Monthly Archives: December 2015

The adoption of solar energy systems is on the rise, with over 135,000 new U.S. installations in the just the first half of 2015, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association.

As the number of households and businesses using photovoltaic power continues to rise, the electric utility companies are becoming increasingly concerned about lost business, and they’re looking for ways to maintain their healthy profit margins.

One way they hope to accomplish this is through the adoption of new energy policies.

The Debate on Solar Energy

The utility companies argue that low- and middle-income families are not benefitting from solar energy. Instead, they say, these families are absorbing the infrastructure costs of the electrical grid because of net metering.

Net metering is a federal policy that requires power companies to pay solar customers for their excess energy. Many solar users pay little or no money to the power company, and in fact, earn money from the power they sell back to the company.

Solar Adoption Does NOT Stress the Power Grid

In truth, most alternative energy experts believe that the utility companies are not concerned about low- and middle-income families at all. What the electric utilities are really worried about is losing the income from those customers who make the move to solar and energy independence.

And their complaints about wear and tear on the infrastructure are essentially without foundation.

In fact, individual investment in rooftop solar reduces the utility companies’ need for investment in infrastructure and greatly reduces the wear and tear on the power grid!

Solar Offers Many Benefits for Middle- and Working-Class Americans

According to a recent study by the Center for American Progress, the number of photovoltaic installations in working- and middle-class neighborhoods has grown significantly. Many new community solar programs are being developed to bring solar energy to an even greater number of lower-income people across the country.

Utility Companies Raising Rates to Compensate for Lost Profits

As more home and business owners produce extra electricity with their solar energy systems, the utility companies are increasing rates in order to compensate for their loss of profit.

Some private and municipal utilities plan to increase the fixed monthly rates for all customers. It is fairly certain that, as time goes on and more people adopt photovoltaic power, electric rates will continue to rise — after all, that’s how these companies make money.

This inevitable fact means that adopting solar now is the only way to escape the ever-increasing rate hikes.

Are you ready to stop being at the mercy of the power companies? Installing a PV panel system at your home or business means that you’ll always know how much your power will cost. It also means that your costs will decline and eventually disappear, rather than continue to skyrocket, thanks to the sun’s ample supply of free energy.

Contact Intermountain Wind & Solar today to schedule a consultation. You’ll love the cost savings and energy independence that solar energy will provide you!

If you are considering a rooftop solar power system, you’re probably curious about the payback period. In other words, how long will it be before you reach the point when your system has paid for itself?

Several factors affect the payback time, and the answer is different for every customer. Consider the following information to get a better idea of how quickly you will see a return on your investment in solar energy.

Consider the Initial Investment Costs and Incentives

According to the latest U.S. Solar Market Insight report, the average installed cost of a residential rooftop solar system was $4.43/watt.* Now, let’s say you need a 6-kilowatt system to supply your power needs. Your initial investment would about $26,000.

While that may seem expensive, your investment will actually be much lower when you figure in the tax credits and financial incentives available today.

Currently, the federal tax credit equals 30 percent for rooftop solar system installations (though this figure is slated to drop to 10 percent next year). Any available state and local rebates or incentives can further reduce your investment by as much as $10,000.

Taking advantage of these offers will significantly shorten the payback period on your system.

*It’s also important to note that, despite the reported national average, Intermountain Wind & Solar is usually able to provide an installed residential system for much less per watt!

Factor in Net Metering

Now, consider the cost advantages provided by net metering.

Did you realize that, if your rooftop solar power system is connected to the electrical grid, you can actually earn money with the sun’s energy? If your system produces more electricity than you need, the utility companies are required by federal law to pay you the retail rate for any excess.

This means that instead of getting electric bills, you can receive a credit for the amount of energy your system produces. Then, at the end of the year, you may request a cash payout of the credit on your account.

This will help you see a payoff much sooner.

Try Our Solar Power Calculator

The size, design, placement and efficiency of your rooftop solar power system will influence how quickly you reach the payback point.

Here on our website, you can find out the estimated energy costs and the way your system will operate. Plug in data regarding your power needs, and our calculator will tell you how much money you can expect to save.

Keep in mind that, although this information can be helpful in figuring out how long it will be before your system has paid for itself, every customer’s needs and location are different. The best way to learn exactly how long you can expect to reach the payback point is to speak with our experienced team.

Contact Intermountain Wind & Solar today to schedule a consultation. We can show you exactly how much money you can save by adopting PV rooftop solar at your home or business.

Solar energy systems function by capturing the sun’s light and converting it into usable electricity. So what happens when the sun isn’t shining?

At night and on cloudy days, homes and businesses relying on photovoltaic energy can still use cost-effective power. Here’s how.

Grid-Tied Residential Solar Panels

If your solar energy system is connected to the traditional utility grid, you will have no worries about power when the sun goes down.

The grid is like a bank for this type of photovoltaic system, and you can draw on it whenever you need to. In fact, withdrawals are automatic. In other words, the grid kicks in and you automatically get electricity for your home or business at times when your system is not producing energy.

Most grid-tied customers are even able to make deposits into the grid storage bank through a process known as net metering.

If your system captures energy in excess of what you need (many do), that excess is fed into the grid for all electricity customers to share. But, because your equipment produced that power, the utility company pays or credits you for all of the solar energy you supply to the grid.

So when you need to use power from the utility company, those costs are offset!

Off-Grid Solar Systems

If your photovoltaic system is not connected to the grid, however, you need an alternative way to provide electricity at night and during bad-weather days.

A battery backup system is the answer to this conundrum.

With a battery bank, you can store up to several days’ worth of solar power or more, depending upon the size of your backup system. To determine a size for your battery, consider your average electrical usage and how often your area has unfavorable weather conditions. Experts recommend consulting a solar energy expert to ensure that you choose an appropriate size and configuration.

Instead of a battery backup — or, in addition to one — many off-grid customers choose to purchase a generator. If you decide on a generator, you can choose from a solar model or opt for a more traditional version.

If you choose the latter, you must keep a supply of propane, natural gas or diesel on hand to keep it powered when necessary. The only problem here is, in case of a natural disaster or national crisis, those fuel supplies may be impossible to maintain.

Alternatives for Storage

Some companies are looking into different solutions for storing the sun’s energy. One of the newest and most promising methods involves solar thermal technology.

Solar thermal power produces electricity by using the heat of the sun to boil water. The energy is then stored in salt, which can be heated to provide electricity when the sun isn’t shining.

In cold climates, a pressurized glycol system is the most effective solar thermal option.

Today, Intermountain Wind & Solar is proud to provide PV systems and other types of alternative power generating equipment to our customers throughout Utah, Nevada, Wyoming, Idaho and Montana. Contact us today to learn more about how solar energy can save you money.

A net-zero home, also known as a zero-energy building, produces as much power as it uses. In other words, these homes create their own energy through renewable resources like solar power, leaving you with a net-zero energy bill!

When you achieve net-zero status, the amount of electricity your photovoltaic solar system (energy-saving practices) creates is roughly equal to the amount of electricity your building uses. Even commercial buildings can achieve this financially lucrative goal!

Traditional Buildings versus Zero-Energy Buildings

According to a report by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, traditional buildings use 40 percent of the fossil fuels in the United States and Europe. Buildings that rely on the conventional electrical grid contribute significantly to air quality problems in the atmosphere.

Zero-energy buildings use other forms of power, usually solar energy or wind power, to provide electricity. Using solar panels or other forms of renewable power is extremely cost-effective.

Solar energy costs, for example, have drastically fallen over the last several years, and many consider it to be one of the cheapest forms of power available today.

Grid-Tied Net Zero Homes

Zero-energy buildings may not be self-sufficient as far as electricity goes. In fact, many are still tied to the traditional electrical grid to ensure an adequate power supply when the sun goes down, or in inclement weather. In some cases, these homes may get half or more of their electricity from the grid.

How, then, are these homes considered to have a net energy of zero?

Well, these buildings have a large source of alternate power, such as solar panels. This renewable source provides enough electricity to cover the usage needs of the home. So while these buildings may draw from the grid at times, they do not take any more electricity than what they produce.

Off-Grid Solar-Powered Zero-Energy Buildings

Zero-energy buildings that are off-grid require alternate methods to provide electricity when the sun isn’t powering the panel array. Typically, this involves using a backup system.

Take, for example, a solar-powered home. Solar panels absorb the sun’s light and convert it into usable electricity. This works well while the sun is shining, but at night and on cloudy days, the panels will not produce much solar energy. During these times, net-zero homes can rely on battery storage banks.

Passive Solar Strategies Can Make a Big Difference

Using passive solar energy is a great way creep closer to net-zero status.

This may involve upgrading insulation, installing energy-efficient windows and taking advantage of the sun’s position in the sky to augment artificial light and heating in your home. Switching to energy-efficient appliances and light bulbs also will help you reduce your need for extra power.

Are you considering adopting an alternate power source to help defray your electric expenses? Contact Intermountain Wind & Solar today. We serve customers throughout the Intermountain West, including Utah, Nevada, Wyoming, Idaho and Montana. Our energy experts can help you achieve total energy independence and make your home net-zero!

Community solar power projects offer a viable interim solution to those for whom solar power remains inaccessible.

Despite the availability of federal and state tax credits and incentives, many people find it difficult to afford their own PV systems. Still others can’t install a system because their rooftops are shaded or otherwise unsuitable for solar panels. And, of course, people who rent their home or office space won’t want to spend the money to make major modifications to the property.

In cases like these, community-based photovoltaic power can be a beneficial and effective (albeit temporary) solution.

What Is a Community Solar Power Program?

A CSP is a voluntary program that provides power to — and may be owned by — multiple community members. Often, the utility company offering the CSP aggregates a large group of solar projects to cut costs, and passes the savings on to the program’s participants.

A 2008 study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory found that only 22 to 27 percent of residential rooftops are suitable for a photovoltaic installation due structural, shading and ownership issues, so these community programs are sometimes the only access consumers have to solar power.

How does Community Solar Power Work?

Current utility customers can choose to enroll in a CSP, if one is available.

In most cases, customers can join the program on a minimal level up to an amount equaling 50 percent of their annual power consumption. Once enrolled, customers are charged a fixed monthly subscription fee for the program. With each power bill, customers receive a predetermined credit proportionate to their kilowatt-hour participation level.

Growing Industry

CSP projects installed a cumulative 66 megawatts of power through the end of 2014, according to Greentech, an energy research and news outlet. Greentech’s research indicates that community projects will be the most significant type of industry growth in the United States over the next several years. Analysts believe that community photovoltaic power will have a compound growth rate of 59 percent between now and 2020.

Twenty-four states have at least one operational CSP project, and 20 other states are working to enact or have already established community solar legislation. Over the next two years, the majority of CSP projects are expected to be installed in California, Colorado, Massachusetts and Minnesota.

Unfortunately, CSPs are only available to a small percentage of Americans today. Even if you believe you are currently unable to adopt PV power at your location, Intermountain Wind & Solar has ways to make a PV panel system accessible to you.

If you would like to explore the possibility of installing your own system, contact us today for a complimentary consultation. It won’t cost you anything but your time, and you may be surprised to learn how easy it is to adopt your own cost-saving alternative energy system. If you live in Utah, Wyoming, Idaho, Montana or Nevada, contact us today to learn more about how solar power can work for you.

The PV solar power industry and online music service Napster have a lot in common: Both took on a sacred cow and changed our world in a profound way.

Industry experts have observed that recent changes in the music recording industry are amazingly similar to the inevitable changes that utility companies face, thanks to the rapidly expanding solar energy industry. The power companies are being forced to adapt to solar energy, just as the music industry had to adapt to the use of online music services.

Traditional Industry Models

The conventional utility industry, prior to the widespread adoption of photovoltaic power, had a monopoly on providing power. Not so long ago, everyone who needed electricity was forced to rely upon the power companies.

Electricity rates were based on demand, but also on the amount of profit the companies could command. Because municipal and private power providers have held a monopoly for almost a century, customers were at their mercy, subject to exorbitant and continuous rate hikes.

The traditional music industry mirrored this very model.

Anyone who wanted music was forced to purchase an artist’s records or CDs (or record their favorite songs from the radio). Record labels controlled industry pricing, banking the profits while restricting musical artists with exclusive, long-term contracts.

Customers paid whatever the industry demanded, because that was the only way to hear the music they loved on demand.

Impact of Napster

Then, at the end of the 20th century, Napster came along and changed everything.

Artists began creating their own recordings and filming their own music videos. Napster offered customers another way to access music, without the $19.99 price tag consumers had been forced to pay for a single album.

The record companies were, of course, not at all happy with this development. In fact, they claimed that music costs would actually go up as a result of this new business model.

But — surprise! — that never came to pass. In fact, the cost of music has come down significantly. Today, you can now have unlimited access to all the music you want for less than $10 per month through online and streaming music services.

And, of course, the music industry is still making money; executives simply had to think outside of the old paradigm and modify their business models to adapt.

Effect of PV Solar on New Industry Models

PV solar energy has had an eerily similar impact on the utility industry.

As more people across the country come to rely on photovoltaic power for part or all of their electricity needs, the power companies are working overtime to think of ways to make up for the loss in profits. They’re jacking up rates, supposedly to compensate for the infrastructure costs that PV solar customers often do not pay.

Currently, net metering laws require utility companies to pay for excess electricity generated by customers’ solar panel systems. Some utility companies have attempted to decrease the rates they pay customers for net metering and to enact surcharges exclusively for solar customers. In many cases, the power companies are not succeeding in their fight, and the pressure is mounting.

Just as the record companies had to change how they make money, the utility companies must find new methods to maintain their profit margins, rather than doing so at the expense of solar customers.

At Intermountain Wind & Solar, we applaud the changes that Napster and other trailblazing enterprises forced on the establishment. If you’re ready to assert your own energy independence, contact us today. We can explain exactly how financially beneficial PV solar power can be for your home or business.

Solar energy solutions are no longer economically out of reach; in fact, this newly affordable technology is quickly gaining popularity among the middle class.

The falling photovoltaic panel and equipment prices and the availability of federal and state incentives and rebates means a surprising number of U.S. residents now can afford to make the move to solar power.

Solar Energy Growth in Middle Class Neighborhoods

According to a recent report from the Center for American Progress (CAP), an independent nonpartisan educational institute, the adoption of solar energy solutions grew phenomenally among the middle class from 2011 to 2012.

CAP analyzed photovoltaic installation data from several states and concluded that an overwhelming majority of system installations occurred in neighborhoods with median annual incomes ranging from $40,000 to $90,000. This data proves that photovoltaic power has moved beyond the early adopter stage, when it was inaccessible to all but the wealthiest Americans.

Today, PV technology has become a widespread — and popular — solution among every strata of the middle class.

Concerns within the Utility Industry

With the adoption of solar power rapidly spreading across the country, private and municipal power companies are growing more concerned.

Though alternative energy sources such as wind and solar currently account for only a small percentage of the electricity produced in the United States, they are responsible for almost 75 percent of our country’s new energy capacity. Sustained future growth at this rate will ultimately affect utility company business models and erode their profitability.

As more and more U.S. residents produce some or all of their own power, decreasing the amount of electricity they buy from the grid, the utilities will be forced to raise their rates. And as rates increase, more people will turn to solar.

Some industry analysts refer to this as the “utility death spiral,” but few are likely to mourn the loss of electric utility price gouging.

Future Solar Energy Policy Changes

Thanks to the threat of the death spiral, the utility industry has begun questioning some solar-related policies, and net metering is at the heart of the debate. With net metering, the power companies are required by law to purchase excess electricity produced by customers’ photovoltaic systems.

Naturally, the power companies would like to see this policy changed, as many solar customers produce more than enough energy to meet their own needs. Fortunately, those who understand the underlying monetary motivations of the utility companies are fighting back and maintaining the status quo.

In Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, Nevada and Idaho, Intermountain Wind & Solar specializes in helping homeowners and businesses save big money on energy costs while developing true energy independence. Contact us today to get the facts for yourself about the real cost of photovoltaic solar energy solutions.

Grid parity — or the point at which photovoltaic solar power costs are the same or lower than the costs of traditional energy — is the goal of every solar power system owner. This goal is entirely reachable now. In fact, recent research suggests that solar power is now the cheapest form of energy.

Dramatic Price Reductions in Solar Energy

New technological innovations over the last several decades have caused the price of PV or photovoltaic solar panels to drop dramatically.

When first introduced back in the 1970s, PV panels carried an oppressively high cost, especially for individual residential users. By the 1990s, however, prices had dropped by almost 85 percent. By 2008, the approximate cost for residential installations was at about $9 per watt. Now, most customers can expect to pay somewhere in the range of $3 per watt.

The cost of installing a system today is more than 100 times lower than it was 30 years ago, and it’s a third of the cost from only seven years ago. If it’s been years since you last got a quote for installing a PV system, you will be astounded at how low today’s costs are.

Danger of Waiting

Experts warn that this trend of falling prices may be coming to a rapid halt. Energy economists believe that the price of raw materials and manufacturing for PV panels has dropped as low as it’s going to go, and that waiting for further price reductions is a bad idea.

Holding out for lower prices may mean missing out on today’s lucrative financial incentives. The generous federal tax credit currently in effect is scheduled to drop significantly and then expire in the next year. Any state or local incentives are likely to follow suit.

Waiting in anticipation of a small and uncertain drop in system costs is no comparison to the 30 percent federal income tax credit available now.

Invest Now for the Cheapest Energy Solution

If you planned to hold off a little longer before installing your solar power system, it’s time to reconsider.

Some media outlets and political organizations insist that solar costs remain artificially inflated and oppressively expensive. In most cases, these are opinions based on outdated information. In other cases, however, financial ties with public utilities can hinder the flow of accurate information.

Either way, isn’t it time to do your own research and form your own opinions about the financial advantages of alternative energy?

In Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, Nevada and Idaho, Intermountain Wind & Solar specializes in helping homeowners and organizations save real money on energy costs while developing true energy independence. Contact us today to get the facts for yourself about the real cost of photovoltaic solar power.

As the cost of photovoltaic or PV solar power has plunged over the last few years, municipal and private power utility companies have watched their customer base begin a steady decline.

According to many sources, grid parity — the point at which solar energy costs are less than or equal to those of grid electricity — will soon be achieved in all 50 states, meaning that even more customers will look to alternative energy as a cost-effective replacement for traditional utilities.

Primarily, the power companies have opposed consumer adoption of alternative energy because it hurts their profit model. However, because solar technology provides many significant benefits to both the power grid and the community, the utility companies have not choice but to embrace this new energy paradigm.

Demonstrated Consumer Benefits of Rooftop Solar Energy

Some of the most striking benefits associated with photovoltaic technology and other alternative energy sources are financial.

The historic volatility of fossil fuel prices has translated to an equally unpredictable shift in utility rates. Public utility commissions have allowed the power companies to implement onerous rate increases year after year. Meanwhile, consumers have forced to absorb the cost impact.

By adopting rooftop solar technology, consumers can ensure a more secure future financially.

The Surprising Advantages that Solar Provides the Energy Industry

Recent research demonstrates that even the traditional power industry benefits from consumer migration to solar energy.

As more consumers adopt alternative energy, the stress and drain on the power grid will diminish significantly. For the power utility companies, this means fewer outages and reduced maintenance and repair costs. The utility companies can also reduce their investment in research and development, and focus on providing a more resilient, price-stable energy system.

Faced with a more responsive system and more palatable grid-based electricity costs, consumers will be more likely to embrace a hybrid approach rather than flocking to detach from the grid.

Solar Power Is Changing Power Company Business Models

The utility companies provide much-needed electricity across the country, but at the end of the day, they are in business to maximize profits. This business model can’t hold up in a free market economy when consumers have affordable alternatives.

As hundreds of thousands of consumers install photovoltaic solar systems each year, the power companies will continue to lose customers. For those consumers who adopt grid-tied PV systems, power demands will decrease significantly.

Traditional for-profit electricity providers, fearful of losing revenue, may continue in their attempts to block a free market and consumer choice. Fortunately, a surging consumer insistence on alternative energy options may help eliminate unfair utility practices and rate hikes for good.

The time has come for the alternative energy industries and the traditional utility providers to work together (or at least not in opposition) to provide the most affordable, most accessible options for the American public. This way, everyone benefits.

As we learn more about the financial benefits of solar technology, it’s easy to see why consumer investment in energy independence can benefit everyone, as long as the utility companies are willing to embrace a new paradigm.

For more information how alternative energy can benefit you, contact Intermountain Wind and Solar. We can provide all the information you need to evaluate your options and make an informed choice for your future and PV solar power.

The single most effective way to reduce your electric bill is to adopt an alternative energy generating system. Today, solar is the most effective and affordable means to achieve this end.

Even when your solar power system remains tied to the traditional power grid, using the sun’s energy is certain to reduce your electric bills. But the utility company may not just charge you for the electricity that you use; they may also bill you for monthly demand charges.

This is why adopting photovoltaic technology may not completely eliminate your electric bills, as long as you are tied to the grid.

What Are Demand Charges?

If you look at your electric bill, you will see a charge for the total amount of energy consumed, or in many cases, a credit for excess energy produced by your PV panel system. Along with that amount, you will also see the demand charge.

Demand refers to the rate at which electricity is used over a period of time, and this fee is charged at the highest average usage over any 15-minute interval of the current month.

In other words, the electric company calculates the maximum amount of electrical energy being consumed over a given time and charges a monthly fee to cover the demand. This charge is intended to ensure that the utility company’s generating and transmission capacity is sufficient to meet peaks in demand.

How Solar Energy Can Counteract High Demand Charges

The amount you pay for demand is based upon the rate at which you used energy in the previous month, and even a single spike during one 15-minute time period can cause a high monthly charge. So, for solar system owners looking to reduce electric bills further, it can be helpful to regulate energy usage as much as possible, so that the panels produce enough energy to supply electricity during times of peak demand.

If your system can provide sufficient electricity, you will be able to decrease the rate at which you draw power from the grid. This will in turn lower demand charges and reduce power bills.

Switching to a different rate schedule with decreased demand charges may also be an option. This will result in higher energy usage costs, but if your solar system produces excess energy, you can sell it back to offset these costs.

Using a Battery Storage System to Reduce Demand Charges

Ultimately, to reduce the amount you are charged for demand and reduce electric bills, you must control your energy usage spikes. Using a battery system to store energy for when it’s cloudy or dark can help, particularly if you choose a system with demand response.

These systems detect when energy usage is increasing and kick in during these times to draw power from the battery, rather than the grid. Though most battery storage demand systems can only provide enough power for a short time, they can be effective for eliminating or reducing the spikes that cause high demand charges.

The other way to reduce demand charges is to ensure that your solar panel system is sized and configured properly for your needs. Whether you’re considering adopting solar technology or if you already have a panel array installed at your home or business, a professional solar company can help you evaluate your needs and determine the correct size and configuration that will be most economical for you overall.

Unless you decide to go off the grid entirely, you won’t be able to get rid of demand charges, but by following these tips, you can help minimize them. Contact Intermountain Wind and Solar today for more information and advice on how you can eliminate or reduce electric bills for good.