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PHOTOVOLTAIC INSTALLATIONS Equipment Overview / Property Insurance Exposures and Underwriting Considerations
November 8, 2011
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Rick Pizzella Principal Engineer Emerging Technologies The Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection & Insurance Company
Robert Beck Senior Vice President, Engineering Corporate Insurance Partners Munich Reinsurance America, Inc.
Presenters Equipment Overview / Property Insurance Exposures and Underwriting Considerations
Agenda
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Introduction
Photovoltaic Equipment Overview
Property Exposures
Questions and Answers
PHOTOVOLTAIC EQUIPMENT OVERVIEW
What are Photovoltaics?
Photovoltaic (PV) cells (or solar cells as they are often called) are semiconductor devices that convert sunlight into direct current (DC) electricity.
1950s era PV cell laid over a modern crystalline silicon cell
Photo Courtesy of DOE/NREL 5
PV Cell Types
PV Cells – Old and New
Crystalline silicon Thin film Multi-junction CIGS
Single Crystalline
Multicrystalline
Thin Film
Photos Courtesy of DOE/NREL 6
Crystalline Silicon
BP Solar’s Product Line of Crystalline Silicon Modules for Residential and Commercial Buildings
Cells built on a silicon-wafer substrates ‒ Generally ~350 microns
thick
Proven technology
More efficient than thin film ‒ Commercially used cells ‒ 13 - 19% efficient
More expensive than thin film
Photo Courtesy of DOE/NREL 7
Thin Film
Inexpensive substrates used – e.g., stainless steel coil stock
A thin layer of PV material is then applied to this substrate – Generally ~3 microns thick
Example PV materials include – Amorphous Silicon (a-Si) – CdTe – CIGS
Commercially used thin-film cells are 7–14% efficient
Thin Film Solar Cell
Photo Courtesy of DOE/NREL 8
PV Configuration Definitions
PV Cells are configured into modules
Modules are configured into factory sealed units called panels
Panels are connected in series into strings
Strings are connected in parallel to form arrays
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A failed panel must be replaced with a panel having exact characteristics to avoid mismatch
PV System Configurations
Stand-Alone PV System
Source: http://www1.eere.energy.gov
Grid-Connected PV System
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Standard PV Hardware
Inverter (power conditioning unit) – Convert DC electricity to AC
Panel mount – keep the panel oriented towards the sun
Combiner boxes – consolidates strings
Storage – store extra energy (batteries)
Fuses, disconnects, and diodes
Photo Courtesy of DOE/NREL 11
PV Hardware Inverter (PCU)
<< Large Inverter
Used to convert DC to AC Should be at least 90% efficient
Microinverter >>
Photos Courtesy of DOE/NREL 12
10 year life expectancy Microinverter alternative
Mounting Systems Fixed
Fixed Position Flat Panel Ballasted Array
Fixed Position Cost effective but
inefficient
The racks & panels are set in one position (typically angled at 30o
facing southward)
Rack System
Ballasted Racks
Penetrating Racks
Photo Courtesy of DOE/NREL 13
Mounting Systems Tracking
Single Axis Solar Tracker Dual-Axis Solar Tracker
Single Axis East to West
Multi Axis East to West Horizon
Photos Courtesy of DOE/NREL 14
Building Integrated PV (BIPV)
PV systems are being integrated into building components and materials
PV integrated into building awnings, windows and rooftop shingles
<< Shingles
<< Awning
Windows >>
Photos Courtesy of DOE/NREL 15
Energy Storage
Battery Bank Installations
Photo Courtesy of DOE/NREL
Battery banks
Additional hardware required
Mainly used in stand-alone systems
Charge controller
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PV Cooling
Heat degrades PV performance
Panels are cooled using:
– Heat sinks
– Specially designed aerodynamics that promote cooling
– Hybrid panels with water jacket
Photo Courtesy of DOE/NREL 17
PHOTOVOLTAIC INSTALLATION EXAMPLES
PV Installation Types
Residential
Utility Type
Non-Residential (Commercial)
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Residential Installations
Single-family residential homes Multi-family residences
Photos Courtesy of DOE/NREL 20
Non-Residential Installations Hyatt Regency – New Brunswick, NJ
Fixed flush mounted panels Peak power – 421 kW Area – 32,000 sq. ft. Tracking – none
Rooftop PV Solar
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Non-Residential Installations Munich Re – Princeton, NJ
2.5 MWp Solar Parking Canopy
Photo Courtesy of Munich RE
Photo: Artist rendering of a SunPower Corp. solar power canopy similar to the one planned for Munich Reinsurance America, Inc.’s Princeton area headquarters.
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Non-Residential Installations Other Stand-Alone Installations
Portable trailer PV generator Farm water pump PV system
Photos Courtesy of DOE/NREL 23
Utility Type Installations
Peak Capacity: 40 MWp Area: 495 acres Panels: 550,000 - First Solar (72W) Type: Thin Film CdTe
Bavaria Solarpark
Peak Capacity: 10 MWp Area: 62 acres Panels: 57,600- Sharp (200W) Type: Crystalline Silicon Inverters: Siemens
Waldpolenz Solar Park, Germany
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FIRST PARTY PROPERTY EXPOSURES
Solar Projects – Underwriting Considerations
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Hazards and Insured Perils
Insurance Coverage
Design Standards & Manufacturing
Risk Management
Contractual Issues
Design Standards and Manufacturing
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Design Standards and Manufacturing
Solyndra Files for Bankruptcy
http://www.solyndra.com/2011/09/solyndra-suspends-operations-to-evaluate-reorganization-options/ 28
Use established manufacturers Avoid experimental, prototypical PV
Understand equipment and warranty ‒ Inherent defects ‒ Serial defects (loss history?) ‒ Material degradation ‒ Errors & Omissions
Turnover in manufacturers Ensure availability of spares or make
replacements contingencies if spare parts are no longer available?
Design Standards and Manufacturing Considerations
29 Bottom Right: Integrated Circuitry & Power Connectors
Electrical standards (current?)
Suitable designs for emerging and rapid technology change
Properly designed for climate (temperature, lightning, wind, snow & ice)
Structural standards - static and dynamic loads
Site layout construction/ repair issues
Age (old vs. new equipment and parts)
Single Axis Solar Tracker
Dual-Axis Solar Tracker
Photovoltaic Concentrator
Design Standards and Manufacturing Considerations
Photos Courtesy of DOE/NREL 30
Insurance Coverage
Production Tax Credit (PTC) renewed through 2012
Investment tax credits = 30% Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery
(Tax Deduction) 50% depreciation bonus (tax deduction) Federal grant programs Federal loan guarantees
Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) Feed-in-Tariff Net Metering State and/or Utility Loan Programs http://www.dsireusa.org
Fede
ral
Sta
te
The need for coverage is driven by the growth due to incentives. 31
Insurance Coverage Considerations
Photo Courtesy of DOE/NREL 32
Special Covers
New Construction Physical Damage, Delay in Startup, Testing
Retrofit Into Existing Property
Existing Solar Installation
Insurance Coverage Considerations
Property Equipment breakdown Natural catastrophe ‒ Flood ‒ Earthquake Time element
First Party Coverage Consideration
Not all policies cover all these risks.
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Insurance Coverage Existing Solar - Property
Most commercial property policies will cover existing solar installations, however; 1.Must be owned or responsible
for insurance 2.Must include values
(replacement or ACV) 3.May not cover all perils
a. Equipment breakdown b. Flood c. Earthquake d. Time element
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Insurance Coverage Equipment Breakdown
Policies May Exclude Electrical Arcing
Advanced Protection Technologies 35
Insurance Coverage Equipment Breakdown
Policies May Exclude Mechanical Breakdown
Damaged pinions caused in a storm, however pictures below show potentially exposed mechanicals.
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1. Each policy is unique! 2. How will the policy respond? 3. There may be limitations/exclusions;
a. Course of construction-COC b. Reporting c. Increase in hazard-risk change d. Testing e. Additional policies
4. Who is responsible for the insurance? a. Owner b. Contractor c. Utility d. Additional insured
5. What if existing property is damaged?
Insurance Coverage Retrofit Into Existing Property
What if a solar panel is added to an existing property?
A separate policy may be needed to protect interests of project and insured as existing Insurance may be inadequate.
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Insurance Coverage New Construction-New Location
Typically handled by a separate policy such as Erection All Risks-EAR Policy a.k.a. Builder’s Risk
Additional coverage options include: 1. Extension on an existing property
policy a. Limits will apply
2. Endorsing to an existing property contract a. coverage may not be suitable for
risk b. Adds additional exposure that
may effect your permanent coverage
Outdoor swimming pool stadium under construction Photo Courtesy of DOE/NREL 38
Insurance Coverage New Construction - New Location
What is being covered? 1.Hard costs Solar panels and related
physical costs Labor and materials
2.Soft costs Directly related to construction
project, no physical existence Fees, permit costs, insurance
premiums, taxes, debt service. 3. Time element considerations Delay in start up Advanced Loss of Profits (ALOP)
Photo Courtesy of DOE/NREL 39
1. “Lack of Sun” – coverage for investors to smooth results
2. Cover for availability and performance
3. Cover for carbon risks
4. Accumulation control – wind, flood, EQ, and terrorism
Insurance Coverage Special Covers
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Insurance Coverage Special Covers
Excessive annual degradation will may result in warranty claims.
Solar Module Performance Warranty: 20 to 25 years 90% for years 1-10; 80% for years 11-20/25
Annual degradation 0.2%
210 Wp 200 Wp
2021 2036 2011
80%
90%
Warranty claim: Expected case
Claim
Claim
1.1%
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Risk Management
Material handling &transit Emergency response – ‒ Standard operating procedures
(S.O.P.) for the Installer ‒ S.O.P. for the operators or
building maintenance Experienced installers Knowledgeable/trained operators Errors & Omissions Contingency plans Maintenance and service agreements Inspection requirements
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Hazards and Insured Perils
Fire, arcing, over current
Vandalism & theft
Earth movement
Frame or roof collapse
Terrorism
Weather ‒ Wind ‒ Flood ‒ Icing/Hail
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Know your risks as you consider solar installations.
Source: Munich Re Examples of Wind, Cracking and Snow Exposures
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Hazards and Insured Perils
Contractual Issues
Time element exposures
Contingent exposures
Power company contracts
Service & maintenance agreement
Monitoring agreement
Jurisdictional incentive contracts
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Knowing your contractual exposures helps ensure knowing your risk.
More Information
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Robert Beck [email protected] (609) 275-2172
Contact your company’s Munich Re or HSB Client Manager for additional information.
Rick Pizzella [email protected] (860) 722-5452
THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING
© Copyright 2011 Munich Reinsurance America, Inc. All rights reserved. "Munich Re" and the Munich Re logo are internationally protected registered trademarks. The Hartford Steam Boiler name is a mark owned by The Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company. The material in this presentation is provided for your information only, and is not permitted to be further distributed without the express written permission of Munich Reinsurance America, Inc., Munich Re or Hartford Steam Boiler. This material is not intended to be legal, underwriting, financial, or any other type of professional advice. Examples given are for illustrative purposes only. Each reader should consult an attorney and other appropriate advisors to determine the applicability of any particular contract language to the reader's specific circumstances.