From Keeping Current - CCEnergy's newsletter, Summer 2002 Edition

Grid-tied solar in action

"I was the first to install a grid-connected solar PV system here," proclaimed Torikil Olsen, a 62-year old electrical engineer from Denmark now residing in the town of Los Altos Hills just outside San Jose, California. "I wanted to reduce pollution. Period!" His 11-year old daughter frequently refers to him as a "pollution freak."

With the help of a $5,700 buydown rebate check from the California Energy Commission, Olsen purchased a PV system that generates 3,000 kilowatt hours annually, a little less than half of his annual consumption at his 2,000 square foot home. "I put it all together myself and it has been performing better than expected," he enthused. "The way I look at it, Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) doesn't have to increase its size and level of pollution to serve me."

His need for an electric vehicle (EV) car initially prompted his interest in solar electricity. An environmental and efficiency enthusiast, Olsen calculated that charging an EV with an on-site solar PV generator would be the most efficient means of keeping his transportation-related pollution levels down. He always rode his bike to and from work, but needed a car to transport his daughter to school and other activities.

He installed a 2 kW solar PV system in July 1999, but the need for the electric car disappeared when his daughter went away to school in New Mexico. Still, Olsen limits his reliance on his current fossil fueled car. "I have barely touched it since last September," he said, estimating that he drove it only five or six times in six months. Instead, he uses his bike to do necessary shopping and commuting.

Now retired, Olsen looks forward to purchasing his EV in the very near future. He has calculated that his 2 kW PV array would generate enough electricity to power an electric car like AC Propulsion's T-Zero for 16,000 miles annually. "When I finally get my EV, I want to use its batteries as a back-up system. With that approach, I donšt have to have two battery systems."

The solar PV system is just one component of the Olsens' efforts to reduce consumption of energy. A wood-burning stove, equipped with a catalytic insert to reduce air pollution controls, provides much of his heat. Double-paned windows and foam roof insulation of R-11 value also reduce his electricity use. All of the lights are efficient fluorescent bulbs, too.

Olsen's home is all-electric, limiting electricity use to cooking, hot water, lights, refrigerator, electric tools, and space heating. Since his wife still works, Olsen is the only one at home during the day. "I have no power peaks," he claimed, noting his energy use is mostly determined by outside temperature and other random factors. Because he does not use any natural gas, the price spikes that hit most of California's residential and commercial consumers due to unregulated natural gas prices this past winter had no impact on Olsen.

A quick review of Olsen's PG&'E bills over the course of the last year reveals that not only is he an efficient environmentalist, he is also a wise investor. His PG&E bill peaked February 2000. Olsen's lowest bill was, not surprisingly, August 2000, when he paid only $11.37. His electric bill from May and October 2000 averaged $19.61. With this year's net metering credit increases, Olsen's bills will decrease during 2001 and beyond. And with retail rates beginning to rise in California, the value of solar energy could double or even triple in the near future./p>

Electricity rate increases are scheduled to increase by 37 percent, and perhaps higher due to PG&E's bankruptcy. But this will not impact Olsen at all. Not only does his PV system reduce his electricity consumption, it also keeps his all-electric home's electricity consumption below the more expensive second pricing tier. Consumers who fall below baseline usage are exempt from rate increases.

Since he installed his solar panels, others have sought Olsen's advice, including five neighbors who also installed solar systems with the help of the CEC's buydown rebates. The CEC has monitored Olsen's solar PV system performance since January 2001 and has made this data available upon request.

Read more about CEC buydown rebates.

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