Solar Energy- Renewable Energy
with a Great Return
Presentation to American Institute of
Architects, Iowa Chapter State Convention in
Des Moines, Iowa on September 26, 2014,
by Fred Maharry, CB Solar, Des Moines, Iowa
“The revolution is happening now,” says Energy Secretary
Ernest Moniz. “We don’t know how fast things will change
but it’s a very exciting time.”
The use of solar has increased sixteenfold in the last five years in the U.S. and there has
been more installed in the last eighteen months than in the previous thirty years. A new
solar power system is installed on an American roof every three to four minutes.
The costs of solar have decreased from $75 per watt forty years ago to less than $.75 per
watt today. Solar is becoming increasingly affordable and much more mainstream. The more
renewables are used, the cheaper they’re becoming as new industries achieve economies of
scale and move forward on the learning curve and financiers reduce their charges.
What are the advantages of using solar to produce electricity?
The sun can produce considerable electricity, especially during the spring,
summer and early fall months. In fact, the sun generates enough energy in
one hour to meet all the electrical needs on Earth for an entire year!
All the energy stored in the earth’s reserves of coal, oil and natural gas is
matched by the energy from just twenty days of sunshine.
Covering 4% of the world’s desert areas with photovoltaics could supply the
equivalent of all the world’s electricity.
The sun does not have to shine in order for solar energy to be produced
during the day time. For example, yesterday a.m. was cloudy so about 25%.
Photovoltaic solar has become much more advanced, durable and powerful.
The price of solar equipment has decreased 80% in the last five years. You
can install a 10 kilowatt array (about 40 panels) of solar for $35,000-this
produces approximately 13,500 kilowatt hours-will power a house or small
office and you can easily add to it.
Advantages of solar energy continued
There is very little maintenance required for solar equipment. Cleaning the
panels a couple times a year is usually all that’s needed.
Solar can quietly produce electricity for forty years or more at a high level.
Photovoltaic solar panels degrade at less than one percent per year.
Solar panels can be mounted on the roof or on the ground where there is a good
southern exposure to the sun between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. You can typically save
money and space by installing panels on the roof.
Solar panels are light weight (less than three pounds per square foot of load)
and easy to install.
Solar helps save water and protect our environment in numerous ways.
What the disadvantages and questions about using solar energy?
The amount of sunlight on earth is not constant. It varies by location, time of day, time
of year and weather conditions.
Solar panels require space on either a roof or on the ground. Each panel is about
twenty square feet so thirty panels will take six hundred square feet.
Durability is often a question- solar panels are rated for inch sized hail at fifty miles an
hour. As far as lightening, everything is grounded so there is protection if array is struck.
Planning and financing solar projects
CB Solar will research federal and state tax credits, depreciation and grants available
to the applicants and follow through as part of our services. Businesses can often
pay for a solar project in five to six years and homeowners in ten years. Solar can
also be leased.
If financing, process will take longer-for example, it will take time to check on
financing and to write the applications
Our company and others will help you analyze your solar capacity and the best
sites for it. CB Solar will conduct a free site analysis for you.
Our company will help you decide how much electricity you need to produce and
the best way to do this. You do not want to overproduce because you will not make
money by generating excess electricity.
The best time to add solar is during new construction but you can add it at other
times as well. Most of our projects come after new construction.
Suggestions about explaining solar energy to the public
Make it a priority to communicate with neighbors – this is a good time to listen to
any concerns they may have
Explain how solar is a great opportunity to save money on electricity and a tangible
reminder that the owner is serious about planning for the future.
Point out that solar is very good for the environment and is an excellent way to use
the sun, our greatest natural resource, to create valuable jobs in Iowa and the
United States without being dependent on outside resources leading to pollution.
Predictions about solar energy in the future
The use of solar energy will increase and this will mean that all geographic areas, even
those considered to be nonproductive in the past, will play key roles in our search for
energy growth and independence. The United States will continue to try to catch up to
other countries around the globe both in renewable energy and energy conservation.
The cost of electricity will increase substantially-one estimate is 20% in the next five
years and 50% in the next ten years.
New technology will continue to be developed and energy production will look much
different in the next decade-batteries and storage are expensive but will become less so
and new products are being designed to help you control, optimize or reduce energy use.
Also hydrogen will play a greater role and geothermal may play a smaller one.
Utility companies have concerns about how solar energy will affect their bottom lines but
they will use it more in the future. We are already seeing them use solar energy in Iowa.
Questions and comments?
Thank you for your interest!
Fred Maharry, (712) 299-7087, CB Solar,
Des Moines, Iowa or Fred@cbsolarinc.com