Solar Program Photovoltaics and Solar Thermal

Cape and Islands Self-Reliance is pleased to announce that it has established Cape Cod as a new partner in the Million Solar Roofs Initiative, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy.  This work will focus on educating the public and trades people that work with energy, as well as overcome on the various barriers to solar energy.

Announced in June 1997, the Million Solar Roofs Initiative was designed to facilitate the installation of solar energy systems on one million U.S. buildings by 2010. The initiative includes two types of solar technology: solar electric systems (or Photovoltaics) that produce electricity from sunlight and solar thermal systems that produce heat for domestic hot water, space heating, or heating swimming pools.

The Million Solar Roofs Initiative is intended to support states and local communities as they develop a strong commitment to the sustained deployment of solar energy technologies. To ensure positive and productive results, the Million Solar Roofs Initiative focuses on those areas that have formed strong partnerships, representing the very heart of this initiative.  Cape and Islands Self-Reliance has established a strong partnership in the region.  We collaborate on education with the Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, the Cape Cod Community College and the regional technical high schools. 

Self -Reliance has set a goal of 510 solar systems on-line by 2010.  Solar hot water and photovoltaic systems qualify for this goal.  So, if you or your neighbor have a solar hot water system that is defunct and are interested in getting it working again, that can count toward the regional goal!  Please let us know by e-mailing to reliance@reliance.org.

Photovoltaics

Since 2002, Self-Reliance has been proudly facilitating photovoltaic system installations in our region.  In 2004, Self Reliance became a partner of the US Department of Energy Million Solar Roofs Initiative, with the goal of facilitating 510 solar installations in the region by 2010. 

In 2008 the new Commonwealth Solar Initiative was introduced.  This Initiative offers a revised rebate program that supports the installation of photovoltaic systems up to 10 kilowatts (5 kW for residential applications).  Below is a table outlining the base rebate available under this new initiative.    

Residential Rebates ($ per watt) through Commonwealth Solar Initiative
Base Incentive	$   2.00
MA-Manufactured Adder	$   0.25
Moderate Home Value Adder	$   1.25
Moderate Income Adder
<=$91,552 (120% of MA median household income	$   1.00
<= $76,296 (MA median household income)	$   2.00

These rebates are funded from the renewable energy funds that are collected as a 1/10-of-a-cent charge per kilowatt-hour on all Massachusetts electric bills as well as the alternative compliance fee collected from electricity companies that don’t meet the renewable portfolio standards (RPS).  The RPS, created by Massachusetts electricity utility restructuring legislation, specifies that 1% of electricity be generated from renewable sources in 2003, with the percentage increasing by 0.5% per year thereafter through 2009. Thereafter, the annual percentage increase is 1% per year, until suspended by the MA DOER.

Self-Reliance works with reputable, locally-based solar installers to conduct the site evaluations and to present you with recommendations for moving forward with a system.  Our solar evaluators will thoroughly assess your available south-facing, unshaded roof space, and your electricity demand so that they can propose the best system to meet your needs.  We have outline a sample of system sizes and average costs for a standard installation with the available tax credits and rebates. 

The photovoltaic systems typically installed are “grid-tied.”  This means they are connected to the utility grid through your electric panel.  As the sun shines, the collector array on the roof makes direct current (DC) electricity. This current passes through the inverter, mounted next to your electrical panel, to become alternating current (AC), which is what most appliances in your home use.  When your system is producing more electricity than you are consuming, the electricity is fed back into the electrical grid for use elsewhere and your meter spins backwards.  This is called “net metering” and allows you to sell your PV system’s excess generation.  At night, when no solar power is produced, your electric meter spins forward as you use electricity.  In Massachusetts the electricity company reads your meter monthly and charges you for the amount it has spun forward.

You are probably wondering just how much energy the system would produce for you.  A 1.5-kilowatt photovoltaic system of 1500 watts will produce around 2190 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year.  The average home in our area uses 500 kWh per month, or 6000 kWh per year!  But because everyone’s habits and consumption are different, we recommend that you have a comprehensive site evaluation done to determine if you have a suitable site, what you average electric consumption is, the recommended system size for your roof, based on your budget and roof space. 

Before you consider a solar system, you should invest in energy efficiency for your home. For every dollar spent on energy efficiency, you save three to five dollars in renewable energy costs. We strongly recommend that you have your building undergo a free energy audit provided by the Cape Light Compact.  A free energy audit can help you decide how best to reduce your energy use.  They offer rebate coupons for lighting and other efficient appliances, and an incentive program to help people insulate their homes.  For information and to sign up, call 800-797-6699 and ask for a comprehensive energy audit. Please tell them Self Reliance referred you! 

*Your solar contractor can help you determine whether you qualify for this additional rebate.

In order to participate in this program, you are required to have a thorough site evaluation to determine the feasibility of photovoltaics.  Click here to download the site survey request  form, a preliminary site evaluation form, that you need to complete and return to use in order to schedule your comprehensive site analysis. 

After the site assessment, our solar contractor partner will send you a written evaluation outlining the proposed system recommendations and any necessary site considerations that would be required to address prior to installation.  The cost of the site analysis is $95.  Our schedule for site visits fills up quickly, and rebates are available on a first come, first served basis, so please return the preliminary site evaluation sheet, along with a check made payable to Self-Reliance, promptly so that we may schedule your visit as soon as possible.

Thanks again for you interest in our program.  We look forward to working with you to obtain solar energy.

Click here to download our Guide to Grid-tied PV

The program will be coordinated on Martha's Vineyard by Kate Warner of Under the Sun.  She may be reached at 508.693.3820 or kate@vineyard.net

Solar Thermal

Solar thermal, also referred to as solar hot water, can be used in a variety of applications.  Most commonly these systems are used to heat domestic hot water that we use in our homes for showers, doing the dishes and other tasks requiring hot water. 

Solar hot water systems can also be used to heat the water we use to heat our homes, such as forced hot water.  The best application using solar is in radiant floor heating.  This is where water-filled tubing is run underneath the flooring to provide the heat.  Radiant floor heating only requires the water to be between 93 degrees and 100 degrees, whereas forced hot water baseboard requires water temperatures of well over 120 degrees. 

However, solar hot water can also be used to heat forced hot air systems.

Pool heating is another popular application for solar thermal systems.

If you are interested in integrating solar thermal into your home, whether it be a new home or a retrofit, it is well worth the investment as they are a good investment and they provide many years of service and hot water.

We promote the use of the highest quality, new components available. 

Like all solar systems, the fuel is free and comes up every morning!

To help build the local capacity to support the design, installation and monitoring of renewable energy technologies, Self-Reliance is collaborating with the Upper Cape Technical School, the Cape Cod Technical School and local electricians and trades people interested in working with solar systems. If you are interested in becoming involved in the project, please e-mail us at reliance@reliance.org.

Building Diagnostics in Sandwich offers energy efficient design and green building services.  Go to www.BuildingDiagnosticsHelp.com for more information.