Renewable energy overview

Gareth Walton & Jamie Burnham SunGift Solar

About us
Renewable energy specialists Experienced started in 2006 & have installed hundreds of renewable energy systems A complete service our own fully trained & qualified system designers & installers No 1 ranked SW installer in the UK on www.yougen.co.uk Award winning voted Installer of the Year in the SW Green Energy Awards twice in the past three years Designed & installed on a wide range of projects new build & existing, domestic & non-domestic, urban & rural All necessary certifications, including MCS

Renewable energy technologies

Heat Water heating Space heating Electricity

Selecting & installing renewables

1. Know how much energy you use 2. Reduce your energy demand through energy efficiency measures this reduces the size & cost of any renewable energy system needed & is usually very cost effective 3. Identify any opportunities &/or constraints to renewable energy on your site or property

4. Check with your local planning authority whether there are any planning issues
5. Select appropriate renewable energy technology or technologies 6. Get quotes EST recommends getting at least 3 from MCS installers

Feed-in Tariffs (FITs)

Government financial incentive for renewable electricity

Open to everyone individuals, businesses, organisations & public sector

Generation tariff rather than a grant towards the capital cost

Paid for all electricity generated & not just that exported to the grid
Varying tariffs depending on type & scale of technology 3.1p/kWh extra for electricity exported to the grid

Designed to give a return on investment ie you make a profit

Guaranteed income for 10-25 years depending on type & scale of technology index linked (& tax free for individuals)

FITs rates
Technology Scale 4kW >4-10kW >10-50kW >50 - 250kW
>250kW - 5MW & stand alone systems

PV

Current tariffs (pence per kWh) 21.0 16.8 15.2 12.9 8.9 35.8 28.0 25.4 20.6 10.4 4.9 21.9 19.6 12.1 4.9

Tariff lifetime (years)

25

Wind

Hydro

1.5kW >1.5-15kW >15-100kW >100-500kW >500kW-1.5MW >1.5MW-5MW 15kW >15-100kW >100kW-2MW >2-5MW

20

20

FITs tariffs are also available for Anaerobic Digestion & Micro-CHP

FITs changes
Despite recent FITs reductions PV can still deliver 7-11% return because system costs have fallen

From 1 April 2012 any new solar PV installation on or connected to a building will only get the full FITs if the building has an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D or higher
The Government is proposing to cut FITs for PV again from 1 July 2012 (by 20-56%) depending on amount of PV installed & also to reduce the tariff lifetime to 20 years Also proposed an automatic 10% reduction in the FITs for PV every 6 months Tariffs for other technologies due to be reduced from October 2012 (hydro 4-8% & wind 8-41%)

Proposed PV FITs rates

Currently under consultation. Due to be introduced from 1 July 2012. Which option (A, B & C) is chosen will be based on how much PV has been installed in March & April 2012.

Solar photovoltaics (PV)

Generate electricity from daylight, although produce most in direct sunlight SW receives the highest level of solar irradiation in the UK Can be supplied as panels or tiles & can be built into the fabric of a building, bolted on afterwards or built on a frame on the ground Must be correctly angled & orientated for best performance, with the ideal position facing South at an angle of 30 degrees Variation from this will result in reduced performance, but facing between East & West can still be viable Shading dramatically reduces performance & should be avoided Buildings roof must be able to take the weight of the panels

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PV for free?
Issues to consider: - How much of the electricity generated will you use? - Who pays? (for all the equipment) - Who owns it? - Who gets the FITs? - Who gets the electricity & is it free? - Maintenance & repairs? - Insurance? - Moving property before 25 years is up? - Roof work?

See www.energysavingtrust.org.uk for a full list of questions

Step 1 the survey

We look at the following 3 things: 1. The outside of the roof/the land available 2. The internal roof structure 3. The existing electrics

Step 1 the survey

The outside of the roof/the land available
Available space Orientation Pitch Shading Covering & condition Access for scaffold &/or materials

PV for free?

Impact of angle & orientation on performance

Source: Energy Saving Trust A buyers guide to solar electricity panels February 2011
www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/Resources/Publications/Renewables/A-buyer-s-guide-to-solar-electricity-panels

Internal roof structure

Work with firm of independent structural engineers to ensure roofs are strong enough to take the weight of the system Construction Condition Full measurements Fixing points Felted Access

Existing electrics

Incoming supply Type of fusebox etc Age & condition Earthing Cable runs Inverter location

Step 2 system design

Western Power (WPD) enquiry if necessary Use specialist PV industry software Build a 3D model of your property/roof Run shading analysis More accurate estimate of the amount of electricity generated by the system Inverter sizing

Our products
We are not tied to one particular product manufacturer Criteria quality & longevity performance & cost our confidence in the manufacturers

Different PV panels perform differently

Independent Photon Magazine test Real world comparative performance About 100 panels all installed at the same location, the same angle & the same orientation 12.5% difference in the amount of electricity produced over a year

Step 3 Pre-installation
We can do planning/listed building/Building Regulations application/provide CAD drawings etc Notify insurance

Step 4 installation
Dont subcontract out installations employ our own roofers, electricians & plumbers

Step 5 post-installation
FITs registration Commissioning MCS certificate Handover pack

PV Case Study - Escot House

Key facts and figures System: 3.92kWp Siliken Corrugated Roof system Location: Nr Ottery St Mary, Devon Income and savings: 1,693 pa Return on investment: 13% pa Payback time: 7.7 years Carbon offset: 2.1 tonnes pa Specification: 16 x Siliken 245W panels + 1 x Sputnik Engineering SolarMax 4200S inverter

Exeter School 9.8kWp PV array

Cost 28,000 ex VAT Estimated payback 6.4 years Estimated return 15.7%

PV - Case Study Sharps Farm

Key facts and figures System: 20.72 kW roof-mounted solar PV array Location: near Taunton, Somerset Income and savings: 7,000 pa Return on investment: 8% pa Payback time: 12.2 years Carbon offset: 11.52 tonnes pa Specification: 112 Sharp Nu185E1 panels + two Solar Max inverters

Near Exeter 40kWp PV array Approx cost 100,000 ex VAT Estimated payback 6.8 years Estimated return 14.7%

Met Office, Exeter 250kWp PV array Approx cost 300,000 ex VAT Estimated payback 7.3 years Estimated return 13.5%

Wind
Requires a good average wind speed - A small difference in wind speed will make a large difference to the amount of electricity generated Recommend monitoring wind speeds at the site before deciding whether to install Trees & buildings can dramatically reduce wind speed Need to be carefully sited, especially in built-up areas, to be effective Noise & visual impact may need to be considered Annual service needed

Hydro
Highly site specific Require a good year-round flow of water & preferably a good height difference between the top of the scheme & the turbine May require some civil works Licences & approval from the Environment Agency are required Mitigating measures such as a mesh screen & a fish ladder may need to be installed Noise may be an issue Annual service needed

Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI)

New Government financial incentive for renewable heat

860m from 2011 to 2014 - directly funded by Government

Like the FITs a generation tariff rather than a grant towards the capital cost
Different approaches for the domestic & non-domestic sectors

Non-domestic RHI tariffs available now index-linked

Domestic RHI tariffs currently due from Summer 2013 no details published so far

One-off grants (called RHI Premium Payments) available until 31 March 2013 for domestic installations only

RHI tariff levels for non-domestic installations

Technology Scale <200kWth Solid biomass & municipal solid waste 200-1000kWth 1000kWth & above Ground source & water source heat pumps & deep geothermal Solar thermal <100kWth 100kWth & above <200kWth Tariff rate (p/kWh) 8.3 (Tier 1) 5.1 (Tier 1) 1.0 4.7 3.4 8.9 7.1 20 20 20 Tariff lifetime (years)

2.1 (Tier 2) 20

Biomethane injection & biogas combustion, except from landfill gas

Biomethane - all scales Biogas <200kWth

Payments for biomass installations up to 1000kWth are split into two tiers the Tier 1 rates are paid for the first part of the heat generated each year with the Tier 2 rates paid for heat generated beyond that. The point at which the tier changes depends on the size of the installation and is calculated by multiplying the installed capacity (kWth) by 1,314 peak load hours.

Solar thermal
Supplementary heat source such as a boiler or immersion heater usually needed for when output is low eg in the winter 2 main types - flat plate & evacuated tubes. Evacuated tubes are more efficient, but also more expensive. Must be correctly angled & orientated for best performance The heating system, particularly the hot water tank & boiler, needs to be compatible

Heat pumps
Use similar technology to fridges to extract heat from the air, ground or water Can provide space & water heating Require electricity to run & the CO2 & financial cost of this needs to be considered The more efficient the heat pump is running, & the higher the CO2 savings & the lower the running costs Provide a low-temperature heat output - best suited to meeting a low heat demand eg well insulated properties with underfloor heating Ground source HPs require horizontal trenches or vertical boreholes to be dug Noise likely to be a planning issue for ASHPs WSHPs may require approval from the Environment Agency

Air Source Heat Pump Case Study

Listed Building with Night Storage Heaters
Project Brief; Remove existing and ineffective night storage heating system and replace with a new wet radiator network and cost effective heating system whilst respecting the sensitive nature of the property.

Air Source Heat Pump Case Study

Installed 12No. Double Convector radiators with Honeywell Evotouch Zone controls. 16kW Daikin Altherma HT Heat Pump System Provides 100% of Space heating and DHW. Heating & DHW bills with night storage and immersion heater on Economy 7 1748/yr

Heating and DHW bills with Daikin Altherma HT ASHP 1073/yr

Biomass
Biomass stoves can provide space heating for individual rooms & water heating if they have a back boiler connected Biomass boilers provide space & water heating for whole building/group of buildings Suitable for new build or existing buildings Main fuels are woodchips, pellets, or logs Smoke control zones Almost CO2 neutral CO2 & cost savings will depend on the fuel being replaced In general, work best with fairly constant heating demand Biomass boilers in particular most efficient when operating close to full load Sufficient space for the stove/boiler & for fuel storage is needed plus good access to the fuelstore for deliveries Require ash removal, although in general very small amounts produced

Biomass Case Study

Project Brief: Client has a small bungalow currently heated with night storage heaters and an immersion heater for domestic hot water. Running costs are high and the controllability is poor. Client wanted a renewable alternative that offered an automated system that was sustainable, controllable and reduced running costs. We supplied a 9kW pellet boiler capable of providing 100% of the heating and hot water requirement. Key facts and Figures Heat Load = 6.97kW Total Energy requirement - 7,371kWh/yr Current annual running cost night storage and immersion - 1,061 Annual cost of wood pellet fuel - 409 Fuel savings 652 per year Potential Income from domestic RHI - 663 per year.

Integrated Solutions Case Study

4.7 kWp solar PV system 14 kW Air Source Heat Pump Internet monitoring and remote control 3.18 kW roof integrated solar thermal Underfloor heating

Integrated Solutions Case Study

3.92kWp Solar Slate PV System Plant room... Not Airing Cupboard!

Low Temp, Ecodan Air Source Heat Pump in conjunction with UFH

Roof Integrated Velux Solar Thermal System

Practical considerations for designers and developers

Photovoltaics
Shading impact is severe. Need to avoid trees, chimneys and even power lines. Designs should mitigate against obstacles that shade, if unavoidable then specialist micro inverter systems are available. South at 30 from the horizontal is optimal. Losses are small if system faces SW or SE. E/W will generally only result in approx 25% energy loss in a year. Less than optimal orientations may benefit from a different type of technology such as thin film panels which perform better in lower light conditions.

Module degradation should be considered when looking at the long term economics of a system and when selecting a manufacturer. Different manufacturers offer different warranties guaranteeing power performance over the life time of the system.
Roof fixings and integrated systems. Makes sense in new build or when re-roofing to install mounting brackets as the roof is being installed.

3.68kW is the standard limit for a single phase supply set by Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) such as Western Power Distribution (WPD).
Grid connection upgrades are often very expensive eg in the region of 20,000.

Practical considerations for designers and developers

Wind
Planning permission needs careful consideration and requires a sensitive approach.

If within 50m of a hedge an ecological survey is required. Survey process varies depending on location and proximity to bat colonies. Costs can range from 500 - 2,500.
Visual impact, shadow flicker and sound pressure are major considerations when finalising location of turbine.

Avoid AONBs, SSSI, World Heritage sites, scheduled monuments.

Topographic effects of local landscape impact on wind speed and laminar flow. Trees, buildings and other obstacles can lead to turbulence which significantly reduce the performance of the turbine. Topple distances dictate proximity to roads, power lines and buildings. General recommendations are to stay a minimum of 100m from clients property and 200m from nearest neighbour.

Practical considerations for designers and developers

Solar Thermal
Sizing collector to match cylinder size and hot water demand is critical. Over sizing can lead to stagnation and system failure. Pipe runs through loft, connecting roof panels to cylinder cupboard. Pump station and controller typically installed in loft space but can also be located in a plant room / cupboard. Avoid locating pump near bedroom! Most important is educating the end user how the system functions. Controls and setup is crucial. Solar thermal gradually heats cylinder, boiler should be programmed to come on at the end of the day when the solar has had its chance to heat the water. Specialist cylinder required. Works really well with Heat Pumps.

Practical considerations for designers and developers

Heat Pumps
What sort of property suits which technology? Heat emitters determine type of heat pump.

A major limitation of Air Source Heat Pumps is a clients grid connection. A maximum output capacity of 16kW thermal is generally the maximum you can connect with a single phase grid connection.
GSHP units can achieve output capacities of as much as 24kW on a single phase.

If customers have multiple electrical supplies then heat pumps can be linked to provide a modular output.
Grid connection upgrades are often very expensive eg in the region of 20,000. Location of outdoor unit is important. Strong winds can reduce fan speed. Sound pressure levels need to be considered. Units can be as much as 20m from the property, they can be wall mounted or installed on mounting feet. Anti-vibration mats should be installed and a condense drain built in to prevent icing.

Practical considerations for designers and developers

Biomass
Understand heat requirement and load profile. Boiler sizing is not a question of simply matching or over-sizing like oil or gas. Boilers should be designed to run for prolonged periods rather than stopping and starting. Thermal shock on the combustion chamber can reduce lifetime of boiler. Fuel type is dependant on the local fuel supply chain.

Customers ability and desire for manual labour.

Space... Service and maintenance package. Backup boiler for large systems.

Thanks very much

01392 213912 info@sungiftsolar.co.uk www.sungiftsolar.co.uk