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Frequently Asked Questions - General |
| What is a 'hybrid' energy system, and what advantages do they have?
Is it true that Distributed Generation facilities have a negative effect on property values? |
What is a 'hybrid' energy system, and what advantages do they have? |
| A hybrid energy system usually consists of two or more energy sources used together to provide a better energy supply balance. For example, solar photovoltaic panels can be coupled with wind turbines. During the winter, the wind turbine would be more efficient than solar panels, while during the summer, solar would be more efficient. Hybrid systems can make more economic sense than wind or solar alone. This technique is referred to as " hardening the supply". Many of HPG's Energy Parks© are designed to include both Wind Turbines and Solar Arrays. We find this is a more effective use of the land, and our clients appreciate the fact that they have more yield ( measured in money earned ) per year. On the other hand, rooftop Mini Energy Parks© are often NOT hybrid. In Ontario, for example, the OPA requiresa separate contract, connection, and meter for the wind and solar components of any Energy Park© or rooftop Mini Energy Park© which is paid by a Feed In Tarrif ( FIT ). |
Is it true that Renewable Energy facilities have a negative effect on property values? |
According to surveys of tax assessors in areas with wind power projects, the answer is "No." A newly released study of 25,000 real estate sales has found no evidence of negative impacts on property values. In a majority of cases, properties that had a view of wind turbines appreciated in real estate value more quickly than nearby properties that did not have a view of the wind turbines, according to the study. This effect would seem to be related to “pride” in a ‘green’ community that is reducing it's 'carbon footprint'. Moreover, with the advent of high Feed In Tariff rates for buying electricity for the grid, the presence of a solar array on a commercial rooftop is now regarded as a definite asset, both financially and in terms of enhancing a corporation's "green" image. |
| How long will a Renewable Energy System last ? |
| That depends a great deal on how it was built in the first place. Let's discuss it element by element: Photovoltaic ( PV ) Solar Panels - depending on quality of construction, PV panels can last as little as 10 years or more then 40 - low quality panels degrade over time ( look at the warranty - you'll typically find something that guarantees they will have something like 98% capacity after 5 years, 95% after 10 and so on ) - high-quality panels can go 40 years with little degradation - most manufacturers offer a 5-year warranty, so let's assume the device might last 8-10 years - we use CIT devices from Hybridyne Power Electronics which have a posted MTBF of 100,000 hours - or well over 20 years - actually, the problem is not usually with the 'racking' on which the PV panels sit, but rather on the roof surface below them. If the panels and racking are sitting directly on your rooftop ( a 'ballasted' system ), they impose significant wear and tear to the rooftop. Moreover, to replace the roof membrane, a ballasted system would have to be completely removed - the 'floating truss' system we use suspends the whole solar array above the rooftop ( connected directly to the columns and beams below the roof ), so is does not impact the rooftop at all, and does not need to be removed to do regular maintenance on the roof surface. Wind Turbines -Again, depending on manufacturer, lifespan can vary immensely. -Older turbines have a huge transmission inside which wears. Apparently in most of the old 'wind farms', about 10% of the turbines are down at any given moment - When we use wind turbines, we only use 'direct drive' turbines with virtually no moving parts - reliability is much higher, typically 20 years before any significant maintenance
The Bottom Line A well made Energy Park© or Mini Energy Park© should run smoothly and deliver a 'cash crop' of electricity for at least 40 years. |