“Summertime, and the living is easy”, says George Gershwin, and who can argue? Especially as we come out of the worst of the COVID lockdowns, everybody feels the need to go out, enjoy, catch up on trips not made and family and friends not visited these last 2+ years. But your facility is still operating, and your equipment and systems still need to work reliably all year round. Even if your facility or office slows down a little in the summer, your equipment and the way they work together (your systems) need to be reviewed and maintained. Summer, with perhaps fewer day-to-day pressures, is a good time to do this. Like going to the doctor for an annual check-up – even if you don’t feel sick – performing an annual review and maintenance can allow your equipment and systems to perform at its best and address problems before they become too serious and risky to operations. And having a good, reliable maintenance program will enable your equipment to last longer, deferring and reducing future big capital expenditures.

Remember, systems operate in a dynamic environment, affected by operators, processes, technologies, even temperatures and humidity, which may not affect its operation openly (it turns on and off at the right time), but may affect it in subtle ways, affecting long-term performance and viability.

Thus, maintaining healthy systems, like the human body, requires careful monitoring and tuning. Here are 3 things to evaluate as you analyze and monitor your systems.

1. Note all changes. Systems usually work based on a set of criteria. For example, the boiler turns on and makes steam when the temperature as measured by the thermostat drops below a certain setpoint and turns off when it is exceeded. Has the program been changed due to the likings of the people in those rooms? Is the feed to the boiler (fuel, air) been changed either by aging equipment or other factors? That’s just one example. I once worked on an air emissions inventory project at a chemical plant and studied the formulas, the exact steps in producing several compounds. Checking with the guys working the floor, they changed some of the procedures out of convenience and never told the engineer or their supervisor. The yields were the same, so nobody noticed. While there was no direct effect on the product, this led to red flags as change had been introduced and a study of their effects on all areas was not done.

Even more basic, who is in charge of operating your different systems? Has a particular person been replaced in the last year and if so, does the new person operate the system as the as competent? Loss of key knowledge can affect long-term equipment performance.

• A holistic approach. Summertime and its slow pace at the plant is a good time to do a total holistic review of your systems. Is this system still the best one to achieve your goals? Are there better approaches to achieve the business goals? Have new laws been promulgated affecting this system (environmental, FDA, etc.)? Is your system able to account and monitor compliance? Are they keeping up with the changes in regulations? And there is workflow. Does the system work within your changing workflow, given the need for product and availability of labor and resources (supply chain, energy, water)? Can changes be implemented to improve yield, work with fewer resources, and/or hasten your results without affecting quality? How do changes in equipment affect the whole system? In other words, is this still the most effective system?
• Look to the future. We all know that technology will change and improve over time. Be aware of technology changes affecting your systems. Read newsletters of technical changes. That does not mean that you should jump at the first change in technology. Replacing your systems with new ones certainly needs careful study to determine whether it is really worth the change to do. But spend some time to be aware of changes and consider upgrades, the benefits and potential effects on hardware, software, operating systems, IT, conveyance, communications, and, of course, the quality and quantity of the ultimate product.

Enjoy the summer and its easier pace. But take some time to assess your systems, ensure they are in good health, head off potential problems, and look ahead to the future. It may not benefit your company greatly right away, but will likely be very beneficial in the long run.

CCES has the experts to help you evaluate and analyze your energy systems and better ensure they are productive for your company at the least cost and greatest reliability. Contact us today at 914-584-6720 or at karell@CCESworld.com.

Solar energy can be a clean, sustainable source of electricity for any entity. The source is free (the Sun), unlike having to pay your utility who is buying electricity made from combusting oil or natural gas in a conventional power plant. Advances in solar panels enable it to be used to generate power even if the Sun is not out fully.

Many think of solar panels as some fancy technology just for large, wealthy companies or those with a lot of space. But no. Smaller and medium-sized firms can benefit and save money, too.

If you have some rooftop or other space that has no other use, solar panels can be installed and electricity generated to displace some you buy from your utility. Here are some reasons even small businesses should go solar:

1. Cost savings.  Harnessing solar energy and using it to power your business will lower your costs. The source is free and plentiful (unlike gas/oil). Your savings, of course, will depend on the number of panels and your electricity usage. If you have limited space, solar panels may still work. Advances are improving their efficiency every year. In many locations, if you produce more electricity than you use, you can sell the surplus to your utility and get paid by them as a provider!
2. Low Maintenance.  We know that maintenance is a big issue for smaller firms. It is difficult to have workers diverted from their roles to fix things. Well, after installation, solar panels are low maintenance. There will be little need for O&M to maintain them at all. Most solar contracts require the supplier to service any issues for 20 or more years. Your staff will not be diverted from needed projects!
3. Reliability.  Solar energy is reliable. As long as the Sun is shining – even for a short amount of time – panels will generate electricity. The amount of power in a year’s time can be predicted fairly accurately; long-term climate data shows that many areas get about the same amount of Sun every year. The Sun is an unlimited energy source, which will continue to generate electricity for your business in the long term.
4. Reduced Greenhouse Gas Emissions.  The more electricity that can be generated by renewable sources (solar, wind, geothermal, etc.), the less fossil fuels are combusted and less greenhouse gasses (and other, more directly toxic compounds) will be released into the atmosphere. If your firm has sustainability goals, solar energy is a great way to reach them. Being more energy efficient is excellent but getting energy with zero carbon emissions is even better.
5. Energy Independence/National Security.  As we see in the news, relying on fossil fuels can exacerbate many political and financial items. Being less dependent on foreign oil or natural gas is important. We are seeing a war in Europe causing strains on existing fuel supplies leading to high prices. Installing more solar power can lessen your need for oil and gas absorbing these blows.

So, What To Do?

I hope this discussion has convinced you to at least consider solar panels at your company, even if you are small. What you should do next is plan for where you may put the panels, whether it be on a roof, over a parking lot, or as a “farm” in unused areas. Therefore, it is important to consider the space that panels will take up and whether you have that space that otherwise may not be constructive.

So if you are ready to seriously consider solar panels, research and contact one experienced, nearby solar specialist. Most will do a free, no-obligation assessment of your site to see if there are issues that might prevent solar panels from being useful, such as shading from surrounding trees or a weak roof. Since most panels are sold over time, it is not in the solar firm’s interest to recommend a sale that is not viable. If the application is viable, the firm can prepare a bid of cost and energy savings. If you reach that stage, get a second or third solar bid. Review the bids and go forward! There are two approaches. One can buy the solar panels outright and the company gets the entire savings from the electrical output from the panels. Or one can lease the panels. The advantage is that you get panels installed, ready to generate electricity for no money down. You pay the solar firm a cost per kWh of electricity produced, usually 25 to 35% less than you pay the utility. Choose which approach you prefer.

And good luck and reap the benefits from solar panels if you have the room, even if you are a small company. 

CCES has the experts to advise you on solar panels and other renewable energy sources and energy efficiency. We do not sell solar panels but we can be your manager to get you the best deal (or no deal if applicable) and ensure they are installed properly. Contact us today at 914-584-6720 or at karell@CCESworld.com.

Ah! So much good news about solar photovoltaics (PVs). It is recognized by practically everyone now as the way to go. Fossil fuel combustion is on its way out in time. People and businesses see that solar and other renewable technologies makes sense, using something in nature that is free to produce electricity that produces no toxic nor GHG emissions. Solar farms are already cheaper to build and operate than proportionally-sized fossil fuel-fired plants, and with some improvements in electric storage technology, solar and wind will become “no brainers”! That does not mean that solar panels are perfect; that they are without risk. Yes, strongly consider adding solar panels to your roof or parking lot or open field. But be aware of some potential problems that can negatively impact your system, so that you can properly prepare.

One risk involving solar panel utilization is fire. Of course, this is risk in any electrical system. Solar PVs cannot start a fire by themselves. However, overheated components may. A related concern is if there is a fire nearby, emergency personnel may have a risk of electric shock from solar panels. Many solar panel systems are designed to automatically shut off during an emergency.

Solar panels on roofs may cause damage to a roof and, therefore, result in water intrusion. Thus, one should not just go to contract to install solar panels on a roof without checking first with the solar panel provider and even an outside roofing consultant, asking the question of what are the chances that the roof will either not be able to hold up the panels or will be damaged by freeze-thaw cycles over the next 25 years. Be sure to take into consideration accumulated snow and ice adding to the load from the solar panels. Also, anticipate worst case water accumulation on the roof (ponding) and how that may impact the roof and the operations of the solar panels. Nobody will guarantee no leaks or no roof damage going forward 25 years. But you should get an idea of the odds of the roof lasting that long without an intrusion. Certainly, implement any recommendation of either vendor type to prolong the life of your solar panels and roof. The good news is that solar panels lately on most roofs require fewer insertions into shingles and, thus, are easier to temporarily remove to access and repair a roof. And then reinstalling the panels in place.

Another risk to be aware of and prepare for is damage from extreme storms. Might the solar panels become projectiles in a severe storm with high winds or a hurricane? Be aware of unusual storm types in your area and work with your solar vendor to design and install them to withstand the worst weather of an impact. Does your homeowners or commercial building owners insurance cover a catastrophic result involving solar panels, including business losses if the building becomes unusable temporarily?

If you are planning for a solar farm, you need to have sufficient land that otherwise has little use. Might there be environmental risks from installing solar panels on this land, such as the loss of grass or trees and the re-routing of storm runoff? What might its effects be on wildlife and human neighbors in the are. Be sure to spend time assessing these issues and ensure that no serious effects or flooding will result in its presence.

Now here is another potential risk that seems pretty rare and innocuous, but has affected some systems. Roof-mounted solar PV systems could attract animals. Panels represent an excellent shelter for small animals that can get underneath from bigger predators and from storms. There have been reports of squirrels and other small animals nesting under a solar panel. Animals staying around too long can damage shingles and thereby cause a roof to leak. Guards that keep small animals from going and staying underneath a panel exist. You may want to consider including these in your solar PV design (and the added weight and complexity they cause). 

I don’t mean to pour rain on the parade. We certainly encourage you to consider installing solar PV on roofs or solar farms on vacant land. But it is not a panacea; all technologies have some risk. Be aware and plan accordingly and reap the benefits.

CCES has the experts to help you decide whether solar PV or other renewable power is right for your facility and bring in the experts to design and ensure that the system works for your maximum financial benefit. Contact us today at karell@CCESworld.com or at 914-584-6720.

The current US administration recently announced the goal of producing 30 gigawatts (30,000 megawatts) of offshore wind energy by 2030 incentivized by a tax credit for offshore wind energy farms that begin construction by 2025. As a result, wind developers are requesting and bidding for government leases of offshore space to develop such wind energy farms.  

Auctions for leases for offshore development in New York and the Carolinas in 2022 alone brought in record winning bids (billions of dollars collected by the Federal government), indicating that the economics are right for large wind farms to help electrify large urban areas by the coasts which have limited space for solar or other renewable or other power (traditional power plants). Given the goal of moving the US away from fossil fuels and toward electrification, which potentially can be “cleaner” (emit less greenhouse gas emissions), it is important to provide more and clean electricity especially to big cities which tend to be near coasts. Offshore wind certainly checks off these boxes. Electricity does not come from oil or natural gas, which must be found, purchased and transported, but from a free source, the wind, making it cheaper than traditional power plants.

Offshore wind development is recognized as a good source to develop clean power with the development of reliable floating wind turbines, the large amount of available space to place such turbines, and the large amount of consistent wind found in offshore areas. Placement of turbines may be an issue as winds increase the further offshore one goes being tempered by the need to carry electricity generated further to the shore. 

In addition, a major increase in actual offshore wind energy development will have the additional economic benefit of a boon in construction, including generating a large number of jobs, which is good for the tax base of the coastal areas. Some may have the vision when thinking about offshore wind farm development of offshore drilling for crude oil. But, clearly, offshore wind farms have much lower environmental risks and impacts than offshore drilling.  

CCES has the experts – no, not to design and build offshore wind farms – but to advise a firm on the viability of switching to renewable power for your business or building. We can advise you if it is wise and beneficial or not and how to prepare for renewable power. Contact us today at 914-584-6720 or at karell@CCESworld.com.