and provincial requirements has been a slog, said Mary Pickering, the Toronto Atmospheric Fund's associate director.
"This wasn't in mind when the code was developed, and the code was developed to support other kinds of things, satellite dishes, going on your roof," Pickering told CBC News.
"There's certain limitations that were set for all kinds of reasons, and they're kind of out of step with the reality of what you need in place for solar thermal panels."
Peg Lahn, who lives in the Riverdale neighbourhood, told CBC News she is eager to get started.
"I was sitting in my office looking out of the window at a beautiful sunny day knowing that at home I'm paying for natural gas to heat water in a tank that I'm not using and won't be using for another few hours," she said. "That doesn't make sense to me."
An official with the city's building department said the city is trying to cut through the red tape and streamline requirements for homeowners.
The "Solar Neighbourhoods" program, a city initiative along with the Toronto Atmospheric Fund, features the installation of solar water heaters about the size of a coffee table on rooftop panels. The solar hot water systems can run up to $8,000.
So far about 600 families have expressed an interest in the pilot project, but none of the rooftop panels have been installed yet.
Dealing with city and provincial requirements has been a slog, said Mary Pickering, the Toronto Atmospheric Fund's associate director.
"This wasn't in mind when the code was developed, and the code was developed to support other kinds of things, satellite dishes, going on your roof," Pickering told CBC News.
"There's certain limitations that were set for all kinds of reasons, and they're kind of out of step with the reality of what you need in place for solar thermal panels."
Peg Lahn, who lives in the Riverdale neighbourhood, told CBC News she is eager to get started.
"I was sitting in my office looking out of the window at a beautiful sunny day knowing that at home I'm paying for natural gas to heat water in a tank that I'm not using and won't be using for another few hours," she said. "That doesn't make sense to me."
An official with the city's building department said the city is trying to cut through the red tape and streamline requirements for homeowners.
10 Simple ways to save energy in your home
1. Replace your incandescent lightbulbs with CFL’s
One of the easiest ways to save energy is by ditching your incandescent lightbulbs. According to Lesley Chilcott, founder of Unscrew America and film director of documentary An Inconvenient Truth, CFL’s use 80 percent less energy, last 10 to 15 times longer, and will pay for themselves in five months.
2. Use power strips
Plug your electronic devices into power strips and flip the switch at night when the electronics are not in use. This applies to computers, printers, TVs, DVD players and stereos as well as lights and other appliances. Nancy H. Taylor, author of Go Green: How to Build an Earth-Friendly Community, says turning your electronics off at night with a power strip can save up to 10 percent on your energy bill.
3. Turn down your water heater
Taylor also suggests turning down the temperature of your water heater to 120 degrees F. Additionally, if your water heater is not insulated, wrap an insulating blanket around it.
4. Adjust your heating and cooling
In her book The Green Year, Jodi Helmer recommends setting your thermostat to 68 degrees F. when you’re home and 55 degrees F. at night. Put on a sweater during the day and use an extra blanket at night.
5. Keep your freezer full
Another suggestion from Helmer, a full freezer runs more efficiently than one with only a few items in it. Buy in season fruits and vegetables and freeze them for use all year round. Make an extra casserole or batch of stew and keep it in the freezer for a convenient meal later.
6. Use solar control window film
Replacing your windows with energy-efficient windows carries a high cost. An inexpensive alternative is solar window film – don’t worry, you’ll still have a view. Solar window film is easy to apply, reduces your energy bill, and blocks harmful ultraviolet rays, which can fade your home décor.
7. Flip the switch
Don’t leave the lights on. Though it may be convenient to have the garage light on when you open the door, it doesn’t take that much effort to turn it on. Every time you leave a room, turn the lights off.
8. Love your leftovers
When making dinner, make extra so you can enjoy a few no-cook or low-cook meals. Leftover meats, poultry and fish can be added to salads or used for sandwiches. Extra vegetables can be added to eggs for a quick omelet or to cooked rice for a light lunch.
9. Wash only when full
Instead of doing small loads of dishes or laundry, wait until the washer is full. Doing fewer loads will cut down on energy and water costs.
10. Install weather stripping
Make sure your doors and windows are properly sealed. This will save energy by not letting hot air (in winter) or cool air (in summer) escape.
One of the easiest ways to save energy is by ditching your incandescent lightbulbs. According to Lesley Chilcott, founder of Unscrew America and film director of documentary An Inconvenient Truth, CFL’s use 80 percent less energy, last 10 to 15 times longer, and will pay for themselves in five months.
2. Use power strips
Plug your electronic devices into power strips and flip the switch at night when the electronics are not in use. This applies to computers, printers, TVs, DVD players and stereos as well as lights and other appliances. Nancy H. Taylor, author of Go Green: How to Build an Earth-Friendly Community, says turning your electronics off at night with a power strip can save up to 10 percent on your energy bill.
3. Turn down your water heater
Taylor also suggests turning down the temperature of your water heater to 120 degrees F. Additionally, if your water heater is not insulated, wrap an insulating blanket around it.
4. Adjust your heating and cooling
In her book The Green Year, Jodi Helmer recommends setting your thermostat to 68 degrees F. when you’re home and 55 degrees F. at night. Put on a sweater during the day and use an extra blanket at night.
5. Keep your freezer full
Another suggestion from Helmer, a full freezer runs more efficiently than one with only a few items in it. Buy in season fruits and vegetables and freeze them for use all year round. Make an extra casserole or batch of stew and keep it in the freezer for a convenient meal later.
6. Use solar control window film
Replacing your windows with energy-efficient windows carries a high cost. An inexpensive alternative is solar window film – don’t worry, you’ll still have a view. Solar window film is easy to apply, reduces your energy bill, and blocks harmful ultraviolet rays, which can fade your home décor.
7. Flip the switch
Don’t leave the lights on. Though it may be convenient to have the garage light on when you open the door, it doesn’t take that much effort to turn it on. Every time you leave a room, turn the lights off.
8. Love your leftovers
When making dinner, make extra so you can enjoy a few no-cook or low-cook meals. Leftover meats, poultry and fish can be added to salads or used for sandwiches. Extra vegetables can be added to eggs for a quick omelet or to cooked rice for a light lunch.
9. Wash only when full
Instead of doing small loads of dishes or laundry, wait until the washer is full. Doing fewer loads will cut down on energy and water costs.
10. Install weather stripping
Make sure your doors and windows are properly sealed. This will save energy by not letting hot air (in winter) or cool air (in summer) escape.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Let the Light Shine In: Toronto Rolls Out Solar Water Heater Program
Toronto's lawmakers are showing an increasing interest in pushing green initiatives. Though far too small and ineffective for some green activists, they are at least a start. As part of the city's green push, it recently launched a pilot program in the Toronto-Danforth ward - the Solar Neighbourhoods project.
The Solar Neighbourhoods project is supported by both the City of Toronto and Toronto Hydro, and it's designed to help residents in the ward purchase and install a solar water heater. In the process, help assessing a home's suitability for solar panels, assistance with installation and a kick in of about $1,000 of rebates will be provided.
A representative from the city says 84 homeowners have already paid for and completed the eco-energy audit and solar site assessment. He says the next step for these participants to select an approved contractor to install the system. He expects the first installs to be completed this spring.
This all sounds great - especially the fact that the city's $1,000 incentive comes on top a provincial and federal rebates equaling the same amount. But that $2,000 total still falls WELL short of the amount needed to install an efficient solar water heater. According to Solar Neighbourhood's website, a solar hot water system can cost anywhere between $3,500 and $8,500. While there are definitely better deals out there than the $3,500 quoted by the city, they're still far above what the homeowner would have to shell out.
Consider those costs in the face of the advertised savings of as little as $325 per year. Assuming the city's low-end $3,500 figure, it would take more than ten years and absolutely no maintenance costs for a homeowner to actually see the benefits of a solar hot water system.
Which begs the question: Is the city the serious about this initiative? If so, wouldn't it make more sense to highly subsidize the pilot program, so it would then have a larger sample size to analyze its effectiveness? In my opinion, the city would be better off buying the solar heaters for those interested in the project. If it's a success in producing lower energy bills and little hassle, then the program could be expanded to wards across the city.
As the program stands right now, it seems only those homeowners passionate about environmental and green causes are likely to sign on. Anyone who's slightly skeptical about green initiatives is likely to wait for the up-front costs to come down, or for the city or the provincial and federal governments to increase the value of rebates. In the face of all the recent power outages, there's every reason to believe an increasing number of homeowners would consider new power solutions. But I think the city needs to offer better bait if it wants them to bite.
The Solar Neighbourhoods project is supported by both the City of Toronto and Toronto Hydro, and it's designed to help residents in the ward purchase and install a solar water heater. In the process, help assessing a home's suitability for solar panels, assistance with installation and a kick in of about $1,000 of rebates will be provided.
A representative from the city says 84 homeowners have already paid for and completed the eco-energy audit and solar site assessment. He says the next step for these participants to select an approved contractor to install the system. He expects the first installs to be completed this spring.
This all sounds great - especially the fact that the city's $1,000 incentive comes on top a provincial and federal rebates equaling the same amount. But that $2,000 total still falls WELL short of the amount needed to install an efficient solar water heater. According to Solar Neighbourhood's website, a solar hot water system can cost anywhere between $3,500 and $8,500. While there are definitely better deals out there than the $3,500 quoted by the city, they're still far above what the homeowner would have to shell out.
Consider those costs in the face of the advertised savings of as little as $325 per year. Assuming the city's low-end $3,500 figure, it would take more than ten years and absolutely no maintenance costs for a homeowner to actually see the benefits of a solar hot water system.
Which begs the question: Is the city the serious about this initiative? If so, wouldn't it make more sense to highly subsidize the pilot program, so it would then have a larger sample size to analyze its effectiveness? In my opinion, the city would be better off buying the solar heaters for those interested in the project. If it's a success in producing lower energy bills and little hassle, then the program could be expanded to wards across the city.
As the program stands right now, it seems only those homeowners passionate about environmental and green causes are likely to sign on. Anyone who's slightly skeptical about green initiatives is likely to wait for the up-front costs to come down, or for the city or the provincial and federal governments to increase the value of rebates. In the face of all the recent power outages, there's every reason to believe an increasing number of homeowners would consider new power solutions. But I think the city needs to offer better bait if it wants them to bite.
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