Solar PV “Farms” and other opportunities
We can do a better job in Ireland Robert Goss
[email protected]
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Established 2011 More than 140 installations More than 1 MW installed to date Distributors for SMA, Sonnen and Conergy
Utility scale solar •
What do we mean by Utility Scale Solar?
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Why is Ireland the next market?
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Challenges and benefits
Auto‐generation •
Domestic roof‐top
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Commercial roof‐top
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Storage – small scale
Utility Scale Solar Features: • Generally ground mounted – 25 acres + • Output 4MW peak AC or larger • 20,000 x 250 watt modules • String (e.g. 66 x 60 kW), or central inverters
Site identification: • • • • • •
High irradiance Proximity to sub‐station Flat or gentle south slope Accessible Poor land is preferable Low profile
Optimisation 4,868 kWp
Utility Scale Solar Why here? 2020 Targets: “A radical transformation of Ireland’s energy system is required to meet climate policy objectives We are committed to providing a new support scheme for renewable electricity from 2016”
Source – Ireland’s Transition to a Low Carbon Energy Future
Utility Scale Solar Why now? Falling costs: • Costs fallen by 80% in 5 years • More reductions to come • Will become the cheapest electricity source
Utility Scale Solar Why now? Local and inward investment poised to: • Create up to 7000 jobs • Reduce our reliance on imported fuel • Create savings products for citizens
Utility Scale Solar Challenges • • • •
Building in rural areas: Only 170 kWp per truck – 30 + deliveries Up to 100 workers on site Short‐term disruption
Utility Scale Solar Challenges Grid and Planning Grid started as a distribution network Many connection requests – some not practical Planners not used to this type of land use Glint and glare?
Utility Scale Solar Benefits • We can meet 2020 targets and avoid fines • Jobs • Support for agriculture • Energy security • Minimal support/subsidy needed • Right here/right now technology
Utility Scale Solar Why here? • Farmers like it: Devon sheep farmer Gilbert Churchill chose to supplement his agricultural enterprise by leasing 13 hectares of grazing land for a 4.2 megawatt solar PV development, which was completed in early 2013. According to Mr Churchill, the additional income stream is “a lifeline” that “will safeguard the farm’s survival for the future”.
Utility Scale Solar Why here? The public like it because it is: • • • •
Silent Unobtrusive Odour‐free Once built very little activity on site
Utility Scale Solar Why here? Investors like it because it is: • Very low risk • Entirely predictable yield • Built to agreed standards
Investors could be you ‐ through community projects or crowd funding
Utility Scale Solar Why here? • Good solar resource • Large companies want green energy • Data centres demand cannot be met by existing grid • Only solar can be deployed fast enough
Utility Scale Solar How much? “Central scenario” is 3700 MW to be built 2017‐2030 70% ground‐mount utility scale Just 5,000 ha (planned expansion of forestry to 2020, 43,000 ha)
Utility Scale Solar Conclusion It’s almost inevitable, so: • • • •
Let’s build it safely Let’s take care of the environment Let’s build high quality Let’s develop skills in Ireland
Auto‐generation ‐ Domestic Opportunities: • 600,000 suitable homes – many large properties • Strong desire for independence from suppliers ‐ • Green agenda among some people • Low interest rates for savers • Those who use most of the electricity produced can get to 10 year payback excluding cost of funds or rising electricity prices • ESB allow 6 kWp on single phase using NC6 form • Timers on appliances, remote controllers and diversion systems (Immersun) push self‐ consumption beyond 50%
Auto generation ‐ Domestic Challenges: • Still a new technology – little market awareness • Planning permission needed for 8 modules and up – cost, complexity and delay issues • Since ESB closed scheme in 2014 no payments for export • Short‐term electricity price stagnation • Solar thermal sometimes in prime location • Solar thermal still supported with €1200
Auto generation ‐ Commercial/agricultural Opportunities: • Many large roofs across ROI • Most roofs owned by occupiers – less tenancy complexity • Contributes to carbon reduction targets – corporate social responsibility story • Provides price certainty for an element of a company’s energy costs • Financial savings can increase competiveness • SEAI grants for major projects – O’Sheas, TEA etc. • Improves premises BER rating
Auto‐generation ‐ Commercial/agricultural Challenges: • Correlation between high electricity usage and low prices • Short‐termism in many organisations – only investments that pay back in 5 years or less are considered • Caution – after a long recession organisations manage their liquidity very carefully • Planning permission needed for all projects above 50 m2 • ESB Permission for needed for installations of more than 11 kWp
Domestic storage and energy management Opportunities: • Products are now available that can store energy from micro‐generation or night rate power • Potential for PV customers seeking autarky • Energy management products that monitor usage use and forecasts to minimise € spend on electricity from the grid • UPS – power back‐up facility
Domestic storage and energy management Challenges: • At €5000 for 2 kWh still too expensive relative to the price charged for peak‐time electricity • Most products at prototype or beta stage – manufacturers and installers learning • Products mostly developed for US market (big homes, a/c etc.) or mainland Europe (subsidy schemes , output‐capping)
http://evishine.dk/O%20Shea%20Farms
We can do a better job in Ireland Robert Goss
[email protected]
Sources: Conergy UK KPMG – A Brighter Future report BRE National Solar Centre Foundation Building, Eden Project, Cornwall, UK ISEA www.irishsolarenergy.org
