According to an article from  Nth Degree Solar Energy, XCEL Energy is lowering the rebates they pay for renewable energy credits.  This new scheme will use a tiered structure that significantly reduces rebates as capacity is built out.  Read the full Solar Rebates Reduced article here.

Nth Degree Solar Energy Solutions, based in Grand Junction, Colorado has recently posted a new power plant they installed inthe San Luis Valley, near Monte Vista, Colorado.

The grid-tied solar electric power plant is approximately 15 kilowatts in size, and was installed in late October.

Description of location:
1: Latitude: 37.653 N Longitude: 106.660 W Elevation: 7750’
2: Declination: 9.8 deg E
3: Lowest Temperature -34deg F: Highest ambient Temperature 78 deg F
4: Total Electricity used/Year: 44,863 KHW Total Cost/Year $ 4,640.17
6: Panel Pitch: 35 Deg
7: Hours of Solar Radiation: 6.33 Hours /day fixed for summer

Picture of sunlight hours for House site: The site has 98% of sunlight hours. Sunlight 6.33Hrs / Available 6.20 Hrs

Calculate amount of solar needed to meet Electrical needs:

1: Average solar per Month: 44,863 KHW/12 =3,738.6 KWH/Mth
2. Average solar per day 3,738.6Kwh/30 = 124.612 KWH
3: Amount solar per hour: 124.612 / KWH/6.20hrs*1000watts/1KWH= 20,099 Watts/Hr
4. Inverter efficiency: (20,099 watts/hr)/.96 = 20,936 Watts/Hr
5. # of Sharp 235W panels: 20,936W/235W= 89.089 or 90 panels
6. # Inverters: 3 Sunny Boy 7000US (240V) Inverters
7. System Size 21.15 KW
8. Actual Size:  15.51 kW

As a solar installer for Nth Degree Solar Energy in Grand Junction, Colorado I am often asked about how net metering works.

Net metering is an agreement between the utility company and the system owner allowing for ‘banking’ excess power produced by a solar system in the electric grid and ‘drawing’ from the electric grid when more power is needed.

 

during the day, when your electricity usage is low and the sun is bright, your meter will spin backwards, unwinding any charges on the meter.  At night, after the sun is gone and you are home consuming electricity,  the meter will move forward again, adding back the charges removed during the day.

 

To read the whole What is Net Metering story, go here.

According to Nth Degree Solar Energy Systems, investing in a solar system for your business is a great financial investment.

“Getting paid by the power company for all the electricity you produce means your solar investment is a revenue center.” states Richard McCracken, owner of Nth Degree Solar Energy Solutions. We call this the double dip – use it for free, and get paid for it too!

Read the entire article on Commercial Solar Systems Investments here.

Are you considering installing a grid tied photovoltaic solar system on your house? That would be a residential system, and unless you are skilled at many things including carpentry and electricity, then it is best left to the professionals for installation.

Often, the solar professionals can design and install a warranted system for tless than the cost of you purchasing the materials yourself.

You can learn more about Residential Solar Energy Solutions here, or read the entire article What is a Residential Solar System?