puzzling performance [RE-wrenches]

[Dean T. Newberry]

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Hi yAll,
    The only program more difficult to get funded than renewable energy 
incentives is a historical what works and what doesn't work from 
existing systems. We have hundreds of solar homes in Davis installed 
~25years ago, using all kinds of technology. I cannot find anyone 
willing to fund a study to figure out what the long term value of 
whatever kind of system might be.
    I have no hope that anyone will track the distributed PV plant  over 
time to get a clear idea of what works and what doesn't work. The guys 
at SMA know how many inverters of each type were sold, but don't know 
how fully loaded they are, or what the orientation, temperature 
derating, and shading effects might be. The CEC data will give the peak 
output for each system, but not the actual installed output.
    Perhaps next fall I will take a drive around my facilities and write 
up a report, but I use a very restricted design model, so I would expect 
my averages to be somewhat higher than industry averages.  About 4% of 
my installations have questions involving the reduction in energy bill 
being less than predicted by my model. I expect to check up on those in 
March.
    Just for grins what would a performance review consist of ??

cul  deant

mlafferty at universalenergies.com wrote:

>Bill B wrote:
>
>  
>
>>it remains the best program in the U.S. as far as performance because
>>they are the only incentive program that actually checks every system
>>    
>>
>
>Bill,
>
>Happy New Year!
>
>What is this?  Bait?  Do you just miss hearing from me, or what?  LOL
>
>The terms "best", "performance", and "checks every system" are
>subjective, no?  What constitutes "best"?  "Performance"?  "Checking
>every system"?
>
>I personally know of no broad "checking of every system", especially in
>terms of performance (i.e. actual ac kwh production), that has been
>undertaken by LADWP.  Conversely, over the same time period LADWP has
>had a "program", SMUD has "checked every system"... Not just via
>"inspections" (I'm with you regarding the arguability of their
>completeness) but also by requiring and supplying production meters.
>
>These meters are read each month, at no cost to the PV owner.
>Production is recorded and compared to the stated "rating" of each
>system, corrected for orientation and slope.   When measured production
>falls below approximately 85% of the "expected" output on "SMUD
>supplied" systems, service techs are dispatched to evaluate and repair,
>if necessary.   
>
>Absent "statistics" to support the following statement, I will
>nevertheless assert that a majority of "underproducing" systems have
>been found to be "producing as expected".  Much goes into this... Data
>Entry and Meter Reading errors lead the pack, not unlike the trend of
>"unexpectedly high bill complaint" investigations.  
>
>Another significant factor has been found, I'm on that familiar limb of
>pissing off a bunch of people that need to rethink their specs and
>marketing here, to be over-rating of modules and "systems" by
>manufacturers... Either that or all the 30 Year Weather Data is
>completely irrelevant...  Which one do you believe?  Even factoring in a
>conservative 10% degradation in surface insolation over the last 10
>years....You and I talked about this possibility four months ago... 
>
>I guess it comes down to "learning from experience"... Somehow
>combining, in a "politics-free zone", the aggregate information then
>formulating a model for the future.  I will not stand here saying "This
>program or that program is better" since they have all had value, even
>if they don't continue.  
>
>The larger question, for me, is this:  What can we learn from past
>experience?  How can we use this information to build a better tomorrow?
>
>Divisiveness won't provide unity.  Segregation, in and of itself, should
>be relegated to a form of punishment... One which is, ideally applied, a
>deterrance to irresponsible actions.
>
>Two cents and a Lotto Ticket,
>
>Matt Lafferty
>mlafferty at universalenergies.com
>(916) 422-9772 Office
>(916) 914-2247 Fax
>(916) 628-7694 Cell
>www.universalenergies.com
>
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-- 

 
* Cooperative Community Energy* 	*Dean T. Newberry*

430 D Street, Davis CA, 95616
Tel: 530 758-6064
Fax: 530 758-3684
Email: deant at dcn.org
Web:  CCEnergy.com       
      Talbott Solar <http://www.dcn.davis.ca.us/go/deant/>

Contr. Lic. # B-667908

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