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Intermountain Wind & Solar Blog – Leading Solar Contractor

According to the 2018 Top Solar Contractors List presented by Solar Power World, the industry’s leading source for technology, development and installation news, Intermountain Wind & Solar was recognized as one of the leading solar contractors. Intermountain was ranked 153 out of 450 solar companies and third in the state of Utah.

The purpose behind The Top Solar Contractors List is to recognize and highlight the work completed by solar contractors across the United States. Produced annually, the Top Solar Contractors list celebrates the achievements of U.S. solar developers, subcontractors and installers within the utility, commercial and residential markets, and ranks contractors by kilowatts installed in the previous year.

“Solar Power World is very excited about the 2018 class of Top Solar Contractors,” said Kelly Pickerel, editor in chief of Solar Power World. “Our 2017 list showed impressive installation numbers after 2016’s huge rush to meet ITC requirements, and many companies were hesitant to show unavoidable installation dips after last year’s high. We’re happy to feature a strong group of thriving U.S. solar installers on the 2018 Top Solar Contractors list. These companies truly are at the top of their markets.”

The U.S. solar market had its biggest year ever in 2016 with more than 15,000 MW installations. In 2017 there was a drop bringing the installations down to 10,608 MW due to projects rushing to meet the anticipated expiration of a 30% federal tax credit that was eventually renewed. However, the non-residential solar market grew 28% year-over-year in 2017, the fourth straight year of annual growth for commercial, industrial and community solar.

The first quarter of 2018 showed a 13% growth compared to the first quarter of 2017 and by 2023 more than 15,000 MW of solar is expected to be installed annually.

Intermountain Wind & Solar employs 105 workers who installed 5,388.8 KW of solar power in 2017. Since the company was founded in 2008, it has installed a total of 29,727 KW of solar.

Call Intermountain Wind & Solar, one of the largest residential installers in the Intermountain West to get started on your solar power project.

If you are seeking to make the switch to PV energy it is important to pick a qualified solar energy contractor who is licensed to work in your state. There are a plethora of PV installers across the Intermountain West, however, solar industry experts recommend choosing a professional solar installer that has a NABCEP certification.

About NABCEP

NABCEP stands for North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners, a nonprofit organization that offers professional certifications for PV installers. They strive to ensure the highest quality and standards throughout the renewable energy industry.

In order to become certified by NABCEP, PV installers must have an extensive knowledge that is tested by passing an exam as well as meeting other specific qualifications.  Hiring a certified solar installer is the best way to make sure you get the highest quality experience with your residential or commercial photovoltaic endeavor.

Why You Can Trust NABCEP Certification

If you are wondering why solar installers obtain a NABCEP certification, it is simply because they are going above and beyond to commit to the quality and integrity of their projects. There are no state or federal requirements to get certified; therefore, it is strictly voluntary.

The NABCEP certification is also very helpful for consumers because it assists them in identifying a PV installer that is highly educated. Industry experts consider those that are certified to be the most qualified to complete the photovoltaic power system installation.

Intermountain Wind & Solar is NABCEP Certified

We are proud to say that along with being the leading photovoltaic power provider for the Intermountain West, our professional PV installers are also certified by NABCEP (Mike Allen — Cert. #032611-04, Mike Telford — Cert. #092411-142).

Besides being NABCEP certified, at Intermountain Wind & Solar you will find other benefits that you cannot get elsewhere which include our local expertise and our expert in-house staff. Working with a local solar installer will give you an advantage because we know the regional rules regarding PV system installations. We also know all of the local resources in order to give you the maximum financial benefit.

Having our professional in-house staff for every step of the process makes it so we don’t outsource work and are completely reliable for the entire project.

At Intermountain Wind & Solar we focus on providing affordable and effective PV systems throughout the states of Idaho, Utah, Nevada, Colorado and Wyoming. If you have any further questions regarding our NABCEP certification or would like to schedule a complimentary consultation, contact us today.

A rooftop commercial solar energy system is a wise investment for almost any business. Generating your own energy not only saves money but also protects your company against future electricity rate hikes. And those are far from the only benefits of switching to photovoltaic power.

Unfortunately, not every building is well-suited for a rooftop solar panel system. How can you determine whether your building can work for a photovoltaic installation, and what can you do if a rooftop commercial solar installation isn’t an option?

Rooftop Solar Can Be Installed on Most Commercial Buildings

If your building is like most industrial, warehouse, agricultural, retail and manufacturing facilities, a rooftop solar panel system should be a good fit. Most of these commercial buildings have large, flat roofs with plenty of space for mounting photovoltaic panels.

However, a rooftop photovoltaic installation might not work if your roof is crowded with vents and equipment — there may not be enough room, or shade from the obstacles could block the sun. In addition, some older roofs may not be able to bear the added weight of a solar panel system.

Alternatives to a Rooftop Commercial Solar System

When a rooftop isn’t right for a solar panel system, businesses have other options for switching to photovoltaic power.

A photovoltaic shade awning or parking lot canopy can generate electricity, and both are good choices for space-strapped properties. Businesses with enough space can also consider a ground-mounted commercial photovoltaic installation.

Benefits of Installing a Commercial Solar Panel System

Regardless of whether a rooftop photovoltaic installation works for your business’s building or you need to go with a different type of commercial solar panel system, you can expect several benefits.

Saving money on utility bills and becoming less vulnerable to energy rate hikes are two of the biggest advantages, of course, but they aren’t the only ones. Once you switch to photovoltaic power, your business will be eligible for lucrative tax incentives that can save you thousands. Your property value will also increase, which may be advantageous if you decide to sell. Plus, your solar panel system can give you a big public relations boost and send more customers your way.

If your business is in one of the Intermountain West states — Utah, Colorado, Idaho, Wyoming or Nevada — and you want expert advice on making the switch to photovoltaic power, consult with the professional team at Intermountain Wind & Solar.

As the region’s leading commercial and residential photovoltaic provider with a 10-year history of exceptional service, Intermountain Wind & Solar has the expertise to design an efficient, cost-effective, ground-mounted or rooftop commercial solar power system for any Intermountain West business. To schedule a complimentary consultation, contact us today.

Your solar energy system needs an inverter to take the direct current (DC) harnessed from the sun and convert it to alternating current (AC) power, which is the standard in U.S. homes.

String inverters are the less expensive, but photovoltaic experts often recommend micro-inverters, due to their many other benefits and advantages.

No. 1: Faster Solar Energy System Installation

Micro-inverters are individually attached to each of the photovoltaic panels in your home solar power system. Since the panels aren’t wired together in strings, the solar energy installation process is often faster — which translates to savings on labor charges.

No. 2: Less Visible Solar Energy Equipment

String inverters are typically installed close to the utility meter, either inside the garage or outside of the home. Some models take up a lot of valuable space, and most are rather unsightly. With micro-inverters, most of the solar equipment is up with the photovoltaic panels, out of view.

No. 3: Greater Solar Energy System Efficiency

With a string inverter, damage or shade on one of the photovoltaic panels decreases the energy output of the entire system. Micro-inverters are much more efficient and reliable — you don’t have to worry about losing all your electricity production if one module underperforms.

No. 4: Precision Photovoltaic System Monitoring

If you install a string inverter, you’ll be able to track the energy production of your home solar power system as a whole. With micro-inverters, however, you can monitor the electricity output of each individual module. And using a web-based monitoring system, you can see how each of your photovoltaic panels is performing from anywhere.

No. 5: Easy to Expand a Home PV System

Do you think you might want to add on to your solar power system at some point? Some homeowners start with smaller photovoltaic arrays and expand them later, as their budget allows. If you’d like that option, you may want to install micro-inverters to make expansion easier.

No. 6: Extended Solar Warranty Coverage

Warranties for string inverters offer coverage for about 5 to 10 years, as these parts can wear out by that time. Micro-inverters, on the other hand, typically come with 25-year warranties because of their longer life spans. If you want photovoltaic components that last, you’ll want to choose micro-inverters.

The professionals at Intermountain Wind & Solar recommend micro-inverters for many home PV system installations, but string inverters are a smart choice for many homeowners. The decision comes down to your needs and preferences — our team can design an efficient, cost-effective photovoltaic installation with either type of inverter.

For expert advice on whether you should go with string inverters or micro-inverters — or for guidance on other crucial home solar energy system decisions — contact Intermountain Wind & Solar and schedule a consultation today.

Solar net metering policies vary across the country. In some states, solar homeowners are credited the full retail rate for excess electricity sent to the utility grid, but in others, the energy is credited at a lower rate — or not at all.

Currently, 38 states have mandatory solar net energy metering (NEM) rules. How does your Intermountain West state weigh in?

Colorado

If you live in Colorado, you’ll earn full-price credit for all the electricity your home solar system generates and sends to the utility grid. NEM credits don’t expire in this Intermountain West state — they roll over from month to month.

At the end of the year, if you’ve got a surplus, you can either ask the utility company for a check or continue rolling the credits over.

Utah

The solar net metering law in Utah requires the Rocky Mountain Power utility company to provide credit for excess electricity sent to the grid. Your NEM credit rate depends upon when you adopted home solar power — only customers who applied before the middle of November 2017 are eligible for the full retail rate through the end of 2035. Other customers are credited at a slightly lower rate.

Nevada

In Nevada, a recent net metering policy ruling kept the credit for excess solar electricity at the full retail rate — at least for homeowners who qualify under the grandfather clause. Other solar customers will have a $25 minimum bill to offset utility costs and will be credited under a revised rate structure.

But the governor is working with a task force on a reform plan, so the NEM policy is far from set in stone.

Wyoming

Wyoming investor-owned utility companies and electric co-ops are required to offer solar net metering, but no rate is specified. Some offer the full retail rate for solar electricity, while others provide wholesale NEM credit. At the end of the year, any surplus is paid out at a reduced rate.

Idaho

Idaho has no solar net metering laws in place. Despite this, all three of the investor-owned utility companies here offer their own independent NEM programs. Excess electricity generated by solar panel systems is credited at the full retail rate in all the programs, but depending upon your utility company, any end-of-year surplus may revert to the utility company with no compensation.

Net metering policies in the Intermountain West states are constantly changing, as we’ve recently seen in Utah and Nevada. You can always check the status of the net metering policies in your state on the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE), or check with your local electric utility provider.

The professional team at Intermountain Wind & Solar, the region’s leading photovoltaic contractor for over a decade, can design an efficient, effective home solar system that meets your energy needs and monetary goals, even if your state’s solar net metering policy changes. To learn more, contact us and schedule a free consultation today.

Residential solar energy systems are designed on a case-by-case basis. Homeowners have different electricity needs, and because every rooftop or ground installation site is unique, photovoltaic system configurations are individually planned.

That said, most residential photovoltaic power installations share the same types of components. These are the primary components needed for a home PV system.

Solar Panels

Solar panels are the foundation of any home PV system. Made of dozens of solar cells, the panels absorb photons of light from the sun and transform the particles into an electrical current — a phenomenon known as photovoltaic effect. The more electricity a home uses, the more photovoltaic panels are needed.

Solar Inverters

The photovoltaic effect produces direct current (DC) electricity, but home electronics and appliances require alternating current (AC) electricity. Inverters take the DC energy from the photovoltaic panels and convert it to usable AC energy. For residential solar energy systems, either micro-inverters or string inverters can be installed.

Mounting Racks

Most residential photovoltaic power systems are installed on rooftops, using mounting components specifically designed for residential solar panels. The racks typically require installers to make some holes in the roof, but special flashing is used to create a watertight, leak-free seal. Ground-mounted solar energy installations use metal poles and racks made to support the panels at the ideal tilt and angle.

Wiring

In a home PV system, the photovoltaic panels are wired together into a string, and the string is wired to the inverter. Or, if micro-inverters are used, each one is connected to a separate panel. The wiring is then attached to the home grounding system and connected to the grid with the net meter from the local utility company. The net meter allows electricity to flow between the home and the electric grid.

Solar Monitoring System

Residential solar energy systems often have in-home production meters to track electricity production. Many homeowners also opt to have web-based monitors installed to more easily observe their home PV system output and understand patterns in their household energy usage. Monitoring systems also alert homeowners to changes in electricity generation, which means they can be addressed more quickly.

If you’re planning on investing in residential solar power, you want high-quality photovoltaic components — and that’s exactly what you’ll get if you plan your home PV system installation with Intermountain Wind & Solar.

Intermountain Wind & Solar uses only tried-and-true, well-tested photovoltaic products from trusted, established manufacturers. And our team is just as committed to exceptional customer service as we are to using quality components. To schedule a home PV consultation in Utah, Idaho, Nevada, Colorado or Wyoming — or to learn more about our residential solar energy systems — contact us today.