• General Information

    • Grid-Tied Solar/Wind Electric Systems

    • Grid-Tied Battery Back-Up Systems

    • Off-Grid Systems

 

General Information

 The word photovoltaic (PV) means "converting light to electricity." Anyone standing with the sun on their face can attest to how they are being "energized" by the sun's rays. Similarly, PV panels are composed of cells that contain a semi-conducting material, usually silicon. This semi-conducting material absorbs light energy from the sun and converts it into electricity.

 More specifically, inside the panel, photons from the rays of the sun are captured and collide with electrons in the silicon, sending them into a higher state of energy, thus creating direct current (DC) electricity. This DC current is typically used by battery-powered appliances or lighting, but, for most of us, this type of power needs to be converted into alternating current (AC) power to help us power the tools, appliances and lights we use in our homes and businesses. To accomplish this conversion of DC power to AC power, a highly efficient "inverter" is employed. Please review the description of "Grid Tied" PV systems for a further explanation of inverters.

 

Grid-Tied Solar/Wind Electric Systems

 Grid-tied solar or wind turbine electric systems are installed at homes and businesses where the normal coal-fired electricity grid is already available. They are required by the utility companies and both local and state permitting authorities to be inspected and approved to ensure they interface seamlessly with the existing breaker panels and meters before they can be operated. The strict permitting requirements enforced by these governing agencies are designed for your personal and property safety, as well as the safety of those who work for the utility companies. Any excess electricity your PV or wind turbine system creates that is not used by your home or business is transmitted back up onto the utility transmission lines, or "grid", allowing excess power that is produced from the sun or wind to be sold back to the utility company. To facilitate this transfer of excess power, the utility company installs what is referred to as a "net meter" in place of your old electric meter upon completion and approval of your renewable energy system. The function of this net meter is to track credits accumulated for the excess electricity your system produced and apply these credits towards your annual electricity bill.

 For example, the PV energy produced for your business on a weekend or your home while you are at work will exceed the energy "demand" of your dwelling, and thus is transmitted back up onto the grid via your net meter and is credited against your electric bill. Or let’s say your wind turbine is working overtime during a normal windy day here in Northern Colorado while you are sleeping, where the only power demands in your home include the furnace, refrigerator, and the answering machine. You can sleep tight knowing that you are reducing if not eliminating next month's electric bill! The elimination or reduction of your electric bill is, in part, how the system will pay for itself.

 Employing solar or wind energy is a quick and easy process, requiring no changes to your lifestyle or to the internal wiring of your home or business. Each month, you'll feel good about your lower electric bill and the positive difference you're making for our environment.