As concerns grow regarding the carbon footprint of the residential and commercial building industries, renewable energy systems have become a primary focus of the green movement. In western Colorado especially, solar energy has gained tremendous popularity and can be one of the most economical ways for a homeowner to reduce their carbon footprint.

• Installed cost of PV systems in Western Colorado is approx. $8-$10/watt
• PV requires approx. 75-100 s.f. roof area per kilowatt
• 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM is the optimal solar window in Western Colorado
• Solar PV is made primarily in panel form, but is also available in shingles and flexible films.

Sizing and installing the proper solar system is crucial to achieving maximum efficiency. Important items to evaluate when considering a solar system include:

1. Your home’s efficiency: Using energy efficient light bulbs, appliances, and mechanical equipment is the first step before considering a solar energy system. Solar systems are not cost effective if your home is an energy hog in the first place.
2. Your home’s location: The location of your home relative to the sun’s path will largely determine the potential output your system could produce. This is important to evaluate for both summer and winter months.
3. Your available roof/yard space: If the size of a potential solar system is determined by your available roof space and/or available yard space, then make sure you have room for a system that will provide enough energy to be worthwhile.
4. Shading: even partial shading of your PV system can drastically reduce (or eliminate) your system’s electrical output. As a general rule of thumb, the location of your PV system should be completely clear of any shade during the hours of production.
5. Solar architectural design: designing a house to capture and retain heat from the sun is still one of the best and most efficient ways of maximizing the ability of a home to take advantage of the sun’s energy. Designing overhangs to allow sunlight in during the winter and to prevent sunlight from coming in during the summer is one of the most efficient methods.
6. Work with your local utilities to maximize tax rebates and other local incentives that can significantly reduce the cost of your system.

It may seem like any area that gets sun would be a prime candidate for PV panels. However, even partial shading can reduce a system’s power output to almost nothing. Since PV panels and arrays are typically wired in series circuits, areas that are shaded will not allow electricity to pass through them. As a result, the energy produced by other panels will not get to the inverter, and is effectively lost. Having your system professionally designed and installed is crucial to ensuring maximum output.

This illustration shows just how much of an effect shading can have on a system’s output:

The effect that shading has on an individual panel’s energy production also carries through to the entire system’s performance. Depending on which panels are wired together in an array, partial shading of an entire system can mean no energy production. This demonstrates why having a professional site analysis done is not only in the owner’s best interest, but it’s also a requirement to qualify for many of the rebates and incentives available.

PV – Abbreviation for “Photovoltaic” which refers to panels which convert energy from the sun into D.C. electrical energy that can be used both as a primary and as a secondary source of electricity for a building.

Array – a set of PV-panels, connected together as a single energy source. An array is made up of individual panels, and the size varies by the desired energy output.

Inverter – Converts direct current produced by PV panels into alternating current, which is necessary to interfacing a solar electric system with a traditional grid-supplied electrical systems.

Net Metering – A process involving PV systems wherein an electrical utility installs a special electric meter that factors in the production of your home. During situations where your PV system produces more energy than your home uses, your meter literally “runs backwards.” Your electrical bill is based on your net use/production which is your total use less your total production.

PPA – “Power Purchase Agreement.” Refers to a lease of a solar sytem, where an individual is not required to purchase the system up front. Rather, the system is leased
to them, and they still experience the benefits of lower utility bills. This is popular in commercial and municipal solar systems where purchasing up front is cost prohibitive.

Solar Thermal - refers to passive solar panels that convert energy from the sun into heat energy that can be used for heat and domestic hot water. Heat energy is transmitted via water pipes, and stored in insulated storage tanks inside.