FAQs

Q. What kind of solar panels do you use?
A. We use several manufacturers. It all depends on the size and shape of your installation. Here is a sample.

Q. What is an inverter and how do they work?
A. The inverter takes the direct current produced by the panel and converts it to power you can use in your house. Here is a sample.

Q. How does the Federal Tax Credit work?
A. In October, 2008 the US Congress passed HR 1424. This law increased the tax credit to 30% of the total cost of the project. Here is summary and copy of HR 1424.

Q. How does the Xcel rebate work?
A. To stimulate renewable energy installations the utility will give a credit of $2.00/watt of solar generation you install, plus a .05c to .55c per watt for a system oriented for maximum production. Go to: http://www.xcelenergy.com/solar

Q. What else do I need to know?
A. Not much. Our team of experts will provide what you need. However, here are some other useful things to know:

Solar Electric Terms

• PV – Photovoltaic - The system of converting the suns rays to elec tricity – accomplished by the solar panels mounted on your roof.
• Watt – A measure of electrical power generated at any given instant. 1000 watts = 1kw.
• Grid tie system – When an individual home’s solar PV system provides electricity back to the utility via the electric utilities grid.
• Inverter – A electrical device that converts direct current (DC) electricity produced by the PV panels into alternating current (AC) used by your utility to power your home.
• Electric use meter – a device on your home that measures the electricity entering or exiting your home which has a visual reference of consumption by means of a spinning wheel or digital read-out.
• Net Metering – The difference between what your utility’s electric grid provides for your individual use and what you add back to the grid from
  your PV generation. (Your meter-indicating wheel can spin backwards as you add power to the grid.) Colorado law requires your utility to calculated
  & reconciled what you consumed of their electricity verses what you provide onto their grid on an annual basis. This is an advantage for you,
  to minimize selling excess electricity to the utility at wholesale during periods of low personal consumption and buying during peak periods
  at retail.
• Avoidable cost - selling excess electricity back to the utility company at wholesale; thus we will design your PV system 5% smaller than your
  annual average usage to prevent excess electrical production.
• Electric pricing – The Colorado Public Utility Commission authorizes price request of the private utility companies. For 2009 Xcel charged a residential retail rate of .11c/kWatt-hour, and bought electricity at a wholesale rate of .034c/kWatt-hour. For 2009 Xcel received a 13.2% rate hike. Historically the cost of electricity has recently inflated faster than the general inflation rate every year.
• Xcel Rebate – To stimulate renewable energy installations the utility will give a rebate of $2.00/watt of PV generation you install, plus an
  additional .85c/watt if the system is oriented for maximize production. In return you sign a contract with the utility agreeing to stay on the grid for
  20 years and allowing them to use your carbon credits for their benefit.
• Federal Tax Credit – For every dollar you spend on a PV system you can take 30 cents directly off your tax bill. Exp: If you spend $40,000, you take
  $5000 off your tax bill.
• Usage – The average home in Colorado will consume 720 kilowatt-hours month. It’s not uncommon for large homes with many appliances, air-conditioning and a hot tub to consume 1620 kilowatt-hours/month.
• PV Power Production - A PV system rated at 10kW will on average produce 1,215 kilowatt-hours/month, or $110 of savings at 2008 prices,
  which could save you $1320 a year.
• PV Environmental Impact - By installing a PV electric generating system at your home you will yearly reduce the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2)
  emitted into the Colorado air by 3,088 pounds/kWatts installed, or 30,888 lbs/yr with a 10kW system.
• PV breakeven point – The number of years of savings, adjusted for price increases, until your PV system has produced enough electricity to pay
  you back for the installation expense.
• PV added value to your home – According to the National real estate Association a 10kW PV system will approximately add $27,000 of
  appraised value to your home