Bridging the Gap
10 Burning Questions about the Solar Energy Biz cont.
7) Please describe how a typical solar panel installation generates electricity.Each photovoltaic module produces direct current “DC” power which is generally wired into circuits and then passed through an inverter. The inverter is the intelligence of the system and also converts the “DC” power into alternating current “AC” power, which is usable by your building. The inverter exports this “AC” power into a back-fed electrical breaker on the existing electrical panel within a facility. In most cases, the power is then used instantaneously by whatever loads happen to be operating within the facility (ie. lighting, HVAC, etc). The utility grid naturally supplements this as needed - usually your building is using a combination of solar and utility power. This operation is completely transparent for the facility. If a cloud passes over, the facility will consume more utility power until the cloud passes. If the solar produces excess power, it will be exported back out through the utility meter and the utility will credit you for those exported kilowatt hours.
8) How long does it typically take for a solar installation to pay for itself?
This question is highly dependent on the specific location and that location’s electric rates, solar incentives, and weather. Some states like New Jersey can pay off in as little as 7 years while others could be 25. For this reason, the entire US solar market is highly concentrated in a few states with the best overall economics.
9) Are solar panels effective in cloudy climates and northern latitudes?
Yes, they absolutely are but you will tend to see production more heavily weighted to the nicer months of the year. For example, here in Chicago, we get 85% of the production that you’d get in Miami. However, very little of that energy is produced in the winter.
10) Is solar energy still a "green" product after considering the life-cycle costs of producing and transporting the PV panels?
Yes. In most cases, the energy embedded in the panel itself is made back within the first couple years (of a 30+ year product). The manufacturing process does produce some byproducts but those can be dealt with properly. The problem is that some 3rd world countries aren’t handling these byproducts properly in the short term. With consolidation, these problems will be weeded out. A few products on the market do contain toxic components, but these manufacturers all have “take-back” and recycling programs for end of life.
11) I noticed that you have a Twitter feed (SoCore_Solar). Has new social media changed the way that you do business?
It hasn’t been a big driver yet, but we’re working towards driving more and more of our business through a web platform so that’s the direction we’re headed.
