Against the sun (Part 4)

As we near the end of the discussion of my first-hand experience into the world of solar or photovoltaic (PV) energy in this column that has turned into a rather lengthy (but hopefully informative) series, we are shifting the focus to an option that I initially failed to consider but after much consideration has become quite interesting.

Like most PV power newbies, I started my research with the assumption that costly battery banks are a must when it comes to building a home-based PV energy system. I also leaned toward this setup even as the estimated total cost started to rise beyond the realm of the initially-approved budget and the economics of practicality because I wanted a system that would protect my home from the dreaded power crisis that our country was supposed to be facing. Our local power company's inexplicable need to impose 8-hour weekend power interruptions for scheduled maintenance activities at this day and age also helped justify that decision.

It certainly helps take away the sting of the added expense of batteries when CENECO's announcements as far as future plans are concerned are limited to the schedule of weekend blackouts. Knowing our only source of electricity has no plans of any structural or system upgrades that would eliminate this anciently inconvenient method of performing maintenance work also helps and it gives me some comfort that my system's payback period will be reduced in an intangible way every time the power goes out in my area.

Another thing that justifies the need for a system with batteries is it makes you a doomsday prepper. If another Yolanda or a big earthquake hits and takes out the grid, having batteries will pay off. I make myself feel better by amortizing the cost of the battery banks over their service life and considering that cost as doomsday power insurance.

But if you are an optimist who believes this Aquino presidency may have found a way to dodge the power crisis bullet and that it won't take another generation before CENECO finds a way to perform maintenance without day-long blackouts; or if you already have a backup generator set; then batteries aren't necessary and your budget for the PV system you've been thinking about can suddenly go a much longer way.

Enter the grid tie option.

In very simple terms, grid tie means that your PV system is connected to the power grid and the extra power that you produce during the daytime can be sold back to the grid. No expensive batteries required. All you need is to support your PV panels is a grid tie controller, a bi-directional electric meter, and a forward-looking and law-abiding electric cooperative.

Grid tie, also known as net metering, is included in the RA 9513 or the Renewable Energy Law of 2008 which actually stipulates penalties for utilities that do not allow net metering or block its adaptation in their service areas. Net metering is practiced by the government and power utilities in many first world countries and even in MERALCO's service area but for some probably lame reason, it is NOT available to CENECO consumers.

Net metering works this way:

The home PV system generates electricity. Your appliances have priority in using that electricity and whatever extra energy your system generates is fed back to the grid. A special electric meter determines how much you have consumed as well as how much you have produced and sold back to the grid. Your power company will pay for the power you fed back into the grid at generation cost. The example posted at the website of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) shows an example of the average homeowner who pays a total of P11.1106/kWh for generation + transmission + distribution charges getting back P5.6580 for every kWh he feeds back into the system.

Net metering makes sense because your PV system not only lowers your electric bill for the appliances that use it during the day, you also make money from the unused electricity you generate and feed back into the grid. And because grid tied systems don't need batteries, it ultimately costs less (I estimate that batteries cost at least a third of a PV system) so your costs and payback period is also reduced.

Here's the fun part: Section 35 of the Renewable Energy Law of 2008 prohibits the willful refusal to undertake net metering arrangements with qualified distribution grid users and the penalty under section 36 is imprisonment from 1 to 5 years or a fine ranging from P100,000 to P100,000,000. I'm betting those backward power companies that refuse to comply for their own selfish reasons will come up with numerous reasons and excuses but I bet it would be fun to see somebody going out on a limb to light a renewable energy fire under their greedy butts by sending them a letter and forwarding their lame excuses for non-compliance to the proper government authorities.

I will end my research and experience with the sun at this point and will go be going back to regular programming but I'll make sure to keep you guys updated if anything does come up.*

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