a simple idea – a solar electric or photovoltaic (PV) module that produces AC power. Simple to install and simple to use, it’s the next appliance for your home.
How is that different?
Today’s PV modules generate DC power. Additional electrical components must be connected to convert this into AC power which can be used by your home or fed to the electric grid. This requires system engineering and time for installation. In comparison, an AC Module is an integrated system which is ready to go. No engineering required.
Why is it better?
Each GreenRay AC Module is an independent building block and achieves higher levels of system optimization than ever before. This leads to the following advantages:
- Reduced design and installation time
- Optimized site performance
- Flexible system size
- Ability to expand your PV system over time
One of the biggest hurdles to solar electricity is the up-front cost. While costs have been dropping, the main emphasis has been on improvements to the PV modules. Modules, however, are only a third of the system cost. GreenRay’s technology focuses on an untouched area of cost reduction – system design and installation which is 40% of the total cost.
http://www.greenraysolar.com/
Nelis Solar Power Plant is the largest solar photovoltaic system in North America,[1] and is located within Nellis Air Force Base in Clark County, Nevada, on the northeast side of Las Vegas. The Nellis solar energy system will generate in excess of 25 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually and supply more than 25 percent of the power used at the base.[2] The system was inaugurated in a ceremony on December 17, 2007, with Nevada Governor Jim Gibbons activating full operation of the 14 Megawatt array.[3][4]
Occupying 140 acres (0.57 km2) of land leased from the Air Force at the western edge of the base, this ground-mounted solar system employs an advanced sun tracking system, designed and deployed by PowerLight subsidiary of SunPower. The system contains approximately 70,000 solar panels, and the peak power generation capacity of the plant is approximately 14 megawatts.[2] This means the ratio of average to peak output of this plant is around 20%.
The energy generated will support more than 12,000 military and civilians at Nellis who are responsible for Air Force advanced combat training, tactics development and operational testing. Construction began on April 23, 2007,[2] and operation of the first 5 MW began on October 12.[5]
In terms of the Power Purchase Agreement, MMA Renewable Ventures, who own the panels, is leasing the land at no cost and Nellis is agreeing to buy the power for 20 years at about 2.2 cents/kWh, instead of the 9 cents they are paying to Nevada Power, saving the Air Force $1 million each year. None of the $100 million cost came from the Air Force, but instead from subsidizing taxpayers and Nevada Power customers who are paying for the RPS credits.[6]
The partners will be able to build the plant, recover costs and produce electricity at a savings, because of the fairly complex financing structure arranged among MMA, its investors, Nevada Power, and Nellis -- in addition to multimillion-dollar government incentives.[7]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nellis_Solar_Power_Plant
Now think about this Nellis Airbase Power purchase agreement, while they technically invested no upfront money. If they did they could of bought this system on there own for around 60 million dollars! Assuming either greenray solar panels high efficiencies or greenray's AC technology being adapted to sunpowers solar panels. It would also work out to savings of $1,330,000 dollars a year of savings compared to 1 million dollars with the power purchase aggreement.
According to InsideDefense.com, Zilmer’s request singles out the Mobile Power System (MPS) (also knows as transportable hybrid electric power station, or THEPS), a containerized solution built by SkyBuilt Power. THEPS reportedly provides about 5kW of power on average, depending on weather conditions – not a huge amount, but potentially a useful amount for tactical scenarios.
SkyBuilt is an Arlington, VA firm who aims to become “the Dell of renewable energy systems.” Hopefully, this won’t entail the same drama of success, followed by government-subsidized Chinese competitors, but we digress. The firm has received funding from the CIA’s In-Q-Tel, a venture arm set up to fund innovative technologies that could benefit US national security
Comparison of the true costs (capital costs, maintenance, fuel, fuel logistics, etc.) of a 10 kilowatt diesel generator shows that a SkyBuilt Power MPS solar/battery system can cut those costs by at [least 75%] while improving reliability, saving manpower [and] spare parts, reducing or eliminating fuel costs, handling, and logistics, and providing a low heat signature…. The up-front capital costs of a 10 kilowatt diesel generator are around [$7,500-$10,000], much less than a MPS (around $100,000 depending on the configuration), but after only [three to five] years these costs are recovered
http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/commanders-in-iraq-urgently-request-renewable-power-options-02548/
With AC Solar Panels it would require much less technical information if something went wrong with Skybuilt's system. Therefore reducing or eliminating the need for engineers and spare parts to replace damaged systems.
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