Life-cycle Characteristics of Customer-sited Small-scale Residential Photovoltaic Systems

Authors

  • Thomas Honles Solar Power Group, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.13052/dgaej2156-3306.2046

Abstract

In 1998, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
(LADWP) implemented a spearhead research program for the purpose of
determining the real world, in-situ, life-cycle performance of small scale
photovoltaic (PV) systems. These systems were to be owned and oper-
ated by the municipal utility, installed on residential structures, and
would introduce the use of photovoltaics into the LADWP’s electric
generation portfolio.
The early results obtained from the program provided the neces-
sary background electrical performance and installation feasibility expe-
rience that was necessary to develop the utility’s larger $150 million, 10-
year, solar power customer incentive “buydown program,” initially of-
fered to its residential and commercial customers beginning in Septem-
ber 2000. The buydown program continues to be offered to LADWP
customers through June 30, 2011.
In the 1998 program, the utility provided 2.5 kilowatt roof-mounted
PV systems and installation labor, and requested program volunteers
from its residential customer base. The volunteer sites provided roof
space for the photovoltaic modules and wall mounting space for the
balance of system and dedicated meter. The systems were connected
directly to the local distribution circuit, and provided solar generated
electricity directly to the municipal grid. From a number of respondents,
12 sites were qualified for installation of the systems.
In 2004, the utility formally began its phase out of the research
program by either removing those systems from service or transitioning
them to private customer ownership.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biography

Thomas Honles, Solar Power Group, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power

Thomas Honles, P.E., S.E . is a registered California civil engineer
and structural engineer. Mr. Honles graduated in 1987 with a Bachelor of
Science in civil engineering from California State University, Los Ange-
les. He obtained his Professional Engineer, Civil license in 1990, and the
Structural Engineer license in 1995. He has been involved with photovol-
taic systems since 2000 and has designed and managed the construction
of several solar photovoltaic installations in Los Angeles, totaling over
one megawatt peak power capacity. Mr. Honles has been employed with
the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) since 1987.
He has designed electric substations, dealt extensively with seismic
strengthening issues, and participated in emergency utility operations,
including after the 1994 Northridge Earthquake. Recently, from 2001
through 2003, Mr. Honles managed the LADWP $150 million, 10-year solar power program, achieving an installed base capacity of over 8 MW
of customer-sited solar electric generation. He is currently involved with
the design and construction of several solar power systems on City of
Los Angeles public buildings as project manager and structural design
engineer. In addition to public presentations on photovoltaic technology
and programs at LADWP, Mr. Honles has also spoken on issues of seis-
mic safety, energy efficiency, and water conservation. Mr. Honles may be
contacted at thomas.honles@ladwp.com.

Downloads

Published

2005-10-20

How to Cite

Honles, T. . (2005). Life-cycle Characteristics of Customer-sited Small-scale Residential Photovoltaic Systems. Distributed Generation &Amp; Alternative Energy Journal, 20(4), 54–69. https://doi.org/10.13052/dgaej2156-3306.2046

Issue

2005: Vol 20 Iss 4

Section

Articles