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User talk:Rjf
Contents
- 1 The "other" CANview
- 2 Hybrids-Plus
- 3 Site structure suggestion
- 4 Prius PHEV TechInfo in Sidebar
- 5 You cleared my confusion (Lexus vs Prius batt vtg)
- 6 Spammers?
- 7 Why mention lubrication
- 8 Escape tech Info
- 9 Prius tech info
- 10 PHEV standards
- 11 Altima
- 12 EDrive vs EnergyCS
- 13 lost link to yahoo article
- 14 Lost link to yahoo article
This is my Talk page, use the + link next to edit at the top of the page to start a new dialog.
The "other" CANview
Sorry, but could you explain why you removed the info on the "other" CANview product? DavideAndrea 12:05, 16 June 2006 (CDT)
- I didn't remove it, I moved it and other not directly CAN-View items to the bottom of the page [1]. I also added the CAN232 as it sounds similar the the CANview product [2]. --Rjf 15:03, 16 June 2006 (CDT)
Ah. I didn't notice. Sorry, and thanks. --DavideAndrea 16:58, 16 June 2006 (CDT)
Hybrids-Plus
Ryan, I created the page Hybrids-Plus. http://www.eaa-phev.org/index.php?title=Hybrids-Plus Would you mind coming up with some way of linking to it from the rest of the site? Thanks! --DavideAndrea 09:56, 27 June 2006 (CDT)
- I've added Hybrids-Plus to Template:Prius PHEV Options which is included at Prius PHEV & Plug-In Hybrids, aswell as the main menu. --Rjf 12:08, 27 June 2006 (CDT)
- Merci beaucoup! --DavideAndrea 12:30, 27 June 2006 (CDT)
Site structure suggestion
> I would prefer we discuss major changes to the site structure and menu system before implementing them...
- Yes, of course.
Prius PHEV TechInfo in Sidebar
Thanks for putting a link in the sidebar for the Prius Tech Info page! --DavideAndrea 07:06, 4 July 2006 (CDT)
- No problem, thanks for all your help arround the site, those pics are great. BTW, are you working directly with the Hybrids-Plus team? Be sure to let me know if I can help you guys with anything that hasn't made it to the website yet... see User talk:DavideAndrea#Prius PHEV TechInfo in Sidebar --Rjf 12:36, 4 July 2006 (CDT)
- Yes, I am working directly with the Hybrids-Plus team.You can see my name listed in the "Team members" section. Thanks for your offer of help!
--DavideAndrea 15:56, 4 July 2006 (CDT)
You cleared my confusion (Lexus vs Prius batt vtg)
>Prius Pack Voltages? >I see some unusual pack voltages listed here... > ...perhaps you're refering to some other vehicle like the HH/RX400h?
A) I am embarrassed for having made that mistake. Thanks for explaining the problem, and clearing up my confusion.
B) Don't you love Wikis? In a regular website this would have gone unchallenged. Here I rely on your help to keep me straight! Much appreciated!
--DavideAndrea 15:54, 4 July 2006 (CDT)
Spammers?
Are we having a spam problem? Anything I can do? D'de --DavideAndrea 18:46, 26 July 2006 (CDT)
- No more than usuail, I'm away on vacation so I'm not quite on top of it as I usually am. If you seen anything just revert it and I'll add it to the spam blacklist whenever I check in... --Rjf 22:24, 26 July 2006 (CDT)
- I reverted a couple of entries and blocked their IPs. I am not clear if it's OK by you if I block them, or if you prefer if I just wait for you to block them. Have a nice vacation! --DavideAndrea 09:51, 27 July 2006 (CDT)
- Reverting is the most important part, you can block them for a day if you like but I find that they mostly strike only once from a given IP. They tend to add links though, which I add to a blacklist so that they can not post the same URL more than once. Seems to work pretty well, there are dry spells and not so quiet times... --Rjf 21:39, 27 July 2006 (CDT)
Editing page anonymously to test notification email message. --67.161.122.46 20:20, 11 November 2007 (CST)
- The main body of the notification email message has been changed to list the editor first so that all critical information will now fit within the limited space of a text message. --Rjf 20:43, 11 November 2007 (CST)
- Dohh, now making a change anonymously, so that the system will notify me... --67.161.122.46 20:44, 11 November 2007 (CST)
- One final change to message, now with the title in subject, date and editor in body. --67.161.122.46 20:50, 11 November 2007 (CST)
- Dohh, now making a change anonymously, so that the system will notify me... --67.161.122.46 20:44, 11 November 2007 (CST)
Why mention lubrication
Ryan, to tell you the truth, I added the bit on lubrication as a step to pre-empt any PHEV converter from attempting to patent the concept of running the engine evry few miles. Prior art, you know? The last thing I want is for anyone to slow down the PHEV progress by patenting the obvious.
By the way, thanks for adding your clarification at the end. I haven't studied the issue enough to understand it fully, so I appreciated your explanation.
--DavideAndrea 21:15, 24 August 2006 (CDT)
- OIC, well it's worth mentioning as it's come up quite a few times in discussion lists over the past years when discussing the potential of PHEV's. Only rescently did someone pointed out that there isn't much need for the lubrication while in EV-only mode due to all of MG2s torque going directly to the wheels and not through the PSD, I'll look for that post... I find it difficult to believe that someone might even consider patenting the concept of running the engine, IMHO that's just crazy. Maybe I can patent the concept of useless concept patents in order to discourage such insanity... --Rjf 22:25, 24 August 2006 (CDT)
Escape tech Info
I am starting a page for technical info for the Ford Escape, akin to the one for the Prius. Would you mind linking it as you see fit? http://www.eaa-phev.org/index.php?title=Escape_PHEV_TechInfo
Thanks, D'de DavideAndrea 15:18, 18 October 2006 (CDT)
Prius tech info
You asked me to talk to you about any changes to the structure of the site. I felt that that Prius Tech info is not specific to Hybrids Plus, but general to the Prius. Therefore, I moved the Prius Tech info page from being under Hybrids Plus to being under Prius PHEV. This is akin to what you did with the Escape. Do you agree? If not, please let me know and I'll undo it.
Thanks D'de DavideAndrea 07:11, 5 December 2006 (CST)
PHEV standards
Ryan
I guess you may have missed this discussion: http://www.eaa-phev.org/wiki/Talk:Plug-In_Hybrids
Mind commenting on it? I don't want to add a prominent page without your consent.
Thanks DavideAndrea 06:43, 25 January 2007 (CST)
Altima
Ryan
I created a page for the Nissan Altima Hybrid. I added a link to it in the left side navigation, under "Production Hybrids". Please let me know if that's OK.
DavideAndrea 08:49, 29 April 2007 (CDT)
EDrive vs EnergyCS
As you probably noticed already, I split EDrive and EnergyCS: pages, PHEV options table and navigation. I hope that was OK.
DavideAndrea 21:00, 13 June 2007 (CDT)
lost link to yahoo article
PriusBlue_EVents#Friday_Nov.2C_2 references http://picks.yahoo.com/picks/potw/20071102.html which is no longer online, would love to track down a cached copy to keep locally.
Breadcrumbs: |
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Did find this: cached but it may not be the article in question, looks like "Home Power Magazine Solar, Wind and Renewable Energy Issue 121"
Home Power Magazine Solar, Wind and Renewable Energy Issue 12130 affordable solar Denis Du Bois
Innovative financing for this town house development allowed 40 efficiency details Paul Scheckel
Put these top ten tips to use and make your household more energy 48 cashing in Andy Black & Erin Moore Bean
Better your bottom line and find the best financial fit for your 50 sunshine states Jon Sharp, Ray Furse & Robert Chew
Move over, California : Progressive incentive programs are giving 56 plug-in hybrids Sherry Boschert
Can plug-in hybrids deliver on their promises of fewer emissions contents October & November 2007 home power 121 / october & november 2007 6 Clockwise from lower left: Courtesy Google.org; courtesy SolarWrights; David Lewis; Richard Hallman; courtesy Solmetric; courtesy Canadian Solar Inc. 64 pv parts Scott Aldous, Zeke Yewdall & Sam Ley
Wondering how superthin slices of silicon can turn sunshine into 70 buyer’s guide Joe Schwartz with Doug Puffer
Pick the perfect PVs with our comprehensive solar-electric module 82 pump primer Chuck Marken
Expert advice on how best to match a pump to your solar hot water 88 REview Joe Schwartz
Looking for a professional-grade, solar site-analysis tool? Check out 94 solar savings Regina Anne Kelly
Peter and Tanya Ptak tap into smart solar savings, and profit from their 102 system monitoring Ryan Mayfield
Keep tabs on your solar energy system’s performance with these 7 www.homepower.com Regulars 8 From Us to You Home Power crew Potential… 14 Ask the Experts Industry Professionals Renewable energy Q & A 22 Mailbox Home Power readers Feedback forum 112 Code Corner John Wiles Code Q & A
116 Independent Don Loweburg Grounding options 120 Power Politics Michael Welch Show RE the money 124 Word Power Ian Woofenden On & off...grid 128 Home & Heart
Kathleen Everything is round 132 RE Happenings 136 Marketplace 138 Installers Directory 143 Advertisers Index 144 RE People Bill & Debbi Lord 7 On the Cover
Our 2007 PV Buyer’s Guide surveys
Photos courtesy: Day4Energy; Canadian Solar Inc.; 7
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home power 121 / october & november 2007 14 (continued on page 16) Peak Sun-Hours I’ve read that the Seattle area averages only 3.7 peak sun-hours per day. Maybe that’s true in December, but April through October, I’d say it must be more like 10 to 12 hours a day, meaning that the average must be higher than 3.7 hours per day throughout the year. How are peak sun-hours determined? Jeff Huffman • Brier, Washington Excellent question! “Peak sun-hours” are not the same as “hours of sunlight.” Sunrise to sunset represents hours of sunlight. But peak sun-hours describe how much solar energy is available during a day. The daily amount of solar radiation striking any location on earth varies from sunrise to sunset due to clouds, the sun’s position in the sky, and what’s mixed into the atmosphere. Maximum solar radiation occurs at solar noon—the time when the sun is highest in the sky, compared to the rest of the day. Sunlight in the morning and evening does not deliver as much energy to the earth’s surface as it does at midday because at low angles more atmosphere filters the sunlight. Besides day-to-day differences, there are also seasonal effects. In midsummer, due to the sun’s higher position in the sky, an hour of sunshine packs more energy than the same hour of sunshine in the winter. Batteryless Hydro I’ve heard of large-scale batteryless AC hydro-electric turbines for both on- and off-grid use, but are there any small batteryless hydro systems for on-grid applications? Are there batteryless grid-tied inverters that will synchronize a small hydro turbine’s output with utility electricity? What does it take to set them up? James Conklin • Manchester, New Hampshire Coupling a batteryless inverter with a small hydro turbine in a grid-tied application is definitely doable, but there are some important system design considerations. As with a batteryless inverter using PV for input, you must correctly match the hydro turbine’s output voltage to the inverter’s input voltage window and maximum DC voltage limit. This can be done with low-head to high- head hydro systems, but is usually easiest with mid- to high-head systems. Low- head hydro systems might require a batteryless inverter with a DC input as low as 48 VDC nominal, which is hard to find these days. For mid- to high-head sites, I usually use an induction turbine configured for high voltage (200–500+ VDC) and 1,200 to 3,600 watts peak output. The specifics of the turbine are very important, including the diameter of the runner (which affects rpm and voltage), output voltage, and peak output. Unlike a PV system, an important distinction of a hydro system is that it may not be able to handle running without its load. Without protection, this will occur if there is a utility failure, when the batteryless inverter is designed to shut down. In this situation, the rpm of the turbine will increase, and the open circuit voltage (Voc) of the turbine would likely exceed the inverter’s maximum DC input voltage and damage the inverter—and possibly the hydro turbine too, due to overspinning. For high-head situations (200+ feet), having a Voc that is too high for the inverter is a real concern. Fortunately, special diversion loads and controllers are available that will divert the energy fast enough to avoid damaging the inverter, while keeping the turbine electrically loaded. These diversion load/controller combinations are not cheap—they can cost more than $1,500 for 4,000 watts of diversion. Because these small, batteryless hydro systems are still unusual, I recommend that they be undertaken with the guidance of the turbine and inverter suppliers and manufacturers to ensure optimum performance and reliability. Jay Peltz • Peltz Power Ask the EXPERTS! + Courtesy www.sma-america.com; www.microhydropower.com Now appearing in backyards everywhere.
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BLEED_8.75 X 11.125 home power 121 / october & november 2007 16 ...Ask the EXPERTS! Batteryless or Backup? I want to install a grid-tied solar-electric system, and I’m having a hard time deciding between a battery-based system and a batteryless system. Can you give me the pros and cons in plain English? Is there any way to have the best of both worlds—the efficiency and economy of a batteryless system paired with the reassurance of always having a reliable source of backup energy? Joan Beaudet • Milton, Massachusetts Batteryless systems are simpler, more efficient, and less expensive to install and maintain, but during a utility failure, these systems will not provide any electrical backup, even if the sun is shining. A grid-tied, battery-based system is designed to do just that, but uninterruptible power comes at a price. With the same size solar array, a grid-tied, battery-based system will yield about 7% to 10% less energy than its batteryless counterpart. This is primarily due to the inefficiencies involved with battery charging (even when the grid is functioning). And keep in mind that the batteries will need replacement roughly every seven to ten years, which can be a major expense. If you don’t experience frequent or long utility failures, you will likely be happier with a batteryless system. If your grid electricity is unreliable (perhaps you depend on a long rural line in an area that’s prone to lightning or ice storms), consider a battery-based system. In battery-based, grid- tied systems, you have to install a separate AC subpanel to separate critical circuits from luxury loads. This ensures that when the system switches to battery backup, the energy stored in the batteries will not be depleted by loads that you can easily live without. An experienced photovoltaic installer can help you determine which of your electrical appliances can realistically be backed up, and how much battery storage will be required. In almost all cases, it’s unrealistic to rely on backup electricity for space or water heating, or for major cooking loads like an electric range, since the energy consumption would be far beyond the capacity of an affordable battery-based photovoltaic system. If your location experiences long utility outages, think about investing in solar heating systems or gas appliances for your heating and cooking needs. During a utility outage, consider supplying emergency needs with no electricity. Store water in a tank. Keep a stack of ice packs in your freezer to increase its holdover period. Keep LED headlamps or flashlights or fluorescent (or gas) lanterns handy. Be ready to ignite your gas stove-top using a spark lighter or matches. Use wood heat, or gas heaters that don’t require electricity. If you want battery backup for your computer, Internet connection, radio, or TV, consider purchasing an off-the-shelf uninterruptible power supply (UPS) unit just for that purpose. These preparations will keep you from being overly dependent on electricity when the grid goes down. Windy Dankoff, founder (retired) • Dankoff Solar Products A peak sun-hour is roughly the amount of solar energy striking a 1-square-meter area perpendicular to the sun’s location over a 1-hour period straddling solar noon in the summertime. So we can compare apples to apples, the amount of power is standardized at 1,000 watts (1 kilowatt) hitting that 1-square meter surface. By adding up the various amounts of solar irradiation over the course of a day, and counting them as units equivalent to 1 solar-noon midsummer hour (1,000 watts per square meter for 1 hour), we get a useful comparison number—the peak sun-hour. An analogy might help complete the picture. Imagine that you have to pour sunshine into buckets that are 1 meter square, and each holds 1,000 watt-hours of solar energy. The fastest rate of filling that bucket will occur at solar noon in the summer, when the sunlight is really streaming down. At that time, you could fill a 1,000-watt-hour bucket in 1 hour (1 KWH per hour). At any other time of the day, however, it will take longer than 1 hour to get an equivalent “bucket” of 1 peak sun-hour. On average, summertime Seattle conditions will net you 4.8 peak sun-hour-equivalents from sunup to sundown. Wintertime sees an average of about 2.5 sun-hours per day. Over the course of a year, the daily average works out to about 3.76 peak sun-hours. For month- by-month solar irradiation information for a variety of cities in the United States, visit http://rredc.nrel.gov/solar/pubs/redbook. Larry Owens • Shoreline Solar Project Courtesy www.midnitesolar.com/www.concordebattery.com home power 121 / october & november 2007 18 ...Ask the EXPERTS! Wiser Driving I’ve heard that the way you drive an electric vehicle (EV) can affect range dramatically. Does the same apply to fuel economy for engine-driven vehicles? Can you give me some basic pointers on how to drive so I use less energy and create less pollution? James Fallow • Big Pine, California Many factors affect driving range, but air drag and weight are certainly two of the most important. For an EV moving at less than 30 mph, it’s the weight of the vehicle that kills driving range; as speeds increase beyond 35 mph, air drag takes over as the biggest culprit of dragging down fuel economy. Some idea of air drag’s insidious nature can be gained from data for the RAV4 EV—one of the most-studied EVs ever built. At 45 mph, the car can travel almost 150 miles on a single charge; at 60 mph, driving range plummets to about 100 miles (just imagine what happens at 80 mph). In the case of a conventional internal-combustion-engine (ICE) vehicle, gains in fuel economy are there for the taking—if you’re willing to drive at a more leisurely speed. My 1993 Dodge minivan delivers its highest fuel economy—29 mpg—at a constant speed of 45 mph. (For safety reasons, I suggest not driving at this speed on the open highway.) When I dare to keep up with traffic on the Michigan interstate (80+ mph), my minivan’s fuel economy drops to about 17 mpg. Stop-and-go city driving also reduces fuel economy for ICE- based vehicles. This is a consequence of the operating characteristics of typical engines that are designed to operate at higher loads (and, hence, higher driving speeds), and the need for constant acceleration and deceleration. Most hybrid-electric vehicles have circumvented these problems and actually do as well, if not better, in the city as on the highway. You can improve your city mileage with an ICE-based vehicle if you drive more intelligently. Learn how to coast, rather than braking, into a stop, and time traffic lights so you keep moving at a relatively (continued on page 20) Financing an off-grid home or property is not entirely different than financing a home in a typical subdivision. There are three major categories that apply to residential real estate financing— income, credit, and collateral. Collateral is the most important factor in financing an off-grid home, and it is up to an appraiser to address the typical issues and evaluate the property’s features for potential underwriters. You’ll need to find an appraiser in your area who specializes in out-of-the- ordinary properties, with experience appraising off-grid properties. Many off-grid homes are near other off-grid homes, which can be used for appraisal comparisons. Have the appraiser prepare an addendum to the property’s appraisal that details other nearby off-grid properties and their sales histories. This will help show underwriters that your property is not an anomaly for the area. Your appraiser will not necessarily be bound by the normal rule of having to use sales comparables within five miles. The lending company Fannie Mae will allow greater distances as long as the appraiser is able to support the necessity for using a sales comparable outside normal guidelines. The appraiser may also Financing Off-Grid Homes I am writing to you from Vermont where I would like to purchase an off-grid home. I have spoken to a few local banks and have received a lukewarm response to the possibility of taking out a mortgage for a property that is off the grid. How can I find a receptive lender? Mickel Zuidhoek • Pawlet, Vermont search for older sales comparables of off-grid homes to support the value of the home. If you know of any off-grid homes in the area, let the appraiser know—sometimes sales of off-grid homes are private sales and do not show on the multiple listing system, which is how many appraisers find comparables. Once an underwriter is able to see how the value of the property is supported with reasonable sales comparables, you will soon be enjoying your off-grid property or home. Terry Phenicie • First Priority Financial David Lewis Courtesy Ed Marue home power 121 / october & november 2007 20 To submit a question to Home Power’s Ask the Experts, write to: asktheexperts@homepower.com
or, Ask the Experts
Published questions will be edited for content and length. Due to ...Ask the EXPERTS! Although there are several factors that affect tower height, your choice will most likely be a compromise between energy production and economics. Proper tower height is essential for two reasons: Turbulent wind is not only a poor quality fuel, but it dramatically increases wear and tear on the turbine and tower. To provide the turbine with high quality “fuel,” the tower must be tall enough to be well above the turbulence layer created by obstructions such as buildings and vegetation. The wind is stronger up there, and smoother. Ground drag created by obstructions and the ground itself reduces the energy available in the wind. To minimize ground drag, we need altitude. Put simply, wind speed increases with height. Minimum guidelines for tower height require the turbine rotor to be a minimum of 30 feet higher than obstructions within 500 feet. You should go even taller if the obstructions are young trees that will continue to grow. Finding the average annual wind speed at your site at a given tower height is a bit more difficult, but I would highly recommend trying to determine or at least estimate it, starting with regional wind energy consultants and dealers. Now for the economics. Once I know the minimum tower height needed to get above the turbulence, I let the turbine and the customer’s budget help determine the maximum tower height. I look at the cost of the turbine, its estimated energy production at various tower heights, and the cost of the towers. The following example uses wind data from my hilltop in western New York, a Bergey Excel-S grid-tie turbine, and three different heights of guyed lattice tower: constant speed. These measures will help increase your city fuel economy (as well as increase the time between brake replacements). Likewise, mountain driving offers a number of challenges to fuel economy. Here again, coasting (when possible) and driving slower (when no one is tailing you) will save fuel and reduce pollution. Another means of saving fuel is to consider carpooling. If you put four people in one car, you’ll cut pollution and fuel consumption by about 75 percent compared to four people driving their individual cars. Now that’s impressive! Dominic Crea • Institute for Sustainable Energy & Education How Tall? I hear a lot of talk about wind generators needing tall towers. How do I decide what’s tall enough? Is there such a thing as too tall? Jon Powell • Duluth, Minnesota Why install a $28,000 turbine on a short tower and lose 25% or more of its potential energy production to save $2,750, which is roughly 5% of the overall system cost? Spending that additional $2,750 up front yields an estimated additional 62,880 KWH over a 20-year turbine life span. Here in my neck of the woods, that has a value of $11,318. And that’s at our current utility rate of $0.18 per KWH, which I’m pretty sure will increase over time! A low-cost, small-diameter turbine on a short tower may be a small investment, but it will only yield a small amount of electricity each month. And you won’t be any further ahead with a larger turbine installed on a short tower, since you may be sacrificing a large percentage of the turbine’s potential energy production, and increasing maintenance costs. At some point, of course, the law of diminishing returns usually asserts itself and the tower choice becomes clear. And don’t forget about zoning or height restrictions, which can be a limiting factor in many areas. Of course, the final factor is the budget for the project. The bottom line for most folks seems to be maximum bang for minimum bucks. So, yes, there is such a thing as too tall a tower, for economic reasons. But other than the money, you’ll just keep improving a wind turbine’s performance by going higher. Roy Butler • Four Winds Renewable Energy
Tower Average Wind Speed (MPH)
Production
Annual Energy 80 11.3 9,960 $8,100 $1,793 100 11.9 11,468 9,200 2,064 120 12.6 13,104 10,850 2,359 *At $0.18 per KWH
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home power 121 / october & november 2007 22 Solar Pride I drove up to our new property last Thursday to take the last walk-through with the former owner and my real estate agent. I got a primer on the solar-electric system, and managed to get the solar- Mailbox powered well pump working without too much trouble. Greg, the former owner, was gracious enough to let me spend the night in the cabin (and gave me the keys), despite the property not closing until the next day. So I spent the afternoon playing with the solar-electric system. Turned the lights on. Then off. Then on again. I peeked into the water tank maniacally, watching the slow dribble of water into the tank. I watched with satisfaction as the battery monitor said, “Good,” even with the lights on and the pump running. After an afternoon of playing with the system (can’t tell you how much joy it gave me to see it running so perfectly), I drove down to Oroville to get some provisions, called my wife Joni to brag about the solar pumping system actually working, and then drove back up the bumpity 2.2-mile gravel road to the 2.75- acre compound. I got out my sleeping bag, placed it on the deck, and watched the moon rise. I took it as a good omen that the property was to close on the day of a blue moon. I toasted the moon. Gave a wine offering to the property. Neighbors drove by in their pickup trucks. All of them waved. The neighbor’s chickens were quite busy with their clucking. Dogs barked. Generators McMansions I’ve been an avid reader of Home Power for five years. Recently, I heard the derogatory term “McMansion” used on a green blog for the thousandth time. I myself live in what qualifies to some as a McMansion (large subdivision home) in San Diego. Should I feel guilty? After reading your latest issues, I’ve found the answer. In our home, we use a gas heater in the early morning for 20 minutes per day (on a timer) about two months each year. We use the air conditioning about five days each year for about two to three hours each day. In one year, our heating and cooling bill is what someone in Montana or Phoenix would likely pay in a week. Bottom line: We use far less energy in our McMansion than many of the people featured in your magazine. They often have thick jackets on in the photos. Their homes are in either extremely cold places or deserts, and require constant heating or air conditioning. After choosing to live in a very non-green location (from an energy standpoint), they go to extremes to make their living more green, and are then dubbed energy heroes. By contrast, we coastal southern Californians in our McMansions that people love to judge, just by living here, may end up using less energy at home. Even without solar, wind, or sealing up our houses airtight, we use far less energy per person than those in more severe climates. Should we feel guilty? Yes, for our swimming pools, SUVs, and hour-long solo commutes to work. But, alas, not for our McMansions. As the magazine writers have said so many times, it is better to conserve than to generate your way out of large consumption. And the very choice of where we live can be an act of conservation. Keep up the great work! Vinod Lobo • San Diego, California
It is better to conserve than to generate your way (continued on page 24) Courtesy Vinod Lobo Courtesy Allan Stellar
home power 121 / october & november 2007 24 ...Mailbox ran. Sound travels well out here. It was a little spooky in the Sierra foothills as night descended, but I slept like a baby on the deck. Woke up to a jackrabbit nibbling on my weeds. “Have at it, fella”—keeps the fire danger down and I won’t have to weed-whack it. Again I played with the solar-electric system. Filled the tank halfway. Battery monitor still said, “Good.” Got a drink out of the spigot and washed up with my own solar-pumped water. Kept giggling at my good fortune. Simple pleasure. Old Bill dropped by. Bill has lived up here for fifteen years. Off the grid with 24 solar-electric modules and a 2,500-gallon water tank. A former Ford factory worker, he proudly stated he raised a family. Had a car. A wife. Children. All supported on his good union job. He sold his house and now is an “off-the-grid, solar Libertarian– Republican.” I quickly learned that up here in this off-the-grid community, your wealth is measured by the number of solar panels you have, multiplied by the size and flow of your water tank… On my way back to Calistoga (in the Napa Valley), I received a message from my real estate agent on my cell phone (which doesn’t work at the property). “Congratulations—you now own the property.” Called Joni and left a message that all was well. The solar cabin is ours. Allan Stellar • Concow, California
Wanted: I just read through the twentieth anniversary issue. Such fun, looking at the journey… Looking at the past prompted me to think of the future. Do you think it is at all likely that you will be doing more
In this off-the-grid community, your wealth
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Actual Solar Pathfinder Assistant SOFTWARE USER FRIENDLY, FAST & ACCURATE www.homepower.com 25 ...Mailbox equipment reviews? It is nice to read about somebody’s personal experiences in setting up a system, especially when it’s similar to what I have set up. And seeing that they used some new item that makes the system more efficient is helpful. But those articles, useful as they may be in motivating newbies, do little to help those who are already sold on the idea and need more specific info to aid buying decisions. Or, like me, already have a system and may want to upgrade. We need to know that “X” piece of equipment performs as well as it is advertised, or not. And that among the best-selling brands in a particular category, “A” stands out in one regard and “B” in some other regard… An example: Several years ago, I decided to upgrade my system, adding 50% to my PV array capacity. I knew I would have to increase the controller capacity over the Trace C-40 I had. So I took a look at MPPT controllers. I was able to get enough information in Home Power and elsewhere to determine that this type of controller would increase my system’s efficiency. But as to which brand of MPPT controller to use, I found little hard data. Yes, there was some word-of-mouth info, which helped a little. But I needed an outright review with some hard data. I did not find any. I finally selected an OutBack MX60 and have been happy with it. But I may have just been lucky… Much of the new technology I run into comes from the dealers’ ads. If it’s something I might find useful, I do a Web search for reviews, comparisons, etc., and I usually find very little. And even now, a search for MX60 reviews brings up nothing of substance. Why am I concerned at this juncture? Well, my system is just over ten years
Looking at the past prompted me to think of home power 121 / october & november 2007 26 ...Mailbox old now. While I don’t see any real signs of their coming death, my twelve Trojan L-16 batteries will have to be replaced in the foreseeable future, with the same or perhaps with fewer but larger cells. Also, I don’t have a “backup” inverter to my Trace 4024, and supposedly the technology has been improving. At some time I would like to upgrade, while keeping my old inverter as a backup. What I am saying is that there is a need for hard data on all the various pieces of equipment and, if anyone is in position to provide that data, it is Home Power. John Bertrand • Holualoa, Hawaii Home Power is ramping up our hardware reviews (see the Solmetric SunEye review on page 88 of this issue), and we’re increasing the frequency of our in-depth equipment buyer’s guides as well. In addition, we have two additional equipment data collection and review projects in the works. Look for more on this in future issues of Home Power, and on www.homepower.com in 2008. Joe Schwartz • Home Power Overseas RE It was a pleasure to read the “Clean Energy Pioneers” piece (HP120), which hit my mailbox in Bangkok today. I remember helping with a bunch of those articles— seems like yesterday. I was especially tickled to see in your retrospective article a photo of myself as a long-haired 19- year-old in front of the solar oven I built. And now, here I am, twice as old! What a ride! In a nutshell, here’s what I’ve been up to. In 2004, I finally finished a doctoral degree at UC–Berkeley’s Energy and Resources Group, with a dissertation on community microhydro power in
Renewable energy pro www.homepower.com 27 ...Mailbox To send a letter to Home Power’s Mailbox, write to: mailbox@homepower.com or
Mailbox, c/o Home Power
Published letters will be edited for content Thailand. In the process, I got diverted by working on various renewable energy projects. Since 2000, I’ve been living in Bangkok. In 2003, my wife and I started Palang Thai (www.palangthai.org), an NGO that works to improve conditions for clean, decentralized energy in Thailand and the Mekong region. One success we had was drafting Thailand’s net- metering regulations, which are now in place. An upgraded version approved in December 2006 allows RE generators up to 10 megawatts (MW) to net meter and to sell excess electricity at a premium feed- in tariff. More than 280 MW of projects (mostly biomass from sugar cane and rice- husk residues) have been approved under the regulations. Despite some successes, the clean energy community in SE Asia is a tiny minority and for every MW of RE, another 20 or so MW of dirty conventional coal/gas is in the pipeline. In the past few months, nuclear energy is raising its ugly head all over the region, with plans in place in Thailand, Vietnam, and (gasp!) Burma… Home power technologies and sensibilities are sorely needed over here... We’re always looking for talented long- term volunteers! I’m real proud of all that y’all have done over the years. We’re now a force to be reckoned with. The forces of light, creativity, logic, and compassion are chipping away at the old, dirty, greasy hegemony. Chris Greacen • Bangkok, Thailand Window Tips I’m about to mention something small but effective. It took me until this year to realize it, after fifty years of solar energy awareness. On sunny autumn, winter, and spring days, when you can use more heat in your home, take off your window screens! Compared to leaving your screens on, it will significantly increase the solar energy input. Somehow I missed this until I made a PV power meter and checked the output of a module through my new double-pane windows. Then I thought about what would happen to module output through a screen. (PV output is not the same as solar thermal gain, but it reminded me that I’m losing solar potential by leaving my screens on.) And the rest is history, which we need to share, even if everyone says in retrospect, “I know that—it’s obvious!” S. Premena • via e-mail www.phocos.com
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Affordable by Denis Du Bois 31
Innovative financing for this Mosier, www.homepower.com
These modern town houses in northern Oregon are shining examples of building Richard Hallman (2)
Would home buyers pay a premium to Making RE a Reality
Erickson tapped into the talents of solar consultant Doug
In Oregon, financial support for both residential and
Boleyn compared private and commercial solar incentives home power 121 / october & november 2007 32 affordable solar
”The utilities no longer have a monopoly on supplying —Doug Boleyn, Cascade Solar Consulting
electric and solar thermal systems on
To capitalize on the largest incentives,
The addition of Btu meters would
By clustering the 34 residences into eight
Large windows admit an abundance of affordable solar www.homepower.com 33 Richard Hallman (2)
approximately 2,500 kilowatt-hours equivalent annual energy A Model of Success
Erickson and his team, including Cascade Solar, Surround
agency Earth Advantage, have broken new ground for 34 affordable solar 100KWH G KWH Meter: To utility grid AC Service Entrance: To 120/240 VAC loads
System
DC
Inverter: PV Powered PV2880 XV, 450 VDC
Photovoltaics: Eighteen Sharp NE-170U1 or NT-180U1, 170 W or 180 W each at 34.8 Note: All numbers are rated, manufacturers’ specifications, or nominal unless otherwise specified.
PV PV Powered H2 H1 100KWH
AC Exterior
Right: PV modules cover the roofs of this
Below: PV Powered inverters convert DC Mosier Creek Homes On-Grid PV System home power 121 / october & november 2007 Courtesy Tod LeFevre (2)
that protect the developer in a down-
“The public is very concerned about Access
Denis Du Bois was hooked on solar
Cascade Solar Consulting • 503-655- RE planning www.homepower.com affordable solar 35
Solar Incentives
Mosier Creek Solar LLC took advantage of three solar-electric and hot water
• Oregon state tax credit: 35% of system cost, no limit. (This has since been • Federal solar investment tax credit: 30% of system cost, no limit. • Equipment depreciation: 5-year accelerated.
In addition, the Energy Trust of Oregon kicked in $35,000 (the maximum, per • $1 per watt of rated PV capacity. • $0.40 per kilowatt-hour of electricity saved for hot water.
The Mosier Creek Homes formula for making PV financially appealing to both • Install PV and solar water heating systems on each unit. • Set up a separate business to own the solar equipment.
• Use business tax incentives and other subsidies to cover as much as 70% of • Price the homes at a premium, because of their renewable energy features.
• Sell the solar-generated electricity to the homeowners below retail rates, and
• Consider leasing or selling the equipment to the homeowners, which offers Location: Mosier, Oregon Solar resource: 3.9 average daily peak sun-hours
Heating & cooling system: Carrier Performance series, Electricity: 3.2 KW grid-tied PV system Water heating: Solar, with electric backup Average monthly production, PV system: 366 KWH Average monthly production, SHW system: 208 KWH Photovoltaic System Details
Modules: Sharp NE-170U1 or NT-180U1, 170 W or 180 W STC,
Array (per housing unit): Two 9-module series strings, 3,240 W
Array installation: UniRac SolarMount, on south-facing roofs, Total PV installed capacity (entire complex): 86.7 KW
Inverters: PV Powered PVP2800 XV, 450 VDC maximum DC Solar Hot Water System Collector: Sol-Reliant, 56 sq. ft. Collector installation: Roof mount, south-facing, 14-degree tilt angle Heat transfer fluid: Propylene glycol Circulation pump: PV-powered Hartell HEH18
Storage tank: Rheem Solaraide 120-HE/1, 120 gal. (provides Town House Tech Specs (continued on page 37) home power 121 / october & november 2007 36 affordable solar Single-Tank Solar Hot Water
Manufacturers of the single-tank solar/electric system
On a sunny day, the solar gains will exceed the electric
In a single-tank solar-integrated system, solar energy is
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Besides electricity, the sun also provides domestic hot water Powerfully Efficient Homes
With an estimated total energy load of 13,560 kilowatt- Richard Hallman www.homepower.com 37 affordable solar
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Common Energy LLC • 541-308-0988 • Mr. Sun Solar • 503-222-2468 • www.mrsunsolar.com • Solar thermal systems Mosier Creek Homes • www.mosiercreek.com
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energy use, allow us to do more in our homes with reduced No matter where you live—an uptown loft, a
drafty old farmhouse, or a contemporary home—
You can reduce your use—without giving up modern home power 121 / october & november 2007 40 by Paul Scheckel EFFICIENCY DETAILS
If you’ve been FOR A CLEAN ENERGY CHANGE www.homepower.com efficiency details 41 INEXPENSIVE ENERGY FIXES Tip 1: Know Your Loads
The first step on the renewable path is to get
Electronics
Cooking
Refrigeration
Space Cooling
Water Heating
Lighting
Other
Space Heating 5%
Washer/
Point-of-use energy monitors Point-of-use energy monitor.
Electric appliances also can account for a sizable portion Typical Household Energy Uses Tip 2: Adopt RE-Ready Habits
Simply being aware of what appliances are in use, and what needs to be
The most efficient practices are those that don’t require any extra energy Courtesy www.eere.energy.gov home power 121 / october & november 2007 42 efficiency details Tip 3: Take Control
Lowering the thermostat Call in the Energy Experts
Expert energy auditors can help you identify the
An energy auditor will examine every room INEXPENSIVE ENERGY FIXES
and insulating water heater tank wraps. If you’ll GOOD GADGETS & QUICK FIXES Tip 4: Plug In to Power Strips
A “phantom load” occurs when an appliance that appears to be www.homepower.com efficiency details Tip 5: Bright Lighting
Wherever you can, replace incandescent
For electricity-free lighting during the day in windowless or dark rooms, Tip 6: Seal Leaks & Deal with Ducts
Similar to appliances and electricity, the tighter your home, the less Tip 7: Go Low-Flow to Save on Heating
In most homes, heating water is second only to space conditioning in energy Courtesy Solatube gwmullis Wagner Furlan 43 home power 121 / october & november 2007 44 efficiency details Tip 8: Improve Insulation
Take a look in your attic. Depending upon INVEST IN ENERGY EFFICIENCY Tip 9: Get New Views
Replacing older, single-pane windows with new On Your Way to Renewables
With renewable energy, a little advanced planning can add up to
✔ Design right. Whether you’re building a new home or remodeling an
If you’re planning to install a PV or SHW system, consider incorporating
✔ Double up. If you identify what you want ahead of time, you can Courtesy Pella.com David Lewis www.homepower.com efficiency details 45 Access
Paul Scheckel is a senior energy analyst for the Vermont Digital Power Meters: Brand Electronics • www.brandelectronics.com Kill A Watt • www.p3international.com Watts Up? • www.doubleed.com Energy Efficiency & RE Incentive Information: Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency • www.dsireusa.org Energy Star • www.energystar.gov • Information on
household energy efficiency and energy-efficient household
Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) • directory Tax Incentives Assistance Project (TIAP) • www.energytaxincentives.org Tip 10: Seek the Star
Energy Star labels indicate a generally high level of efficiency Courtesy www.eere.energy.gov
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easy freestanding installation or on C M Y CM MY CY CMY K Solar06-HomePower-US.ai 4/4/2007 1:47:48 PM home power 121 / october & november 2007 48
Unsure how much energy a PV
Tap into Incentives. Once you get Estimate Energy Production & Costs.
Before investigating incentives for
Many federal and state tax Alex Mathers Cashing In on Renewable Energy
businesses, the Solar Energy Industries
Finance an RE System. Buying or
—Resource recommendations
If you’re thinking about investing home power 121 / october & november 2007 50
If you’re thinking that only Californians and Southwesterners by Jon Sharp, Ray Furse & Robert Chew
Solar Success Courtesy SolarWrights www.homepower.com northeast solar 51
our dollars spent.” According to the Energy Information
Thankfully, these states also have initiated renewable
Solar Energy
How will solar work for you and what might the payback
Consumers are advised to independently research the
After California and New Jersey—states with longer
SolarWrights, our Rhode Island-based renewable energy
And in the Northeast, it’s these small customers
Solar electricity is particularly helpful to the notoriously Tech Trends
Mary and Jack Brennan had eyes for the
PV System Comparison: Area
PV
AC Output
Average
Electricity Capitol region of New York 5.0 5,839 $0.159 $930 Southern California 3.9 5,839 $0.140 $817 Ratio of CA : NY 78.0% 100.0% 87.9% 87.8%
The system size advantage goes to the smaller system in California, but the energy value in dollars
Owner Name: Robert & Lisbeth Chew
Although this hundred-year-old home in home power 121 / october & november 2007 52 northeast solar
Rhode Island, the utility National Grid has worked closely Solar Support
It hasn’t escaped the notice of savvy politicians that solar
boasts the most installed PV of any country in recent years.
To respect the traditional aesthetics
RE on the
Owner Name: Pine Point School
At Pine Point School, children learn the four R’s: reading, www.homepower.com northeast solar 53 Pine Point students are proud of their solar-electric school.
Owner Name: Mark & Lisa Nelson
The Nelsons chose a solar hot water system to offset their
“Pine Point wants to reduce its carbon footprint,” says Pine
Homeowners Lisa and Mark Courtesy John Koulbanis, SunPublishing Co. (2) Courtesy SolarWrights (4)
Owner Name: Cheryl Wheeler & Cathleen Joyce
When folk singer Cheryl Wheeler and her partner Cathleen
Jon Sharp and Ray Furse are regional managers for home power 121 / october & november 2007 54 northeast solar
Installing in the
PV and solar thermal system siting, design, and
Heavy snow loads typical in higher altitudes or caused
As with other structures, ground-mounted systems must
Finally, all PV systems must use durable materials Courtesy SolarWrights (3)
Cathleen Joyce and Cheryl Wheeler enjoy sunny days for more MK_HMEv1_07.qxd 3/27/07 11:56 AM Page 1
all-electric vehicles (EVs). General Motors unveiled an electric
While the car companies were making EVs, they also began Last summer, Google.org (the philanthropic arm of the
Internet giant) launched a plug-in hybrid car project and An Electric Evolution
The story of plug-in hybrids has been unfolding within the home power 121 / october & november 2007 56 by Sherry Boschert
Fueling Courtesy General M otors Corp. plug-in
Honda Civic, and the Ford Escape. Hybrids are gasoline-
demanded. The fuel efficiency of hybrids depends on whether Plug-In Promises
People are realizing that hybrids can be improved by adding www.homepower.com plug-in hybrids 57
Fueling
A few dozen Prius owners, eager for the benefits that plug-
These plug-in pioneers modified their cars for more than their
Kramer, Gremban, and a cadre of volunteers formed the
Kramer hired EnergyCS to convert his Prius as a
per mile for electricity, depending on local retail rates), his
CalCars.org and the national Electric Auto Association have Plug-In Pioneers
CalCars founder Felix Courtesy CalCars.org
Opposite: General Motors’
Improved Efficiency. At an average fuel efficiency of
Terry Penney, manager of the National Renewable Energy
to supply electricity for what’s called
As more wind and solar generation is added to the grid home power 121 / october & november 2007 58 plug-in hybrids
Larry Brilliant, Google.org executive Courtesy Google.org
for a home during blackouts. It showed the plug-in Prius Pulling for Plug-Ins
Unfortunately, while the merits of plug-ins have been pimped
To convince automakers that there is a market for these
Are automakers listening? Maybe.
In the past year, at least five other major car companies Move for the Future
The same day that Google switched on a 1.6-megawatt solar- www.homepower.com plug-in hybrids 59 Better Batteries?
Although car companies say they’re waiting for better
Long before unveiling its “new” plug-in hybrid Volt,
People who have been driving electric cars for years
Lithium-ion battery pack in CalCars’ Courtesy CalCars.org
to 100 plug-in hybrids for employee use. The company also
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SOLAR TRACKING & Homepower-2007-04-02.indd 1 06.04.2007 10:57:39
Photovoltaic (PV) cells are made of a special class of home power 121 / october & november 2007 64
ow a slice of silicon often thinner
Scott Aldous, 14 Si 28.09 2s2 3p2 Silicon Atom:
14 protons
K Shell:
L Shell:
M (Valence) Shell:
Polycrystalline silicon, ready to be manufactured into Courtesy www.recgroup.com
around. A P–N junction is commonly known as a diode—an www.homepower.com photovoltaic effect 65 Making a Better Carrier
Energy added to pure silicon can cause a few electrons to break
Silicon doped with an atom of phosphorous here and
Polycrystalline wafers: uncoated (left) and with the telltale blue C o u r t e s y w w w . a d v e n t s o l a r . c o m Electron Flow: Through circuit, from N-layer to P-layer Holes Extra Electrons
Silicon Atom: 4 electrons in outer shell. Shares with other silicon atoms
Phosphorus Atom: 5 electrons in outer shell. Shares with silicon atoms
Boron Atom: 3 electrons in outer shell. Shares with silicon atoms to form
Electron: Knocked around by energy of sunlight; moves through circuit N-Layer:
Phosphorus doped; P-Layer:
Boron doped; P/N Barrier:
Electrically neutral; Traces:
Conductors on cell surface Free Electrons:
Pile up in N-layer and can Free Electrons:
In P-layer can be bumped Load:
Electrons passing Sunlight:
Energy (photons) knocks electrons loose P/N Silicon and the Function of a PV Cell
wires (traces) attached to the N-layer gives the electrons
PV modules are made by connecting numerous cells in Electrons & Efficiency
One way to think about the process of electron movement is
Too Little or Too Much Energy. The light that hits a cell home power 121 / october & november 2007 66 photovoltaic effect
Measuring single-crystalline silicon ingots at the SolarWorld Courtesy www.solarworld-ca.com
Antireflective Glass: Tempered, antiglare
Traces: Metallic N-Layer Silicon: Phosphorus doped P-Layer Silicon: Boron doped
Traces: Metallic Back Sheet:
Polyvinyl fluoride
Note: Material Module Encapsulant: Ethylene vinyl acetate
Module
Ethylene vinyl PV Module Anatomy
Densely spaced traces on the back of a PV cell
materials have different band gaps—higher and lower decks, Courtesy www.adventsolar.com PV Cell Particulars
Model-T maker Henry Ford was fond of telling consumers
Most of us are familiar with the iridescent-blue faces of
In the thin-film process, a silicon film (or other materials,
is too strong, it bumps the electron up higher than the deck,
Imperfect Junctions. A second source of inefficiency is that a www.homepower.com photovoltaic effect 67
Amorphous silicon has a similar problem Reflection, Obstruction & Temperature.
Silicon is very reflective, which makes
R&D technicians inspect a monocrystalline wafer Courtesy www.suntech-power.com
Because silicon is a semiconductor, it’s not nearly as home power 121 / october & november 2007 68 photovoltaic effect The Reality of Efficiency
After all this talk about efficiency, you might be surprised to Access
Zeke Yewdall (zeke@cosunflower.com) is chief engineer
Sam Ley (sam@cosunflower.com) is a physicist who works
Portions of this article were adapted from Scott Aldous’s INTRODUCING...
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hen we talk with people interested in investing
But when you dig into module specs and compare them A Changing PV Market
Over the last few years, a shortage of silicon—the main material
manufacturing base. As a result, consumer choice is back How to Use This Guide
This article provides a comprehensive listing of PV modules
Home Power’s 2007 THE PERFECT PV SPECS... Manufacturer
Definition: A company that designs and builds a line of PV
Importance: PV manufacturers include global energy Model
Definition: The identifier used to distinguish one module
Importance: Other than giving you a reference point to Rated Power at STC (watts)
Definition: Module wattage rating at standard test conditions
Importance: The STC rating establishes a consistent basis Rated Power Tolerance (%)
Definition: The specified range within which a module will
Importance: Power tolerance is the most contentious module www.homepower.com PV buyer’s guide 71
by Joe Schwartz THE PERFECT PV home power 121 / october & november 2007 72 PV buyer’s guide Rated Power per Square Foot (watts)
Definition: Power output at STC per square foot of module (not
Importance: If you have limited space available for a PV array, Module Efficiency (%)
Definition: The ratio of output power to input power, or how
Importance: Module efficiency is another indicator of which Module Physical Dimensions (inches) Definition: Length, width, and depth of a given module.
Importance: Module dimensions vary, often significantly. Careful Weight (lbs.) Definition: Module weight in pounds.
Importance: The total weight of an installed array (including Series Fuse Rating (amps)
Definition: Amperage value of a series fuse used to protect a
Importance: Series strings of modules wired in parallel at a Connector Type
Definition: Module output terminal or cable/connector
Importance: To decrease installation time, most PV manufacturers Courtesy www.bpsolar.us Courtesy www.isofoton.com www.homepower.com PV buyer’s guide 73 Materials Warranty (years)
Definition: A limited warranty on module
Importance: Of the modules surveyed, Power Warranty (years)
Definition: A limited warranty for module
Importance: Few consumer products have Cell Type
Definition: The material that comprises a specific cell, based on
Importance: There are three general types of PV cell materials— Cell Size (inches) Definition: Indication of relative cell size.
Importance: The voltage of PV cells is relatively consistent no Cells in Series
Definition: Number of individual PV cells wired in series to
Importance: Module voltage increases as additional cells
based on recharging a battery bank of a specific voltage Cells in Series per Bypass Diode
Definition: Bypass diodes provide an alternate path for electricity
Importance: Poorly designed arrays may operate near the Maximum Power Voltage (Vmp)
Definition: The voltage generated by a PV module or array
Importance: Batteryless inverters have a range in which they Courtesy www.suntech-power.com Manufacturer Model
Rated
Rated
Rated
Module
Length
Width
Depth
Weight
Series Fuse
Connector
Materials
Power Cell Type
Cell
Cells in
Cells in
Max.
Max.
Open-
Short-
Max. Power
Open-Circuit
Short-Circuit
Advent Advent 200 200 +/-3.0 11.2 12.0 66.14 38.98 1.97 50 15 MC NA 10 / 25 Poly 5 60 20 28.1 7.1 34.9 8.0 -0.52 -126 4.07 Advent 205 205 +/-3.0 11.5 12.3 66.14 38.98 1.97 50 15 MC NA 10 / 25 Poly 5 60 20 28.4 7.2 35.1 8.1 -0.52 -126 4.12 Advent 210 210 +/-3.0 11.7 12.6 66.14 38.98 1.97 50 15 MC NA 10 / 25 Poly 5 60 20 28.4 7.4 35.1 8.2 -0.52 -126 4.20 Advent 215 215 +/-3.0 12.0 12.9 66.14 38.98 1.97 50 15 MC NA 10 / 25 Poly 5 60 20 28.7 7.5 35.4 8.3 -0.52 -127 4.22 Advent 220 220 +/-3.0 12.3 13.2 66.14 38.98 1.97 50 15 MC NA 10 / 25 Poly 5 60 20 29.1 7.6 35.7 8.4 -0.52 -129 4.28 Advent 225 225 +/-3.0 12.6 13.5 66.14 38.98 1.97 50 15 MC NA 10 / 25 Poly 5 60 20 29.3 7.8 36.0 8.5 -0.52 -130 4.35 Advent 230 230 +/-3.0 12.8 13.8 66.14 38.98 1.97 50 15 MC NA 10 / 25 Poly 5 60 20 29.7 7.8 36.3 8.6 -0.52 -131 4.37 Advent 235 235 +/-3.0 13.1 14.1 66.14 38.98 1.97 50 15 MC NA 10 / 25 Poly 5 60 20 29.7 7.9 36.3 8.6 -0.52 -131 4.41 Advent 240 240 +/-3.0 13.4 14.4 66.14 38.98 1.97 50 15 MC NA 10 / 25 Poly 5 60 20 30.0 8.0 36.6 8.7 -0.52 -132 4.43 BP Solar BP 3115J 115 +/-3.0 10.5 11.3 59.45 26.54 1.97 26.64 15 J-Box 5 10, 12 / 25 Poly 6 36 18 17.1 6.7 21.8 7.5 -0.50 -80 4.88 BP 3125J 125 +/-3.0 11.4 12.3 59.45 26.54 1.97 26.64 15 J-Box 5 10, 12 / 25 Poly 6 36 18 17.4 7.2 22.0 8.1 -0.50 -80 5.27 SX 3140J 140 +/-9.0 12.8 12.8 59.45 26.54 1.97 26.64 15 J-Box 5 10, 12 / 25 Poly 6 36 18 17.5 8.0 22.0 8.2 -0.50 -80 5.33 SX 165B 165 +/-9.0 12.2 13.1 62.72 31.10 1.97 33.88 15 MC 5 10, 12 / 25 Poly 5 72 24 35.2 4.7 44.2 5.1 -0.50 -160 3.32 SX 170 I 170 +/-9.0 12.4 13.3 62.48 31.61 1.97 33.88 15 MC 5 10, 12 / 25 Poly 5 72 24 35.4 4.8 44.2 5.3 -0.50 -160 3.43 BP 170 I 170 +/-5.0 12.4 13.3 62.48 32.61 1.97 33.88 15 MC 5 10, 12 / 25 Poly 5 72 24 35.4 4.8 43.6 5.3 -0.50 -160 3.43 BP 170 B 170 +/-5.0 12.6 13.5 62.72 31.10 1.97 33.88 15 MC 5 10, 12 / 25 Poly 5 72 24 35.4 4.8 43.6 5.3 -0.50 -160 3.43 SX 175B 175 +/-9.0 12.9 13.9 62.72 31.10 1.97 33.88 15 MC 5 10, 12 / 25 Poly 5 72 24 36.1 4.9 44.2 5.3 -0.50 -160 3.45 BP 175 B 175 +/-5.0 12.9 13.9 62.72 31.10 1.97 33.88 15 MC 5 10, 12 / 25 Poly 5 72 24 36.1 4.9 43.6 5.3 -0.50 -160 3.45 BP 175 I 175 +/-5.0 12.8 13.7 62.48 32.61 1.97 33.88 15 MC 5 10, 12 / 25 Poly 5 72 24 36.1 4.9 43.6 5.3 -0.50 -160 3.45 BP 4175 B 175 +/-5.0 12.9 13.9 62.72 31.10 1.97 33.88 15 MC 5 10, 12 / 25 Mono 5 72 24 35.4 4.9 43.6 5.5 -0.50 -160 3.54 BP 4175 I 175 +/-5.0 12.8 13.7 62.48 32.61 1.97 33.88 15 MC 5 10, 12 / 25 Mono 5 72 24 35.4 4.9 43.6 5.5 -0.50 -160 3.54 BP 4180 B 180 +/-5.0 13.3 14.3 62.72 31.10 1.97 33.88 15 MC 5 10, 12 / 25 Mono 5 72 24 35.5 5.1 43.6 5.6 -0.50 -160 3.64 BP 4180 I 180 +/-5.0 13.1 14.1 62.48 32.61 1.97 33.88 15 MC 5 10, 12 / 25 Mono 5 72 24 35.5 5.1 43.6 5.6 -0.50 -160 3.64 SX 3190 N, B 190 +/-9.0 12.6 13.5 66.14 32.95 1.97 37.84 15 MC 5 10, 12 / 25 Poly 6 50 10, 20 24.3 7.8 30.6 8.5 -0.50 -111 5.53 SX 3195 N, B 195 +/-9.0 12.9 13.9 66.14 32.95 1.97 37.84 15 MC 5 10, 12 / 25 Poly 6 50 10, 20 24.4 8.0 30.7 8.6 -0.50 -111 5.59 SX 3200 B, W 200 +/-9.0 13.2 13.2 66.14 32.95 1.97 37.84 15 MC 5 10, 12 / 25 Poly 6 50 10, 20 24.5 8.2 30.8 8.7 -0.50 -111 5.66 BP 3200 B, W 200 +/-5.0 13.2 13.2 66.14 32.95 1.97 37.84 15 MC 5 10, 12 / 25 Poly 6 50 10, 20 24.5 8.2 30.8 8.7 -0.50 -111 5.66
Canadian CS5A-170 170 +/-3.0 12.4 13.3 62.80 31.54 1.57 34.17 10 MC 2 10 / 25 Mono 5 72 24 34.4 5.0 43.2 5.4 -0.30 -158 3.49 CS6A-175 175 +/-3.0 12.5 13.5 52.13 38.66 1.57 35.27 15 MC 2 10 / 25 Poly 6 48 16 23.2 7.5 28.8 8.2 -0.30 -105 5.33 CS6A-180 180 +/-3.0 12.9 13.8 52.13 38.66 1.57 35.27 15 MC 2 10 / 25 Poly 6 48 16 23.2 7.8 28.8 8.4 -0.30 -105 5.47 CS5A-180 180 +/-3.0 13.1 14.1 62.80 31.54 1.57 34.17 10 MC 2 10 / 25 Mono 5 72 24 34.4 5.2 43.2 5.7 -0.30 -158 3.70 CS6A-185 185 +/-3.0 13.2 14.2 52.13 38.66 1.57 35.27 15 MC 2 10 / 25 Poly 6 48 16 23.2 8.0 28.8 8.7 -0.30 -105 5.62 CS5P-210 210 +/-3.0 11.5 12.4 63.07 41.77 1.57 44.09 10 MC 2 10 / 25 Mono 5 96 24 46.0 4.6 57.6 5.0 -0.30 -208 3.23 CS6P-210 210 +/-3.0 12.1 13.1 64.49 38.66 1.57 40.79 15 MC 2 10 / 25 Poly 6 60 20 28.9 7.3 36.1 7.9 -0.30 -131 5.15 CS5P-220 220 +/-3.0 12.0 12.9 63.07 41.77 1.57 44.09 10 MC 2 10 / 25 Mono 5 96 24 46.4 4.7 57.9 5.2 -0.30 -208 3.36 CS6P-220 220 +/-3.0 12.7 13.7 64.49 38.66 1.57 40.79 15 MC 2 10 / 25 Poly 6 60 20 29.1 7.6 36.2 8.3 -0.30 -131 5.38 CS5P-230 230 +/-3.0 12.6 13.5 63.07 41.77 1.57 44.09 10 MC 2 10 / 25 Mono 5 96 24 46.8 4.9 58.1 5.4 -0.30 -208 3.51
Day4 Day4 36MC 115 115 +/-3.5 10.8 11.6 57.70 26.59 1.38 28.44 15 Solarlok 5 10 / 25 Poly 6 36 18 16.8 6.9 21.0 7.6 -0.48 -110 7.80 Day4 36MC 120 120 +/-3.5 11.3 12.1 57.70 26.59 1.38 28.44 15 Solarlok 5 10 / 25 Poly 6 36 18 17.0 7.1 21.2 7.7 -0.48 -110 7.80 Day4 36MC 125 125 +/-3.5 11.7 12.6 57.70 26.59 1.38 28.44 15 Solarlok 5 10 / 25 Poly 6 36 18 17.2 7.3 21.5 7.9 -0.48 -110 7.80 Day4 36MC 130 130 +/-3.5 12.2 13.1 57.70 26.59 1.38 28.44 15 Solarlok 5 10 / 25 Poly 6 36 18 17.6 7.5 21.9 8.1 -0.48 -110 7.80 Day4 36MC 135 135 +/-3.5 12.7 13.6 57.70 26.59 1.38 28.44 15 Solarlok 5 10 / 25 Poly 6 36 18 17.8 7.6 22.1 8.1 -0.48 -110 7.80 Day4 36MC 140 140 +/-3.5 13.1 14.1 57.70 26.59 1.38 28.44 15 Solarlok 5 10 / 25 Poly 6 36 18 18.0 7.8 22.3 8.2 -0.48 -110 7.80 Day4 36MC 145 145 +/-3.5 13.6 14.6 57.70 26.59 1.38 28.44 15 Solarlok 5 10 / 25 Poly 6 36 18 18.2 8.0 22.6 8.3 -0.48 -110 7.80 Day4 48MC 160 160 +/-3.5 11.5 12.4 51.46 39.01 1.38 38.28 15 Solarlok 5 10 / 25 Poly 6 48 24 22.6 7.1 28.3 7.7 -0.48 -110 7.80 Day4 48MC 165 165 +/-3.5 11.8 12.7 51.46 39.01 1.38 38.28 15 Solarlok 5 10 / 25 Poly 6 48 24 23.0 7.2 28.6 7.8 -0.48 -110 7.80 Day4 48MC 170 170 +/-3.5 12.2 13.1 51.46 39.01 1.38 38.28 15 Solarlok 5 10 / 25 Poly 6 48 24 23.0 7.4 28.8 7.9 -0.48 -110 7.80 Day4 48MC 175 175 +/-3.5 12.6 13.5 51.46 39.01 1.38 38.28 15 Solarlok 5 10 / 25 Poly 6 48 24 23.4 7.5 29.2 8.1 -0.48 -110 7.80 Day4 48MC 180 180 +/-3.5 12.9 13.9 51.46 39.01 1.38 38.28 15 Solarlok 5 10 / 25 Poly 6 48 24 23.7 7.6 29.4 8.1 -0.48 -110 7.80 Day4 48MC 185 185 +/-3.5 13.3 14.3 51.46 39.01 1.38 38.28 15 Solarlok 5 10 / 25 Poly 6 48 24 23.8 7.8 29.5 8.2 -0.48 -110 7.80 Day4 48MC 190 190 +/-3.5 13.6 14.7 51.46 39.01 1.38 38.28 15 Solarlok 5 10 / 25 Poly 6 48 24 24.0 7.9 29.7 8.3 -0.48 -110 7.80 Evergreen ES-170 170 +4.0/-5.0 10.6 11.4 61.80 37.50 1.60 40.10 15 MC 5 10 / 25 Poly Ribbon6 x 3 108 18 25.3 6.7 32.4 7.6 -0.49 -112 4.50 ES-180 180 +4.0/-2.0 11.2 12.0 61.80 37.50 1.60 40.10 15 MC 5 10 / 25 Poly Ribbon6 x 3 108 18 25.9 7.0 32.6 7.8 -0.49 -112 4.60 ES-190 190 +4.0/-2.0 11.8 12.7 61.80 37.50 1.60 40.10 15 MC 5 10 / 25 Poly Ribbon6 x 3 108 18 26.7 7.1 32.8 8.1 -0.49 -113 4.80 ES-195 195 +2.5/-0.0 12.1 13.1 61.80 37.50 1.60 40.10 15 MC 5 10 / 25 Poly Ribbon6 x 3 108 18 27.1 7.2 32.9 8.2 -0.49 -114 4.80 GE GEPVc-170-MS 170 +/-5.0 12.5 13.5 62.50 31.30 1.40 32.30 15 Solarlok 5 10 / 25 Mono 5 72 18 36.5 4.7 43.9 5.1 -0.37 -150 4.60 GEPVp-200-MS 200 +/-5.0 12.8 13.7 58.50 38.60 1.40 39.00 15 Solarlok 5 10 / 25 Poly 6 54 18 26.3 7.6 32.9 8.1 -0.50 -120 5.60 Kyocera KC130TM 130 +10.0/-5.0 13.0 14.0 56.00 25.70 2.20 26.90 15 J-Box 1 10 / 20 Poly 6 36 18 17.6 7.4 21.9 8.0 -0.49 -82 3.18 KC130GT 130 +10.0/-5.0 13.0 14.0 56.00 25.70 1.40 26.90 15 MC 1 10 / 20 Poly 6 36 18 17.6 7.4 21.9 8.0 -0.49 -82 3.18 KC175 GT 175 +10.0/-5.0 12.7 13.7 50.80 39.00 1.40 35.30 15 MC 1 10 / 20 Poly 6 48 16 23.6 7.4 29.2 8.1 -0.49 -109 3.18 KC200GT 200 +10.0/-5.0 13.1 14.2 56.20 39.00 1.40 40.80 15 MC 1 10 / 20 Poly 6 54 18 26.3 7.6 32.9 8.2 -0.49 -123 3.18 home power 121 / october & november 2007 74 PV buyer’s guide Notes: a-Si = Amorphous silicon • Poly = Polycrystalline • Mono = Monocrystalline • MC = Multi-Contact • J-Box = Junction box • NA = Not available Manufacturer Model
Rated
Rated
Rated
Module
Length
Width
Depth
Weight
Series Fuse
Connector
Materials
Power Cell Type
Cell
Cells in
Cells in
Max.
Max.
Open-
Short-
Max. Power
Open-Circuit
Short-Circuit
Advent Advent 200 200 +/-3.0 11.2 12.0 66.14 38.98 1.97 50 15 MC NA 10 / 25 Poly 5 60 20 28.1 7.1 34.9 8.0 -0.52 -126 4.07 Advent 205 205 +/-3.0 11.5 12.3 66.14 38.98 1.97 50 15 MC NA 10 / 25 Poly 5 60 20 28.4 7.2 35.1 8.1 -0.52 -126 4.12 Advent 210 210 +/-3.0 11.7 12.6 66.14 38.98 1.97 50 15 MC NA 10 / 25 Poly 5 60 20 28.4 7.4 35.1 8.2 -0.52 -126 4.20 Advent 215 215 +/-3.0 12.0 12.9 66.14 38.98 1.97 50 15 MC NA 10 / 25 Poly 5 60 20 28.7 7.5 35.4 8.3 -0.52 -127 4.22 Advent 220 220 +/-3.0 12.3 13.2 66.14 38.98 1.97 50 15 MC NA 10 / 25 Poly 5 60 20 29.1 7.6 35.7 8.4 -0.52 -129 4.28 Advent 225 225 +/-3.0 12.6 13.5 66.14 38.98 1.97 50 15 MC NA 10 / 25 Poly 5 60 20 29.3 7.8 36.0 8.5 -0.52 -130 4.35 Advent 230 230 +/-3.0 12.8 13.8 66.14 38.98 1.97 50 15 MC NA 10 / 25 Poly 5 60 20 29.7 7.8 36.3 8.6 -0.52 -131 4.37 Advent 235 235 +/-3.0 13.1 14.1 66.14 38.98 1.97 50 15 MC NA 10 / 25 Poly 5 60 20 29.7 7.9 36.3 8.6 -0.52 -131 4.41 Advent 240 240 +/-3.0 13.4 14.4 66.14 38.98 1.97 50 15 MC NA 10 / 25 Poly 5 60 20 30.0 8.0 36.6 8.7 -0.52 -132 4.43 BP Solar BP 3115J 115 +/-3.0 10.5 11.3 59.45 26.54 1.97 26.64 15 J-Box 5 10, 12 / 25 Poly 6 36 18 17.1 6.7 21.8 7.5 -0.50 -80 4.88 BP 3125J 125 +/-3.0 11.4 12.3 59.45 26.54 1.97 26.64 15 J-Box 5 10, 12 / 25 Poly 6 36 18 17.4 7.2 22.0 8.1 -0.50 -80 5.27 SX 3140J 140 +/-9.0 12.8 12.8 59.45 26.54 1.97 26.64 15 J-Box 5 10, 12 / 25 Poly 6 36 18 17.5 8.0 22.0 8.2 -0.50 -80 5.33 SX 165B 165 +/-9.0 12.2 13.1 62.72 31.10 1.97 33.88 15 MC 5 10, 12 / 25 Poly 5 72 24 35.2 4.7 44.2 5.1 -0.50 -160 3.32 SX 170 I 170 +/-9.0 12.4 13.3 62.48 31.61 1.97 33.88 15 MC 5 10, 12 / 25 Poly 5 72 24 35.4 4.8 44.2 5.3 -0.50 -160 3.43 BP 170 I 170 +/-5.0 12.4 13.3 62.48 32.61 1.97 33.88 15 MC 5 10, 12 / 25 Poly 5 72 24 35.4 4.8 43.6 5.3 -0.50 -160 3.43 BP 170 B 170 +/-5.0 12.6 13.5 62.72 31.10 1.97 33.88 15 MC 5 10, 12 / 25 Poly 5 72 24 35.4 4.8 43.6 5.3 -0.50 -160 3.43 SX 175B 175 +/-9.0 12.9 13.9 62.72 31.10 1.97 33.88 15 MC 5 10, 12 / 25 Poly 5 72 24 36.1 4.9 44.2 5.3 -0.50 -160 3.45 BP 175 B 175 +/-5.0 12.9 13.9 62.72 31.10 1.97 33.88 15 MC 5 10, 12 / 25 Poly 5 72 24 36.1 4.9 43.6 5.3 -0.50 -160 3.45 BP 175 I 175 +/-5.0 12.8 13.7 62.48 32.61 1.97 33.88 15 MC 5 10, 12 / 25 Poly 5 72 24 36.1 4.9 43.6 5.3 -0.50 -160 3.45 BP 4175 B 175 +/-5.0 12.9 13.9 62.72 31.10 1.97 33.88 15 MC 5 10, 12 / 25 Mono 5 72 24 35.4 4.9 43.6 5.5 -0.50 -160 3.54 BP 4175 I 175 +/-5.0 12.8 13.7 62.48 32.61 1.97 33.88 15 MC 5 10, 12 / 25 Mono 5 72 24 35.4 4.9 43.6 5.5 -0.50 -160 3.54 BP 4180 B 180 +/-5.0 13.3 14.3 62.72 31.10 1.97 33.88 15 MC 5 10, 12 / 25 Mono 5 72 24 35.5 5.1 43.6 5.6 -0.50 -160 3.64 BP 4180 I 180 +/-5.0 13.1 14.1 62.48 32.61 1.97 33.88 15 MC 5 10, 12 / 25 Mono 5 72 24 35.5 5.1 43.6 5.6 -0.50 -160 3.64 SX 3190 N, B 190 +/-9.0 12.6 13.5 66.14 32.95 1.97 37.84 15 MC 5 10, 12 / 25 Poly 6 50 10, 20 24.3 7.8 30.6 8.5 -0.50 -111 5.53 SX 3195 N, B 195 +/-9.0 12.9 13.9 66.14 32.95 1.97 37.84 15 MC 5 10, 12 / 25 Poly 6 50 10, 20 24.4 8.0 30.7 8.6 -0.50 -111 5.59 SX 3200 B, W 200 +/-9.0 13.2 13.2 66.14 32.95 1.97 37.84 15 MC 5 10, 12 / 25 Poly 6 50 10, 20 24.5 8.2 30.8 8.7 -0.50 -111 5.66 BP 3200 B, W 200 +/-5.0 13.2 13.2 66.14 32.95 1.97 37.84 15 MC 5 10, 12 / 25 Poly 6 50 10, 20 24.5 8.2 30.8 8.7 -0.50 -111 5.66
Canadian CS5A-170 170 +/-3.0 12.4 13.3 62.80 31.54 1.57 34.17 10 MC 2 10 / 25 Mono 5 72 24 34.4 5.0 43.2 5.4 -0.30 -158 3.49 CS6A-175 175 +/-3.0 12.5 13.5 52.13 38.66 1.57 35.27 15 MC 2 10 / 25 Poly 6 48 16 23.2 7.5 28.8 8.2 -0.30 -105 5.33 CS6A-180 180 +/-3.0 12.9 13.8 52.13 38.66 1.57 35.27 15 MC 2 10 / 25 Poly 6 48 16 23.2 7.8 28.8 8.4 -0.30 -105 5.47 CS5A-180 180 +/-3.0 13.1 14.1 62.80 31.54 1.57 34.17 10 MC 2 10 / 25 Mono 5 72 24 34.4 5.2 43.2 5.7 -0.30 -158 3.70 CS6A-185 185 +/-3.0 13.2 14.2 52.13 38.66 1.57 35.27 15 MC 2 10 / 25 Poly 6 48 16 23.2 8.0 28.8 8.7 -0.30 -105 5.62 CS5P-210 210 +/-3.0 11.5 12.4 63.07 41.77 1.57 44.09 10 MC 2 10 / 25 Mono 5 96 24 46.0 4.6 57.6 5.0 -0.30 -208 3.23 CS6P-210 210 +/-3.0 12.1 13.1 64.49 38.66 1.57 40.79 15 MC 2 10 / 25 Poly 6 60 20 28.9 7.3 36.1 7.9 -0.30 -131 5.15 CS5P-220 220 +/-3.0 12.0 12.9 63.07 41.77 1.57 44.09 10 MC 2 10 / 25 Mono 5 96 24 46.4 4.7 57.9 5.2 -0.30 -208 3.36 CS6P-220 220 +/-3.0 12.7 13.7 64.49 38.66 1.57 40.79 15 MC 2 10 / 25 Poly 6 60 20 29.1 7.6 36.2 8.3 -0.30 -131 5.38 CS5P-230 230 +/-3.0 12.6 13.5 63.07 41.77 1.57 44.09 10 MC 2 10 / 25 Mono 5 96 24 46.8 4.9 58.1 5.4 -0.30 -208 3.51
Day4 Day4 36MC 115 115 +/-3.5 10.8 11.6 57.70 26.59 1.38 28.44 15 Solarlok 5 10 / 25 Poly 6 36 18 16.8 6.9 21.0 7.6 -0.48 -110 7.80 Day4 36MC 120 120 +/-3.5 11.3 12.1 57.70 26.59 1.38 28.44 15 Solarlok 5 10 / 25 Poly 6 36 18 17.0 7.1 21.2 7.7 -0.48 -110 7.80 Day4 36MC 125 125 +/-3.5 11.7 12.6 57.70 26.59 1.38 28.44 15 Solarlok 5 10 / 25 Poly 6 36 18 17.2 7.3 21.5 7.9 -0.48 -110 7.80 Day4 36MC 130 130 +/-3.5 12.2 13.1 57.70 26.59 1.38 28.44 15 Solarlok 5 10 / 25 Poly 6 36 18 17.6 7.5 21.9 8.1 -0.48 -110 7.80 Day4 36MC 135 135 +/-3.5 12.7 13.6 57.70 26.59 1.38 28.44 15 Solarlok 5 10 / 25 Poly 6 36 18 17.8 7.6 22.1 8.1 -0.48 -110 7.80 Day4 36MC 140 140 +/-3.5 13.1 14.1 57.70 26.59 1.38 28.44 15 Solarlok 5 10 / 25 Poly 6 36 18 18.0 7.8 22.3 8.2 -0.48 -110 7.80 Day4 36MC 145 145 +/-3.5 13.6 14.6 57.70 26.59 1.38 28.44 15 Solarlok 5 10 / 25 Poly 6 36 18 18.2 8.0 22.6 8.3 -0.48 -110 7.80 Day4 48MC 160 160 +/-3.5 11.5 12.4 51.46 39.01 1.38 38.28 15 Solarlok 5 10 / 25 Poly 6 48 24 22.6 7.1 28.3 7.7 -0.48 -110 7.80 Day4 48MC 165 165 +/-3.5 11.8 12.7 51.46 39.01 1.38 38.28 15 Solarlok 5 10 / 25 Poly 6 48 24 23.0 7.2 28.6 7.8 -0.48 -110 7.80 Day4 48MC 170 170 +/-3.5 12.2 13.1 51.46 39.01 1.38 38.28 15 Solarlok 5 10 / 25 Poly 6 48 24 23.0 7.4 28.8 7.9 -0.48 -110 7.80 Day4 48MC 175 175 +/-3.5 12.6 13.5 51.46 39.01 1.38 38.28 15 Solarlok 5 10 / 25 Poly 6 48 24 23.4 7.5 29.2 8.1 -0.48 -110 7.80 Day4 48MC 180 180 +/-3.5 12.9 13.9 51.46 39.01 1.38 38.28 15 Solarlok 5 10 / 25 Poly 6 48 24 23.7 7.6 29.4 8.1 -0.48 -110 7.80 Day4 48MC 185 185 +/-3.5 13.3 14.3 51.46 39.01 1.38 38.28 15 Solarlok 5 10 / 25 Poly 6 48 24 23.8 7.8 29.5 8.2 -0.48 -110 7.80 Day4 48MC 190 190 +/-3.5 13.6 14.7 51.46 39.01 1.38 38.28 15 Solarlok 5 10 / 25 Poly 6 48 24 24.0 7.9 29.7 8.3 -0.48 -110 7.80 Evergreen ES-170 170 +4.0/-5.0 10.6 11.4 61.80 37.50 1.60 40.10 15 MC 5 10 / 25 Poly Ribbon6 x 3 108 18 25.3 6.7 32.4 7.6 -0.49 -112 4.50 ES-180 180 +4.0/-2.0 11.2 12.0 61.80 37.50 1.60 40.10 15 MC 5 10 / 25 Poly Ribbon6 x 3 108 18 25.9 7.0 32.6 7.8 -0.49 -112 4.60 ES-190 190 +4.0/-2.0 11.8 12.7 61.80 37.50 1.60 40.10 15 MC 5 10 / 25 Poly Ribbon6 x 3 108 18 26.7 7.1 32.8 8.1 -0.49 -113 4.80 ES-195 195 +2.5/-0.0 12.1 13.1 61.80 37.50 1.60 40.10 15 MC 5 10 / 25 Poly Ribbon6 x 3 108 18 27.1 7.2 32.9 8.2 -0.49 -114 4.80 GE GEPVc-170-MS 170 +/-5.0 12.5 13.5 62.50 31.30 1.40 32.30 15 Solarlok 5 10 / 25 Mono 5 72 18 36.5 4.7 43.9 5.1 -0.37 -150 4.60 GEPVp-200-MS 200 +/-5.0 12.8 13.7 58.50 38.60 1.40 39.00 15 Solarlok 5 10 / 25 Poly 6 54 18 26.3 7.6 32.9 8.1 -0.50 -120 5.60 Kyocera KC130TM 130 +10.0/-5.0 13.0 14.0 56.00 25.70 2.20 26.90 15 J-Box 1 10 / 20 Poly 6 36 18 17.6 7.4 21.9 8.0 -0.49 -82 3.18 KC130GT 130 +10.0/-5.0 13.0 14.0 56.00 25.70 1.40 26.90 15 MC 1 10 / 20 Poly 6 36 18 17.6 7.4 21.9 8.0 -0.49 -82 3.18 KC175 GT 175 +10.0/-5.0 12.7 13.7 50.80 39.00 1.40 35.30 15 MC 1 10 / 20 Poly 6 48 16 23.6 7.4 29.2 8.1 -0.49 -109 3.18 KC200GT 200 +10.0/-5.0 13.1 14.2 56.20 39.00 1.40 40.80 15 MC 1 10 / 20 Poly 6 54 18 26.3 7.6 32.9 8.2 -0.49 -123 3.18 www.homepower.com PV buyer’s guide 75 Manufacturer Model
Rated
Rated
Rated
Module
Length
Width
Depth
Weight
Series Fuse
Connector
Materials
Power Cell Type
Cell
Cells in
Cells in
Max.
Max.
Open-
Short-
Max. Power
Open-Circuit
Short-Circuit Mitsubishi PV-UE115MF5N 115 +10.0/-5.0 10.6 11.4 58.90 26.50 1.81 29.80 15 MC 1.25 10 / 25 Poly 6 36 18 17.1 6.8 21.5 7.6 -0.45 -74 4.08 PV-UE120MF5N 120 +10.0/-5.0 11.1 11.9 58.90 26.50 1.81 29.80 15 MC 1.25 10 / 25 Poly 6 36 18 17.2 7.0 21.6 7.8 -0.45 -74 4.16 PV-UE125MF5N 125 +10.0/-5.0 11.5 12.4 58.90 26.50 1.81 29.80 15 MC 1.25 10 / 25 Poly 6 36 18 17.3 7.2 21.8 7.9 -0.45 -75 4.24 PV-UE130MF5N 130 +10.0/-5.0 12.0 12.9 58.90 26.50 1.81 29.80 15 MC 1.25 10 / 25 Poly 6 36 18 17.4 7.5 21.9 8.1 -0.45 -75 4.32 PV-UD175MF5 175 +/-3.0 11.8 12.7 65.30 32.80 1.81 37.00 15 MC 1.25 10 / 25 Poly 6 50 20 23.9 7.3 30.2 7.9 -0.45 -104 4.26 PV-UD180MF5 180 +/-3.0 12.1 13.0 65.30 32.80 1.81 37.00 15 MC 1.25 10 / 25 Poly 6 50 20 24.2 7.5 30.4 8.0 -0.45 -105 4.31 PV-UD185MF5 185 +/-3.0 12.4 13.4 65.30 32.80 1.81 37.00 15 MC 1.25 10 / 25 Poly 6 50 20 24.4 7.6 30.6 8.1 -0.45 -105 4.37 PV-UD190MF5 190 +/-3.0 12.8 13.7 65.30 32.80 1.81 37.00 15 MC 1.25 10 / 25 Poly 6 50 20 24.7 7.7 30.8 8.2 -0.45 -106 4.42 Sanyo* HIP-180BA3 180 +10.0/-5.0 14.2 15.3 51.90 35.20 1.40 30.86 15 MC 2 10 / 20 Mono, a-Si 4 96 24 54.0 3.3 66.4 3.7 -0.33 -173 1.10 HIP-186BA3 186 +10.0/-5.0 14.7 15.8 51.90 35.20 1.40 30.86 15 MC 2 10 / 20 Mono, a-Si 4 96 24 54.4 3.4 67.0 3.7 -0.30 -168 0.85 HIP-190BA3 190 +10.0/-5.0 15.0 16.1 51.90 35.20 1.40 30.86 15 MC 2 10 / 20 Mono, a-Si 4 96 24 54.8 3.5 67.5 3.8 -0.30 -169 0.86 HIP-195BA3 195 +10.0/-5.0 15.4 16.5 51.90 35.20 1.40 30.86 15 MC 2 10 / 20 Mono, a-Si 4 96 24 55.3 3.5 68.1 3.8 -0.30 -170 0.87 HIP-200BA3 200 +10.0/-5.0 15.8 17.0 51.90 35.20 1.40 30.86 15 MC 2 10 / 20 Mono, a-Si 4 96 24 55.8 3.6 68.7 3.8 -0.29 -172 0.88 HIP-205BA3 205 +10.0/-5.0 16.2 17.4 51.90 35.20 1.40 30.86 15 MC 2 10 / 20 Mono, a-Si 4 96 24 56.7 3.6 68.8 3.8 -0.29 -172 0.88 Schott ASE-250-DGF/50 250 +/-4.0 9.6 10.3 74.50 50.50 2.00 107.00 12 MC 1 10 / 20 Poly 4 108 18 48.3 5.2 60.3 5.8 -0.47 -229 5.80 ASE-270-DGF/50 270 +/-4.0 10.3 11.1 74.50 50.50 2.00 107.00 12 MC 1 10 / 20 Poly 4 108 18 49.1 5.5 61.3 6.1 -0.47 -233 6.10 ASE-300-DFG/50 300 +/-4.0 11.5 12.2 74.50 50.50 2.00 107.00 12 MC 1 10 / 20 Poly 4 108 18 50.6 5.9 63.2 6.5 -0.47 -240 6.50 Schuco S 130-SP 130 +5.0/-0.0 12.1 13.0 49.13 31.61 1.81 27.56 15 MC 5 12 / 25 Poly 6 40 20 19.2 6.8 24.2 7.4 -0.49 -88 4.80 S 165-SP 165 +5.0/-0.0 12.1 13.1 62.20 31.50 1.81 34.17 15 MC 5 12 / 25 Poly 6 50 25 24.2 6.8 30.4 7.4 -0.48 -111 4.19 S 165-SPU 165 +/-5.0 12.1 13.1 62.20 31.50 1.81 34.17 15 MC 5 12 / 25 Poly 6 50 25 24.2 6.8 30.4 7.4 -0.48 -111 4.19 S 170-SPU 170 +/-5.0 12.5 13.1 62.20 31.50 1.81 34.17 15 MC 5 12 / 25 Poly 6 50 25 24.2 6.8 30.4 7.4 -0.48 -111 4.19 Sharp ND-L3EJEA 123 +10.0/-5.0 11.5 12.4 59.02 26.06 1.81 30.86 15 J-Box 1 10 / 25 Poly 6 36 18 17.2 7.2 21.3 8.0 -0.49 -72 3.20 ND-L5E1U 125 +10.0/-5.0 11.7 12.6 59.02 26.06 1.81 30.86 15 MC 1 10 / 25 Poly 6 36 18 17.2 7.3 21.7 8.1 -0.49 -72 3.24 ND-N2ECU 142 +10.0/-5.0 11.4 12.3 45.87 38.98 1.81 31.96 15 MC 1 10 / 25 Poly 6 42 21 20.0 7.1 24.9 7.9 -0.49 -84 3.16 ND-162U1F 162 +10.0/-5.0 11.5 12.4 51.90 39.10 1.81 36.40 15 MC 1 10 / 25 Poly 6 48 16 22.8 7.1 28.8 8.0 -0.49 -96 3.20 ND-167U1F 167 +10.0/-5.0 11.9 12.7 51.90 39.10 1.81 36.40 15 MC 1 10 / 25 Poly 6 48 16 23.0 7.3 29.0 8.0 -0.49 -96 3.20 NE-170U1 170 +10.0/-5.0 12.1 13.1 62.01 32.52 1.81 37.49 10 MC 1 10 / 25 Poly 5 72 24 34.8 4.9 43.2 5.5 -0.49 -144 2.20 NT-180U1 180 +10.0/-5.0 12.9 13.8 62.00 32.50 1.81 37.50 10 MC 1 10 / 25 Mono 5 72 24 35.9 5.0 44.8 5.6 -0.49 -144 1.68 ND-181U1F 181 +10.0/-5.0 11.4 12.3 58.30 39.10 2.26 39.60 15 MC 1 10 / 25 Poly 6 54 18 25.8 7.0 32.4 7.9 -0.49 -108 3.16 ND-187U1F 187 +10.0/-5.0 11.7 12.7 58.70 39.10 2.26 39.60 15 MC 1 10 / 25 Poly 6 54 18 25.8 7.3 32.7 8.0 -0.49 -108 3.20 ND-200U1F 200 +10.0/-5.0 11.4 12.3 64.60 39.10 1.81 46.30 15 MC 1 10 / 25 Poly 6 60 20 28.4 7.0 36.0 7.9 -0.49 -120 3.16 ND-208U1F 208 +10.0/-5.0 11.9 12.8 64.60 39.10 1.81 46.30 15 MC 1 10 / 25 Poly 6 60 20 28.7 7.3 36.3 8.0 -0.49 -120 3.20 SolarWorld SW 155 - Mono 155 +/-3.0 11.0 11.9 63.39 31.89 1.34 33.00 15 MC 2 10 / 25 Mono 5 72 24 34.8 4.5 43.6 4.9 -0.35 -145 1.40 SW 165 - Mono 165 +/-3.0 11.8 12.7 63.39 31.89 1.34 33.00 15 MC 2 10 / 25 Mono 5 72 24 35.3 4.7 44.0 5.1 -0.35 -145 1.40 SW 175 - Mono 175 +/-3.0 12.5 13.4 63.39 31.89 1.34 33.00 15 MC 2 10 / 25 Mono 5 72 24 35.8 4.9 44.4 5.3 -0.35 -145 1.40 SunPower SPR-205-BLK 205 +/-5.0 15.3 16.5 61.39 31.42 1.81 33.00 15 MC 10 12 / 25 Mono 5 72 24 40.0 5.1 47.8 5.5 -0.38 -137 3.50 SPR-210-WHT 210 +/-5.0 15.7 16.9 61.39 31.42 1.81 33.00 15 MC 10 12 / 25 Mono 5 72 24 40.0 5.3 47.7 5.8 -0.38 -137 3.50 SPR-315-WHT 315 +/-5.0 17.9 19.3 61.39 41.18 1.81 53.00 15 MC 5 12 / 25 Mono 5 96 24/48 54.7 5.8 64.6 6.1 -0.38 -177 3.50
Suntech STP 160S-24/Ab-1 160 +/-3.0 11.6 12.5 62.20 31.81 1.38 34.17 15 MC 5 12 / 25 Mono 5 72 24 34.4 4.7 43.2 5.0 -0.48 -150 0.87 STP 160-24/Ab-1 160 +/-3.0 11.6 12.5 62.20 31.81 1.38 34.17 15 MC 5 12 / 25 Poly 5 72 24 34.4 4.7 43.2 5.0 -0.47 -150 2.30 STP 165S-24/Ab-1 165 +/-3.0 12.0 12.9 62.20 31.81 1.38 34.17 15 MC 5 12 / 25 Mono 5 72 24 34.8 4.7 43.6 5.0 -0.48 -150 0.87 STP 165-24/Ab-1 165 +/-3.0 12.0 12.9 62.20 31.81 1.38 34.17 15 MC 5 12 / 25 Poly 5 72 24 34.8 4.7 43.6 5.0 -0.47 -150 2.30 STP170S-24/Ab-1 170 +/-3.0 12.4 13.3 62.20 31.81 1.38 34.17 15 MC 5 12 / 25 Mono 5 72 24 35.2 4.8 43.8 5.1 -0.48 -150 0.87 STP170-24/Ab-1 170 +/-3.0 12.4 13.3 62.20 31.81 1.38 34.17 15 MC 5 12 / 25 Poly 5 72 24 35.2 4.8 43.8 5.1 -0.47 -150 2.30 STP 175S-24/Ab-1 175 +/-3.0 12.7 13.7 62.20 31.81 1.38 34.17 15 MC 5 12 / 25 Mono 5 72 24 35.2 5.0 44.2 5.2 -0.48 -150 0.87 STP175-24/Ab-1 175 +/-3.0 12.7 13.7 62.20 31.81 1.38 34.17 15 MC 5 12 / 25 Poly 5 72 24 35.2 5.0 44.2 5.2 -0.47 -150 2.30 STP180S-24/Ab-1 180 +/-3.0 13.1 14.1 62.20 31.81 1.38 34.17 15 MC 5 12 / 25 Mono 5 72 24 35.6 5.1 44.4 5.4 -0.48 -150 0.87 STP180-24/Ab-1 180 +/-3.0 13.1 14.1 62.20 31.81 1.38 34.17 15 MC 5 12 / 25 Poly 5 72 24 35.6 5.1 44.4 5.4 -0.47 -150 2.30 Sunwize SW100C 100 +/-5.0 9.9 15.0 56.93 25.43 1.34 26.00 10 J-Box 1 NA / 25 Mono 8 x 3.5 48 24 23.0 4.4 28.5 5.0 -0.50 -143 3.39 SW115 115 +/-5.0 11.4 15.0 56.93 25.43 1.34 26.00 12 J-Box 1 NA / 25 Mono 6 36 18 16.7 6.9 21.0 7.7 -0.50 -105 6.01 SW120 120 +/-5.0 11.9 15.0 56.93 25.43 1.34 26.00 13 J-Box 1 NA / 25 Mono 6 36 18 16.7 7.2 21.0 8.0 -0.50 -105 6.24 SW150 150 +/-5.0 10.7 15.0 66.61 30.27 1.65 44.00 15 MC 1 NA / 25 Mono 8 x 3.5 72 36 33.4 4.5 42.0 5.1 -0.50 -210 3.99 SW155 155 +/-5.0 11.1 15.0 66.61 30.27 1.65 44.00 15 MC 1 NA / 25 Mono 8 x 3.5 72 36 33.4 4.7 42.0 5.3 -0.50 -210 4.12 SW160 160 +/-5.0 11.4 15.0 66.61 30.27 1.65 44.00 15 MC 1 NA / 25 Mono 8 x 3.5 72 36 33.4 4.8 42.0 5.4 -0.50 -210 4.24 Yingli YL 120 (17) 120 +/-5.0 12.4 12.0 51.90 26.80 1.45 26.40 N/A J-Box 2 10 / 25 Poly NA 36 NA 17.5 6.9 22.0 7.6 -0.45 -81 7.60 home power 121 / october & november 2007 76 PV buyer’s guide Notes: a-Si = Amorphous silicon • Poly = Polycrystalline • Mono = Monocrystalline • MC = Multi-Contact • J-Box = Junction box • NA = Not available *Also available: Sanyo’s DA3 series (double-sided) modules, which generate up to 130% of rated wattage at STC in certain conditions Manufacturer Model
Rated
Rated
Rated
Module
Length
Width
Depth
Weight
Series Fuse
Connector
Materials
Power Cell Type
Cell
Cells in
Cells in
Max.
Max.
Open-
Short-
Max. Power
Open-Circuit
Short-Circuit Mitsubishi PV-UE115MF5N 115 +10.0/-5.0 10.6 11.4 58.90 26.50 1.81 29.80 15 MC 1.25 10 / 25 Poly 6 36 18 17.1 6.8 21.5 7.6 -0.45 -74 4.08 PV-UE120MF5N 120 +10.0/-5.0 11.1 11.9 58.90 26.50 1.81 29.80 15 MC 1.25 10 / 25 Poly 6 36 18 17.2 7.0 21.6 7.8 -0.45 -74 4.16 PV-UE125MF5N 125 +10.0/-5.0 11.5 12.4 58.90 26.50 1.81 29.80 15 MC 1.25 10 / 25 Poly 6 36 18 17.3 7.2 21.8 7.9 -0.45 -75 4.24 PV-UE130MF5N 130 +10.0/-5.0 12.0 12.9 58.90 26.50 1.81 29.80 15 MC 1.25 10 / 25 Poly 6 36 18 17.4 7.5 21.9 8.1 -0.45 -75 4.32 PV-UD175MF5 175 +/-3.0 11.8 12.7 65.30 32.80 1.81 37.00 15 MC 1.25 10 / 25 Poly 6 50 20 23.9 7.3 30.2 7.9 -0.45 -104 4.26 PV-UD180MF5 180 +/-3.0 12.1 13.0 65.30 32.80 1.81 37.00 15 MC 1.25 10 / 25 Poly 6 50 20 24.2 7.5 30.4 8.0 -0.45 -105 4.31 PV-UD185MF5 185 +/-3.0 12.4 13.4 65.30 32.80 1.81 37.00 15 MC 1.25 10 / 25 Poly 6 50 20 24.4 7.6 30.6 8.1 -0.45 -105 4.37 PV-UD190MF5 190 +/-3.0 12.8 13.7 65.30 32.80 1.81 37.00 15 MC 1.25 10 / 25 Poly 6 50 20 24.7 7.7 30.8 8.2 -0.45 -106 4.42 Sanyo* HIP-180BA3 180 +10.0/-5.0 14.2 15.3 51.90 35.20 1.40 30.86 15 MC 2 10 / 20 Mono, a-Si 4 96 24 54.0 3.3 66.4 3.7 -0.33 -173 1.10 HIP-186BA3 186 +10.0/-5.0 14.7 15.8 51.90 35.20 1.40 30.86 15 MC 2 10 / 20 Mono, a-Si 4 96 24 54.4 3.4 67.0 3.7 -0.30 -168 0.85 HIP-190BA3 190 +10.0/-5.0 15.0 16.1 51.90 35.20 1.40 30.86 15 MC 2 10 / 20 Mono, a-Si 4 96 24 54.8 3.5 67.5 3.8 -0.30 -169 0.86 HIP-195BA3 195 +10.0/-5.0 15.4 16.5 51.90 35.20 1.40 30.86 15 MC 2 10 / 20 Mono, a-Si 4 96 24 55.3 3.5 68.1 3.8 -0.30 -170 0.87 HIP-200BA3 200 +10.0/-5.0 15.8 17.0 51.90 35.20 1.40 30.86 15 MC 2 10 / 20 Mono, a-Si 4 96 24 55.8 3.6 68.7 3.8 -0.29 -172 0.88 HIP-205BA3 205 +10.0/-5.0 16.2 17.4 51.90 35.20 1.40 30.86 15 MC 2 10 / 20 Mono, a-Si 4 96 24 56.7 3.6 68.8 3.8 -0.29 -172 0.88 Schott ASE-250-DGF/50 250 +/-4.0 9.6 10.3 74.50 50.50 2.00 107.00 12 MC 1 10 / 20 Poly 4 108 18 48.3 5.2 60.3 5.8 -0.47 -229 5.80 ASE-270-DGF/50 270 +/-4.0 10.3 11.1 74.50 50.50 2.00 107.00 12 MC 1 10 / 20 Poly 4 108 18 49.1 5.5 61.3 6.1 -0.47 -233 6.10 ASE-300-DFG/50 300 +/-4.0 11.5 12.2 74.50 50.50 2.00 107.00 12 MC 1 10 / 20 Poly 4 108 18 50.6 5.9 63.2 6.5 -0.47 -240 6.50 Schuco S 130-SP 130 +5.0/-0.0 12.1 13.0 49.13 31.61 1.81 27.56 15 MC 5 12 / 25 Poly 6 40 20 19.2 6.8 24.2 7.4 -0.49 -88 4.80 S 165-SP 165 +5.0/-0.0 12.1 13.1 62.20 31.50 1.81 34.17 15 MC 5 12 / 25 Poly 6 50 25 24.2 6.8 30.4 7.4 -0.48 -111 4.19 S 165-SPU 165 +/-5.0 12.1 13.1 62.20 31.50 1.81 34.17 15 MC 5 12 / 25 Poly 6 50 25 24.2 6.8 30.4 7.4 -0.48 -111 4.19 S 170-SPU 170 +/-5.0 12.5 13.1 62.20 31.50 1.81 34.17 15 MC 5 12 / 25 Poly 6 50 25 24.2 6.8 30.4 7.4 -0.48 -111 4.19 Sharp ND-L3EJEA 123 +10.0/-5.0 11.5 12.4 59.02 26.06 1.81 30.86 15 J-Box 1 10 / 25 Poly 6 36 18 17.2 7.2 21.3 8.0 -0.49 -72 3.20 ND-L5E1U 125 +10.0/-5.0 11.7 12.6 59.02 26.06 1.81 30.86 15 MC 1 10 / 25 Poly 6 36 18 17.2 7.3 21.7 8.1 -0.49 -72 3.24 ND-N2ECU 142 +10.0/-5.0 11.4 12.3 45.87 38.98 1.81 31.96 15 MC 1 10 / 25 Poly 6 42 21 20.0 7.1 24.9 7.9 -0.49 -84 3.16 ND-162U1F 162 +10.0/-5.0 11.5 12.4 51.90 39.10 1.81 36.40 15 MC 1 10 / 25 Poly 6 48 16 22.8 7.1 28.8 8.0 -0.49 -96 3.20 ND-167U1F 167 +10.0/-5.0 11.9 12.7 51.90 39.10 1.81 36.40 15 MC 1 10 / 25 Poly 6 48 16 23.0 7.3 29.0 8.0 -0.49 -96 3.20 NE-170U1 170 +10.0/-5.0 12.1 13.1 62.01 32.52 1.81 37.49 10 MC 1 10 / 25 Poly 5 72 24 34.8 4.9 43.2 5.5 -0.49 -144 2.20 NT-180U1 180 +10.0/-5.0 12.9 13.8 62.00 32.50 1.81 37.50 10 MC 1 10 / 25 Mono 5 72 24 35.9 5.0 44.8 5.6 -0.49 -144 1.68 ND-181U1F 181 +10.0/-5.0 11.4 12.3 58.30 39.10 2.26 39.60 15 MC 1 10 / 25 Poly 6 54 18 25.8 7.0 32.4 7.9 -0.49 -108 3.16 ND-187U1F 187 +10.0/-5.0 11.7 12.7 58.70 39.10 2.26 39.60 15 MC 1 10 / 25 Poly 6 54 18 25.8 7.3 32.7 8.0 -0.49 -108 3.20 ND-200U1F 200 +10.0/-5.0 11.4 12.3 64.60 39.10 1.81 46.30 15 MC 1 10 / 25 Poly 6 60 20 28.4 7.0 36.0 7.9 -0.49 -120 3.16 ND-208U1F 208 +10.0/-5.0 11.9 12.8 64.60 39.10 1.81 46.30 15 MC 1 10 / 25 Poly 6 60 20 28.7 7.3 36.3 8.0 -0.49 -120 3.20 SolarWorld SW 155 - Mono 155 +/-3.0 11.0 11.9 63.39 31.89 1.34 33.00 15 MC 2 10 / 25 Mono 5 72 24 34.8 4.5 43.6 4.9 -0.35 -145 1.40 SW 165 - Mono 165 +/-3.0 11.8 12.7 63.39 31.89 1.34 33.00 15 MC 2 10 / 25 Mono 5 72 24 35.3 4.7 44.0 5.1 -0.35 -145 1.40 SW 175 - Mono 175 +/-3.0 12.5 13.4 63.39 31.89 1.34 33.00 15 MC 2 10 / 25 Mono 5 72 24 35.8 4.9 44.4 5.3 -0.35 -145 1.40 SunPower SPR-205-BLK 205 +/-5.0 15.3 16.5 61.39 31.42 1.81 33.00 15 MC 10 12 / 25 Mono 5 72 24 40.0 5.1 47.8 5.5 -0.38 -137 3.50 SPR-210-WHT 210 +/-5.0 15.7 16.9 61.39 31.42 1.81 33.00 15 MC 10 12 / 25 Mono 5 72 24 40.0 5.3 47.7 5.8 -0.38 -137 3.50 SPR-315-WHT 315 +/-5.0 17.9 19.3 61.39 41.18 1.81 53.00 15 MC 5 12 / 25 Mono 5 96 24/48 54.7 5.8 64.6 6.1 -0.38 -177 3.50
Suntech STP 160S-24/Ab-1 160 +/-3.0 11.6 12.5 62.20 31.81 1.38 34.17 15 MC 5 12 / 25 Mono 5 72 24 34.4 4.7 43.2 5.0 -0.48 -150 0.87 STP 160-24/Ab-1 160 +/-3.0 11.6 12.5 62.20 31.81 1.38 34.17 15 MC 5 12 / 25 Poly 5 72 24 34.4 4.7 43.2 5.0 -0.47 -150 2.30 STP 165S-24/Ab-1 165 +/-3.0 12.0 12.9 62.20 31.81 1.38 34.17 15 MC 5 12 / 25 Mono 5 72 24 34.8 4.7 43.6 5.0 -0.48 -150 0.87 STP 165-24/Ab-1 165 +/-3.0 12.0 12.9 62.20 31.81 1.38 34.17 15 MC 5 12 / 25 Poly 5 72 24 34.8 4.7 43.6 5.0 -0.47 -150 2.30 STP170S-24/Ab-1 170 +/-3.0 12.4 13.3 62.20 31.81 1.38 34.17 15 MC 5 12 / 25 Mono 5 72 24 35.2 4.8 43.8 5.1 -0.48 -150 0.87 STP170-24/Ab-1 170 +/-3.0 12.4 13.3 62.20 31.81 1.38 34.17 15 MC 5 12 / 25 Poly 5 72 24 35.2 4.8 43.8 5.1 -0.47 -150 2.30 STP 175S-24/Ab-1 175 +/-3.0 12.7 13.7 62.20 31.81 1.38 34.17 15 MC 5 12 / 25 Mono 5 72 24 35.2 5.0 44.2 5.2 -0.48 -150 0.87 STP175-24/Ab-1 175 +/-3.0 12.7 13.7 62.20 31.81 1.38 34.17 15 MC 5 12 / 25 Poly 5 72 24 35.2 5.0 44.2 5.2 -0.47 -150 2.30 STP180S-24/Ab-1 180 +/-3.0 13.1 14.1 62.20 31.81 1.38 34.17 15 MC 5 12 / 25 Mono 5 72 24 35.6 5.1 44.4 5.4 -0.48 -150 0.87 STP180-24/Ab-1 180 +/-3.0 13.1 14.1 62.20 31.81 1.38 34.17 15 MC 5 12 / 25 Poly 5 72 24 35.6 5.1 44.4 5.4 -0.47 -150 2.30 Sunwize SW100C 100 +/-5.0 9.9 15.0 56.93 25.43 1.34 26.00 10 J-Box 1 NA / 25 Mono 8 x 3.5 48 24 23.0 4.4 28.5 5.0 -0.50 -143 3.39 SW115 115 +/-5.0 11.4 15.0 56.93 25.43 1.34 26.00 12 J-Box 1 NA / 25 Mono 6 36 18 16.7 6.9 21.0 7.7 -0.50 -105 6.01 SW120 120 +/-5.0 11.9 15.0 56.93 25.43 1.34 26.00 13 J-Box 1 NA / 25 Mono 6 36 18 16.7 7.2 21.0 8.0 -0.50 -105 6.24 SW150 150 +/-5.0 10.7 15.0 66.61 30.27 1.65 44.00 15 MC 1 NA / 25 Mono 8 x 3.5 72 36 33.4 4.5 42.0 5.1 -0.50 -210 3.99 SW155 155 +/-5.0 11.1 15.0 66.61 30.27 1.65 44.00 15 MC 1 NA / 25 Mono 8 x 3.5 72 36 33.4 4.7 42.0 5.3 -0.50 -210 4.12 SW160 160 +/-5.0 11.4 15.0 66.61 30.27 1.65 44.00 15 MC 1 NA / 25 Mono 8 x 3.5 72 36 33.4 4.8 42.0 5.4 -0.50 -210 4.24 Yingli YL 120 (17) 120 +/-5.0 12.4 12.0 51.90 26.80 1.45 26.40 N/A J-Box 2 10 / 25 Poly NA 36 NA 17.5 6.9 22.0 7.6 -0.45 -81 7.60 www.homepower.com PV buyer’s guide 77 home power 121 / october & november 2007 78 PV buyer’s guide Maximum Power Current (Imp)
Definition: Maximum amperage produced by a module or array
Importance: Maximum power current is one specification used Open-Circuit Voltage (Voc)
Definition: The maximum voltage generated by a PV module or
Importance: Open-circuit voltage will increase as PV module Short Circuit Current (Isc)
Definition: The amperage generated by a PV module or array
Importance: Modules will not operate at short circuit in the field
Maximum Power Temperature Coefficient
Definition: The change in module output power in percent-per-
Importance: Module voltage decreases as cell temperature
Open-Circuit Voltage Temperature Coefficient
Definition: The change in module open-circuit voltage in
Importance: Open-circuit voltage will increase as cell temperature
Short-Circuit Current Temperature Coefficient
Definition: The change in module short-circuit current in
Importance: Short-circuit current will increase in varying degrees Access
Joe Schwartz (joe.schwartz@homepower.com), Home Power CEO
Special thanks to Home Power Technical Assistant Doug Puffer for
Images on pages 70 & 71 (clockwise from upper left): Courtesy of Module Manufacturers:
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Introducing the
The new, MS-AE 120/240V Series Inverter/Charger from Magnum
The new MS-AE 120/240V Series comes with all of the The only question left is what you’ll do with the extra space.
Also now available: home power 121 / october & november 2007 82
CHOOSING A CIRCULATOR FOR by Chuck Marken
Pick the
Some things—the coldest beer or the biggest slice of pizza— are easy to pick, but
Grundfos 15-18 SU pump. The “S” stands for stainless steel
El-Sid 10 PV, DC pump. Although it may run on a 10-watt PV Low-Head Pumps
Pumps used in solar heating systems
Selecting a pump is not difficult—your solar hot water
• Pump material The Right Materials
Oxygen is good for us, but bad for iron pumps. Oxygen Head & Flow
Depending on their application, pumps must overcome two www.homepower.com pump primer 83
Pick the Taco 006-B4, domestic hot water pump. Note the 3 /4-inch copper solder connections. Impeller
Impeller
Pump
Capacitor Cover Typical flange pump pieces. Flange Set Medium-Head Pumps
the system will not function. Pumps in a plumbing circuit that
heating systems—except in rare circumstances such as very home power 121 / october & november 2007 84 pump primer Installation Notes
✔ You can put two pumps in series to double the
✔ Many new pump installations will need a flange set
✔ Installing two pumps in a parallel piping arrangement
✔ All the SHW pumps mentioned in this article are
A Grundfos 15-42 iron pump suitable for most small-
The March 809-HS magnetic drive, bronze DC pump needs a 50- Head (Ft.) Flow (GPM) 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 0 5101520253035404550
1 UP 26-116 F; 2 UP 26-99 F; 3 UP 43-75 F/UP 50-75 F; 4 UP 26-96 F; 4 2 1 5 3 7 8 96 10
Grundfos AC Pump
A pump’s performance under various conditions is shown AC or DC?
One of your final considerations for choosing a pump depends pump primer 85
A Taco 009F high-head iron pump, suitable for most High-Head Pumps
factor here. Solar collector loops will operate efficiently over a www.homepower.com Solar Pump Specifications AC Pumps VoltsWatts
Head
Cutoff
Gpm at
Pump Suitable Applications Price Taco 009F 120 168 High 34.00 5 at 20 ft.Iron Drainback or large antifreeze systems $255 Taco 009B 120 168 High 34.00 5 at 20 ft.Bronze Drainback systems 420 Grundfos 26-96 F 120 205 High 30.00 15 at 14 ft.Iron Drainback or large antifreeze systems 297 Grundfos 26-96 BF 120 205 High 30.00 15 at 14 ft.Bronze Drainback or large antifreeze systems 325 Taco 011F 120 211 High 30.00 15 at 18 ft.Iron Drainback or large antifreeze systems 273 Grundfos 15-42 F 120 85 Medium 16.00 10 at 9 ft.Iron Drainback or large antifreeze systems 108 Taco 008F 120 95 Medium 16.00 10 at 8 ft.Iron Drainback or large antifreeze systems 158 Taco 008B 120 95 Medium 16.00 10 at 8 ft.Bronze Drainback systems 319 Taco 006B 120 62 Low 8.00 5 at 5 ft.Bronze DHWb systems 179 Grundfos 15-18 SU 120 85 Low 7.00 5 at 5 ft.Stainless DHWb systems 179 DC Pumps March 809-BR-HS, 12 VDC 12 50 Medium 15.50 4 at 8 ft.Bronze Drainbacks or large antifreeze systems$228 March 809-BR, 12 VDC 12 20 Low 7.00 3 at 3 ft.Bronze DHWb systems 200 El-Sid 20 PV-direct 12 20a Low 4.17 3 at 42 in.Bronze DHWb or small antifreeze systems 334 El-Sid 10B12 12 10 Low 3.33 2 at 35 in.Bronze DHWb or hydronic heating systems 242 El-Sid 10 PV-direct 12 10a Low 3.33 2 at 35 in.Bronze DHW or small antifreeze systems 245 Note: The El-Sid warranty only covers pumps to temperatures up to 175°F, which could be a problem in collector loops that experience higher temperatures. a
Double the PV wattage when not using water as a heat-transfer fluid; in some cases, even circulating water will require a larger PV module to start the pump Potable water
Using a utility-powered AC pump for your solar • Some DC pumps are noisier than AC pumps, which can
make an installer think twice about the placement of a • High-head drainback DC pumps are few and far between.
Finding a reliable high-head DC hot water circulator • Any given PV module and SHW collector are rarely a
perfect match. The PV module often will “outproduce”
AC hot water circulators are firmly entrenched in The Fine Print
Knowing how to decipher the fine print on the pump can give
15 millimeters and the maximum head is 18 decimeters; “S” is Common Pumps
Several pumps and manufacturers are listed in the table and Access
Contributing editor Chuck Marken (chuck.marken@homepower. Art Tec • 866-427-8832 • www.arttec.net • DC differential temperature controller Solar Rating and Certification Corp. • www.solar-rating.org • OG-100 ratings directory Pump Manufacturers: Bell & Gossett • 847-966-3700 • www.bellgossett.com Grundfos Pumps Corp. • 913-227-3400 • www.grundfos.com Ivan Labs • 561-747-5354 • El-Sid pumps March Manufacturing Inc. • 847-729-5300 • www.marchpump.com S. A. Armstrong Ltd. • 416-755-2291 • www.armstrongpumps.com Taco Inc. • 401-942-8000 • www.taco-hvac.com home power 121 / october & november 2007 86 pump primer Be Part of the Solar Solution Schüco is the global leader for solar energy systems, with decades of experience, and a full line of the most innovative solar technology on the market today. With sleek, European design, German-engineering, and outstanding performance, Schüco solar energy solutions are the perfect match for quality-conscious American consumers. You can be part of the solar solution. Schüco can show you how with Photovoltaic systems that generate electricity and Solar Thermal systems that create heat and hot water for your home. For further information visit www.schuco-usa.com. Schüco USA L.P. www.schuco-usa.com Your Partner for Windows and Solar Products
In August 2006, I heard from a friend at Solar Site Analysis
Home Power regularly stresses the SunEye Overview
The Solmetric SunEye is a handheld solar access and shade Setup
The initial SunEye setup takes just a few minutes—complete the home power 121 / october & november 2007 88 Solar Site Evaluation Tool by Joe Schwartz Solmetric SunEye
Fish-Eye Lens & Compass
Protective
Power On/Off Touch Screen
USB &
Five-Way Navigation
Neck Strap
Bubble
provided on CD-ROM, enables you to export collected site Surveying a Site
Once you’re ready to perform a solar site survey, power up
The SunEye can store skylines and data for more than 50
when surveying the entire area being considered for a large PV Image Editing & Reports
Both the SunEye and the Desktop Companion include skyline www.homepower.com 89
Solmetric SunEye MSRP: $1,355 Warranty: One year
Computer System Minimum Requirements: Windows Solmetric SunEye SunEye’s “Monthly Solar Access” display. SunEye’s sun-path display.
solar access, insolation, shading, and obstruction elevations SunEye Battery Basics
The SunEye can be charged using the provided AC charger, home power 121 / october & november 2007 90 REview
A Watt power meter I used for testing didn’t register a single More to Come
Solmetric is developing a new version of their SunEye Access
Joe Schwartz (joe.schwartz@homepower.com), Home Solmetric Corp. • www.solmetric.com • Manufacturer DC Power Systems • www.dcpower-systems.com • SunEye distributor E L E T C R O N C O N N E C T I O N P X E
R D
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20 Years
One #120Aug/Sep ’07 #119Jun/Jul’07 #118Apr/May’07 #117Feb/Mar’07 #116Dec ’06/Jan ’07 #115Oct/Nov’06 #114Aug/Sep ’06 #113Jun/Jul’06 #112Apr/May’06 #111Feb/Mar’06 #110Dec ’05/Jan ’06 #109Oct/Nov’05 #108Aug/Sep ’05 #107Jun/Jul’05 #106Apr/May’05 #105Feb/Mar’05 #104Dec ’04/Jan ’05 #103Oct/Nov’04 #102Aug/Sep ’04 #101Jun/Jul’04 #100Apr/May’04 #99Feb/Mar’04 #98Dec ’03/Jan ’04 #97Oct/Nov’03 #96Aug/Sep ’03 #95Jun/Jul’03 #94Apr/May’03 #93Feb/Mar’03 #92Dec ’02/Jan ’03 #91Oct/Nov’02 #90Aug/Sep ’02 #89Jun/Jul’02 #88Apr/May’02 #87Feb/Mar’02 #86Dec ’01/Jan ’02 #85Oct/Nov’01 #84Aug/Sep ’01 #83Jun/Jul’01 #82Apr/May’01 #81Feb/Mar’01 #80Dec ’00/Jan ’01 #79Oct/Nov’00 #78Aug/Sep ’00 #77Jun/Jul’00 #76Apr/May’00 #75Feb/Mar’00 #74Dec ’99/Jan ’00 #73Oct/Nov’99 #72Aug/Sep ’99 #71Jun/Jul’99 #70Apr/May’99 #69Feb/Mar’99 #68Dec ’98/Jan ’99 #67Oct/Nov’98 #66Aug/Sep ’98 #65Jun/Jul’98 #64Apr/May’98 #63Feb/Mar’98 #62Dec ’97/Jan ’98 #61Oct/Nov’97 #60Aug/Sep ’97 #59Jun/Jul’97 #58Apr/May’97 #57Feb/Mar’97 #56Dec ’96/Jan ’97 #55Oct/Nov’96 #54Aug/Sep ’96 #53Jun/Jul’96 #52Apr/May’96 #51Feb/Mar’96 #50Dec ’95/Jan ’96 #49Oct/Nov’95 #48Aug/Sep ’95 #47Jun/Jul’95 #46Apr/May’95 #45Feb/Mar’95 #44Dec ’94/Jan ’95 #43Oct/Nov’94 #42Aug/Sep ’94 #41Jun/Jul’94 #40Apr/May’94 #39Feb/Mar’94 #38Dec ’93/Jan ’94 #37Oct/Nov’93 #36Aug/Sep ’93 #35Jun/Jul’93 #34Apr/May’93 #33Feb/Mar’93 #32Dec ’92/Jan ’93 #31Oct/Nov’92 #30Aug/Sep ’92 #29Jun/Jul’92 #28Apr/May’92 #27Feb/Mar’92 #26Dec ’91/Jan ’92 #25Oct/Nov’91 #24Aug/Sep ’91 #23Jun/Jul’91 #22Apr/May’91 #21Feb/Mar’91 #20Dec ’90/Jan ’91 #19Oct/Nov’90 #18Aug/Sep ’90 #17Jun/Jul’90 #16Apr/May’90 #15Feb/Mar’90 #14Dec ’89/Jan ’90 #13Oct/Nov’89 #12Aug/Sep ’89 #11Jun/Jul’89 #10Apr/May’89 #9Feb/Mar’89 #8Dec ’88/Jan ’89 #7Oct/Nov’88 #6Aug/Sep ’88 #5Jun/Jul’88 #4Apr/May’88 #3Feb/Mar’88 #2Dec ’87/Jan ’88 #1Oct/Nov’87 HOM E POW ER M AGAZINE ENERGY INDEPENDENCE SINCE 1987 HOM E POW ER M AGAZINE ENERGY INDEPENDENCE SINCE 1987 #114Aug/Sep ’06 #113Jun/Jul’06 #112Apr/May’06 #111Feb/Mar’06 #110Dec ’05/Jan ’06 #109Oct/Nov’05 #102Aug/Sep ’04 #101Jun/Jul’04 #100Apr/May’04 #99Feb/Mar’04 #98Dec ’03/Jan ’04 #97Oct/Nov’03 #90Aug/Sep ’02 #89Jun/Jul’02 #88Apr/May’02 #87Feb/Mar’02 #86Dec ’01/Jan ’02 #85Oct/Nov’01
Includes a Home Power Covers! #74Dec ’99/Jan ’00 #62Dec ’97/Jan ’98 #50Dec ’95/Jan ’96 #38Dec ’93/Jan ’94 #26Dec ’91/Jan ’92 #14Dec ’89/Jan ’90 #2Dec ’87/Jan ’88 #74Dec ’99/Jan ’00 #73Oct/Nov’99 #62Dec ’97/Jan ’98 #61Oct/Nov’97 #50Dec ’95/Jan ’96 #49Oct/Nov’95 #38Dec ’93/Jan ’94 #37Oct/Nov’93 #26Dec ’91/Jan ’92 #25Oct/Nov’91 #14Dec ’89/Jan ’90 #13Oct/Nov’89 #2Dec ’87/Jan ’88 #1Oct/Nov’87 home power 121 / october & november 2007 94
f you were to stop people on the street and ask them to name states by Regina Anne Kelly Profiting Peter, Tanya, and Noelle Ptak in front of their PV-powered residence. fromPV
In 2006, the total number of residential and small business PV’s Appeal
The Ptaks wanted to put an end to their electric bills and
Especially enticing was the short economic payback period
The up-front incentives, coupled with solar energy www.homepower.com solar profit 95
were consuming approximately 6,800 KWH of electricity per Solar Savings
Sea Bright Solar, a PV system design and installation company,
After installing PV on their residence, the Ptaks also installed Renewable Rentals
Their home PV system’s many benefits inspired Peter and home power 121 / october & november 2007 96 solar profit
KWH
To utility
AC Service
To 120/240 VAC G Inverter:
Aurora PVI-3000, 3,000 Wp,
Photovoltaics: 12 BP SX170, 170 W
DC Combiner &
Photovoltaics: 20 BP SX170, 170 W each at 35.4 Vmp, Inverter:
Aurora PVI-3000, 3,000 Wp,
Note: All numbers are rated, manufacturers’ H2 H1 H2 100KWH H1
AC
DC Combiner & G
Two Power-One Aurora inverters synchronize the solar-electric
Ptak On-Grid PV
much of the buildings’ grid electricity use as possible, and a Practical PV Payoff
The Ptaks are passionate about the practical benefits of www.homepower.com solar profit 97
Tech Specs Overview System type: Batteryless, grid-tie solar-electric Location: Red Bank, New Jersey Solar resource: 4.7 average daily peak sun-hours Production: 540 AC KWH per month, average Utility electricity offset annually: 100% Photovoltaics Modules: Thirty-two BP SX170, 170 W STC, 35.4 Vmp
Array: Two 6-module series strings parallel, 2,040 W Array disconnect: Two Square D, 30 A, 600 VDC
Array installation: UniRac mounts; south-facing; 12 Balance of System
Inverters: Two Power-One (Magnetek) Aurora PVI-3000,
System performance metering: Internal inverter meters To maximize the solar energy rebate, the system design fully utilized the available roof space on the Ptaks’ rental properties.
and 52 pounds of sulfur dioxide from
The Ptaks’ multiple PV systems also Access
Regina Anne Kelly is a professional writer and the author Peter & Tanya Ptak • ptakpeter@hotmail.com
Sea Bright Solar • 866-SOLAR-1-S • New Jersey Clean Energy Program • www.njcleanenergy.com Solar Energy International • www.solarenergy.org • Workshop presenter PV System Components: BP Solar • www.bpsolar.com • PV modules Power-One • www.power-one.com • Aurora inverter UniRac • www.unirac.com • Array mounts home power 121 / october & november 2007 98 solar profit
With favorable financial incentives for PV systems, it’s no
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In an effort to smooth what has at times been a roller-coaster ride
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Significant financial incentives that support solar electricity
A one-time federal tax credit of up to $2,000 is also available Ptak System Economics Residence (5.44 KW) Rentals (9.86 KW) Item Amount$ Per KW Amount$ Per KW Installed cost $42,704 $7,850 $75,922 $7,700 State rebate -29,892 -5,495 -50,286 -5,100 SREC payments -1,200 -221 -2,400 -243 Electrical savings -850 -156 -1,600 -162 Federal tax credit & depreciation 0 0 -7,691 -780 Net Cost $10,762 $1,978 $13,945 $1,414 PV in New Jersey—Incentive Ups & Downs www.homepower.com 99 Things that Work! Model 4-1850 Home Power #67 Ordering or Information call (207)-549-3401 www.brandelectronics.com Brand Electronics
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Computer-Based Solutions by Ryan Mayfield
he beauty of batteryless grid-tie PV PV Array Inverter
AC Service
Production
Utility
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There are two basic approaches for monitoring the
The Fronius datalogger can record information from up to
Monitoring Battery-
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California’s
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Automated notifications of PV system performance anomalies Third-Party Web-Based Monitoring Systems Vendor Web Site Data Collection Equipment Method*
Local Data
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SWCA for Xantrex SW inverter; Mate for Inverter-direct 4 4 4 4 rMeter www.rmeter.com Datalogger Independent 4 4 SG Technologies www.solar-guppy.com/forum Dedicated computer
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Ryan Mayfield (ryan_mayfield@earthlink.net) earned home power 121 / october & november 2007 108 PV monitoring
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I’m working on a large grid-tied PV installation
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conductors. home power 121 / october & november 2007 112 code corner Q Code Q & A John Wiles Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy A
What is the best way to ground the frame of a
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At one of the marked grounding points on the module
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using appropriate lugs and wire, to the equipment ground of
UniRac’s ground clips work similarly to the WEEBs, Neater, Cheaper PV Installations
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August Goers, an installer with Luminalt in San Francisco,
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Introducing
Inspectors are trained to look for an equipment
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Installer August Goers says he’s had similar home power 121 / october & november 2007 118 Moving Forward
The future of the PV industry depends on the safety and Access
Don Loweburg (don.loweburg@homepower.com) Bowes, Thomas. “A Critical Look at PV Module Grounding” •
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PriusBlue_EVents#Friday_Nov.2C_2 references http://picks.yahoo.com/picks/potw/20071102.html which is no longer online, would love to track down a cached copy to keep locally.
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http://www.homepower.com/articles/plug-hybrids
Home Power Magazine Solar, Wind and Renewable Energy Issue 121On the Cover Our 2007 PV Buyer’s Guide surveys more than 100 solar-electric modules on the market today. Photos courtesy: Day4Energy; Canadian Solar Inc.; Advent Solar Home Power (ISSN 1050-2416) is published bimonthly from offices in Phoenix, OR 97535. Periodicals postage paid at Ashland, OR, and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address corrections to Home Power, PO Box 520, Ashland, OR 97520. home power 121 / october & november 2007 MK_HMEv1_07.qxd 3/27/07 11:56 AM Page 1 all-electric vehicles (EVs). General Motors unveiled an electric car in 1990, inspiring California’s clean-air regulators to demand that all the major car companies start producing zero-emission vehicles. Thousands of leased electric cars hit the roads, but a weakening of the clean-air mandate in 2003 allowed automakers to cancel the leases and destroy the cars, as documented in the 2006 film, Who Killed the Electric Car? EVs are powered solely by an electric motor and a large bank of batteries—not by a gasoline engine. When the driver steps on the accelerator pedal, a controller sends electricity from the batteries to the motor, making the vehicle move. Regenerative braking systems use the electric motor to convert some of the car’s kinetic energy into electricity that gets fed back into the batteries as the vehicle slows down. The plug is the best thing—and the worst thing—about EVs: On one hand, you get to plug them in (which is generally a cheaper and lower-emissions source of energy than gasoline), and on the other hand you have to plug them in to recharge their batteries after 30 to 200 miles of driving, depending on the car, driving conditions, and the battery type and size. While the car companies were making EVs, they also began building hybrid gas-electric vehicles like the Toyota Prius, Last summer, Google.org (the philanthropic arm of the Internet giant) launched a plug-in hybrid car project and Web site called RechargeIT.org, proclaiming, “Recharge your car. Recharge the grid. Recharge the planet.” It could just as well have added, “Recharge your home.” Plug-in cars, some that rely solely on electricity and some that marry an electric motor with a gasoline motor for better mileage and fewer emissions (plug-in hybrid-electric vehicles or PHEVs), are slowly making their way into the mainstream. And it’s not just because they replace most or all of the gasoline used to fuel the typical car with cleaner, cheaper, domestic electricity. The ability of electricity to flow into a car’s batteries and also to be pulled back out and returned to the electrical grid has caught the imagination of consumers and environmentalists alike. That return trip—commonly called vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology—could power some of a home’s electrical appliances during a grid outage, or could be used by the electrical grid in ways that will increase the storage of and our access to clean, renewable energy. An Electric Evolution The story of plug-in hybrids has been unfolding within the past two decades or so, beginning with the battle over modern home power 121 / october & november 2007 56 by Sherry Boschert Fueling the Future Courtesy General M otors Corp. plug-in Honda Civic, and the Ford Escape. Hybrids are gasoline- dependent vehicles with internal combustion engines that also have an electric motor and a small bank of batteries. The electric-drive components work with the engine, providing boosts of power or increasing the overall fuel efficiency of the vehicle. The most popular hybrid, the Toyota Prius, typically gets 45 to 55 miles per gallon. Hybrids on the market today aren’t designed to be plugged in. Instead they use the gas engine and, to a much lesser degree, the drive motor via regenerative braking, to recharge the batteries. Depending on a hybrid’s design, the gasoline engine may shut down when the electric motor can meet propulsion needs—saving energy and reducing emissions—and automatically restarts when more power is demanded. The fuel efficiency of hybrids depends on whether they are “full” hybrids that include all the hybrid features, or “hollow” hybrids that claim the name but incorporate minimal features, such as stopping the engine while idling but not using regenerative braking. Hollow hybrids may add merely 1 mpg in efficiency, and are often more about increased power than increased fuel efficiency. Plug-In Promises People are realizing that hybrids can be improved by adding more batteries and an AC charger that can be plugged into the grid. With overnight grid charging, a plug-in hybrid like the Prius can travel 100 miles on 1 gallon of gasoline and about 33 kilowatt-hours (KWH) of electricity. And PHEV drivers still don’t need to think about finding someplace to recharge the car if they want to drive long distances. If the owner forgets to plug in overnight, it’s no big deal—a plug-in hybrid then operates just like a conventional hybrid. www.homepower.com plug-in hybrids 57 Fueling the Future A few dozen Prius owners, eager for the benefits that plug- in hybrids offer and tired of waiting for auto manufacturers to produce them, have converted their hybrids into PHEVs, even though the modifications may void parts of the cars’ warranties. Felix Kramer of Redwood City, California, did it. So did Ryan Fulcher of Seattle, Todd Dore of Chicago, and Ron Gremban of Corte Madera, California, among others. Google’s RechargeIT.org site shows a map of vehicles that have been converted to PHEVs, and they are popping up all over the country. These plug-in pioneers modified their cars for more than their own benefit. They did it to make a point: If they could make a plug-in hybrid, the major car companies could too—and should. Kramer, Gremban, and a cadre of volunteers formed the California Cars Initiative (CalCars.org) and in 2004 converted Gremban’s Prius to a plug-in hybrid, doing the work in his garage. They added inexpensive lead-acid batteries and some innovative software to fool the car’s computerized controls into using more of the energy stored in the batteries instead of using the engine, dramatically increasing fuel efficiency. Several small companies like EnergyCS in Southern California and Hymotion in Canada have started doing small numbers of conversions for fleets and government agencies, using longer-lasting, more energy- dense lithium-ion batteries. Kramer hired EnergyCS to convert his Prius as a test case, and has reported on a typical day traveling 51 miles, mostly on the highway. At fuel efficiencies of 1 gallon of gasoline and 15.3 KWH of electricity expended to travel 124 miles (the equivalent of about two to four cents per mile for electricity, depending on local retail rates), his plug-in hybrid used 61% less gasoline and cut the vehicle’s greenhouse emissions in half. The total fuel cost? $1.76 instead of the $3.17 the car would have required on gasoline alone. CalCars.org and the national Electric Auto Association have created an open-source “Wiki” Web site with instructions for do-it-yourselfers who want to convert their own hybrids to plug-ins. They hope to put together a video and eventually sell a package of components for individuals wanting to convert their hybrids. (See www.eaa-phev.org.) Plug-In Pioneers CalCars founder Felix Kramer’s Prius, converted by EnergyCS, was one of the first consumer-owned PHEVs to hit the road. Courtesy CalCars.org Opposite: General Motors’ concept plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, the Chevrolet Volt. Improved Efficiency. At an average fuel efficiency of 20 mpg, a conventional gasoline car needs 5 gallons of gas to travel 100 miles. The Toyota Prius hybrid needs about 2 gallons to go that distance. In comparison, Toyota’s RAV4- EV all-electric SUV goes 30% farther—about 130 miles—on the energy equivalent of just 1 gallon of gasoline (34 KWH). That’s half the energy required by a conventional Prius hybrid and one-fifth of the energy required by a standard gas-engine car. So how do PHEVs pencil out? Using the average price for residential off-peak electricity in the United States—about 8 cents per KWH—the equivalent of 1 gallon of gasoline in energy (34 KWH) costs $2.72. Assuming that amount of electric energy can move a car at least 110 miles, driving on electricity costs about 2 cents per mile. In comparison, for a conventional hybrid that gets 50 mpg on gasoline costing $3 per gallon, each mile in a hybrid costs 6 cents—more than double the cost of fueling with electricity. Terry Penney, manager of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s (NREL) FreedomCAR program, compared the costs associated with electricity rates and gasoline prices for a plug-in hybrid with enough batteries for a mere 10-mile all- electric range. He found that in 45 out of 50 states (all but the few states with the highest electricity rates), driving a plug- in hybrid would put money in the driver’s pocket: The fuel savings would more than offset a plug-in hybrid’s slightly higher projected sales price. Cash-Back Cars. With vehicle-to-grid technology, a plug- in hybrid can become a “cash-back hybrid,” a term coined by Jon Wellinghoff, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission member. According to Wellinghoff, some electrical utilities and power aggregation companies have already expressed interest in the idea of contracting with plug-in hybrid owners to get occasional access to the electricity stored in their vehicles’ batteries. V2G on plug-in hybrids is likely to be used to supply electricity for what’s called “spinning reserves,” for times when it is difficult for the utilities to meet the instantaneous demand of the grid. They could also be used to shave peak loads by some individual V2G utility customers. That, says Wellinghoff, would make dollars and sense for a plug-in hybrid owner, especially if the owner also had a V2G contract. Wellinghoff says that, in the future, plug-in hybrid owners could conceivably make profits of $400 for spinning reserve V2G contracts and $2,700 per year for regulation contracts. The owner’s contract would specify how much energy may be drawn from the car’s batteries. For example, they could specify that their vehicle must retain at least 50% of its battery charge. Reduced Pollution. While electric utilities are waking up to the possibilities of plug-in hybrids, some environmentalists are concerned about an increase in power plant pollution if everyone starts plugging in their cars. Most electricity in the United States is still generated by fossil-fueled (read: polluting) power plants and adding cars to the grid’s loads would increase electricity demands. The data on plug-in hybrids, however, has calmed most environmentalists’ fears. Even plugged into the U.S. electrical grid, which gets more than half of its energy from coal, plug- in hybrids would produce 42% less carbon dioxide, and reduce emissions of other greenhouse gases and pollutants when compared to conventional fossil-fueled cars, according to NREL. As more wind and solar generation is added to the grid mix, driving with grid electricity becomes cleaner still. Plug- in cars are synergistic with renewable energy, and V2G expands that synergy. For example, in many locations the wind blows mostly at night, when few people are awake to make use of wind energy. In fact, it’s estimated that there’s more than enough of an untapped wind resource in the United States to meet all current U.S. electrical needs, but there’s no place to store that wind energy during times of off- peak demand. However, nighttime is when people usually plug in to recharge their EV batteries, and the batteries could serve as distributed storage for that additional wind energy. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that plug-in electric vehicles with V2G technology could increase America’s access to wind energy by a factor of three. And owners of off-grid RE-powered homes, which store renewable energy in batteries, could be driving cars that run partially on their surplus homemade renewable electricity and use the vehicle battery as further reserve capacity. A Japanese Web site created in 2005 prominently showcases another important possibility of plug-in hybrid vehicles—providing a source of emergency backup electricity home power 121 / october & november 2007 58 plug-in hybrids Larry Brilliant, Google.org executive director, recharges the RechargeIT car. Courtesy Google.org for a home during blackouts. It showed the plug-in Prius as an integral part of the “Toyota Dream House PAPI”— one example of environmentally friendly, energy saving, intelligent home design. The project suggested that if a hurricane or other disaster knocks out the electric grid, the car could supply electricity for some of a home’s critical electrical loads for up to 36 hours. Pulling for Plug-Ins Unfortunately, while the merits of plug-ins have been pimped by the popular press and garnered the favor of an impressive aggregation of advocates, ranging from G. W. Bush to the activist environmental organization Rainforest Action Network, plug-in hybrids have yet to hit the mainstream market. To convince automakers that there is a market for these cars, the City of Austin, Texas, launched a Plug-in Partners campaign and has gathered more than 8,000 advance “soft” (no financial commitment) orders for plug-in hybrids. Austin’s green energy comes from west Texas wind, and the city would like to use more of it. With plug-in hybrids, Austin aims to “replace Middle East oil with west Texas wind,” according to the campaign motto. And another famous Texan is helping drive the plug- in revolution: The day after his State of the Union speech in January 2007, President Bush issued an executive order saying that when plug-in hybrids become available, federal fleets with 20 or more vehicles must buy them. With the stroke of a pen, he signified his administration’s support for these cars. Are automakers listening? Maybe. Several automakers developed plug-in hybrid prototypes in the 1990s, but cast them aside during their battle to weaken California’s Zero Emission Vehicle mandate. Stung by bad publicity from Who Killed the Electric Car?, at least one automaker has started to reverse its course. At the 2007 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, General Motors showcased its prototype plug-in hybrid—aptly named the Volt. With electricity stored in a lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery pack, this car purportedly can deliver 40 miles before the flex-fuel (gasoline, E85, petrodiesel, or biodiesel) engine turns on to recharge the batteries and extend the car’s range to 640 miles. In the past year, at least five other major car companies have said they’re developing plug-in vehicles. But the automakers are quick to say that plug-in hybrids won’t hit the market until more research is done on advanced Li-ion batteries (see Better Batteries sidebar). Move for the Future The same day that Google switched on a 1.6-megawatt solar- electric array at its California headquarters—the largest PV installation on a corporate campus in North America— Google.org made another strong move toward energy independence, launching RechargeIT.org. They unveiled five plug-in hybrid conversions and plans to build a fleet of up www.homepower.com plug-in hybrids 59 Better Batteries? Although car companies say they’re waiting for better battery technology before they mass-market plug-in hybrids, that doesn’t sit well with drivers like Marc Geller of San Francisco, a PV systems salesman who co-founded the nonprofit group Plug In America. The nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries in Geller’s all- electric 2002 Toyota RAV4-EV give the compact SUV plenty of power, take him all over the Bay Area, and are expected to last the life of the car, based on utility company fleet tests. Long before unveiling its “new” plug-in hybrid Volt, GM displayed a prototype plug-in hybrid version of its EV1 electric car at auto shows in the 1990s. The EV1 plug-in hybrid could go 25 miles on electricity stored in NiMH batteries before the gasoline engine turned on, which would then extend the range to 320 miles. Professor Andrew Frank at the University of California at Davis collaborated with the NiMH battery company Energy Conversion Devices in 1998 to convert an early Toyota Prius to a plug-in hybrid, with similar results. Toyota will be testing their plug-in Prius in Japan, and will be delivering one each to UC–Berkeley and UC–Irvine. The cars are expected to have only a 7- to 8-mile range on their NiMH batteries, but if the cars move into production, more advanced batteries are likely to be used. People who have been driving electric cars for years using NiMH batteries suggest that the car companies are stalling by insisting on Li-ion batteries. The major auto manufacturers say that Li-ion batteries are preferable because they store more energy in less space, so fewer batteries are needed and less weight is added to the vehicle. It’s unclear, however, whether Li-ion batteries will last as long as expected in conventional warranties. California state regulators are considering modifying warranty requirements for hybrids, which could jump- start production of plug-in cars with Li-ion batteries. Or, as GM’s CEO Robert Lutz acknowledged in a recent interview on PodTech.net, if Li-ion doesn’t work out, “we might use NiMH for plug-in hybrids after all.” Lithium-ion battery pack in CalCars’ EnergyCS/EDrive converted Prius. Courtesy CalCars.org to 100 plug-in hybrids for employee use. The company also awarded a $150,000 grant for a large-scale V2G planning and implementation research project, and is set to take proposals for $10 million in funding for companies focused on plug- in hybrids, electric vehicles, batteries, and V2G technology, demonstrating that where there’s a will (and some substantial financial backing), there’s a way. In the meantime, plug-ins might not be hitting the showroom floor soon, but you can still support the push for these resource-efficient vehicles. Here’s how: • Support plug-in hybrids by joining Austin’s Plug-in Partners campaign, and by using collective buying power as leverage. Plug In America lists the phone numbers of the major automakers on its Web site and urges consumers to call them. “Tell the automakers that you won’t buy a new car unless it has a plug on it,” says EV driver and Plug In America cofounder Marc Geller. • Push for government incentives or interventions to help plug-in hybrids get to market. Plug In America and other advocates have been lobbying the California Air Resources Board—which this year is revising its weakened Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate—to put some teeth back into clean-car regulations. • Do it yourself. If you have some experience in high-voltage electronics, you can convert a conventional hybrid to a plug- in hybrid. Costs vary widely depending on components home power 121 / october & november 2007 60 plug-in hybrids and the type and number of batteries. And there’s no standard conversion kit available yet, so be prepared to do lots of research first. (See Plug-In Pioneers sidebar.) Access Sherry Boschert (info@sherryboschert.com) is the author of Plug-in Hybrids: The Cars that Will Recharge America (New Society Publishers) and is on the steering committee of Plug In America. California Cars Initiative • www.CalCars.org Do-it-yourself plug-in hybrid conversions • www.eaa-phev.org Electric Auto Association • www.eaaev.org Plug In America • www.PlugInAmerica.com Plug-in Partners • www.PlugInPartners.org RechargeIT.org • Google.org’s initiative to reduce CO 2 emissions, cut oil use & stabilize the electrical grid by accelerating the adoption of PHEVs Toyota Dream House PAPI: http://tronweb.super-nova.co.jp/toyotadreamhousepapi.html |