Solar 101

»What is photovoltaic (PV)?
»What does STC DC watts mean?
»What does PTC DC watts mean?
»What does CEC AC watts mean?
»TYPES OF SOLAR ENERGY!
»What is net metering?
»What happens to the electricity that I do not use during a given day?
»What is TOU?

Q. What is photovoltaic (PV)?
A. Solar, or photovoltaic (PV), technology is considered to be the most premier means of renewable energy production. It provides an easy and reliable way of converting sunlight directly into electricity.

Q. What does STC DC watts mean?
A. (Standard Test Conditions) The nameplate rating of a solar module.

Q. What does PTC DC watts mean?
A. (Performance Test Conditions) The rating of a module in real-world conditions as determined by the California Energy Commission.

Q. What does CEC AC watts mean?
A. (California Energy Commission) The total PTC DC of solar modules factoring in inverter efficiency. This the number that the rebate is based on.
Note: CEC AC is a country-wide, US standard. It is not a worldwide standard, yet.

Q. TYPES OF SOLAR ENERGY!
 A. 1) Photovoltaic Systems
              Producing electricity directly from sunlight. Learn more»
        2) Solar Hot Water
              Heating water with solar energy. Learn more»
        3) Solar Electricity
              Using the sun's heat to produce electricity. Learn more»
        4) Passive Solar Heating and Daylighting
              Using solar energy to heat and light buildings. Learn more»
        5) Solar Process Space Heating and Cooling
              Industrial and commercial uses of the sun's heat. Learn more»

Q. What is net metering?
A. Net metering measures the difference between the amount of electricity you buy from your local utility and the amount you generate from your solar energy facility. With net metering you are only charged for the net amount of electricity you use as provided by the public utility. Currently net metering is offered in more than 35 states.

Q. What happens to the electricity that I do not use during a given day?
A. If your state has net metering, when you produce more electricity than you use, you get credit for that electricity, and it is balanced against those times when you use more than you produce (for example, during the evening). At the end of the month or year, depending on your state, you will pay just the net difference.

Q. What is TOU?
A. Utilities have various rate tariffs', some of which charge different rates depending on the time of day. This type of tariff is called "Time of Use" or a TOU tariff. It is then broken down into 'periods' called: max/peak, partial peak, and off peak. (Furthermore, it is divided into Secondary, Primary, and Transmission per kWh charges.) This becomes particularly important in California where TOU tariffs are now required in order to qualify for the California Solar Initiative(CSI) rebates.
    These rates can be favorable or unfavorable depending when the customer uses energy, and when the solar system produces energy. If a solar system produces more energy than is needed, the customer gets a credit on his bill under net metering rules. A solar system that produces surplus energy during summer on peak periods can receive a credit at rates as high as $.32 per kilowatt hour.
    This can have a substantial impact on the economics of a solar system under a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). If the system produces more than 75% of the customers energy needs, and a large amount of energy is surplus in high rate time of use periods, we greatly show savings to the customer.
    Conversely, if the SEF does not produce enough energy to meet the customers on peak needs, or produce a surplus during summer on peak periods, the customers cost of energy could potentially be increased. Thus, it is very important that the customer's energy usage, and the solar systems production be analyzed and properly matched.

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