Renewable Energy

solar-panels_orig.jpg

Renewable energy not only eliminates fossil-fuel carbon emissions, it frees communities from pollution and associated health problems. For a more healthy and climate-safe future, we must transition to 100% renewable, clean energy by 2030.

Renewable energy was a popular climate action category for West Marin participants of “Decarbonizing California by 2025”, our community event held on November 10, 2019. These are some action ideas supported by our community:

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

-Develop microgrids & Solar Farm with local power storage.
-Net-Zero Homes: Electrifying appliances (eliminating propane), solar panels, heat-pumps for home and water heating.
-Advocate for taxing big carbon projects (civic action).
-Join Marin Clean Energy (community choice provider) and choose Deep Green for 100% renewable energy via PGE lines.
-Track and reduce your family’s carbon footprint (see Resilient Neighborhoods to join a workshop).

Energy Efficient Home
In September 2020, we hosted our first online event, “Zero Net Energy for Residential Dwellings”. View the recorded event to learn how to prevent heat and energy loss, and incorporate renewable energy technology in your home.

Other steps to take:

  • Assess energy losses and greenhouse gas emissions. Typically, these energy audits evaluate insulation, windows, lights, heating system, water heater, thermostats, wood burning stoves, etc.

  • Sign up with Marin Clean Energy (MCE) to maximize your renewable electrical energy. It’s easy to do, and can significantly affect our carbon footprint.

    -No MCE: 32% renewable with PGE.
    -Light Green: 60% renewable (reduces CO2 by 1100 lbs per year compared to No MCE).
    -Deep Green: 100% renewable (reduces CO2 by 1100 lbs per year more than savings with Light Green).     

  • Consider appliance replacements in your home. For rebates see Electrify Marin below.

    -heat pump space heater instead of gas heater (rebate up to $4500).
    -heat pump water heater instead of gas heater (rebate up to $2000).
    -induction cooking range instead of gas stove (rebate up to $500).
    -service panel upgrade (rebate up to $1200).

Example:
David had an efficient propane furnace that heated his house, which costs about $1,000 per year (350 gallons propane per year). The furnace was replaced with a heat pump which is powered by electricity from the grid. He is signed up for MCE Deep Green, so his electricity is from 100% renewable sources.
Result: David no longer sends 4,400 lbs of carbon dioxide (350 gal propane x 12.7 lbs CO2/gal propane) into the atmosphere every year; and the cost of heating his house is less.

Questions and Resources:
1. Which home energy improvements are eligible for IRS tax credit?
Answer: >See IRS Energy Incentives website.
2. Most of the electricity from PGE is produced by natural gas-powered generators.  How much carbon dioxide is released from these generators when they produce 1 kWh of electricity? 
Answer: >Approximately 0.92 lbs

Additional websites:
o   MCE Home Energy Evaluation (LIHEAP)
o   BayREN Home Energy Advisor
o   Electrify Marin
o   PGE Home Energy Check

Residential Solar Panels

  • Typical payback period: 7 to 10 years

  • Low maintenance

  • Long warranty period: 25 years

  • No CO2 emissions

Example:
Gail had a 5kW solar system installed on her house in 2016.  She paid $15,000 for the system and received a 30% federal tax credit of $4,500 (the credit was reduced to 26% in 2020). The system produces 6000 kWh of energy per year which saves her about $1400 per year. The solar system pays for itself in the first 8 years.  The solar system reduces the CO2 she previously released into the atmosphere by 5,500 lbs. per year.

Questions and Resources:
1. How do I calculate my Return-On-Investment? 
Answer: >Contractors should do that for you as part of a bid.

2. Should I get batteries with the solar system? 
Answer: >Probably. The SGIP (Self Generation Incentive Program) rebate for batteries requires you to meet certain qualifications and the system must be installed by an approved installer. 

3. Should my roof be replaced before installing solar panels?
Answer: >If the roof is old it should probably be replaced before installing solar panels. Replacing the roof after the panels are installed is very difficult. Some of the cost of roof replacement may be offset by federal tax credit – you should discuss this with your tax advisor.

4. Our home has a lot of shaded sunlight - how do we know if there is adequate sun exposure for solar panels to work?
Answer: >Most solar installation contractors have a special camera that can estimate the year-round sun exposure.

5. How do I pick a contractor? 
Answer: >Ask your neighbors who have solar whether they are happy with their installer. 

6. How long do solar panels last?
Answer: >They are long-lasting: The output from solar panels degrades between 0.3 to 0.8% per year.
See Photovoltaic Degradation Rates — An Analytical Review.

7. Can solar panels be recycled when they are at the end of their life? 
Answer: >Yes. See this article from Good News Network.

Additional Websites:
o Financial benefits of solar and batteries
o Financial benefits (return on investments) on solar
o Calculating financial benefits of solar
o Review of Home Batteries
o Solar Energy Overview

Financial Incentives for residential or multi-family installations in West Marin: 
o  CaliforniaFirst
o Renovate America  
o PaceNation

Home Batteries

  • Can be used for power backup: The batteries automatically turn on when PGE shuts off power. They do not require solar to be installed.  This is useful in West Marin where we experience Public Safety Power Shut-off (PSPS) events.

  • Can be used for load shifting: If you have solar panels, they charge the batteries during the mid-day hours (10am to 2pm), and the batteries are then used to power your house during the time of peak energy costs (4pm to 9pm). This requires you to have PGE Time-of-use (TOU) billing.

Example:
Shawn installed a 7.8 kW solar PV (photo voltaic) system with a single Tesla Powerwall attached. He programmed the Powerwall to charge from solar during the day and then power the house after the sun goes down when electricity is expensive. The system produces 11,000 kWh of clean electricity annually saving over $2,500 each year. During unforeseen power outages and PGE Public Safety Power Shutoffs, the home has access to 13.5 kwh of stored solar power from their Tesla Powerwall.

Questions and Resources:
1.  Am I eligible for a SGIP (Self Generation Incentive Program) rebate? 
Answer: >Yes, if you live in High Fire Threat Area (much of West Marin), have medical needs,  or are low income. Some rebates have a wait list. Installation needs to be done by a certified contractor.

2.  What are the federal tax incentives for house batteries? 
Answer: >Federal tax credit is 26% in 2020 and 22% in 2021.

3. What are typical costs for house batteries? 
Answer: >Typical costs, installed, are $1000 per kWh. A typical-size house battery system is 13-15 kWh.

4.  What are PGE Time-of-Use (TOU) Rate Plans? 
Answer: >These are cost plans that let you pay less for electricity during certain times of the day.  Price differences between peak time and low time can be $0.48 vs $0.17 per kWh. PGE’s TOU rate plans differ depending on whether you have solar, batteries or an EV. The plans are always changing so check with PGE. Their website can estimate the lowest cost plan for you , based on your energy use pattern.

5. Can the battery system shift the load to discharge stored solar energy into the grid when energy is expensive (4-9pm)? 
Answer: >The Power Control Systems that do this are a new technology. Please ask your contractor about this. Currently, we are not allowed to store energy from the grid to the battery at low cost times and then feed it back into the grid at high cost times.

6.  How long do lithium-ion batteries last?
Answer: >Most have a 10 year or 10,000 cycle life warranty.

Additional Websites:
o Battery return on investment
o Battery and Solar expertise in Marin County, Martin Herzfeld
o Battery return-on-investment
o West Marin stories on solar and battery power
o Community action on going green

*Please confirm information on this page with your contractor. Rebates and estimates change.

Transportation

Transportation accounts for 41% of California’s greenhouse gas emissions. The pollution from gas-powered vehicles is also bad for our health. Transitioning to clean energy transportation and reducing our dependence on cars are critical solutions to reducing our carbon emissions. We have much opportunity for change here in West Marin! These are some action ideas that were raised by the participants of “Decarbonizing California by 2025”, our community event held on November 10, 2019.

-Expand public transit service.
-Expand coordinated community carpooling.
-Creating safe bike lanes and bike-friendly roads; incentivize bike-to-work.
-Shift from gas to electric vehicles.
-Expand electric vehicle (EV) charging stations to help incentivize transition to EVs.
-Community Shuttles to National Parks locations.
-Advocate for resiliency of roadways infrastructure over next 10-50 years considering sea level rise

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

Buy Zero Emission Vehicles (Electric or Hydrogen)

  • Running costs for an electric vehicle (EV) are less than for a gasoline vehicle: Typical Savings: $800 per year (driving 11,000 miles per year; gasoline vehicle 20 mpg).  If you have solar panels on your home, driving can be free.

  • Maintenance costs for an EV are less than for a gasoline vehicle: Typical Savings: $600 per year.

  • Incentives available in Marin
    -Federal tax credit: 26% in 2020; 22% in 2021
    -Clean Vehicle Rebate (CVRP) up to $7000
    -Clean Cars for All (BAAQMD) up to $9500
    -MCVe (Marin Clean Energy) up to $3500
    -Drive Clean Bay Area: Purchase incentive info, Steps to Driving Electric and New EV Buyers Checklist.
    -New California Clean Fuel Reward (CCFR) EV incentives: Offers $1500 on EVs; up to $1500 on plug-in Hybrids. 

Example:
For the past 3 years, William has leased a Chevy Bolt EV. During these 3 years, he has driven 17,000 miles with zero emissions (he has solar panels that charge the car). Driving an EV reduced his CO2 emissions by 5,000 lbs. per year. This year he leased a new Bolt for 3 more years at a cost of $5000 down and $240 per month.

Questions and Resources:
1.  Are there public charge stations in West Marin? 
Answer: >Yes, in Point Reyes Station, Inverness, Point Reyes National Seashore, and Stinson Beach. Additional public charging stations would benefit residents and the visiting public.

2.  EVs have large batteries (40-100 kWh). Can they be used to power a house (V2H (vehicle to house)?  
Answer: >Currently, not easily. However, some companies are working on systems to do this (Ossiaco, Fermata, and Nuvve).

3.  What does it cost to install an EV charger at home? 
Answer: >Costs vary from $1000 to $3000 but there are incentives and tax credits.

Additional Websites:
o EV savings calculators: Return on investment (ROI) and Choose EV
o AAA cost for operating a car
o For financial incentives, see Plugstar.
o For a complete listing of all EV and plug-in Hybrids: https://ev.pge.com/vehicles/

** EV Match Did you know about this? It’s an App that lets you access private charging stations across California, by reservation.

Contact Us if you would like to get involved with meeting Renewable Energy goals in our community.