The world has grown accustomed to utilizing power as if coal, oil, and other fuels are inexhaustible. In recent years advancements in technology have produced means by which individual homes can generate their own energy using renewable natural resources. Systems that utilize wind, solar, and geothermal energy to produce electricity are available for those who decide to make the change from conventionally produced power to supply their own. I have compiled data on these various power sources and paired them to climates across Oregon in order to discover which systems would be most suited for implementation in any given area. Using Arc GIS mapping software I created three layers of data for Oregon that show the areas ripe for implementation of the various energy systems. My calculations comparing wind speed, geothermal heat, and solar hours per day will assist homeowners in determining which system will be the most effective, appropriate, and give them an estimate of how long each system will require to pay for itself based on the conditions of their region. This will give conscientious Oregonians a resource for choosing the most beneficial environmental solution to produce their own power. By making this resource accessible my hope is that the change from unsustainable fuels will hasten to methods of energy production that are self sustaining and specific to individual homes. This will help Oregonians become less dependent on the power created by coal and fossil fuels and begin the advancement to renewable energy sources at the home scale.

1. Home Energy
Solutions
Larissa Pierce
Pacific University
Sustainable Design ‘14

2. My Project
Collecting information about various alternate energy
producing systems that can be effectively implemented for use
in Oregon.
• Implementation in remodels or as retrofits
• New structure implementation

3. My Reasoning
• Modern infrastructure and home design inefficient, tract
houses and basic homes often are designed without
consideration for their surroundings
• There is an abundance of natural power sources that can
easily be tapped into on the small scale regionally
• More people are becoming conscientious about their
resource use and are moving toward environmental solutions
• Little information is available providing insight to what
methods are most productive and/or efficient within specific
regions

4. The Systems
• Alternate energy sources
• Wind: small wind turbines
• Geothermal: geothermal heat pumps, HVAC
• Solar: photovoltaic panels & proper house design/layout

5. • The typical U.S. home uses…
• 903 kWh of electricity per month
• 10,837 kWh for the year 2012
Energy Consumption Averages
• The typical home in Oregon uses…
• 957 kWh of electricity per month
• ~$95 a month
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Image retrieved from http://www.eia.gov

6. Wind
There are many wind turbines available to meet the assist the
average Oregonian in producing energy.
Model Cost Startup
Speed
Estimated
Energy
Production
per month
Percent of
average
monthly
electricity
Period of time for system
to pay for itself at start
up speed
Xzeres
Skystream 3.7
$5,399 8mph 256 kWh 26.8% 18 years
Southwest
Windpower
Air X
$600 8mph 192 kWh 20.1% 2 years 8 months
Bergey Excel $27,900 7.5mph 900 kWh 94.0% 26 years 4 months
Southwest
Windpower
Whisper 500
$7,095 7.5mph 300 kWh 31.3% 20 years 1 month
Turbine raw data retrieved from http://cleantechnica.com/2008/03/21/the-five-best-micro-wind-turbines/>.
Calculations derived from raw data. System pay off time does not include incentives and is base on 9.8cents per kWh.

7. Raw map data retrieved from http://www.nrel.gov/analysis/data_resources.html Displayed using Arc GIS software

8. Wind
Data displayed on the Oregon map above shows the break
down of wind speeds at 10 meters. The areas that range from
blue to red are areas where small wind is most efficient. Areas
below 9.8mph (grey) may produce enough wind to generate
electricity but not consistently throughout the year.
• To view Oregon’s Small Wind Guidebook visit:
http://en.openei.org/wiki/Oregon/Wind_Resources
• To learn more about specific county restrictions visit:
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&ved=0CDc
QFjAC&url=http%3A%2F%2Fenergytrust.org%2Flibrary%2Fforms%2FSMW_DOC_Small_Wind_P
ermitting_Requirements.xlsx&ei=ALVWU_6eJKGSyQHvkYH4DQ&usg=AFQjCNE1n1qcoB792ah3
CDZn7tlMUobeHw
• For information on tax credits and incentives visit:
http://www.oregon.gov/energy/CONS/RES/tax/docs/oar-retc.pdf
http://www.oregon.gov/energy/RENEW/Pages/wind/windinfo.aspx#small

9. Geothermal
A geothermal heat pump moves heat energy from within the
Earth’s crust to provide space conditioning. A geothermal HVAC
(Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning) system can provide
heating, ventilation, cooling, and humidity control eliminating the
need of other indoor climate systems. In addition to air, a
desuperheater can be added to heat household water.
Images retrieved from http://www.alternative-energies.net/geothermal-energy-systems-and-the-heat-
that-comes-from-earth/

10. Raw map data retrieved from http://www.nrel.gov/analysis/data_resources.html Displayed using Arc GIS software

11. Geothermal
Areas shown in red are better suited for HVAC systems due to
ground temperature at shallower depths, more easily penetrable
soil, or quality of soil insulation.
• According to the EPA, use of this technology can reduce energy
consumption and emissions up to 44% compared to an air-
source heat pump, or up to 72% compared to electric resistance
heating and air-conditioning equipment
• Geothermal heat pumps remove four times more kWh of
consumption from the electrical grid per dollar than photovoltaic
and wind power add to the electrical grid
• $7,500 for system: piping, digging , etc additional making cost
variable by area
• For information on incentives and systems permitted in Oregon
visit: http://www.oregon.gov/energy/RENEW/Geothermal/Pages/GSHP.aspx

12. Solar
• Lower utility bills:
Energy collected on your
room is directed straight to
your outlets.
• Higher home value:
Homes on the market with
installed solar sell for more
than those without.
• Control:
Solar technology is
becoming more efficient
and less expensive each
year. Installing solar will
keep you from having to
pay more to the power
company as electricity
prices continue to climb.
Image retrieved from http://www.greenmountain.com/

13. Solar in Oregon?
Clear days a year
• 126 Sexton Summit
• 68 Portland
• 50 Astoria
Solar panels still do their job even under the cloud cover,
just at a reduced rate.
In order to calculate the number of panels needed and how
long it will take to recoup cost visit:
http://pvwatts.nrel.gov/
For incentives visit:
http://www.oregon.gov/energy/RENEW/Pages/solar/Support-RETC.aspx

14. Oregon Solar
Clear days per year
Least (50)
Most (126)
Raw map data retrieved from http://www.nrel.gov/analysis/data_resources.html Displayed using Arc GIS software

15. Solar Options
Model Cost per
Panel
Price per
Watt
Maximum
Wattage
Solar
Efficiency
Kyocera
KD315GX-LPB
$375 $1.19 315 watts 16%
Canadian Solar
CS6X-305M
$298 $0.97 305 watts 15.9%
Grape Solar
390W
$474 $1.21 390 watts 15.21%
Suntech
STP255
S-20/Wdb
$260 $1.01 255 watts 15.7%
Panel data retrieved from http://solar-panels-review.toptenreviews.com.html
A few examples of the 2014 most highly rated roof top solar panels
options available for home or private structure use.
When choosing
solar panels be
sure to take into
account the
durability if you
experience heavy
snowfall of wind
storms that move
debris.

16. A Piece of the Problem
A 2012 study discovered homes constructed in the 1980s consumed 77
million Btu of energy annually. In comparison, homes built from 2000
to 2009 consumed 92 million Btu: a 19% increase.
Image retrieved from http://www.e3innovate.com/news/2013/09/05/infographic-how-energy-codes-make-homes-more-
energy-efficient

17. New Homes
Passive solar is achieved through properly-oriented, south-facing
windows combined with areas of thermal mass to retain heat. Unlike
many active solar heating systems passive solar does not have a high
initial cost or long-term payback period. Passive solar utilizing
buildings can reduce heating energy use by 25% to 75% compared to
a typical structure while remaining cost-effective on a life-cycle basis.
Image retrieved from
http://morningstarfishermen.org/2013/03
/28/what-is-passive-solar-why-use-it/
For more information
on passive solar visit:
http://passivesolar.sustainable
sources.com/

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