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

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 operated 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 necessary background electrical performance and installation feasibility experience that was necessary to develop the utility's larger $150 million, 10-year, solar power customer incentive “buydown program,” initially offered to its residential and commercial customers beginning in September 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.