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Sunny Side Up!
Photovoltaics offer an alternative energy solution.

By John Parkinson (Ask John your question on this topic or other energy persepctive topics)

With the possible exception of coal, most fossil fuels used to harness energy by many estimates will run out at some point in the 21st century. Conversely, the sun's energy is not only infinite in power but clean. Photovoltaics (pv), or in layman's terms, solar electricity is one example of using alternative energy to assist or fully power buildings.

Pv is gaining mainstream acceptance in commercial settings, albeit at a methodical, pragmatic pace. Ron Judkoff, director, Buildings & Thermal Systems Center for The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, CO, advises facility managers to consider using pvs in certain situations.

"There are many high value applications where photovoltaics make sense today," says Judkoff. "If a building is to be sited more than a mile from the grid, then photvoltaics is less expensive than the connection cost. Also, if loss in revenue due to a power outage is of concern, then photovoltaics merit a serious look from facilities managers."

Pv systems consist of three main components: The modules that convert sunlight into direct current electricity; inverters that convert electricity into alternating current so it can be used for appliances; and batteries that can be used to store excess electricity for emergency or nighttime power.

Photovoltaic panels are contemporary in design and can actually add to the aesthetics of a building. In addition, if a company does not have an adequate sized roof to fit the necessary sun panels, other areas of a facility-such as parking lots and walls-can be utilized. The panels have even been used as exterior shading devices for south windows thus helping to save cooling energy as well as generate electricity.

Costs for installation vary depending on the size of the building, its particular energy needs, and the geographic location. Climate factors-such as hot and cold environments-are not as important for generating power as having good access to direct sunlight throughout the day.

Because the pv market is still in its infancy stage, market forces have not decreased the solar panel pricing structure. "The full system cost for 7 kilowatts of photvoltaics at today's market prices is about $55,000 to $70,000 installed," estimates Judkoff. 7 kilowatts was the amount of pv used in the Zion Visitor Center in Utah. (To read further about the project, read the February "Energy Perspective".)

Additional problems with solar electricity include inefficient solar cells and the costs of running pv versus fossil fuels. Because the technology can be cost prohibitive in some commercial applications, it has not gained widespread adoption.

However, for every stutter step associated with pv, there is optimism for this alternative energy source to take off. In an article in the October 2003 issue of Wired, Brendan Koerner discusses research going on at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology that could possibly change the frequency of light waves. Koerner writes, "Currently, a typical [solar] cell consists of four or five materials, each of which harnesses a different frequency of light. Individually, those frequencies represent only a small fraction of sunlight's energy potential. If all those rays could be converted into a single frequency, solar power might finally start to rival fossil fuels as a mainstream energy source."

There may also be other undercurrents that could influence a greater proliferation of the technology. While utility price increases can seem arbitrary, they could become a powerful motivator in making the switch to pv, especially if there doesn't seem to be a valid reason for the price increase. For example, California has dealt with large fluctuations in energy prices in recent years, and the subsequent allegation of price gauging by the energy companies has motivated people and businesses to switch to a more reliable energy source that can be delivered at a constant price.

"Now in California where there is a tax credit which essentially cuts the cost of photovoltaics in half, there's a lot more going on...No one knows what the future holds in terms of the cost of energy, so you have essentially insured yourself against price spikes," explains Judkoff.

Other states are also getting involved and are offering incentives for those willing to adopt pv. New York is offering benefits for pv systems through it's New York State Energy Research And Development Authority (NYSERDA). The group has two programs in place for bigger buildings and offers cash incentives or low-financing for pv systems of 15kW and larger.

A Web search can come up with other commercial pv projects across the nation. Facility managers can find out what types of incentives are available to them by accessing the Database of State Incentive for Renewable Energy (DSIRE) database. The Web site breaks down incentives on a state by state basis. The site can be reached by typing in www.dsireusa.org.

Ultimately, the choice on whether to obtain pv panels should be based on the individual company and its application. Pv can be expensive, but billions of dollars are spent a year in energy costs. Once the investment is made in photovoltaics, a company no longer has to worry about fuel price increases, shortages, or blackouts. Even if you don't like your eggs sunny side up, this energy source warrants a look and maybe even a taste.