NAHB Research Center Teams With NYS Builders To Install PV Systems Through funding made possible by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority's (NYSERDA) New York Energy $martSM program, the NAHB Research Center is working with residential builders across New York State to demonstrate the advantages of New York ENERGY STAR® labeled homes and photovoltaic (solar electric) systems. Topics:
Project Background ENERGY STAR®/PV Homes: One builder from each of the New York Energy $martSM utility service territories will be selected to build five or more ENERGY STAR® homes. At least one of the homes will have a 2 kW (AC) photovoltaic (solar electric) system installed. This model home will be open to the public for 60 days to allow prospective homebuyers to become familiar with the energy improvements and PV technology. PV Monitoring: The PV homes will be monitored for one year in order to obtain data about the performance of PV in New York State. ENERGY STAR®/PV Training: The Research Center and the Interstate Renewable Energy Council will deliver one-day training seminars for realtors, lenders, and appraisers in each region. The seminars are designed to educate these groups about the advantages of ENERGY STAR® features and photovoltaic systems. Homeowner Surveys: The Research Center will work with Steven Winter Associates to survey approximately 120 homeowners in these utility areas about their energy use, comfort, and utility costs. Half of the homes will be ENERGY STAR® labeled and half will be built to New York Energy Code standards. Efforts will be made to compare homes of similar size and design in order to demonstrate the tangible benefits of owning an ENERGY STAR® home. Project Status: To date, five builders have been identified with three PV homes completed. The project will continue through April 2004. Back to top
New York ENERGY STAR® Labeled Homes Programs In June 2002, NYSERDA rolled out two certification programs to encourage increased energy efficiency in both new and existing homes. To qualify as an ENERGY STAR® labeled home, a new residence must use about 30% less energy than that required by the Model Energy Code. The homes must pass a stringent evaluation by a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) specialist including computer-based energy analysis, inspections, and testing to verify performance. This advanced whole house performance testing helps ensure that the home is properly insulated, that doors and windows are installed correctly, and that the building envelope and HVAC ductwork has been properly sealed. Compact fluorescent lighting, high performance heating and cooling equipment and appliances, and a means of providing controlled ventilation are also part of the building package. In addition to enhanced market distinction, cash incentives are available to both the builder and the new homebuyer. For more information on the ENERGY STAR® Labeled Home Program, go to http://www.getenergysmart.org/. The Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® program targets existing homes. The program encourages homeowners who are planning to make home improvements to take a "whole systems" approach. For instance, in addition to simply replacing a furnace, they should also consider added insulation levels, higher quality windows, and/or improved air sealing. Remodelers and trade contractors who have taken the NYSERDA training courses can offer assistance in identifying the most cost effective measures. Homeowners are eligible for reduced interest rates for financing these energy upgrades. To obtain more information on the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® Program, go to http://www.getenergysmart.org/. Back to top
Builder Profiles Gerber Homes (http://www.gerberhomes.com/), a family owned and operated business, has been building and remodeling homes in the Rochester, NY area for 45 years. In addition to a commitment to offering their customers a high quality product, Gerber has always paid close attention to the energy performance of their homes. "We have always had a strong interest in building an affordable home that will also be affordable to live in," said Norm Gerber, President of the company. Gerber was one of the first in the Rochester area to sign up for the ENERGY STAR® Program and has built 15 ENERGY STAR® homes to date. Essex Homes (http://www.essexhomes.ws/): Phil Nanula, Principal of Essex Homes located in Clarence, NY, describes his company as "the home builder who thinks like a homeowner". Quality, efficiency, and durability are central to the company's philosophy as well as practice. Thus, Essex offers the benefits of ENERGY STAR® on all of their homes. "ENERGY STAR® certified homes will significantly improve the level of quality in a home as it pertains to comfort and peace of mind," said Nanula. "From a value standpoint, homebuyers will be using less energy resulting in lower utility bills, and should enjoy an increased resale value of their homes." Belmonte Builders (http://www.belmontebuilders.com/home.htm), Clifton Park, NY, builds between 60 and 70 custom homes per year. Dedicated to combining innovative designs with the best quality and value for the money, Belmonte has been eager to incorporate new features into their homes and subdivisions - energy upgrades, green building features, and photovoltaics. Peter Belmonte, Sr., President, his son, Peter, Jr., Vice President, and all of those within the company welcome the opportunity to meet the specific needs of individual clients and the unique challenges that come with each project. This strong commitment to customer satisfaction extends to the wider community in which they live and build - "Belmonte is viewed as an industry leader as well as a community leader," noted a member of the Capital Region Builders & Remodelers Association. Schoonmaker Homes (http://www.schoonmakerhomes.com/index.htm) in Newburgh, NY has been building affordable homes in the Hudson Valley for the past 50 years. In addition to a long-standing goal of energy efficiency, Schoonmaker assures high quality both during construction and after. A Homeowner Manual is provided to every home buyer and gives useful information on such topics as maintenance, condensation and moisture, and safety. John Steinberg, Jr., President of Schoonmaker Homes, attributes the company's success to the "formula of company teamwork and customer service". Loewen Development of Larchmont, NY has successfully partnered with several New York City housing agencies to build numerous affordable housing projects throughout the greater metropolitan area. These projects are typically built in some of the most blighted sections of the city, but as Peter Murray, vice president of Loewen Development, says, "They are intended to bring these areas out of that and the number of applicants waiting to purchase the properties proves it." For the current Vernon Cherry project in Brooklyn, NY, there are 1,000 people in the lottery waiting to purchase the 73 townhome units. Each three-story townhome consists of an owner's unit and two rental units and will sell for an average of $290,000. However, "Designing for modest budgets does not mean skimping on quality or aesthetics," notes Magnus Magnusson, principle of MAP Architects who designed the project. The brick façade buildings with round bay windows and detailed cornice and dental work are characteristic of classic Brooklyn townhouse design. The project also pays tribute to another Brooklyn figure, Vernon Cherry, a dedicated member of the Brooklyn Fire Department who was killed in the September 11th attack on the World Trade Center. Back to top
PV System Description System Size: The PV systems installed for this project will be sized up to 2 KW (AC) - meaning that under peak solar conditions, they will produce about 2000 watts of electricity. Based on thirty years of solar radiation data for many New York State locations, a system of this size is expected to produce an average of 200-240 kW-hours per month over the course of one year. This would comprise about 30-50% of a "typical" home's annual electrical usage - assuming gas appliances and non-electric space heating. System Type: All of the PV systems will be grid-connected - directly tied to the home's electrical supply and to the utility grid. When there is electrical demand in the home, the PV power supplies at least a portion of this need - reducing the amount that the homeowner purchases from the utility. If there is more power produced by the PV system than required in the home at any time, the excess is fed back to the utility. The amount of power sent back to the grid is registered either on a separate meter or by spinning the utility meter backwards. Advantages of grid-connected systems: Grid-connected PV systems are the least expensive PV systems to install. They also require very little maintenance and continue to generate power whenever sunlight is available. Disadvantages of grid-connected systems: Grid-connected PV systems do not provide uninterrupted electrical supply during a power outage - even if the sun is shining. The inverters require an electrical signal from the utility in order to operate. Thus, no solar power is available to the home when there is a power failure. A battery storage system is needed to provide power during outages. In addition to the cost of the batteries themselves, such systems require a more thorough design and a separate electric panel to isolate particular critical appliances and lighting. The inverter must also be capable of functioning under both battery and grid-connected conditions.
Net Metering: Net Metering means that both the energy produced by the on-site renewable energy system and that supplied by the utility are measured with the same meter. The energy produced by the on-site system, e.g., wind generator or PV system, not only reduces the utility-supplied energy consumed in the home, but also can spin the meter backwards if PV power exceeds the current demand in the home. Thus, the homeowner receives credit for the electricity that goes back to the utility at the same rate that they pay for the electricity - as opposed to simply selling power to the utility at wholesale rates. New York State law requires that "Net Metering" be offered to residential customers who install photovoltaic electrical systems that can produce no more than 10 kW of energy and are interconnected with the local utility's electrical grid.  |
Blue Heron Hills - Walworth, NY
(Gerber Homes)
Modules: 20 - AstroPower 120 watt modules
Inverter: 2 - GC 1000 inverters manufactured by Advanced Energy, Inc.
DC Rating: 2.4 kilowatts
AC Rating (estimated): 2 kilowatts
Installer: Prime Energy Solutions of Scipio Center, NY Array Orientation: 46º West of Due South
Roof Pitch: 8/12
Configuration: 1-12 module array, 1-8 module array | 
Model Home
Blue Heron Hills, Walworth, NY
PV Installation
Blue Heron Hills, Walworth, NY | |
| Centennial Village - Ontario, NY
(Gerber Homes)
Modules: 24 - AstroPower 100 watt modules
Inverter: 1 - Sunny Boy 2500 SMA inverter
DC Rating: 2.4 kilowatts
AC Rating (estimated): 2 kilowatts
Installer: Prime Energy Solutions of Scipio Center, NY Array Orientation: 8º East of Due South
Roof Pitch: 8/12
Configuration: 24 modules wired in series;
Modules cover approximately 240 square feet roof area | 
PV Installation at
Centennial Village, Ontario, NY
SMA Inverter | 
AstroPower 100W
PV Module |
| Meadowbrook - Pendleton, NY
(Essex Homes)
Modules: 20 - AstroPower 120 watt modules
Inverter: 1 - Sunny Boy 2500 SMA Inverter
DC Rating: 2.4 kilowatts
AC Rating (estimated): 2.1 kilowatts
Installer: Prime Energy Solutions of Scipio Center, NY Array Orientation: Due South
Roof Pitch: 8/12
Configuration: 20 modules wired in series | 
PV Installation
Meadowbrook, Pendleton, NY | |
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Monitoring System A watt-hour meter will be installed in each PV home. On a 15-minute basis, the meter will measure and record: - PV (AC) energy produced
- Total electrical energy used in the home
From this data, peak daily PV output and the amount of electrical energy fed back to the utility can be calculated. Back to top
Data View data graphs Rochester, NY:
The Blue Heron Hills and Centennial Village homes, both in the Rochester area, have been monitored since early November. The graphs illustrate the following information: - Daily PV electrical output (kWhrs)
- Daily whole house electrical consumption (kWhrs)
- Maximum PV AC output during the day (Watts)
Since both homes are currently unoccupied, the whole house electrical consumption is lower than the typical occupied home. Both the total daily PV output and the maximum PV output are significantly lower for the Blue Heron Hills home than the Centennial Village home. This is due to several factors: - The orientation of the Blue Heron Hills home at 45º west of solar south compromises the PV output.
- The turned gable on the Blue Heron Hills home shades portions of each array in the early morning or early to mid-afternoon.
These factors especially limit output during winter months when the sun is low in the sky. The recent snowy winter in New York certainly compromised PV output, especially during December and January. Output began to improve in February, and should continue to only get better. Check back for updated monitoring results. Buffalo, NY:
The 2.4 KW system in Pendleton, NY has been monitored since July, 2003. Average daily house consumption has been quite high at 43 kwh/day. This is probably due to a low thermostat setting and many lights on, given that house is a model home. The PV array faces within a few degrees of solar south. Upcoming PV installations are being planned in Half Moon, Brooklyn, Ellenville, and Walden, NY. Check back for updates on the Rochester and Buffalo systems as well as future installations. |
