Original article by:By Scott Olson May 14,2012

A plan to install solar panels on city-owned rooftops is set to be considered Monday evening by the City-County Council.

The city’s Office of Sustainability selected Indianapolis-based Johnson-Melloh Solutions Inc. and Carmel-based Telamon Corp. to install the solar panels after putting out a request last fall.

The companies, working together, plan to lease space on certain city-owned rooftops and sell the electricity generated by the panels to Indianapolis Power & Light Co.

The city will use the money from the lease, as much as $24,000 for each site, to support sustainability projects such as replacing street lamps with more energy-efficient bulbs.

“This is an opportunity to really showcase solar energy in our community,” said John Hazlett, director of the city’s Office of Sustainability, during an April 26 Public Works Committee meeting.

Committee members unanimously approved the lease proposal by a 7-0 vote.

Leases for each site would run for 10 years with a five-year renewal option. The companies would pay the city $10,000 the first year for each lease and $1,000 for each following year.

Hazlett said the companies initially are targeting five locations, but the number could grow to as many as 30. The buildings under consideration are Department of Public Works and Indy Parks properties.

“We’ve got a lot of unused space on the roofs of many municipal buildings,” said City-County Councilor Zach Adamson, a member of the Public Works Committee who favors the agreement. “There’s a whole slew of possible locations.”

Solar panels also could be installed on the ground. But they would be protected by an 8-foot chain-link fence and away from prime park space, said Travis Murphy, Johnson Melloh’s business development manager.

“Our intention is to maximize the roof space if we can,” he told committee members. “We don’t want to take advantage of green space. That would be few and far between.”

The city would have the option of purchasing the solar panels after the leases expire.

The initiative is the third solar-energy project Indianapolis has undertaken. The city has installed solar-thermal systems, which help to heat water, at three parks facilities, and has put solar panels on the downtown City-County building.

Those efforts are part of a push started after Mayor Greg Ballard took office in 2008 to make 61 city-owned buildings more efficient with $18 million in upgrades to lighting, HVAC equipment and building controls.

Founded in 2009, Johnson Melloh Solutions is a division of Johnson Melloh Inc., a local mechanical contractor.

Telamon is a technology firm founded in 1985 by Albert Chen.

The two are part of ET Solutions, a joint venture that is leasing space at Indianapolis International Airport for an 11.5-megawatt solar farm on 60 acres at the airport’s entrance. Construction on the project is set to begin in the summer

IHA continues green push, launches one of Indy’s

first urban solar farms

INDIANAPOLIS (April 11, 2012) – After building one of Indianapolis’ most innovative residential green roofs, the Indianapolis Housing Agency (IHA) today announced the installation of a new 4,340 square foot urban solar farm at its Laurelwood residential community on the city’s near south side.

The urban solar farm at Laurelwood utilizes the community’s apartment buildings to house 248 solar panels that are affixed directly to the roofs of eight buildings. The solar panels are connected to coverter boxes, which capture the electricity generated and convert it to usable power that is returned to the existing power grid.

Through a partnerhsip with Indianapolis Power & Light Co. (IPL), IHA will sell the power generated by the solar panels directly to IPL for a rate of approximately $20,000 per year. The revenue from this sale of solar energy will be used by IHA to invest in existing communities, paying for maintenance and improvements.

“This is yet another example of IHA utilizing green technology to both benefit the environment and improve the lives of our residents,” said Rufus “Bud” Myers. “We hope to show through this program that our agency and our communities can be contributing partners in making Indianapolis more sustainable—all while generating critical revenue to reinvest in neighbohoods.”

The Laurelwood solar farm is funded, in part, by a pilot program from the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. IHA has also partnered with private investors, including City Real Estate Advisors (CREA), to sell solar tax credits as part of the financing package.

Congressman, Andre Carson, who has been a vocal supporter of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and alternative energy, thinks the urban solar farm at Laurelwood is a step in the right direction for Indianapolis.

“This project is a critical first step towards an all-in energy approach—promoting solar, wind, and nuclear energy alongside the resources we are already using.  This is an inspiring example of Hoosier ingenuity and innovation.”

Johnson Melloh Solutions, an Indianapolis-based renewable energy company, installed all 248 of the 240-watt Monocrystalline solar panels that comprise the project.

About IHA

The Indianapolis Housing Agency is the official governing body overseeing all public housing across the City of Indianapolis. IHA helps more than 7,600 families each year find and maintain high-quality, affordable housing opportunities through its ownership of 13 housing communities totaling more than 1,700 units.

Indiana Housing Agency, Laurelwood Apartments, a Johnson Melloh Solutions Install on news cast on Fox 59

Indiana Housing Agency, Laurelwood Apartments, a Johnson Melloh Solutions install on local news cast

John Hazlett, director of the city’s Office of Sustainability, explains how Indianapolis will save more than $2 million through energy-efficiency.

View Original IBJ video

Original article by:By Herman K. Trabish: March 16, 2012

Study: Grid Parity for Solar in North Carolina

This could mean a huge new opportunity for PV.

A new report offers the latest evidence of solar energy-generated electricity’s approach to cost parity with other forms of generation that send power to the grid.

Two things make “Levelized Cost of Solar Photovoltaics in North Carolina,” from the North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association (NC SEA), an especially valuable contribution to the tracking of solar energy’s approach to grid parity. First, it is based on a substantial data set. Second, its methodology is comprehensive and transparent.

Though the report’s conclusions are particular to North Carolina, NC SEA Managing Director and report co-author Paul Quinlan said, installed costs for solar PV systems are falling across the country. “But grid parity,” he stipulated, “depends on retail utility rates and those can be very different” from state to state.

One thing that should be noted upfront: Grid parity in this report has nothing to do with avoided costs (emissions, transmission building, etc.). The calculations are based on the levelized cost of photovoltaic (PV) system electricity (LCOE) and the retail cost of commercial and residential electricity from North Carolina’s three investor-owned utilities (IOUs), 71 municipally owned utilities (MOUs) and 31 electric cooperatives (Co-ops).

The data comes from over 10,000 solar PV system installations in North Carolina from 2006 to 2011 whose owners, per a state regulation, reported installation costs to the Public Utilities Commission.

North Carolina’s installed renewable capacity has expanded significantly since it became the first state in the U.S. Southeast to institute a renewable energy portfolio standard (REPS). Its standard requires IOUs to get 12.5 percent of their power from renewables by 2021 and MOUs and co-ops to get 10 percent by 2012. Solar has grown due to a carve-out in the REPS specifying that it account for 0.2 percent of the mandated goals.

The report’s researchers looked at three system sizes, residential (10 kilowatts or less), commercial (10 to 500 kilowatts) and utility scale (greater than 500 kilowatts), Quinlan explained. The team established an average installation cost for each year in the study and projected the downward trending curves out to 2020 (setting a one-dollar-per-watt baseline).

“Installed costs were the most influential numbers in our analysis,” Quinlan said. The installed cost calculations were plugged into the National Renewable Energy Laboratory System Advisor Model (SAM) tool to arrive at an LCOE for the three categories of systems. LCOE was defined as “the price at which energy must be sold to break even over the assumed economic life of the system.”

System life was assumed to be twenty years, Quinlan said, though warranties on the systems are usually for 25 years and most contemporary panels last 30 years or more.

Costs were calculated both with and without the federal 30 percent investment tax credit (ITC) and the state 35 percent tax credit.

The assumed solar resource, Quinlan said, was that for the metropolitan Raleigh region. Quinlan described this resource as “very good,” though “one step down from the excellent resource in the Southwest.”

Financing was assumed to be 50 percent equity and 50 percent debt at six percent interest, Quinlan said.

These parameters reflect the researchers’ efforts to characterize the LCOE conservatively and transparently so that, Quinlan said, “we can take them into any conversation” without being accused of advocacy.

There were five key conclusions:

1. For many of the utilities, the LCOE of solar PV systems over 10 kilowatts (with federal and state tax credits) were at grid parity or cost-competitive with commercial retail electricity prices in North Carolina in 2011.

2. For all North Carolina electric utilities, solar PV systems greater than 500 kilowatts will achieve grid parity or become cost-competitive with commercial retail electricity prices in 2015 (with federal and state tax credits).

3. For all North Carolina electric utilities, solar PV systems from 10 kilowatts to 500 kilowatts will achieve grid parity or become cost-competitive with commercial retail electricity prices in 2018 (with federal and state tax credits).

4. For the majority of North Carolina electric utilities, solar PV systems smaller than 10 kilowatts (rooftop solar) will achieve grid parity or become cost-competitive with residential retail electricity prices in 2020 (with federal and state tax credits).

5. For many electric utilities, solar PV without federal and state tax credits will be at grid parity or cost-competitive with retail electricity prices in North Carolina in 2020.

Quinlan said the first conclusion is the most important. “In 2011, there will be a good number of places where utility-scale solar and even some small commercial solar is at grid parity with some of the commercial retail rates,” he said.

Many in North Carolina and other Southeastern states where the solar resource is comparable, Quinlan said, are unaware that the LCOE (even with Renewable Energy Credits and tax credits) has come down so far so soon.

This, Quinlan said, demonstrates that solar PV in the North Carolina is becoming quite competitive with grid-supplied electricity, in some places and cases even without incentives.

The Southeastern states could be “a massive emerging market for solar PV in the years to come,” Quinlan said, if supportive policies such as those instituted in North Carolina are undertaken to attract investors. And “over the long term, if the trends continue,” he added, “you could be having conversations about unsubsidized solar.”

MARCH 3, 2012 LIVE ON WIBC

Ben Titus-Project Manager, Johnson Melloh Solutions speaks with WIBC regarding WIND vs SOLAR installations!

March 10, 2012 LIVE ON WIBC

Nick Melloh- President, Johnson Melloh Solutions speaks about the financial advantages with Renewable Energy!

March 17, 2012 LIVE ON WIBC

Andy Cooper-Project Manager, Johnson Melloh Solutions speaks about the benefits of solar installations!

March 24, 2012 LIVE ON WIBC

Pamela Ingram-Project Assistant, Johnson Melloh Solutions speaks regarding financial benefits and incentives for solar installations!

Indiana solar panel manufacturer Nusun Solar successfully certified to UL standard; now in production

Columbus, Ind. (February 14, 2012) –Nusun Solar, an Indiana based manufacturer of solar photovoltaic (Solar PV) panels, has been successfully certified to Underwriters Laboratories UL 1703 standard by ETL certification testing labs – a final pre-production step that ensures the safety, performance and quality of both their solar module’s and the manufacturing processes.

Certified in 50 U.S states as well as Canada, Nusun Solar’s highly efficient (grade A cells and high purity silicon) solar modules are designed and engineered for reliability and durability, maximized individual panel performance, and maintaining optimal functionality in extreme climates. Nusun’s solar panels are backed with a 25-year warranty and meet the guidelines of the ‘Buy American’ provision, which provides consumers the access to many State and Federal incentives, reduced shipping costs and the advantages of domestic customer service and product warranty.

“Receiving the ETL certification for our solar modules and manufacturing process marks an important milestone in the growth of our business,” states Ryan Stout, President and Owner of Nusun Solar.  “We are proud to be producing high quality solar panels from our Columbus, Indiana facility, and we look forward to developing many new distribution channels and relationships with renewable energy consumers.”

The renewable energy industry is faced with many challenges when it comes to consumer education, awareness and misperceptions. Nusun encourages consumers to do their homework and ensure they are comparing apples-to-apples; understanding the critical differences between PV technologies, components used, and quality testing standards and how this directly affects the ROI and performance expectations.

Industry professionals agree that there are significant quality performance differences between the use of Grade A, B, C or D cells, and performance can also be affected by the presence of surface micro-cracks, which are not visible to the human eye.

“Without evaluating these differences in quality upfront, performance becomes a big concern and can reveal itself through premature cell failures, system degradation, reductions in performance, and reduced life span expectancy,” explains  Stout. “Using certified, high quality products, as well as factoring in shipping, replacement and warranty expenses up front can result in a payback as much as 10X more than that of many low quality overseas competitors.”

Nusun’s ETL certification ensures that their product has been tested and evaluated, passing all of the required safety and power generation standards of UL 1703. Additionally, the certified solar modules undergo periodic checks to ensure they continue to meet requirements.

“The level of quality and performance of Nusun’s product has exceeded our expectations. Their solar panels are top-of-the-line, yet able to meet many of our project budget constraints. With modules well suited for both residential and commercial applications, we look forward to working together well into the future to provide quality renewable energy solutions to the community” adds Nick Melloh, President and Partner of Johnson Melloh Solutions, an Indianapolis-based solar installer, Solar Energy Demonstration Lab site, and selected developer for the Indianapolis International Airport solar farm project.

Nusun Solar also has the support of local officials, who in late 2010, announced that the company was eligible to receive performance-based incentives designed to help foster the creation of many new jobs over the next 4 years.

“The company has access to a highly-productive and educated workforce here in Columbus, Indiana,” says Jason Hester, Executive Director of the Columbus Economic Development Board. “Combine that with our favorable business policies along with Nusun Solar’s innovative processes, and we have a recipe for success.”

About Nusun Solar

Nusun Solar manufacturers high quality solar photovoltaic (Solar PV) panels from its manufacturing center located in Columbus, Indiana, USA.  The company is certified to U.L. standards, and its PV modules are now available.  For additional product information, ordering of solar panels or to become a distributor, visit http://nusunsolar.com or call (888)323-2240 ex #1.

Solar models covered by UL 1703:  NS300-6M7, NS295-6M7, NS290-6M7, NS285-6M7, NS280-6M7, NS275-6M7, NS270-6M7, NS265-6M7, NS260-6M7, NS255-6M7, NS250-6M7, NS260-6M6, NS255-6M6, NS250-6M6, NS245-6M6, NS240-6M6, NS235-6M6, NS230-6M6, NS225-6M6, NS220-6M6, NS230-6M5, NS225-6M5, NS220-6M5, NS215-6M5, NS210-6M5, NS205-6M5, NS200-6M5, NS195-6M5, NS190-6M5, NS275-5M, NS270-5M, NS265-5M, NS260-5M, NS255-5M, NS250-5M, NS245-5M, NS240-5M, NS235-5M, NS230-5M, NS225-5M, NS220-5M, NS200-5M, NS195-5M, NS190-5M, NS185-5M, NS180-5M, NS175-5M, NS170-5M, NS165-5M, NS160-5M, NS155-5M, NS250-6P, NS245-6P, NS240-6P, NS235-6P, NS230-6P, NS225-6P, NS220-6P, NS215-6P, NS210-6P

For up-to-date information on almost 3,000 federal, state, local, and utility energy incentives and policies designed to save money for U.S. consumers and businesses, use this new, interactive widget makes that information available from any web site. Simply choose any U.S. state from a drop-down menu, select if you’re a homeowner, business or school, and you’re a click away from the full list of incentives that support solar energy, geothermal heat pumps, insulation and other energy improvements available in that state.

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During this installation, a group of 25-30 students, teachers, and community leaders from nearby Arlington High School came over for a guided tour and lesson on solar technology from the Johnson Melloh Solutions Project Manager. The group of students were from a math and science class that focuses on technology such as this and its real world application. The JMS Project Manager gave a half-hour tour and lesson on solar technology and this particular installation, and then opened it up for what turned out to be an excellent question and answer session. Other topics discussed with the students included the future of solar technology, energy efficiency, battery technology, and career opportunities in the green energy industry.

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View live info about Staughton Senior Living 4.14 kW Solar Production