Monthly Archives: October 2017

Solar incentives can significantly reduce the cost of your home PV system. If you take advantage of every tax credit, rebate and grant available for switching to photovoltaic power, you can potentially save up to 50 percent of the total system cost. How do you find these financial incentives? The most reliable way is to ask your photovoltaic contractor. Professional installers such as Intermountain Wind & Solar have all the information you need. Although available solar financial incentives differ by region, they share some basic characteristics. All Residential Solar Installations Are Eligible for the Largest Solar Incentive The biggest solar incentive — the federal solar investment tax credit (ITC) — cuts photovoltaic installation costs by 30 percent. Every homeowner who purchases a PV system is eligible. The federal ITC reduces your income tax liability for the year following...

Solar energy installers are multiplying quickly across the Intermountain West. If you’re planning to make the move to photovoltaic (PV) energy, it’s important to choose a qualified photovoltaic contractor who is licensed to work in your state. Industry experts recommend looking for a professional solar installer with NABCEP certification. What Is NABCEP Certification and Why Is it Important? NABCEP stands for the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners, a nonprofit group committed to supporting the PV industry through impartial credentialing and certification programs. The members of NABCEP include representatives of renewable energy organizations and educational institutions as well as state policymakers and individuals with industry expertise. Why Is NABCEP Certification Important for Solar Energy Installers? Certification from NABCEP is the gold standard of qualifications for photovoltaic installers. Solar energy installers must meet specific...

Photovoltaic energy systems are versatile, working in just about any rooftop location you can imagine. But can you install a power-generating system on a metal roof? PV system installation on most roofing materials involves bolting the solar panels through the shingles to the roof joists. Metal roofs, however, require specific solar panel attachments and installation techniques to make sure that the rooftop remains structurally sound and watertight. To properly place a photovoltaic system, experience is a must. How easy or difficult it will be to complete a photovoltaic energy installation depends on the type of roof you have. Installing a Photovoltaic Energy System on a Standing Seam Metal Roof If you have a standing seam roof, you’re in luck, because installing a photovoltaic...

Essentially, a solar carport is a just like any other open-sided parking shelter, except that the surface is covered in photovoltaic panels. Why would you want to install a solar carport? One compelling reason is that these innovative structures offer numerous benefits to both businesses and homeowners. But that’s only one reason solar carports are becoming more popular across the Intermountain West. Solar Carports are Big for Businesses Why not put the parking lot to work creating free electricity? That’s the question more and more companies are asking, and the reason the concept of the solar carport is really taking off among Intermountain West business owners. However, businesses aren’t just installing carports to harness the sun’s energy. The real attractions are the side benefits...

Before investing in a rooftop solar array, you’ll want to know what ongoing expenses to expect. The photovoltaic (PV) panels and inverter come with warranty coverage, but what type of maintenance is required to meet the terms of the warranties? Will you need to hire a solar professional to take regular care of your photovoltaic system? Photovoltaic arrays are designed to be hands-off, and routine rooftop solar maintenance is not necessary. Unless a system component breaks or stops working, you won’t need to call in a professional. Rooftop Solar Arrays Don’t Need Much Attention A rooftop photovoltaic system can — and should — produce energy for decades without any maintenance. You will need to replace your solar power inverter at the end of its life cycle, but none of the...

A home solar energy system can create enough electricity to meet your household needs — if the system is sized correctly. An online calculator can give you an estimate of how many solar panels you’ll need to harness an ample supply of energy from the sun. However, it won’t tell you whether your rooftop has sufficient space to hold that number of PV modules. So how can you tell if your roof can handle an appropriately sized solar energy system? Your best resource for information is a local professional photovoltaic contractor, such as the experts at Intermountain Wind & Solar. But to get a general idea, you can use the handy guide below. How Much Open Roof Space Do You Have for a Solar Energy System? If you want an exact calculation of your...

Are you planning a rooftop solar array installation? If so, the condition of your roof matters. If the structural integrity of your roof is significantly compromised, mounting PV panels could pose a risk. Replacing your roof is costly, so you don’t want to do it if it isn’t necessary. Is Your Roof Damaged? Reputable photovoltaic contractors such as the Intermountain Wind & Solar team won’t install PV panels on a roof that’s in poor condition. Photovoltaic modules are designed to create electricity for decades. If a roof develops problems after solar installation, the homeowner may have to pay to have the solar array removed before repairs can be made. Given the added cost, it simply doesn’t make financial sense to mount PV panels on a damaged roof....

The idea of saving 30 percent on a new home solar panel system sounds too good to be true. It must be some kind of gimmick, right? It is not a gimmick. The federal solar investment tax credit (ITC) can cut your photovoltaic costs by a full 30 percent. As long as you own your home PV system and you pay federal taxes, you’re eligible for this lucrative financial incentive. How Does the Federal Solar Tax Credit Work? The federal solar tax credit reduces your income tax liability by an amount equal to 30 percent of your net photovoltaic costs. To calculate your solar ITC, simply take your total equipment and installation charges and subtract any state or local financial incentives...

Installing commercial solar energy systems is a great way for companies to create their own electricity. Gas stations, auto dealers, hotels, distribution centers, stores and office buildings are among the many businesses now powered by photovoltaic energy. Because solar power is a flexible energy solution, companies are using it in a variety of ways. Sizes and configurations for the solar projects vary, but most adhere to one of three basic types of photovoltaic system installations. Roof-Mounted Commercial Solar Systems The majority of commercial installations involve roof-mounted systems. A recent report from the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), revealed that more than 90 percent of the companies that adopt photovoltaic power choose to have the systems mounted on a rooftop. Roof-mounted solar energy systems appeal to business owners because they are well-suited to...

Solar panels do not stop producing electricity during the cold season. Many potential solar adopters put off PV system installation until spring or summer for this very reason, but this notion has no basis in fact. Solar modules generate energy all year long. Photovoltaic power is an investment that will pay off no matter when you plan your installation, so don’t let misinformation stop you from going solar this winter. Solar Panels Don’t Need Warmth Contrary to popular belief, photovoltaic modules don’t need warm weather to create energy — they only need sunny weather. Photovoltaic power is the conversion of light into electricity. When the sun’s rays hit a PV panel, photons of light energy knock the electrons in its solar cells loose. As a result, the electrons become energized and...