To Solar or Not to Solar for your Early Learning Service? Brian Mills > X-Alt Solar
Conjecture and uncertainty still seem to reign regarding the merits of solar for early learning (childcare) services. To understand its merits, one should understand the product itself. People are aware that solar is used to generate electricity. But what is it? Also called “Photovoltaics”, solar is the direct conversion of light into electricity at the atomic level. Solar panels comprise cells that take sunlight and convert it into electricity. These cells combined into one solar module (panel), have a notable electricity output. A number of modules combined into an array have a combined output that has a significant impact in powering a building like your childcare facility.
Electricity generated by solar panels is in the form of Direct Current (DC). The electricity your building uses is Alternating Current (AC), so it needs to be converted. To convert DC into AC, one needs an inverter. The more obvious items in a solar system are the panels (modules) and the inverter. Power generated by the solar system then partially replaces the electricity used from the grid. Benefit Does solar have benefit for the early learning sector? In most cases we analyze, yes! Solar provides noticeable electricity cost savings. In the below example, solar generated 1,317kWh of electricity in the reflected week. 834.2kWh was used in the building and 483kWh was exported to the grid. Instead of using 1,604.5kWh from the grid, the service used just 770.3kWh. Assuming 25c/kWh cost for electricity from their retailer, in the reflected week alone, they have saved $208.55 (834.2kWhx$0.25). Assuming they are getting 10c/kWh Feed in Tariff, they have also generated $48.30 in “revenue”.
Source: (How do Photovoltaics Work? | Science Mission Directorate, 2020)
Many solar panels have for example a 370w rating and comprise of 60 cells. Modern technology has found a way to cut these cells in half resulting in a split-cell panel, providing enhanced electricity generating benefit in the event of shading or parts of that panel becoming soiled. These panels are known as split-cell panels.
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EARLY EDITION > SUMMER 2020
