A properly sized system will deliver many years of reliable operation. Following these steps will ensure that your system is both suitable for your energy needs and installed properly. DO NOT make the critical mistake of trading efficiency of operation for esthetic value. Form must always follow function. Solar panels are a thing of beauty in function and design-show them off.

1. Determining your energy needs:

 All homes have several sub-system components-water supply, heating, cooking, lighting, cooling, appliances and waste systems .

 If you are on grid power-you can determine your present usage by looking at your billing for KWH used. This amount, divided by the number of days in your billing cycle, will determine your daily usage.

Do not expect to power the following items with RE energy:
Electric Stoves, electric water heaters, electric heating (of any kind), electric dryers...any other resistance heating load.

Once you have your daily usage, either by your billing or adding up your appliances in watts or amps, you can get an approximate idea of the system size and cost. Since daylight hours and climates vary, we can only average these figures:

As you can see, the more electrical load you apply to the system, the higher the cost. It is important to decrease your energy consumption by utilizing the most efficient appliances and lighting systems possible. Systems requiring more than 40KWH daily would need to be specially designed and are more costly. All systems above include battery storage sized for the system load and with an average of 2-3 days power backup. More storage days in the battery would be needed for stand-alone systems and somewhat less for grid-tied systems.

2. Locating your system:

Since locations and climates vary, PV and optional wind power system locations must be designed to fit the location, but some general rules are:

• Locate the solar panels (PV) as close as possible to the system controls.
• Locate the system (inverter/batteries/controls) in a dry, ventilated area with heating available if in cold climates and close to the main AC panel.
• Locate the wind generator (if used) away from obstructions closer than 200' that are over 30' in height.
• Do not mount the PV component on your roof unless there are no other choices. Don't let aesthetic considerations conflict with the best location or maximum efficiency of the PV array.
• Do not mount wind generators to a residence.

3. Special considerations:

• Water systems: Water supply can demand large quantities of electricity when not designed correctly. Utilize gravity feed when possible, and always include storage systems, unless on a municipal water source.
• Grundfos SQ-Flex systems are the most energy efficient pumps.

• In southern climates, overheating is a real consideration for PV arrays, robbing your PV panels of power. Mounting PV arrays on roofs adds to the heating effect and should be avoided. Conversely, in northern climates. Snow loading is a factor and should be considered in all roof mounted PV systems. Use Rack mounted system whenever possible.
  
• AGM type batteries (industrial versions) should be used in storage battery systems. AGM batteries are more efficient than conventional wet-cell batteries. They require no maintenance, have a longer life cycle and are supplied with all Planetary Systems, Inc. Power Package systems.
  
• In climates with less sun availability (Northeast, some areas of the Pacific Northwest , you will need to add more PV in grid-tied and off-grid applications. Remember, you can add too many PV panels, which on cloudy days net you less than adequate input no matter how many panels you have installed.
• Always utilize tankless gas water heaters (Rinnai/Takagi) rather then electric or gas tank systems. In the long rung, they will use over 90% less energy and are reliable and easy to install. They work well with solar hot water assist systems.

• Always include a high quality automatic generator set of the correct size and similar to the Kohler RES series in any off-grid application. The voltage parameters of the generator end are very important and higher quality generators make for shorter battery charging time.
  
• Hydronic heating is the only REAL energy efficient type of heating. Do not be fooled by the hype around ground-source heat pump systems, as they simply substitute electricity for a fossil fuel being burned on site, transferring the fossil fuel burn to the utility. As electricity rates rise, these systems will become increasingly expensive to operate. Condensing gas heaters such as the Buderus GB-142 series (98% efficient) can be as much as 70% less costly to operate, and do not pollute.
  
• An adequately sized battery system is important. Do not attempt to oversize the battery system as this will lead to an inability to adequately charge the batteries when the battery is low. All Planetary Systems, Inc. Power Packages are designed with correct battery sizing.
  
• Searching for energy efficient appliances can be more difficult than you might expect. Since all energy star and other “green tag” programs are self regulated by the manufacturer, there is a lot of wiggle room to present appliances as being more efficient than they truly are. Ask questions and remember, the more conveniences they offer (such as water in the door on a fridge), the more energy the unit will consume.

Something to think about...

A single coal-fired power plant is equal to 180,000 cars in terms of one days pollution entering the atmosphere. At present, there are tons of spent nuclear fuel rods waiting for a permanent home. Our aging dams and coal fired plants are in need of serious upgrades and repair, and coal, which used to be inexpensive is not anymore. Coal is still the single largest contributor to global pollution, second only to cars in this respect. Renewable energy systems given their longevity, life-cycle energy output and above all, storage capability, are the only answer.

Types of Renewable Energy Systems

GRID TIED WITHOUT BATTERIES

Systems include: Fronius, Sunny Boy and similar inverter systems

Advantages: These systems are easy to design, equipment costs are about 30% less, and they will reduce your electric bill in most cases.

Disadvantages: (Systems are typically high voltage ... 200-500vdc).

• Must be installed by professionals.
• Require a utility sell-back contract.
• Are more costly to expand than battery based systems. Adding new panels/inverters is quite expensive since they will need to be added in 200+ volt sets (about 10 panels-minimum).
• Do not reduce your load on a 24 hour-a-day basis.
• Provide no power when the utility grid is down.
• Are really only 80% efficient at energy transfer.
• Most important…will not have a lasting effect on the overall energy consumption from the grid for you or your community.
• Most important of all-without utility power, you are in the dark!
• If you purchase a 3kw system (for instance), as utility rates increase, your system will shrink in comparative output.

GRID TIED WITH BATTERIES-SELL BACK OR STAND ALONE

Advantages:

• System can provide back-up power.
• 96% efficient at energy conversion.
• Easily installed at lower voltage (24 or 48vdc).
• Can provide 24 hour-a-day power reduction and will have a lasting effect on your usage and the grid as a whole.

This is why Planetary Systems offers systems with the latest technology AGM battery systems which: Require no maintenance, are 96% efficient, have a 20 year life cycle and which will provide the greatest value whether selling back or providing independent power. We can show you how our battery based systems will permanently reduce your electrical usage without any battery maintenance, and with inexpensive future expansion possible.