Best Practices for Renewable Energy in a Tribal Community
Arizona Department of Commerce Energy Office
September , 2008
A Renewable Energy System within a rural Community must contain the following in the design and application:
Safety, Reliability, Durability, Affordability
Building Durability into Renewable Energy Applications:
‐ A Renewable Energy System must be protected from; Sun, Rain, Snow, Wind, Hail, Dust, People, Insects, Animals, Heat. Etc
‐ Provide a Harden Renewable Energy System that can withstand time, carry reduce maintenance and done right the first time.
‐We must consider that a Renewable Energy Systems it is not a light residential application!
Reliability in a Renewable Energy System
Potential Barriers facing reliability: Lack of Building Codes, Skilled Trade Providers, Inspections by Utility & Building Officials, A Current Electrical Distribution Systems
National Codes and Standards for Renewable Energy Sources
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers : “IEEE 1547” – “Standard for Interconnecting Distributed Resources with Electric Power Systems”
UL Listed & Approved equipment
Local building inspectors look for a listing mark ( such as UL, ETL or CSA ) to ensure the equipment as been tested for it’s application.
Underwriters Laboratory (UL) ‐ UL 1741 Provides testing and listing of the following renewable energy hardware: Invertors, Convertors, Controllers and interconnection equipment for use with distributed energy resources
National Electric Code (NEC) Published by the National Fire Protection Association‐ The foremost U.S. organization that addresses electrical equipment and wiring safety.
NEC‐ Article 690‐ “Solar Photovoltaic Systems”
National Electric Code ( NEC) Art.690
The National Electric Code is seen as the minimum safety requirements‐ Current NEC editions are 2005, 2008
National Electric Code 2005, 2008Once again provides the NEC provides the minimum electrical safety requirements and is not a design guide.
Solar PV and Solar Thermal Combination
Arizona Registrar of Contractors has an estimated 15 various license classification for Solar installations
Arizona Contractor Licenses for SolarApplications
A‐19 Swimming Pools, Includes SolarC‐05 Residential Specialty‐ SolarL‐05 Commercial Specialty‐ SolarK‐05 Combination Specialty‐ SolarC‐11 Electrical Residential‐ SolarL‐11 Electrical Commercial‐ Solar
K‐11 Combination Residential/Commercial ElectricalC‐37 Plumbing includes Solar‐ResidentialC‐39 HVAC includes Solar‐ ResidentialL‐74‐ Boilers includes Solar Commercial
L‐77‐ Plumbing includes Solar CommercialL‐78‐ Solar Plumbing Liquid Systems Commercial
L‐79‐ HVAC includes Solar Commercial
Net Metering Net Metering is a low‐cost and easily administered means of promoting direct customer investment in renewable energy
The Interconnection AgreementStandards that specify the technical , terms and policy requirements that the utilities and DG system owners must operate under.
Solar Thermal and Solar PV Combined
Becoming a very common installation
Seek to establish safety first!
Is the current Electrical System safe or should it be replaced for safety reasons?
Apache Junction, ArizonaSeptember 13, 2008
On Saturday, September 13, during a Habitat for Humanity groundbreaking at Ironwood Trails in Apache Junction,
Habitat announced that because of the example set forth by the City of Apache Junction, they would be making each
home LEED certified. They are too late in making the “community” LEED certified but they can still individually certify each home given that they build each home Energy Star and of course due to the SRP donated Solar Panels.
This is a wonderful achievement for Habitat and the community of Apache Junction.
Changing the Way we build Homes in a Rural Community
‐ Solar Ready Home: Solar PV & Thermal, Roof designed to carry the additional load, Roof penetrations, Pipe and Conduit services in place
‐Passive Solar Features designed into the home positioning; Shading, Window Types & Locations, True South, Air Flow
‐ Stick Built vs. SIP, ICF‐ A House in a box, Mold Issues
‐ Controlled Ventilation vs. Passive Ventilation
‐ Forced Air (Heating/Cooling) vs. Radiant (Heating/Cooling)
‐ A Renewable Energy Home along with a Net‐Zero Design for placement in rural communities
‐100 amp Electrical Service Limitations on all homes with energy efficiency lighting, appliacances
‐Maintenance Free or DIY maintenance strategies on lighting and appliances, Home Owner Manuel, Long‐term Energy Source
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