Monthly Archives: November 2015

If you’ve wondered when the best time to invest in solar energy is, it’s now.

With prices for photovoltaic panel systems at historically low levels, many people have begun to seriously consider adding solar energy to their homes and businesses. While photovoltaic panel costs may continue to decrease over the next few years, a key federal tax credit incentive is set to change next year. Once this important incentive is gone, PV solar system costs will increase, placing this important technology out of reach for some consumers.

What Is the Federal Tax Credit?

Purchasers of complete home or business solar systems, emergency backup systems and modules for some recreational vehicles and boats used as second homes are eligible for a federal tax credit. Currently, this credit reduces owners’ federal income tax liability by 30 percent of the cost of their solar energy systems and installations.

Many industry experts believe that this credit has been key to the widespread adoption of solar energy across the United States, as it has made it more affordable to middle-class and working-class families. Unless Congress amends the deadline or the solar incentive regulations, businesses installing solar systems after 2016 will only be able to claim a 10 percent tax credit. Residential customers will receive no tax credit whatsoever.

How This Affects Financing

This change will significantly affect the potential savings for home and business owners. Consider, for example, a system that costs $50,000 to install. The 30 percent credit on this system would be $15,000.

Under the new guidelines, homeowners installing this system after 2016 would not be able to claim any of their costs. Commercial customers installing after 2016 would only be able to claim $5,000 of the initial investment costs ― a difference of $10,000. Not only will this force customers to shoulder a larger percentage of the initial expenses, but the long-term effect is that the payback time (the amount of time it takes for a solar energy system to reach grid parity and cost the same as or less than traditional electricity) will ultimately be longer.

Schedule Installation Now, before You Miss Out

In order to be able to claim the 30 percent tax credit, your PV system must be in service before Dec. 31, 2016. This means that the project must be completed by that time, not started by that date. As the deadline approaches, a bottleneck is expected when providers will try to squeeze in last-minute residential and commercial installations.

Don’t miss out! Schedule your installation as soon as possible to ensure its completion before the deadline.

Intermountain Wind and Solar, serving the Intermountain West including Utah, Nevada, Wyoming, Colorado and Idaho, specializes in the design and installation of residential and commercial photovoltaic energy systems. Contact us today to learn more about how affordable this technology has become, and to schedule your consultation to invest in solar energy before it’s too late!

Photovoltaic solar energy, despite its increasing level of popularity, remains a bit of a mystery to many people. This is especially true with regard to the science of transforming the sun’s energy to usable electric power. In this version of our ongoing Solar Glossary, we explain the fascinating phenomenon of solar insolation.

To understand this concept, it’s necessary to back up a bit and examine its precursors. The amount of photovoltaic power at a given location is known as solar irradiance. Irradiance varies throughout the day as the sun moves through the sky, and throughout the year, as the earth moves around the sun. Weather also affects solar irradiance. The measurement of irradiance over a specific period of time is referred to as solar insolation.

Calculating Insolation

An acronym of incoming solar radiation, insolation is measured in hours, and for photovoltaic applications, is defined as kilowatt hours per square meter per day. Daily insolation levels can be calculated using data about the location’s latitude and day of the year.

Horizontal insolation also is widely used in the industry. For this calculation, the amount of irradiance received by a flat, horizontal surface ― such as a skyscraper rooftop, football field or swimming pool ― is measured over a period of time. Online photovoltaic charts and irradiance calculators can help consumers determine the daily insolation in their area of the country.

Why We Measure Solar Insolation

The purpose of calculating irradiance and insolation is to determine the amount of sunlight photovoltaic panels can absorb. This is useful in deciding upon the size of a photovoltaic system and the number of solar panels that will be necessary to provide enough electricity for a home or business.

Areas with high daily insolation, including Nevada, Utah and other sun-drenched Southwest and Intermountain states, will not require photovoltaic systems as large as those needed in Alaska and states in the Northeast. Knowing the insolation for a region can help consumers make informed decisions about using solar power for their homes and businesses.

How Insolation Affects System Design

To understand how this calculation affects PV system design, consider this scenario:

Take two identical homes with identical energy needs and place them in areas with different insolation levels. While a 3-kilowatt system may supply enough electricity for the home with a high daily insolation level, a larger system will be needed to provide enough power for the less-sunny home.

Photovoltaic systems are designed with this in mind, and their size is determined by dividing the number of kilowatts of power needed by the amount of solar irradiance at that location. This provides us with an idea of how many solar panels are needed to generate a sufficient amount of power.

You must consider solar insolation to create an effective photovoltaic system. Here at Intermountain Wind and Solar, solar is our specialty. Consequently, we understand irradiance and how it affects system output. This allows our engineers to design a photovoltaic system to meet your specific energy needs. Contact us today to learn more about photovoltaic solar energy.

The average cost of solar panels may be even lower than you think. When it comes to alternative energy, many people are misinformed, holding onto the belief that high prices put this viable alternative energy source out of reach. For more and more home and business owners, installing a photovoltaic energy system has become truly affordable.

How Costs Have Drastically Dropped

Solar power prices have dropped steadily over the last several decades. According to Bloomberg New Energy Finance, when solar energy was first introduced in the ’70s, the cost was about $76.67 per watt. By the late 1990’s, the price had come down to less than $10 per watt. But at that price, even a small three-kilowatt system cost $30,000.

Since that time, however, costs have plunged dramatically — more than 60 percent just since 2008. At that time, costs were about $7.50 per watt. Today, you can have some systems installed for about $3 per watt or less.

So homeowners who obtained price quotes even just a few short years ago may be surprised at how much more affordable that investment would be today.

Making Solar Energy Reachable

Thanks to these low PV panel costs, the U.S. solar industry has seen exponential growth over the last several years. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, the number of solar systems in use increased by 34 percent from 2013 to 2014, with 195,000 new installations in 2014. Even better, the research proves that a significantly large percentage of these systems are being installed by middle-class and working-class homeowners.

Recent studies have shown that most rooftop panel systems are installed in neighborhoods with a median income ranging from $30,000 to $90,000. The growth of the solar industry is expected to continue as available financing, tax credits and other incentives make solar power approachable for homeowners across the country.

Reaching Solar Grid Parity

The remarkable decrease in solar panel costs, along with the free, widespread availability of sunlight, make PV systems strong competition for electricity from the grid in terms of cost. While the initial installation costs for a rooftop system may seem out of reach for some homeowners, the availability of a 30 percent federal tax credit along with state and local rebates and incentives can bring the initial costs down by up to 50 percent.

And, as prices have continued to fall, solar grid parity ― the point at which costs are less than or equal to the costs of electricity from the grid ― will be reached. According to a study by solar industry analysts at Deutsche Bank, grid parity is expected be reached in all 50 states by 2016.

Are you ready to consider a solar panel system estimate for your home or business? The costs for most residents in the Intermountain West has or will soon reach parity with municipal and private power companies. Contact Intermountain Wind and Solar today to schedule a free consultation with our experienced professional team. We will provide you with all the information you need to compare your power bill with today’s aggressively competitive solar panel costs.

How efficient is solar power? Solar systems harness the sun’s power and convert it into usable — and free — electricity in a clean, simple and expedient way. With only a little extra effort, you can actually increase the capability and effectiveness of these revolutionary systems.

The following methods can help ensure that your results exceed your expectations.

Passive Solar Design Strategies

Ideally, homes and buildings should be passively designed around the movement of the sun. The home’s windows should face the south to take advantage of the sun’s heat during cold months. An effective roof overhang can shield the windows during the summer.

Of course, most homes and buildings are sited by the builder according to the lot’s conditions, rather than the optimization of solar energy, although that paradigm is rapidly changing today. This is something to keep in mind if you are remodeling, building a new home or applying thermal window film.

Other passive design strategies can provide much the same benefit. The selection and placement of trees — particularly deciduous varieties that shed their leaves in the fall — can provide shade in the summer while allowing the sun to heat the building in the winter. Windows can also be glazed, and overhangs, awnings and porches can be added to increase efficiency.

Solar Panel Coatings and Concentrators

Solar panel owners can improve their photovoltaic systems’ effectiveness by applying a panel coating. The coating is essentially a type of varnish that helps increase the amount of light absorbed by the panels. This boosts the capability of the system as more electricity is produced.

Adding a concentrator can increase effectiveness as well. A concentrator is essentially a large magnifying lens that directs the sun’s rays toward the panels. Trackers can also be installed, which allow the panels to shift with the sun’s path to maximize energy capture throughout the day.

Routine Maintenance and Cleaning

Just as with other mechanical or electrical appliances or devices, a solar energy system requires occasional maintenance. The system’s efficiency can be optimally maintained with a periodic check of system components.

The panels also should be cleaned regularly of built-up dirt, dead leaves, insects and other debris. In some cases, this can be done with a damp cloth or warm water from a standard garden hose, but cleaning must be done in the early morning or evening in order to avoid potentially cracking the panels.

Though handy homeowners may be able to inspect and clean their own systems, many prefer to rely on the expertise of a qualified solar technician rather than risk life and limb up on a ladder.

If you live in Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, Nevada or Idaho, contact Intermountain Wind & Solar today for more information about solar energy for your home or commercial building. We will be happy to help you adopt this economically favorable technology and provide suggestions for increasing your solar power efficiency.

When solar energy first became available in the 1970’s, the technology wasn’t economically feasible for most homeowners and business owners. Since then, however, prices have dramatically dropped — by over 80 percent, in fact.

Financial and energy experts have proclaimed this the age of the solar economy. Thanks to the exponential growth of the industry, spurred by the now-affordable cost, solar technology is reshaping the very basis of industry and economics around the globe.

Read on to learn how this new solar economy benefits us all, but especially those who are installing photovoltaic systems.

Payback Period on Solar Systems

Consumers who are interested in a solar energy system always want to know about the payback time. In other words, how long it will be before the system has paid for itself and begins generating truly free power? This topic ties closely to the phenomenon of grid parity, or the point at which the costs for solar energy are the same or less than those of traditional electricity obtained from the municipal power grid. Several factors can influence this time frame.

The location of your house or business and how it is situated in relation to the sun can affect the payoff time, as these factors directly influence the system’s efficiency and production potential. The amount of money saved monthly (versus paying a power bill) after system installation, as well as the initial installation costs, also help determine the length of the payback period. Some people may achieve payoff sooner by taking advantage of incentives and smart financing, and many can reach grid parity in only a few years.

Incentives Reduce the Cost of Solar Energy

Many people believe that the upfront costs of a PV system are beyond their means, but this is no longer the case. Currently, a 30 percent federal income tax credit is available on the initial system and installation costs. State and local rebates and grants are available as well.

The amounts can vary depending upon location and solar energy application, but they can add up to several thousand dollars.

Low Cost + High Demand = Economic Benefits

Because we have essentially achieved grid parity already in the United States, the demand for solar energy generation systems continues to skyrocket.

The industry is creating jobs at a surprising rate. Large-scale “solar plantations” are now powering hundreds of government, school and military facilities around the country, saving taxpayer dollars. Alternative power technologies have begun proliferating in other industries as well, including the automotive industry.

Little by little, we are becoming an entire country focused on true energy independence and significant cost savings.

Are you ready to start saving money and breaking free of oppressive electricity bills? If so, contact Intermountain Wind and Solar today to schedule a free consultation. We provide photovoltaic panel systems to homeowners and businesses throughout the Intermountain West, including Wyoming, Idaho, Nevada, Colorado and Utah. Contact us today to learn more about adopting solar energy.

Mobile solar applications can help meet your power needs if you are affected by strong storms, tornadoes, wildfires, earthquakes, hurricanes and other natural disasters.

For emergencies that are more of a man-made nature — widespread power grid failure or civil disorder, for example — this type of alternative power source can be invaluable for keeping you and your family safe and comfortable.

Emergency Lighting and Communication

When the power goes out, emergency lighting is a top priority. Homes and businesses, of course, need lighting, but power also is needed to provide light to emergency operations centers and roadways.

A variety of portable solar lighting options is available to meet individual and community needs. Small personal lights, such as LED solar-powered flashlights and lanterns, can be used inside or outside. Large-scale portable photovoltaic systems can be used for lighting at mass care points and emergency shelters.

While cell phone service and Wi-Fi communications may not go down with every power outage, it can happen, as seen in the case of this summer’s wildfires in California. Communities can use mobile solar devices, including changeable message signs and highway advisory radios, to convey important information and to manage traffic in an emergency situation. Portable solar communication repeaters can be used to extend the range of hand-held radios.

Mobile Solar Arrays and Laminates for Vehicles

Although photovoltaic power may not yet be a viable solution for powering vehicles, mobile solar can be effectively used to power the electronics inside the vehicle. Police, fire and emergency medical service vehicles installed with rooftop arrays or laminates can easily be used to coordinate response and recovery operations in an outage because their captured solar energy can power laptops, lights and radios, and charge other necessary electronic devices.

Portable Solar Generators

Portable solar generators are perhaps the most useful mobile solar application in a power outage. A variety of sizes and configurations are available, from smaller 100-watt generators that can power some electronics, appliances and lights, to generators as large as 4 kilowatts.

Generators designed for large-scale use are ideal for emergency operations and outages following a natural disaster, as they are easy to transport to triage or treatment points and shelters. Large generators can provide abundant electrical power, running critical devices, equipment, lighting and machinery, and even powering water pumps.

Portable solar applications can provide a dependable source of electrical power to homes, businesses and communities when the power goes out. With photovoltaic power, electricity is always readily available.

If you are interested in learning more about any type of solar application, or if you would like more information on commercial or residential photovoltaic panel systems, schedule a consultation with the experienced professionals at Intermountain Wind and Solar today and learn more about the right mobile solar technology for your needs.

The financial benefits of solar energy are becoming increasingly apparent. Many people think that the best reason for going solar is to help the environment, but a great number of savvy consumers choose this alternative energy source for its impressive financial advantages. Solar energy can save homeowners and business owners a significant amount of money. Here’s how.

Reducing Bills and Stabilizing Energy Costs

An average residential electric bill in Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and most other states in the Intermountain West ranges from about $100 to several hundred dollars each month. For commercial customers, that number can reach into the tens of thousands. If you install a solar energy system, that’s how much you’ll save each month. Potential cost savings equate to thousands of dollars a year for even the most modest consumer.

And, even better, you’ll be locking in your price for energy costs for the next several decades. Utility rates have steadily increased over the past 30 years, and they will continue to rise, unabated. By making the move to solar now, you’ll stabilize your energy costs, and every time the rates go up, you’ll save even more.

Adding Value to the Home

Installing a solar energy system increases the property resale value of your home in almost every case. Photovoltaic panels make your home more attractive to potential buyers because of the obvious cost savings.

According to research by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, homes with solar panels typically sell up to 20 percent faster than other comparable homes without panels. And, what’s more, they sell for up to 17 percent more money. In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, the price of an average home increases by $17,000 when solar panels are installed. By adding value and salability to the home, the panels practically pay for themselves.

Tax Credits and Financial Incentives for Going Solar

The cost of residential panel systems varies significantly, depending upon the size of the solar array and whether the system is tied to the grid. But you can actually get 30 percent of your equipment and installation costs back in the form of a federal tax credit. Combine that financial incentive with state and local rebates and grants, and you can end up paying up to 50 percent less for your system.

If your power company follows net metering guidelines (most do), the utility is required to purchase your excess power at a wholesale rate. This offers you the very real possibility of earning a profit as the result of adopting solar.

Interested in learning more about how this exciting alternative energy source can save or even make you money? Contact Intermountain Wind and Solar today. We serve the entire Intermountain West region of the United States, including Utah, Wyoming, Nevada and Idaho. Call us today to learn more about the many financial benefits of solar energy.

Investing in solar energy is a wise choice today, and more and more people are following this trend.

Of course, no investment is without risk, but especially when you consider the exponential growth and success of the industry, alternative energy is one of the most promising sectors for savvy investors. Whether your interest lies in finding the next big thing in the stock market or something a little closer to home, read on to learn more.

Why Investing in Solar Stock Makes Sense

Analysts consider many solar stocks to be undervalued, and the low prices are enough to lure many into investing. But adding solar stock to your portfolio makes sense for several other reasons as well.

For one, residential panel systems are becoming cheaper, and as prices fall, demand rises among consumers. Also, the sun’s energy is being increasingly used to provide power for the billions of people across the world who have no access to grid energy.

Another reason to invest is the rapid progression of technological advancements in panel efficiency, as this generates growing interest in installing systems. Big companies such as GE and Google are investing in solar already, and the market is projected to continue expanding. Getting in now while the prices are lower could earn you a hefty investment return.

Selecting Investment Stocks

While you could choose to invest by purchasing stock in energy utility companies that sell solar energy, this can be problematic, as it involves dealing with specific regulations. Instead, most analysts suggest that people buy stock in panel manufacturers.

Choosing stocks will require a careful look at the companies to determine the risk, as is the case with any financial investment. A market expert or broker can offer advice and recommendations, of course, and help you manage your portfolio. If you’re more of a DIY investor, you can find tons of information and company prospectus data online.

Stock Pricing Factors

With today’s increasing demand for alternative energy, solar is an attractive investment. Novice investors may be curious as well about wind, hydroelectric, geothermal and other forms of renewable energy, but experts warn that these industries may not be as lucrative.

Using the sun’s energy for power is more efficient and cost-effective than ever, making solar power the fastest-growing renewable resource. And, as technological innovations continue to lower the cost of PV panels, the price for stock shares is expected to be affected accordingly. As the industry evolves, many analysts believe investing now could lead to great returns.

If your investment interests are a little closer to home, purchasing a PV system for your home or business is also a great way to earn a positive return. With so many favorable financing options, tax incentives and rebates, your system can be paid off quickly, and this means you’ll be enjoying free power in no time. Even if your system is financed, you will enjoy significant cost reductions when compared to your current power company charges.

Contact Intermountain Wind and Solar today to learn more about investing in solar for your home or business.

How much do solar panels cost? That’s the biggest question for many home and business owners who have considered making the switch to solar power.

While the benefits of using the sun’s energy may be obvious, the price for a system isn’t so clear-cut. Many factors figure into the cost of a system, and everyone’s needs are different.

Calculate Your Electricity Usage

The first step in getting an idea of how many photovoltaic panels you need to meet your needs is establishing how much electricity you use per month. Take a look at your electric bills from the past year, and find the average number of kilowatts (kWh) used by your household each month. Multiply your monthly kWh by 1,000 to determine your watt hours, and then divide this figure by 30 to calculate your average daily electricity usage.

Sunlight a Determining Factor

To identify how many solar panels you need, you must first determine how many hours of peak sunlight your home receives per day. Online solar maps can provide this information, but on average, states in the Intermountain West generally enjoy about five to six peak sunlight hours each day. If you take the daily electricity average you previously figured and divide it by your sunlight hours, this determines how many watts of power you need.

The cost of installing a residential PV system varies significantly, however, based on a set of complex factors, so no chart or table can really provide an accurate estimate; only a qualified solar installation company can do that.

However, you can take some steps to save money if you decide to go with PV system installation.

Saving on Your PV System Purchase and Installation

You can save money on your initial system costs in all kinds of ways, and one is by taking advantage of the financial incentives available for installing a system. The federal government offers a 30 percent tax credit for equipment and installation costs for residential systems, and in many cases, much more for commercial systems. Depending on which state you live in, you may be eligible for significant rebates and grants to help save money on your initial costs as well.

Figuring your exact solar energy system cost involves many other variables, such as the size of your roof and how much sun it gets. At Intermountain Wind and Solar, we understand the importance of making this investment in energy independence. But we also know first-hand the amount of money your family can save every year when you’re generating your own free power.

Contact us today and let us provide a free estimate for getting solar panels for your home or business. Our experienced professional team will answer all your questions about solar panel costs.

Experts tell us that solar energy is one of the most effective disaster preparedness tools you can have. In today’s world, it’s important to ensure that your family’s basic needs are met in the event of a catastrophic situation, and you can be ready for anything with solar energy. After all, sunlight is a free and renewable source of energy, which makes it an excellent emergency power solution.

Read on to learn more about how the sun can help you be prepared for anything.

Solar Ovens and Water Systems

You need to eat, even in times of disaster. With a solar oven, you can use the energy from direct sunlight to heat and cook food. Many solar cookers are portable, making them practical for traveling. Others, however, are as powerful as traditional stoves and can handle the needs of an entire household.

Solar water systems are perhaps even more useful in emergencies, as people always need clean water, and ideally, hot water. These systems use a collector to turn the sun’s energy into heat, along with storage tanks to hold water. Weather can affect the production of these systems, however, so you may want to partner yours with a solar heater, to ensure you can produce enough hot water to last through any emergency.

Portable Solar Generators

With a portable solar generator, you can be ready to survive any disaster, and you can even hit the road if necessary and still be able to provide for your power needs. Solar generators capture and store the sun’s energy and can be used to charge cell phones, computers and other electronic devices.

More powerful generators can be used to power appliances or larger electronics, such as refrigerators, stoves and televisions. No matter your family’s energy needs, a portable generator can be the solution in the event of an emergency.

Going Off-Grid for Disaster Preparation

If you would like to truly be ready for the unexpected, consider going off the grid. Off-grid solar energy systems use battery banks to store the energy produced by photovoltaic panels. Installing an off-grid system means you will always have adequate power to meet your family’s long-term energy needs.

In an emergency situation, a complete, full-home system will continue to provide heating and cooling, as well as hot water and lights. And because solar power is more affordable than ever today, you can’t afford not to be ready for whatever might come your way.

Want more advice on how solar energy can benefit you in an emergency situation? The experienced professionals at Intermountain Wind and Solar can help you make the move to your own energy independence. Serving Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado and Nevada, we are the Intermountain West’s premier choice for solar energy system sales and installation. Contact us today to learn more about how affordable solar energy really is.