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In
partnership with Mecklenburg County LUESA
Air Quality and Solid Waste Divisions, and
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities
Sponsored by
the Environmental Assistance Office (EAO)
for Small Business at UNC Charlotte, The
Environmental Corner
is designed to serve as an environmental
management and pollution prevention resource
DECEMBER 2006
Solar Power
Today the world is dependent on energy to power
growth. As a small business owner, your choice of
energy usage can determine future availability of
natural energy resources and prevent adverse
environmental effects. Using energy efficiently and
considering alternative fuel sources provides a way
to conserve energy and improve quality of life.
Research into and use of renewable energy sources
like Sun, wind, geothermal, hydrogen, ocean,
bio-mass power offer more choices as energy sources.
Solar energy power is the focus of this newsletter
and may be one way for small businesses to become
more energy efficient.
Solar energy has been used by humans for thousands
of years. Ancient cultures used energy from
the sun to warm their homes through
passive solar energy designs.
The French physicist
Edmond Becquerel
first discovered photovoltaic activity in 1839.
Edmond found that electrical current in certain
materials could be increased when exposed to light.
In 1905,
Albert Einstein
described the
photoelectric effect,
the principle on which photovoltaics are based and
in 1921 received the Nobel Prize for his theories on
the photoelectric effect.
Solar cells of practical use have been available
since the mid 1950’s when
AT&T Labs
first developed 6% efficient silicon solar cells.
By 1960 Hoffman Electronics increased commercial
solar cell efficiencies to as much as 14% and today
researchers have developed cells with more than 20%
efficiencies.
More Information>>
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Source:
http://www.thesolarguide.com/solar-power-uses/
Here are the five most
practical and popular ways that solar energy is used
provided at the Solar Guide site:
http://www.thesolarguide.com/solar-power-uses/.
The Solar Guide site also provides costs for each of
the five uses of solar energy listed below.
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Small independent solar
photovoltaic systems.
We see these used everywhere, from calculators
to
garden lights.
Portable units can be used for everything
from RV appliances while single panel systems
are used for traffic signs and remote monitoring
stations.
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Solar pool heating.
Running water in direct
circulation systems through a solar
collector is a very practical way to heat water
for your pool or hot tub.
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Solar thermal energy using
glycol to heat water.
In this method (indirect
circulation), glycol is heated by the sun's rays
and the heat is then transferred to water in a
hot water tank.
This method of collecting the sun's energy is
more practical now than ever. In areas as far
north as Edmonton, Alberta, solar thermal to
heat water is economically sound. It can pay for
itself in three years or less.
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Integrating solar
photovoltaic energy into your home or business
power.
In many parts of the world,
solar photovoltaics is an economically feasible
way to supplement the power of your home. In
Japan, photovoltaics are competitive with other
forms of power. In the US, new incentive
programs make this form of solar energy ever
more viable in many states. An increasingly
popular and practical way of integrating solar
energy into the power of your home or business
is through the use of building integrated solar
photovoltaics.
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Large independent
photovoltaic systems.
If you have enough sun power
at your site, you may be able to go off grid.
You may also integrate or hybridize your solar
energy system with wind power or other forms of
renewable energy to stay 'off the grid.'
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Reasons for small businesses to consider solar
power:
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Solar energy is a naturally
clean source of energy.
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Solar energy contributes to
the well being of the environment.
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There is no air or noise
pollution and no waste products.
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Solar energy requires very
little maintenance and has long term usage.
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Compared to other energy
sources, Solar energy is reliable
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Small businesses are eligible
for rebates, tax incentives, and benefits by
adopting solar energy.
If you are interested in solar energy options at
your business then visit FindSolar.com to make
preliminary evaluations of the options at your
facility. This site is sponsored by the
FindSolar.com's mission
is to serve as a convenient, user-friendly means for
home and small commercial building owners to make
preliminary evaluations of solar energy options for
their location, and to help find qualified
professionals who can design, install and service
solar energy systems.
The website features
energy calculators on solar electricity, solar
domestic hot water and pool/spa heating. It lists
more than 3,100 utility rates, over 600 "Solar
Pro's" and over 120 manufacturers. The site includes
federal, state and utility incentives in its
calculations.
FindSolar.com is a join
project of ASES, the Solar Electric Power
Association, Energy Matters LLC and the U.S.
Department of Energy.
Go to Findsolar.com >>
Another excellent site
to visit if you are considering onsite energy
assessments it the North Carolina Solar Center at
www.ncsc.ncsu.edu.
These onsite assessments are free of charge to North
Carolina companies. Take advantage of this
excellent service today.
 
Commercial and Industrial Site Assessments
The North Carolina Solar
Center offers assessments of potential renewable
energy applications for commercial and industrial
sites. Often conducted in conjunction with surveys
to identify savings in energy, productivity, and
waste by the NCSU Industrial Assessment Center and
the IES Energy Management Program, the Solar
Center’s assessments focus on practical ways
companies can incorporate renewable energy.
Another excellent site is the National Renewable
Energy Laboratory at
http://www.nrel.gov/learning/re_solar.html.
While at this site you can view a
short video about how a solar panel works and also
review the new research for solar energy.
View this
short video from the U.S. Department of Energy
to learn more about how solar panels work.
More Information>>
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Before installing a solar system businesses and
homes should look at permits required. These can be
found at
http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/your_home/electricity/index.cfm/mytopic=10690.
Initial expenditure for a photovoltaic (PV) system
is more costly when compared to conventional energy.
However, it becomes cost effective over long term as
it lasts for more than 20 years. Home and Business
owners who are spending more than 100 dollars in
monthly electric expenses should consider installing
solar systems.
There are numerous state and federal sponsored
incentives available when installing solar systems.
In North Carolina, there is a 35% tax credit for the
cost of equipment used to generate electricity. A
list of all the incentives and discounts offered can
be found at
http://www.dsireusa.org/library/includes/map2.cfm?CurrentPageID=1&State=NC&RE=1&EE=1.
More Information>>
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When business produces excess power or is not able
to utilize the previously produced power then a
small business owner can save additional money by
subscribing to net metering. Electric utility
is connected to the solar power system and excessive
current produced can flow back into the utility.
This turns the electricity meter backwards. So when
small business owners use the electricity from the
grid they will balance it with excess solar power
and will pay only the difference if they use excess
power from the utility. The utilities buy the excess
power in net metering program at retail cost. In
North Carolina investor owned utilities offer this
amenity.
Top of page
The Environmental Assistance Office for Small
Business provides non-regulatory,
client-confidential pollution prevention assistance
to small businesses in the greater Charlotte region.
The EAO is designed to assist regional businesses in
their efforts to voluntarily prevent pollution. The
EAO staff can provide timely assistance for
pollution prevention planning, including information
about industry-specific case studies, waste-specific
case studies, and new technologies. The office
provides links of resources to needs between the
region's business community, government,
municipality, and university. If there is a
particular issue or question you would like to see
in an upcoming edition, please send an e-mail to
EAOforSB@email.uncc.edu
Contact Information:
Environmental Assistance Office for Small Business:
9201 University City Blvd. 258 Cameron Building, UNC
Charlotte, Charlotte, NC 28233-0001
Phone number: 704-687-3968 Fax number: 704-687-3115
Email:
EAOforSB@email.uncc.edu
Services:
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Assistance with Air Permits - Assistance for
small businesses in completing paperwork for EPA
air permits.
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Educational Materials - Educational pamphlet,
brochures, flyers, and other materials to relate
facts on pollution prevention.
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Educational Outreach - Develop educational
outreach campaigns and presentations for the
public or employee training.
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University Resources - Library information,
faculty expertise, student projects and research
at both graduate and undergraduate levels.
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