By Dale A Gulden, Solar Direct CEO

Solar Electric – Basic Components 1. Modules – solar electric collectors. 3 basic types in the marketplace: Mono crystalline, poly crystalline, thin film 2. Array – modules connected together into a system 3. Inverter – converts the DC power produced by the modules to A/C 4. Grid Tie Inverter – converts DC to AC and feeds the utility grid with the A/C power 5. Charge Controller – regulates the power going to the batteries 6. Batteries – stores DC power

Solar Electric – Types of Systems Each type has very specific capabilities and limitations All PV systems consist of one or more modules which produce DC power. It is what is done with this power after it is produced that determines the type of system. Stand Alone – Off grid Modules, charge controller, batteries, and may or may not have an inverter which converts DC power to A/c power Grid Tie – Grid connected Modules, and inverter connected to the power grid Hybrid – Grid connected with batteries Modules, grid-tie inverter, and batteries for storage when the grid is unavailable Systems can be installed on roofs, ground racks, pole mounts, or on racks which track the sun.

Stand Alone – Off Grid Systems Stand-alone PV systems are designed to operate independent of the electric utility grid, and are generally designed and sized to supply certain DC and/or AC electrical loads.  Common applications are direct power to DC loads, water pumping and telecommunications.  With an inverter it can also power AC loads  For systems with no battery the energy is used immediately; only works when it's sunny Systems with Battery Backup can supply power 100% of the time: At night, on cloudy days and when the utility power is down

Stand Alone – Off Grid Installation

Stand Alone – Off Grid System Components

Grid Tie – Grid Connected Systems Grid Tie System is the simplest and most cost effective way to connect PV modules to regular utility power. Grid-Connected systems can supply solar power to your home and use utility power as a backup. As long as there is enough electricity flowing in from your PV system, no electricity will flow in from the utility company. If your system is generating more power than you are using, the excess will flow back into the grid, turning your meter backwards.

Grid Tie – Grid Connected - Rack Installations

Grid Tie – Grid Connected - Roof Installations

Grid Tie – Grid Connected System Components

Hybrid– Grid Connected with Batteries If utility power is reliable and well maintained in your area, and energy storage is not a priority, you don't necessarily need a battery. But if the utility power goes down, even if there is solar, the PV system will be off for the safety of the utility workers. Systems with Battery can supply power 100% of the time.

Hybrid– Grid Connected with Batteries - Roof Installation

Hybrid– Grid Connected with Batteries - Rack Installation

Hybrid – Grid Connected with Batteries - Components

Consulting, Design and Installation Solar Electric System 11.5 kW grid-connected Solar Water Heater PT50 connected to 2 Tank-less natural gas heaters Solar Pool Heater 13 Vortex panel solar automated pool system Solar Direct provided Consulting, Design & Installation of Solar Systems for new home construction.

Solar Energy Financial Incentives for Floridians

Photovoltaics - Residential Federal Tax Credit of 30% of installed system cost through 2016 Florida Solar Rebate Program ($4/Watt up to $20,000) Florida Sales and Property Tax Exemption Utility Company Rebates Net Metering

Photovoltaics - Business Federal Investment Tax Credit of 30% of installed system cost (available as a grant for tax years 2009 and 2010) through 2016 Florida Solar Rebate Program ($4/Watt, up to $100,000) Florida Sales Tax Exemption Utility Company Rebates Net-Metering (up to 2 MW)

Net Metering With Net Metering you can benefit from laws and regulations that require "net" electric meter reading. How it Works: The customer is billed for the net electricity purchased from the utility over the entire billing period—that is, the difference between the electricity coming from the power grid and the electricity generated by the PV system. Through net metering, the customer obtains the full retail electricity rate—rather than the much lower wholesale rate— for kilowatt-hours of PV- produced electricity sent to the utility power grid.

Utility Incentives City of Tallahassee: $450 SWH Rebate (residential) GRU o Residential: $500 SWH Rebate; $1.50/Watt PV Rebate ($7,500 cap) o Business: $500 SWH Rebate; Feed in Tariff for PV Gulf Power: $1,000 SWH Rebate (residential, one year pilot) JEA o Residential: $400-$800 SWH Rebate o Business: 15% ($2,500 cap) or 30% ($5,000 cap) SWH Rebate o Local vendor garners larger rebate

Utility Incentives OUC o Production credit: $.03/kWh equivalent for SWH o Production credit: $.05/kWh for PV o Available for residential and business customers o Low interest loans available for residential customers Progress Energy: $450 SWH Rebate (residential, with load management control and load management credit) Clay Electric: $.01/Btu SWH Rebate (residential) Orange County: Residents who receive power from OUC and Progress Energy can receive a $200 incentive for the installation of a solar water heater

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