ClearEdge Power has developed the first cost saving and consumer ready hydrogen fuel cell and brought it to the market. Their featured product, the ClearEdge5, offers businesses and home owners the ability to create all of their electricity and heat with a clean energy fuel cell, while lowering utility bills and reducing carbon emissions in the process.
Traditional power generation techniques for consumers are very inefficient. When a home or business typically requires electricity, a power plant burns natural gas or coal to create power and then sends the electricity through the grid to the end user. None of the heat produced in this process is transfered to the customer, thus going to waste. When the same home or business eventually does require heat, natural gas has to be burned on-site; this time creating heat but not electricity.
The ClearEdge5 succeeds where outdated methods have failed, generating both heat and electricity simultaneously. The fuel cell is powered by natural gas that is reformed, rather than burned, to create hydrogen. The hydrogen is then fed through the fuel cell and energy is created. This combined heat and power (CHP) system, made possible by a hydrogen fuel cell, results in very little waste energy and boasts peak efficiencies of around 90%. The refrigerator-sized unit connects to the utility grid using standard fittings, and easily integrates with the existing electrical systems.
If for some reason all of the electricity produced is not utilized, the excess will be sent to the grid, and then credited back to the customer. In the event of a power outage, the ClearEdge5 automatically switches to grid-independent mode creating instantaneous back-up power. Owners of the CE5 can expect savings of up to 50% off of each months utility bill.
The ideal customer for the ClearEdge5 uses 43,800 kw/hours of power per year (equates to approximately $1,000 per month utility bill) or more and has a substantial heating demand (radiant flooring, pool, spa, etc). Homes measuring in at over 5,000 square feet with a pool/spa would qualify for the CE5, while almost any small or large business would fit the requirements.
The ClearEdge5 carries an initial price tag of $50,000, although customers will pay much less. Commercial customers in California, for example, will pay less than half of that for the 5kw unit. The Self Generation Incentive Program (SGIP) provides $2.50/watt for fuel cell equipment; that translates into a $12,500 rebate check for each unit installed within qualified areas (initially limited to California). An Investment Tax Credit(ITC) is also available. This credit is allowed to be subtracted, dollar for dollar, from total federal tax liability. Businesses qualify for a 30% rebate ($15,000) and homes qualify for a $5,000 rebate. With the price tag now down to $22,500, California business owners can expect a 100% return on investment in as little as 3 years. Not bad for a system that has a 5 year warranty and boasts an expected lifetime of 20 years.
Another option for California residents is to receive a renewable energy loan for the ClearEdge5. California’s AB 811 program, in effect since July, 2008 allows property owners to finance the installation of renewable energy systems and incorporate it into their property tax payment. This means that home and business owners can spread out the cost of an alternative energy system, like the CE5, over a 20 year period. Since the amount of money saved on each months utility bills will be considerably higher than the loan payment, the AB 811 program is essentially putting cash directly into the pockets of California property owners.
California residents looking to save money/go green have a choice between the ClearEdge5 or a solar panel system. The most obvious advantage that the ClearEdge5 has over solar power is that fuel cell technology does not depend on the weather. Solar panels, in comparison, need direct sunlight to be productive. For example: California averages 5.5 hours a day of usable sunlight in any given year. This means a 5kw solar system (similarly priced to the CE5) will produce about 10 MW/hrs of power over the year. The ClearEdge 5, using a steam reformer to turn natural gas into hydrogen, will produce 43 MW/hrs of electricity and up to 90 MW/hr of combined heat and electricity. This means that the ClearEdge5 produces more than 4 times as much electricity as a similarly sized solar power system and generates enough heat for your home, pool/spa, and water demands. The ClearEdge5 can be installed indoors or outdoors in almost part of the country (although sales are initially limited to California).
The rise of fuel cell technology has begun to turn some heads, and the benefits of the ClearEdge5 certainly speak for themselves. Commercial and residential customers have been offered the unique opportunity go green and save green at the same time. It looks like the wait is finally over- fuel cell technology has officially arrived on the consumer market.
