Many local markets in Michigan present significant opportunities for solar photovoltaic development due to high electricity rates. The presentation will cover the basics of going solar on your own property, and the future of solar in the regional energy mix. Sponsored By: Western Upper Peninsula Center for Science, Mathematics and Environmental Education, Michigan Tech Center for Science Outreach Cosponsored by: Lake Superior Stewardship Initiative, Michigan Tech Center for Water & Society, Keweenaw Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, and Keweenaw Land Trust

1. Solar Powering Michigan
Abhilash “Abhi” Kantamneni| Michigan Technological University

2. Houghton Winters
Source: Mining Journal
Source: Mining Journal
Source: Mining Gazette
Source: Michigan Tech Alumni
Source: boniashburn.com

3. OCREA
ALGER DELTA
UPPCO
PRESQUE ISLE
WEPCO
GREAT LAKES
DTE ELECTRIC
ALPENA POWER
CONSUMERS
TRI-COUNTY
CHERRYLAND
MIDWEST…
THUMB
CLOVERLAND
XCEL
WPS
AEP
MI Average: $0.14/kWh
Source: MPSC Utility Company Annual
Reports 2013
MI AVERAGE RESIDENTIAL ELECTRIC RATES 2013
[$/KWH]

4. Average Residential Electricity Retail Rates
by State (2013)
State
Average Price
[$/kWh]
Hawaii $0.37
Houghton $0.21-$0.24
New York $0.19
Alaska $0.19
Connecticut $0.18
Vermont $0.18
New Hampshire $0.17
California $0.16
New England $0.16
Middle Atlantic $0.16
Massachusetts $0.16
New Jersey $0.16
Michigan $0.15 Source: www.eia.gov

5. Michigan Tech KRC Photovoltaic Research Center

6. Location: Tree Cover and Solar Window
Image Source: www.solarfeeds.com
Best Summer Angle: 30*
Best Winter Angle: 60*
Best Average Angle: 47*

7. Advantages of High Module Tilt: Albedo
Source: nsidc.org
500,000
450,000
400,000
350,000
300,000
250,000
200,000
150,000
100,000
50,000
0
Solar Irradiation and Albedo
S_Horizontal (W/m^2) Albedo (W/m^2)
1
13
25
37
49
61
73
85
97
109
121
133
145
157
169
181
193
205
217
229
241
253
265
277
289
301
313
325
337
349
361
W/m^2
Day of the Year
Source: MTU KRC

8. Advantages of High Module Tilt: Snow Shedding
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
1
107
213
319
425
531
637
743
849
955
1,061
1,167
1,273
1,379
1,485
1,591
1,697
1,803
1,909
2,015
2,121
2,227
2,333
2,439
2,545
2,651
2,757
2,863
2,969
3,075
3,181
3,287
3,393
3,499
3,605
3,711
3,817
Energy Produced (Wh)
Hours since 12:00 Am Nov 1 2013
PV System Output Under Snowy Conditions
45* 30* 15*
Shedding from 45*
Source: MTU KRC

9. Source: pveducation.org
Houghton Average = 3.8 Peak Sun Hours/Day*
Energy = 1kW*3.8h = 3.8kWh
*Source: MTU KRC Data

10. Source: pveducation.org
California Average = 6 Peak Sun Hours/Day*
Energy = 1kW*6h = 6kWh

11. Source: www.nrel.gov

12. Source: MTU KRC Data

13. Nov-Feb total irradiance =
only 8% year total
Source: MTU KRC Data

14. Source: Michigan Public Service Commission

18. Simple ROI Calculations for Houghton
•6000 [kWh] (source)
Annual
Consumption :
•6000/365 = ~ 16.4 [kWh]
Daily
Consumption:
•3.8 [h]
Average Daily
Sun Hours

19. Source: pveducation.org
Houghton Average = 3.8 Peak Sun Hours/Day*
Energy = 1kW*3.8h = 3.8kWh
*Source: MTU KRC Data

20. Simple ROI Calculations for Houghton
• Daily Consumption / (Sun Hours * Derate
Factor)= 16.4/(3.8*0.8) = 5.4 [kW] System Size
• System Size*Cost Per kW = 5.4*$3,500
=$18,900 System Cost
• 30% of system costs = $18,900 –
30%*18,900 = $13,448
Federal Tax
Rebate

21. Simple ROI Calculations for Houghton
•Energy*Rates =
6000*0.19 = $1,140
Annual
Savings
•System Costs / Annual
Savings = 12 years
Payback
Period

22. Source: www.nrel.gov

24. Utility Fuel Source Summary
Fuel Source USA OCREA UPPCO Region
Coal 39.10% 63.80% 54.11% 59.43%
Nuclear 19.18% 23.10% 23.08% 25.36%
Gas 27.57% 5.50% 8.90% 9.77%
Oil 0.67% 0.10% 0.50% 0.55%
Hydroelectric 7.07% 3.40% 9.55% 0.65%
Biofuel 0.00% 0.00% 0.45% 0.49%
Biomass 0.92% 0.10% 0.41% 0.45%
Wind 4.11% 2.80% 2.50% 2.75%
Wood 0.48% 0.10% 0.44% 0.49%
Other 0.71% 1.10% 0.50% 0.44%
Solar 0.20% 0.00% 0.02% 0.02%
Source:
OCREA Fuel
Mix Report
Source:
MPSC
Regional
Average Fuel
Mix
Disclosure
Source: EIA
Total Power
Industry Fuel
Sources

25. Currently all MI utilities are on track to
meet RES Compliance*
Phased integration of renewables 50%
cheaper than new coal generation
facilities.
*Source: MPSC Report on RES Compliance
*Figure: MIRECS 2009-2013 Credits by Energy
Source
Impact of MI PA 295

26. Benefits of Renewables
 Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth Report on
Green Jobs says renewable energy sector job creation = 3% of all private
sector employment in state
 International Energy Agency Report on Energy Security says renewable
energy systems reduce supply disruptions and reliance on imported fuel.

27. Actual Quote: “The only green that matters,
is the color of my $$$$$”
(Obviously, not a philosopher)

28. PV Market Opportunity by Utility Electric Rates
OCREA
MI AVERAGE RESIDENTIAL ELECTRIC RATES 2013
ALGER DELTA
UPPCO
PRESQUE ISLE
WEPCO
GREAT LAKES
DTE ELECTRIC
ALPENA POWER
CONSUMERS
TRI-COUNTY
CHERRYLAND
MIDWEST…
THUMB
CLOVERLAND
XCEL
WPS
AEP
[$/KWH]
MI Average: $0.14/kWh
Source: MPSC Utility Company Annual
Reports 2013

29. PV Market Opportunity by Utility Electric Rate Increases
OCREA
ALGER DELTA
MI AVERAGE RESIDENTIAL ELECTRIC RATE
UPPCO
PRESQUE ISLE
WEPCO
GREAT LAKES
DTE ELECTRIC
ALPENA POWER
CONSUMERS
TRI-COUNTY
CHERRYLAND
MIDWEST ENERGY
THUMB
CLOVERLAND
XCEL
WPS
AEP
INCREASE 2001-2013
MI Average: 74%
Source: MPSC Utility Rates Summary

30. PV Market Opportunity by Average Annual Consumption
MI Average: 8MWh/Year
OCREA
ALGER DELTA
UPPCO
PRESQUE ISLE
WEPCO
GREAT LAKES
DTE ELECTRIC
ALPENA POWER
CONSUMERS
TRI-COUNTY
CHERRYLAND
MIDWEST ENERGY
THUMB
CLOVERLAND
XCEL
WPS
AEP
MI AVERAGE RESIDENTIAL ELECTRIC
CONSUMPTION 2013 [MWH/YEAR] Source: MPSC Utility Company Annual
Reports 2013

31. PV Residential Solar Market Potential
Utility Rank by rates
Rank by rate
Increase
Rank by Consumption Aggregate Rank
OCREA 1 1 1 1
ALGER DELTA 2 3 2 2
UPPCO 3 2 4 3
WEPCO 5 4 6 4
PRESQUE ISLE 4 12 3 5
ALPENA POWER 8 9 5 6
DTE ELECTRIC 7 8 9 7
GREAT LAKES 6 11 7 8
CONSUMERS 9 5 11 9
MIDWEST ENERGY 12 6 16 10
XCEL 15 13 8 11
CHERRYLAND 11 14 13 12
WPS 16 10 12 12
AEP 17 7 15 14
TRI-COUNTY 10 15 14 14
CLOVERLAND 14 16 10 16
THUMB 13 17 17 17

32. PV Residential Solar Market Potential
Utility Rank by rates
Rank by rate
Increase
Rank by
Consumption
Aggregate Rank
Rank by % Net-
Generation
OCREA 1 1 1 1 1
ALGER DELTA 2 3 2 2 2
UPPCO 3 2 4 3 4
WEPCO 5 4 6 4 11
PRESQUE ISLE 4 12 3 5 5
ALPENA POWER 8 9 5 6 6
DTE ELECTRIC 7 8 9 7 7
GREAT LAKES 6 11 7 8 8
CONSUMERS 9 5 11 9 12
MIDWEST ENERGY 12 6 16 10 9
XCEL 15 13 8 11 14
CHERRYLAND 11 14 13 12 N/A
WPS 16 10 12 12 12
AEP 17 7 15 14 13
TRI-COUNTY 10 15 14 14 N/A
CLOVERLAND 14 16 10 16 10
THUMB 13 17 17 17 3

33. Simple ROI Calculation

34. Population
Aggregate
MW Solar
People
Per
Panel
Houghton 30,000 0.003 2,500
California 38,041,430 1892.05 5
Texas 26,059,203 185.47 35
Florida 19,317,568 93.91 51
New
Mexico 2,085,538 151.7 3
Arizona 6,553,255 775.59 2

35. Removing Barriers : Solarizing Michigan
Q: Does it
make
$en$e?
A: ‘Solar
Calculator’

36. And more!!!

37. Simple Online Free Solar Calculator using Local Data
Collected Across Michigan:
You Enter:
1. Enter Monthly Electric Bill
2. Utility Name
Calculator shows:
• Monthly Bills Before and After Solar
• Size and Cost of Solar System
• Payback Period
• Annual Loan Payments
• Return on Investment
• Environmental Impact

38. Solar Calculator Link:
http://abhilashkantamneni.com/solar/
Complete Guidebook for Solar Link:
http://abhilashkantamneni.com/everything-you-ever-needed-
to-know-about-solar-energy-in-houghton/

39. Removing Barriers: Solarizing Michigan
Q: High
Installation
Costs?
A:
Aggregation

40. Sierra Club
Michigan Interfaith Power and Light
Clean Energy Coalition
Solarize Houghton

41. Removing Barriers: Solarizing Michigan
Q: Up front
costs? A: Low Income
Financing

42. Michigan
Saves
PACE Financing

43. Growth of Solar in Michigan
Large majority of installed net metered
customer generation is Solar.
Source: MPSC Annual Net Metering Report 2014
Figure: MPSC Figure: MPSC 2013 Net Metering Program - Installations 2013 Net Metering Program - Installed Capacity

44. Solar Market Penetration in Houghton
2013:-
~30kW
Summer
2014:
60kW
added
Fall 2015:
+200kW
expected.

46. Electric Utility Markets are a
“Zero-Sum Game”
Rates = $$Generation + $$Transmission +
$$Distribution + $$Administration +
$$Return on Equity

47. Working Group
Recommendations
Expand Net
Metering to state
wide 50MW
Credit on net
generation
Credit on
generation
Source: MPSC Solar Working
Group Report, June 2014

48. (VOS): Value of Solar
VOS proposed by Michigan Utility DTE

49. (VOS): Value of Solar
VOS used in Minnesota

50. (VOS): Value of Solar
VOS used in Austin, Texas

51. (VOS): Value of Solar
VOS proposed by Michigan Utility DTE

52. Nov-Feb total irradiance =
only 8% year total
Source: MTU KRC Data

53. Summer Production:
77 Sq. miles
Winter Production:
1,732 Sq. miles

56. Storage: Generation Shifting
Credit: climatetechwiki.org

57. Storage: Load Shifting
Credit: Scientific American

58. Goals:
Reliable, affordable and
sustainable energy for all

59. Source: Solar Energy Industry Forecast: U.S. DOE

60. Market Drivers
Public Awareness
Technological Maturity
Regulatory Action
Legislative Support

61. Georgetown University Energy Prize
Quarterfinalist: Houghton County

62. What is GUEP? ($ 5,000,000)
•Quantitative (aggregate gas and electric consumption over 2 years)
•Qualitative (community engagement and involvement)
•Sustainability (planning for our energy future)
The $5 million GUEP challenges small- to medium-size towns, cities, and counties
to rethink their energy use and implement creative strategies to increase
efficiency.

63. Category Points
Competition
25
Performance
Innovation 15
Replication 15
Future Performance 10
Equitable 10
Education 10
Overall Quality 10

65. Goals
Efficiency Alternatives Education Equitable

66. Residential
Gas: 10%
Electricity:
10%
Municipal
Gas: 10%
Electricity:
10%
Efficiency Goals: 2016

67. Energy Goals
2016
•Meet Net Metering Capacity
• Self Generation up by 500%
2025
• 25% Renewables
• 50% Regional Generation
2040
• 50% Renewables
• 100% Regional Generation

68. Education Goals: 2016
100%
School Districts
Energy Plan
Develop Energy
Curriculum
Community
Reached
Service Orgs
Churches

69. Income
Equal
Access
Age
Location
Gender
Housing
Veteran
Status
Ethnicity

70. Houghton County will be a model
for rural communities in creating
an affordable, sustainable, and
Houghton County will be a
model for rural communities
in creating an affordable,
sustainable, and community-driven
community-driven energy
landscape energy to landscape support a vibrant
to
regional economy and high
quality of life for all its members.
support a vibrant regional
economy and high quality of
life for all its members.

71. Georgetown University Energy Prize
Quarterfinalist: Houghton County

72. Thank You!
www.facebook.com/Houghton
EnergyEfficiencyTeam /
www.HoughtonEnergyEfficiency
.com

73. Contact Information
Abhilash Kantamneni
221 Rekhi Hall
Michigan Tech
1400 Townsend Drive
Houghton MI
akantamn@mtu.edu
www.SolarizeHoughton.org