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 Direct provided Consulting, Design

& Installation of Solar Systems for new
home construction.

Solar Pool Heater

13 Vortex panel solar
automated pool system

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 periodthat 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 raterather 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
o

Residential: $500 SWH Rebate; $1.50/Watt PV Rebate ($7,500 cap)

Business: $500 SWH Rebate; Feed in Tariff for PV

Gulf Power: $1,000 SWH Rebate (residential, one year pilot)

JEA
o
o
o

Residential: $400-$800 SWH Rebate

Business: 15% ($2,500 cap) or 30% ($5,000 cap) SWH Rebate
Local vendor garners larger rebate

Utility Incentives

OUC
o
o
o
o

Production credit: $.03/kWh equivalent for SWH

Production credit: $.05/kWh for PV
Available for residential and business customers
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

Do You Have
Any Questions?
www.solardirect.com
800-333-9276