CED Cleantech Funding 2012

November 14th, 2012


The quarterly public open panel meeting of the Council for Entrepreneurial Development (CED) was held last Wednesday evening at the American Tobacco Underground Campus in Durham. The panel featured clean energy venture capitalist investors led by moderator Brad Ives, who is Vice President for Corporate Development at Semprius Solar. The panel included Michael Adams, Managing Director in Technology Ventures at Constellation – An Exelon Company, Grant Allen, Vice President of ABB Technology Ventures, and Neil Suslak, Managing Partner at Braemar Energy Ventures.

A Large Crowd of investors, entrepreneurs, and students gather before the CED Cleantech funding panel

The goal of the panel discussion was to speak about the current state of venture capitalism in the clean energy sector, recent projects they have been a significant part of in the funding process, and the short and long term future of the VC market in the energy industry. Questions from the audience were encouraged, and a large topic of discussion was how to bring more investments and VC into the Research Triangle area from the larger funds typically located in Silicon Valley. Panelist Grant Allen responded, saying the RTP is doing quite well, and encouraged businesses to continue bringing new innovations to market and keep working as they have been and this will lead to more growth in the sector and larger investments. The other panelists agreed.

The CED event was sponsored by Ernst & Young and Hutchison PLLC

The CED is a nonprofit organization based in Durham, NC. It's mission statement is to identify, enable and promote high-growth, high-impact companies and to accelerate the entrepreneurial culture of the Research Triangle and North Carolina. They are the largest entrepreneurial support organization in the Southeast, and the oldest in the country. There are currently over 5,500 active members in the organization, with 1,100 companies represented in North Carolina. You can check out their website at http://www.cednc.org/

Attendees met for a catered reception after the event

SolarBridge Technologies Visits The Triangle

November 13th, 2012


Solar Bridge Technologies Roadshow pulled into the Triangle last Tuesday to tout their latest ACPV modules and provide a product presentation, installation training, catered reception, and NABCEP credits. The event took place at the RTP Marriott in Durham and was sponsored by Ontility Training, Solar Bridge Technologies, and BenQ Solar. There were approximately 12 people in attendance ranging from solar installers, distributors, and those looking to expand their knowledge in the field.

SolarBridge Roadshow Hit The Triangle Last Week at Marriott RTP

The goal of the presentation was to provide an overview of the solar market and present their Alternating Current Photovoltaic (ACPV) modules that help reduce solar installation times. You can check out their website through the following link, http://solarbridgetech.com/ .  The beauty of the ACPV module is that the microinverter comes pre-installed on every solar panel out of the box, so installation is simple and easy. Easy quick-connects allow for fast connection of panels in parallel rather than series, keeping total voltages lower and safer to use.

The pre-installed SolarBridge microinverter on the underside of a solar module.

The presentation emphasized four key points to their advantage of using SolarBridge ACPV modules:

• Simple Design, pre-installed microinverter technology that reduce installation times by 50%. See for yourself in the SolarBridge video presentation below.
• Reduced Costs of installation crew time, cables, and materials required.
• 25-year warranty for every microinverter. This warranty matches most panel manufacturer warranties, which is very important in reducing O&M costs after installations.
• 25% higher production output compared to traditional DC systems.

 

 Solar Bridge Installation Comparison

Another key advantage to the SolarBridge ACPV technology is its scalability. Because each module is pre-equipped with its own microinveter that will control and optimize AC output, more panels can be added to an array over time as needed without going through a complete system rewiring. This is not the case with traditional DC systems that utilize a single inverter and are limited by string sizing requirements. You are also not hindered by shading faults that in traditional DC systems can reduce output by over 50% even if a single panel is partially shaded. So common soiling issues do not become a major burden on your system.

SolarBridge ACPV Solutions Presentation

With all the advantages that I believe give SolarBridge technologies a distinct edge in the microinverter market, I believe their most valuable asset is the 25 year warranty that comes with each microinverter. To provide customers with this long term warranty that pairs quite well with solar module manufacturer warranties is an assurance that the company truly believes in their product. Additionally, this provides reduced O&M costs to the buyer compared to traditional DC systems in which most string inverters need to be replaced once or twice during the lifetime of the system. This will reflect well with installers and distributors as Solar Bridge continues to partner with more panel manufacturers to provide tandem product lines down the road (Currently they are partnered with BenQ Solar, SunPower Solar, Nexus Energy Solutions, ET Solar, Talesun, Mage, and EOPLLY).  Continued partnerships with more solar manufacturers will increase availability and should lower overall costs to make them more price competitive with traditional DC systems.

Installation Training of ACPV Modules post-presentation

After the presentation, attendees participated in an on-site panel installation training to show the ease of setting down ACPV modules. A catered reception was held with refreshments and snacks provided by BenQ Solar. The sponsors also held a raffle to give away free prizes and gift certificates. Thanks again to Greg and the Solar Bridge Crew, the Ontility Training partners, and the BenQ Solar sponsors. Good Luck with the rest of your tour!

Sponsor BenQ Solar Provided Refreshments after the Presentation

Solar For Home Basics: What You Need to Know

November 12th, 2012

Key factors to consider before you switch to Solar

Home Solar: How to decide if going green is right for you.

Every homeowner would be delighted to see their electric bill go away. And for many, solar comes to their minds as a possible answer to this dream. But how can you know if solar is right for you and your home? There are several factors that you should consider that go far beyond just wanting to lower your monthly bill. Let's go over some of them and hopefully help you make an easier choice for your energy plan.

#1. My Electric Bill is Too High!

 

A high electric bill definitely can make switching to solar tempting, but you'll need to probe deeper than just the numbers. Why is it so high? Are you using inefficient appliances and light bulbs? Leaving things on when you are not home? Believe it or not, the best homes for solar will also be the most efficient homes. Look around and see what kind of light bulbs you are using. You can reduce your monthly electric bills simply by replacing old incandescent bulbs with more efficient compact fluorescents or LED's.  A 100W solar panel on your roof couldn't provide enough energy to light two 60-watt bulbs, but could power ten 8-watt LED bulbs with ease. And when you think about how long you are using your home lights, this can add up quite quickly. Since energy is calculated as watts multiplied by hours used, a 60 Watt light bulb lit for one hour uses 60 Watt-hours. With an 8-Watt LED, you could light your room just as bright for over 7 hours before you use the same amount of electricity! When you consider how many light bulbs you have in your house, the savings really add up!  All of a sudden, you've reduced the number of solar panels you need on your roof by simply switching out your light bulbs.  Now check your large appliances like your refrigerator, oven, microwave, HVAC unit, hot water heater, and washer & dryer. Are they energy star certified? How much electricity are they using? Minimizing your load will help you maximize your benefits from solar. 

#2. I have plenty of roof space for panels!

Yes, roof space is definitely a factor, but it doesn't just stop there. Some roofs work better for solar than others, and obstacles like chimneys, vents, lightning rods, pitched windows, and others can cause obstructions that limit your maximum electricity output. And most importantly, the DIRECTION your roof is facing matters. A south facing roof will be your best position for laying solar panels down, while a north facing roof is the absolute worst. So if you have a north/south facing home, don't quickly assume you can just place panels on both sides of the roof! And if you have a home owners association, you will need to check with them if there are any rules or regulations in regards to solar. There are laws that will allow you to place solar even if an HOA says otherwise, but they may have a say-so on which side the panels can be placed, like facing the back yard versus facing the street. And if that happens to be the case and the back side of your roof is north-facing, You may be better off saving your money.

Nearby Trees can be problematic when installing solar panels on your home

#3. Those trees in my yard shouldn't be a problem

Wow. I've heard this a bunch. The real sentence should say "Those trees in my yard shouldn't be a problem, NOW"  Remember, any foliage in your yard is going to grow over time, and since solar is a LONG term investment, you need to consider the long term growth potential of any trees or bushes in your yard. Will they become a problem down the road? Are you ok with cutting them down to make sure your panels get the maximum amount of sun during the day? Are the trees even on your property? Is your neighbor ok with cutting them down? Even with experienced solar installers, this is a common oversight. So keep this in mind and have a good feel for your entire property and the trees surrounding it.

#4. With all the current credits and incentives, solar panels are super cheap!

Yes, but here's a couple things you'll need to understand. The federal and state incentives are in the form of tax CREDITS. Therefore, you will need to have the proper tax liability to retain the credits, otherwise you may end up paying a lot more than you originally had planned. And since they are tax credits and something you will receive in the future, you will still need to pay full price for your solar array upon installation. Some of the tax credits will take up to 5 years to fully recoup, so plan accordingly with your finances. 

These are just a few of the basic questions you should ask yourself before installing a solar array on your home. There are many more considerations, especially when it comes to your utility grid, interconnections, and financial modeling considerations that are a bit more advanced.  I will cover them in another article soon. Lastly, I want to give you one more piece of advice. Solar is a long term investment. If you are unsure where you might be in a few years, then wait before springing for some panels. It can take several years to recoup all your investment back, so knowing where you will be in the next 5-10 years or even longer will be your greatest factor in knowing if solar is right for you. 

Thanks for reading and have a Sunny Day!

The Solar Vote 2012

November 5th, 2012

We all know the importance of exercising your right to vote this Tuesday, November 6th, and I would like to take some time to discuss the impact on solar your vote could make for the next 4 years. A glance at half the country and you see angry voters arguing failed subsidies and chanting 'Solyndra' like it's a dirty word, and the other half demanding clean energy and elimination of funding to oil and coal. Most of the country's voters have already made up their minds, but if you are still making some last minute considerations, or simply want to enjoy reading entertaining chit-chat on the future of solar in our country, then today is your lucky day.

The Overall Energy Plan: Mitt Romney

Mitt Romney and the GOP party has committed to achieving North American energy independence by 2020, which includes reducing oil imports abroad and expanding domestic energy sources including coal, oil, natural gas, and renewables. Read more specific details at http://www.mittromney.com/issues/energy.

Romney-Ryan 2012 promises to expand domestic fossil fuel drilling while reducing subsidies like the Federal ITC for new renewable energy expansion.

This "All-in" approach that Romney is pushing is not necessarily a bad one for the American economy. It has the potential to significantly lower energy costs and allow homes and businesses to focus more of their money towards other ventures, with the Republicans touting particularly that new jobs will be created from this plan. Currently, the majority of the nation's electricity is derived from coal power, and Mitt Romney certainly plans to expand and explore more clean coal mining to lower energy costs and bring jobs to coal mining towns.

The drawbacks, though, leave many questioning how exactly are Mitt and his GOP colleagues going to create these new jobs and what will be the future of the solar industry and their nearly 120,000 (and rapidly growing) jobs that come with it? There is enough of an argument on the validity of 'clean coal' and that it cannot be considered a clean energy technology since there is still production of greenhouse gases through burning and gasification. Additionally, the solar industry has come under fire from the republican party, citing misuse of government spending to support defunct green companies like Solyndra and, more recently, A123 Systems, which have taken millions in government loans and then declared bankruptcy over weak sales and rising price competition from mostly Chinese based solar energy companies.

Federally backed companies like Solyndra have come under fire since going bankrupt due to poor sales and cheaper competition from Chinese solar companies.

Overall, Mitt's plan for America if he is elected includes the following points;

• More than three million new jobs, including over one million in manufacturing;
• An economic resurgence adding more than $500 billion to GDP;
• A stronger dollar and a reduced trade deficit;
• More than $1 trillion in revenue for federal, state, and local governments;
• Lower energy prices for job creators and middle-class families; and
• National security strengthened by freedom from dependence on foreign energy supplies.

But, unfortunately, his plan does not including any specific promises for expanding or extending any federal incentives for solar. Most likely, they will shift in the opposite direction, and possibly disappear if the congress has an opportunity to remove or change programs like the federal 30% Investment Tax Credit, or the recently expired 1603 federal grant program.  Under the Romney plan, solar surely will have a cloudy future.

The Overall Energy Plan: Barack Obama


The following video clip shows the current administration's plan for energy policy over the next 4 years if Obama were to be reelected. Take a look,

The Obama energy policy has a somewhat similar approach as the Romney plan, and adopts the phrase "All of the above" strategy, suggesting achieving energy independence by supporting domestic energy production, as well as aiming to reduce our carbon footprint and lowering air pollution. The current administration has pledged to increase fuel emission standards, create renewable energy portfolio standards, and support green energy jobs to make us more energy independent. Over the past 4 years, we have seen solar and wind energy production in America more than double, and he has pledged a continued plan for 80% clean energy production by 2035. You can see more of his specific points here http://www.whitehouse.gov/energy.

President Obama has called for a standard of 80% of energy production to be from clean energy sources by 2035

As for the current incentives for solar and renewables in America, President Obama has pledged to continue to support these plans and the creation of 225,000 new green energy jobs if he is reelected. Through investing in clean energy companies domestically, we can reduce our need on foreign energy sources and create new jobs. The democrats would also fight to cut subsidies for big oil companies, which according to former President Bill Clinton at SPI Orlando in September of this year, received (along with coal, nuclear, and natural gas) $22 of federal support for every federal dollar spent on renewable energy. Certainly with this size of funding disparity one can see why solar has had such an uphill battle to climb in this country.

If one were looking just at solar energy, it is clear that Obama has pledged the greatest benefits and incentives to the industry. But it is not just this one issue that should be your final decision on who to vote for on Tuesday. It is important to look at each candidate's entire plan on several issues that are important to you so that you may make an educated voting decision. To take a closer look, visit the following websites to see all the issues yourself, and head to the polls on Tuesday. Best of luck to you!

Mitt Romney's Website: http://www.mittromney.com/

President Obama's Website: http://www.barackobama.com/

Enjoy!