Seeing an increase in the amount of co-op members exploring the possibility of installing a solar system, the co-op’s board of directors felt having a solar demonstration system available for member’s to examine would be an effective tool in their evaluation process.

We thought it would be helpful to show a couple of different styles of panel arrays. The first array, North Wind Renewable Energy panel, is a standard south facing panel. The second has two rows of panels installed in tandem, Ten K Solar – one facing south and the other facing north.

No. Our building’s monthly average electric usage is around 16,775 kilowatt hours (kWhs). The combined projected monthly average output of the two solar arrays is 968 kWhs (346 for the standard and 622 for the dual).

The average residential consumer on our system uses 858 kWhs per month. The projected output of the dual system is 622 kWhs per month. So probably not, but it depends on the actual electrical usage of the home. Individual usage varies according to house size, number of people and how electric devices are used. Solar system installers typically use past electrical usage when sizing a system. Because of high system costs, most systems are not sized to provide 100 percent of the electrical needs.

The cost varies depending on site preparation. The typical cost of the type of systems at the co-op is between $20,000 and $30,000. 

We’re anticipating 20-plus years. Typically, the panels are very durable and performance does not degrade much over time.

Payback varies as no two solar system paybacks are the same. To determine a payback on a solar system, we recommend you consider the following:

• Final cost of the system after incentives, such as rebates and the 30 percent federal tax credit;
• The estimated yearly output of the system; and
• The rate at which you will be paid by the electric utility for the system’s output to the grid.

Both systems are interconnected with the grid, so their output goes directly onto our distribution wires, which in turn reduces the amount of wholesale power we need to purchase. The energy produced is not directly used by our building. 

No. The cost for battery backup for these types of systems is approximately $30,000.

No. All renewable systems with an inverter and no battery backup require line voltage to function and will not generate during an outage.

Both the weather and seasonal changes will affect the amount of sun reaching the panels. During the summer, the panels will produce more energy because the days are longer and the sun is higher. If it’s a cloudy day, the panels will produce less.

Absolutely, just give us a call or stop by our office. 

We have monitors in our office displaying the output of the systems and have the same information available on our web site www.cwecoop.com.