Solar PV modules come in a variety of sizes and appearances, ranging from thin film substrates to building integrated solar tiles.  The most common PV modules you will see around Colorado are the single and multi-crystalline silicon solar cell panels.  These PV panels can be mounted parallel to your roof for maximum aesthetic value and wind loading resistance.  Solar modules are laminated and protected by tempered glass that is tested to withstand 3/4"-diameter hail.

  Hydro Electric prefers to sell PV modules manufactured by Canadian Solar, Evergreen, Sharp, and Kyocera.  Evergreen is a USA product with a range of high quality String Ribbon™ solar panels that offer exceptional performance, cost effective installation and industry-leading environmental credentials made with their revolutionary wafer technology.  Sharp and Kyocera are Japanese electronics companies that are among the top five solar PV manufacturers in the world.  All three manufacturers provide performance-based warranties that their module outputs maintain no less than 80% of their rated power for 20-25 years, along with 5-6 years warranty on craftmanship.

 Please note that as a registered PV dealer for SunWize Technologies, Hydro Electric can offer a variety of solar products, including solar modules made by many different types of manufacturers.  Please visit their web link at:

http://www.sunwize.com/?utm_source=yst&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=solar+power+energy+GROUP&utm_campaign=SunWize+Technologies+-+Paid+Inclusion

for a complete review of all that is available through SunWize in the PV world.

Inverters

 Inverters convert DC electricity that is produced by solar PV modules to AC electricity that is commonly used by homes and businesses. Inverters operate silently and interface seamlessly with the utility grid, and are UL tested and approved for the use.  Hydro Electric's experience over the past 5 years of installing various PV inverters has led us to believe that the top performer of the PV inverter world include grid tied inverters made by SMA, specifically their "Sunny Boy" series (see their product line at :

http://www.sma-america.com/en_US/products/overview.html

 These Sunny Boy inverters offer superior reliability, require no use of DC disconnects or combiner boxes, and are typically CEC efficiency rated over 96%.   Each comes with a standard ten year warranty and engineered and built to provide years of trouble-free service. SMA is now building a production plant in Denver, so we supporting the growth of Colorado jobs by using SMA products.

 Another grid tied inverter catching considerable recent attention in the grid-tied market is the microinverter's made by Enphase.  These microinverters simplify design, installation and management of your solar power system with a web-based monitoring and analysis website specific to these inverters.

 For Off-Grid PV systems, the industry leader in dependable and rugged inverters is Outback Power Systems.  Outback Power Systems, Inc. is a global designer and manufacturer of cutting edge power conversion solutions that provide reliable electric power for the renewable energy, mobile and backup power markets.

PV Racking Frames

 PV Racking frames securely fasten your PV panels to a stable structure, such as a roof, pole mounts or ground mount structures. There are many options that ensure flexibility in mounting your panels for maximum solar production and aesthetic value. Panels may be secured to the roof of your home, on an outbuilding such as a garage or on a specially-built patio shade structure. Mounting options also include "ground mounts" such as a concrete pad poured in the ground, "pole mounts" on steel poles and "tracking mounts" on poles that can track the path of the sun over the course of the day. In addition, PV racking systems are custom built for high wind loading areas such as Colorado's front range and the Wyoming border.  These custom frames are built to withstand 130 mph wind loads, so you can be at ease with your investment.  Hydro Electric uses PV racking frames produced by UniRac :

http://www.unirac.com/mounting-solutions/roof-mount.php

and Power Fab

http://www.power-fab.com

 

             

Monitoring Equipment

 Monitoring Equipment provides system performance information in a convenient display format. All inverters include a readout screen showing basic real-time system performance. However, some people would like to keep track of their system performance on their home computer, on the web, or using a table-top or wall-mounted console. Most inverter manufacturers offer options for monitoring equipment, both hard-wired and wireless.  For large-scale projects requiring sophisticated web-based monitoring or for lobby kiosks, Hydro Electric uses monitoring equipment developed by Fat Spaniel Technologies and Enphase Microinverters. The Enphase system includes the microinverter, the Envoy Communications Gateway, and the web-based Enlighten monitoring and analysis website for 24/7 monitoring and analysis.

Electrical Code Compliant Equipment

 Electrical Code Compliant Equipment is required of all newly-installed renewable energy systems to ensure that these electrical systems operate safely. The National Electric Code requires a host of safety equipment and practices that must be employed and followed in order to pass final electrical inspection.  Electrical equipment such as disconnects, combiner boxes and safety placards must be added to the system in question. Typically a disconnect is required between each component of the system: one between the solar array and the inverter and one that allows the utility company to disconnect your system from the grid.  Placards are also required that indicate where this disconnect switch is located so that it is easily recognized by utility workers and firefighters.

 Net meters are installed by the utility company free of charge upon completion and inspection of the PV system.  These meters are specific to all renewable energy systems, including wind turbines, and are a special type of meter that allows for grid-interconnection.  Net meters record the amount of energy you consume from the utility, the amount of excess energy you put back on the grid, and the "net difference" of these two parameters from the day your new meter was installed.  If the "net difference" is in your favor, the amount of this difference is credited towards your next electricity bill.  So, your PV system pays for itself by not only eliminating your monthly electricity bill, but reducing your next bill's total by the credits you accumulate!