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Grid-Tied Solar

Grid-Tie Solar is quickly growing in Alaska. There is a strong silent movement of interest in connecting renewable resources like wind and photostatic arrays to current utility grids. Keep your ear out for the new 14KW Grid-Tied Solar Tower that is going up in Anchorage this Spring. Also, the Recycle Center in the Valley is expected to put up a 4KW system to help contribute to their loads. The future is bright and solar panels are going to be collecting that energy in AK.

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Comment by Walter H Rose on March 3, 2011 at 10:23am: In Nome, for good reason, the total amount of renewable energy allowed to be connected to the grid is capped by law:

15.40.020 a) A maximum generating capacity which, when added to the maximum generating capacity of previously interconnected facilities, shall not exceed one and two-tenths megawatts;

The wind-farm on Banner Peak covers most of the above, meaning that until things change no more significant renewable energy can be connected to this grid. There is a solid technical argument behind this limit; as things change at the utility this number will grow larger over time.

The bottom line is that today, for a slew of technical and bureaucratic reasons, it's likely to be a while before we see the wide-scale adoption of residential or small commercial grid-connected renewable energy in rural Alaska. Until that time, I suggest folks implement renewable energy "Behind the Grid."

Evacuated tube solar for space and water heating is a good example. Evacuated tubes are much more efficient than solar panels, and they cost less. With tests continuing in Kotzebue and Nome, solid numbers on their cost and performance should be forthcoming. My guess is they're going to look pretty good.