Alabama Solar Association
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Public Meetings 2016
ASA has Speakers every Month at our
Public Meetings
Why Solar ?
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Renewable
- the energy source, sunlight, is
unlimited (esp. in Alabama)
- clean / good for the environment
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Reliable
- panels are guaranteed for 25 years
- actually will last 30 to 40 years, with
very little maintenance -
Independence
- from foreign sources
- from utility prices -
Good Investment
- the electricity generated will make
you money
- adds to the property value of your
home
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2016 Presentations at the ASA Monthly Public Meetings
"Solar Hot Water Heating"
Feb 16 by Tom Tyler of Solar Thermal Systems
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Federal Hot Water Heater Efficiency Standards (April 2015)
-Energy Factor comparisons between non-solar (Electric, Gas, Tankless) & Solar Thermal : highest non-solar Energy Factor is 2.05, whereas Solar is over 10
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Making Hot Water with Sunshine
– Types of solar energy and collector
1) Flat Plate Collector - best for N. AL
- 2 flat plate collectors provide 80% of hot water needs for family of 4
2) Evacuated Tube Collector
- used when higher H2O temp is required -Heat Pump Water Heater – NEW
decrease cost to heat water 50% - 80% – Solar Hot Water System Configurations -
Financial Analysis of Solar Hot Water
- Solar Thermal Water Heater life span is 40 yrs– added value at home appraisal time
- typical savings is equivalent to 50% to 80% of annual water heating bill
- payback in 10 to 15 years– 16 benefits to install Solar Hot Water in new construction
– Solar Thermal Combi‐systems improve ROI
combines domestic hot water & space heating into 1 system -
Legionella in hot water systems
- is the new MOLD
"Take Five campaign"
Mar 15 by Robin Cox of of Operation Green Team
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Huntsville is 1 of 50 cities competing in the Georgetown University Energy Prize (GUEP) Competition (http://www.guep.org) to develop a cleaner, more efficient energy future
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the prize, $ 5 million, goes to the competing city that decreases their energy consumption / person (municipal & residents) the most in 2 yrs
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out of 50 cities, Huntsville is now #1
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Take Five is public awareness campaign that will promote energy efficiency in the home, workplace & schools by challenging people to Take Five actions to reduce energy waste:
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change 5 most-used lights to LED
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unplug it, when not in use
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set thermostat to 78 F in summer & 68 F in winter
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take a 5 min. or less shower
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Keep it closed (close garage doors & seal windows
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Take Five: Huntsville Energy Everywhere Fair (April 2016 – May 2018) for 4th graders in all Huntsville City schools will teach kids about energy basics now, clean energy & the climate
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Green Team, Huntsville City Schools, Huntsville Utilities & Energy Huntsville will supply materials to students
"Energy Storage" Jan 14 by Morton Archibald & Tom Tenpenny
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Why - Storage is the key to practical use of renewable energy.
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Batteries, ice, hydro, capacitors, and more
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May be huge or tiny
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May be simple or complex
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Don’t overlook old technologies.
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Can be added to existing grid-tied PV system to make it ‘smart’ to choose, based if the grid is up, pass through to grid, isolate from grid OR charge the battery
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Ice, the ideal energy storage - Couple with a solar array to make ice during the day (when sun is shining) and use to cool the house at night.
How Does a Solar Panel generate electricity?
The silicon wafer is the basic component in each solar cell. This silicon wafer is processed with one side charged + and the other side charged - . When light hits it, in the form of photons, electrons are "excited" & flow to the other side. This creates a current. This current is then transferred to electricity in your house.
Most solar panels are garanteed for 25 years with only a 20% degradation in efficiency.
Gov. & Utility Incentives
to Install Solar Panels
- 30% Federal Tax Credit
- Accelerated depreciation
- $1,000 TVA connection credit
- TVA green Power purchase
- 30% (up to $3,000) Federal Grant
"Energy Efficiency Program"
Apr 19 by John Holley & Jerry Adams of Calhoun Community College
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"Ground Source Heat Pumps"
May 17 by Keith Key, P.E. of Geothermal Solutions
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almost 2/3 of electricity on your utilities bill is from heating, cooling & hot water
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Geothermal/Ground Source Heat Pump uses the constant temperature (65-67 degrees) in the ground to exchange heat in winter & cool in the summer with your indoor air
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in winter, it doesn’t create heat but collects it from the earth via loops & transfers/moves it into your house
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traditional H/C returns $1 of heat for every $1 spent on electricity while geothermal returns $5 of heat for $1 of electricity – it can save you 70% on your electric bill
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no condenser or Freon needed - only moving parts are the pump & blower, this means less maintenance & longest life span of any H/C system
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Geothermal Heat Pumps are rated in EER, not SEER : 16 SEER = 13 EER
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has been around since the late 1940’s
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treated water is run through underground pipes are called a loops : closed loop 1) vertical 2) horizontal (100-400 ft) & pond (coiled on bottom of pond) and open loop, well water system
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residential federal energy tax credit expires the end of 2016
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initial costs are about 3
times more, but all
expenses recouped in
5 years
"A Solar Community in AL" Jun 21
by Bill Stevenson
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every October for Solar Month some residents in Blountsville, AL in Blount County (about 40 min S of H’ville) open their super green homes to the public
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inspired by the conservative nature & “closer to nature” culture of the Quaker’s
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the architecture of all 3 homes is passive solar
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Glazing on south side window
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Deep overhangs above windows
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Deciduous trees, vines
Guesman’s Coverted Yurt
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yurt - refers to its round outline / framework , rather than traditional square, for greater energy efficiency
off-grid 12 panel solar farm -
wood burning stove, no AC, special electric super efficient refrigerator, solar oven
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passive solar - deciduous vegetation to block sunlight coming in windows in summer
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no AC, special electric super efficient refrigerator, solar oven
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Solar Hot Water Heater on Roof
Bergquist’s Clerestory House
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on-the-grid, PV’s, Solar Hot Water Heater on Roof
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cupola for ventilation & outside doors across from each other for cross ventilation
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has AC, passive solar heat & lighting from architecture
Brindle’s Straw Bale House
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straw inside walls serve an insulation, 20 PV solar farm
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Custom Built Basement Refrigerator
"Energy Efficient Building Construction" Jul 19
by Rosemary Mudgett
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energy efficient goal of any house - minimize air infiltration by sealing & good insulation
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the Mudggets used tilt-up ICFs (Insulated Concrete Forms) and SIPs (Structural Insulated Panels) to construct their house instead of traditional construction (Stick frame) - SIPs were used for foundation
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their house uses half (46%) the electricity to heat & cool than other houses of this size in the same zip code - R28 exterior walls and R41 roof
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Higher initial material cost (1-5%) more than offset by lower construction labor cost & lower utilities cost
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structure of house, on-site, built in 3 days – set with crane in gravel, then panels grouted & concrete slab poured inside
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walls are solid, no need to find a stud to hang heavy objects
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ICF (Insulated Concrete Forms) Pros
- Continuous concrete pour reduces air infiltration
- Will not promote rot, mold, or mildew OR burn
- Very strong especially with ICF roof
- Not a food source for insects or small animals
- Good sound barrier
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SIPs (Structural Insulated Panels) forms made from 85% recycled EPS (Expanded PolyStyrene) with 15% cement
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SIP differences from ICF
- Usable below grade (Insects cannot burrow through)
- Better fire resistance
- Concrete fill grid pattern may allow more air infiltration
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SIP Pros
- High R values
- Very low air infiltration
- Various panel thicknesses available
- Quick shell installation
- Good sound barrier
- No 2x4 studs to miss when hanging drywall, cabinets, and pictures
- 20-30% stronger than stick framing
- No place for mold and mildew to grow
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Industry trend is towards SIP
"AL Center for Sustainable Energy" Aug 16
by Daniel Tait
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ALCSE (Alabama Center for Sustainable Energy) is a non-profit organization with the Mission Statement: “Accelerating Alabama’s transition to sustainable energy”
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ALCSE plans to do this with 1) Education 2) Advocacy & 3) Technical Assistance
1) Education
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Educating the next generation at Schools and Sci-Quest
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OLLI and LearningQUEST
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Now, professional development
2) Advocacy
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PACE legal in Alabama
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Additions to appraiser’s manuals
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Local energy justice coalition
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TVA advisory committee
3) Tech Assistance
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Huntsville Better Buildings Challenge
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Mission: Net Zero - Net Zero Energy: The amount of energy provided by on-site renewable energy sources is equal or equivalent to the amount of energy used.
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ALCSE increases community awareness motivating the community to take the collective action necessary to change our energy model & educates individuals to make smarter decisions when using energy
"H Fuel Cell Cars" Sept 20
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fuel cells qualify for the 30% Residential Energy Fed. Tax Credit
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the ‘fuel’ is compressed H gas
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a Hydrogen fuel cell is NOT a battery, but uses the energy released from the chemical reaction of compressed Hydrogen with Oxygen to power a car
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2H2 + O2 → 2H2O Hydrogen molecule reacts with Oxygen creating water and Energy
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1 Kg Hydrogen = 1 gal gasoline in energy
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since it’s not a combustion engine, but a chemical reaction – less moving parts
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2 models out now: equivalent to 50 mpg,
130 -150 HP, tank
distance is almost 300
miles, around $60,000 -
about 20 H2 stations,
ALL in So. Ca
"One Approach To Energy Efficient Residential Construction"
Oct 18 by Gary Hasemeyer
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Gary acted as his own contractor on his house built 15 years ago
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key features - 1) strong ICF walls &, 2) Radiant Thermal Barrier, 3) Geothermal Heating and Cooling with Energy Recovery for Hot Water 4) metal shingle roof, 5) R-13 windows
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he wanted to prevent tornadoes collapsing walls on his family
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his house is more than 90% more efficient than av. house
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elevated slab to isolate interior from ground temp. changes
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Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) Walls built by many blocks of 5” foam insulation with 6” of concrete poured into each, on site – cost about 20% more than traditional
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2nd floor additionally supported/braced
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triple-pane (R-13) casement windows from Canada
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Geothermal HVAC system, 3.5 Ton, 2000’ of copper tubing with water soak system, 4 –zone programmable controls
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Thermos Bottle - Radiant Thermal Barrier inside walls & roof – “the heats stays in OR the heat stays out”
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metal shingle roof, 50-year life, reflects heat from sun, looks like but costs 2x asphalt shingles
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To extend the life of
your Lead batteries, k
keep them at least
50% charged.
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"AC Coupled Battery Backup Sys."
Nov 15 by Morton Archibald
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Grid Parity
When electricity from alternative energy is equal to or cheaper than the price of buying it from the power company
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