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Sun Volt

Sun Volt Solar

earth, the final frontier

Clean Energy, Clean Environment

We are at a cross roads in human history, we can choose to continue on as we have been, or we can make a change to improve our future and quite possibly the future for several generations to come. We are here to promote energy independence, a better environment, a secure future and a higher return on investment for your hard earned dollar. It is what I believe in, it is why I am in the solar business.

Live by the incentive, die by the incentive

26 Apr 10 | Incentives

It is no secret that New York state is in dire financial straits.  I believe that many other states face the same challenges.  NYSERDA, the funding mechanism for PV rebates and other renewable energy projects has cut it’s rebate rate to $1.75 per watt installed (down from $4.00 a few years ago).   There approval times for PV system now ranges in the five to six month period.  All of this has served to put a damper on PV installation in NY, especially residential systems.

This is the problem with artificial economies created by government incentives and rebates.  Withdraw the incentive and the market goes away.  There are two forces at work; first, the public is expecting the incentive and have become conditioned to it.  Even as the incentive shrinks, many feel that if they wait, it may come back.  This is true even as prices of PV panels continue to drop, many folks will just wait around for a better deal.   Second, those that are selling these systems get used to having that incentive there like a crutch.  The solar industry is facing the same issue it faced in the late 1980’s when Regan cut the tax incentives for solar systems.  After that, most of the industry dried up.

The main issue is the subsidizing of the fossil fuel industry, which makes energy prices artificially low (however, it makes taxes high).  As many of my customers will tell you, this practice needs to go away in order for renewable energy to be come a viable option in our economy.  Rather than pay out incentives for solar, wind, geothermal, have them compete head to head with “traditional” energy sources by removing the coal, oil and natural gas producer’s incentives.  Of course, the prices of gas and oil will go up, but only to the extent that they will eventually go up anyway.

Competing head to head will solve several issues; reduce pollution through conservation and renewable energy investment, reduce taxes by eliminating payouts to fossil fuel and renewable energy sectors, cut government bureaucracy and remove control from government officials, give consumers a real choice when it comes to energy sources.

In other words, what a market economy is supposed to look like.

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26 Apr 10 | Incentives | Comments (0)

NABCEP certification

25 Apr 10 | General Business, Solar Electric

Paul Thurst NABCEP PV installer certificationIt has been a long road to travel, but I felt that it was important to gain certification through NABCEP for PV installations.   Being certified gives some indication to potential clients and customers that I have taken required technical courses and met a minimum standard of workmanship and customer satisfaction.  Yesterday, the test results arrived and I have attained status as a Certified PV installer.

Being certified as a NABCEP PV installer opens up several state sponsored incentive programs which opens up more business possibilities.

This is not the end all for PV installers, continued education and learning is always required.  Keeping up with the latest technology can be a chore, especially in a developing technology like PV.

In September, I intend to take the Solar Thermal Certification for all the reasons noted above.

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25 Apr 10 | General Business, Solar Electric | Comments (0)

New Distributor relationship with Earthkind Solar

02 Apr 10 | Solar Hot Water, Uncategorized

Phoenix Systems 232 flat plate collectorStarting this year, we have a new dealership with Earthkind Solar for thermal and PV systems.  I like Earthkind because they are a local company and are very responsive to my needs as a dealer installer and to the local customers.

Their solar thermal line is Phoenix Systems collectors, line sets and pump stations.  From an installer perspective, having a prepackaged system eliminates several hours of on site work and makes installations go very fast.  Here is the equipment list for the base system:

Phoenix Classic SDHW system -

  1. 2 Infinity 323 flat plate collectors
  2. Dimensions: 7.09′ x 3.77′ x 0.31′ each, Area in total 54.04 sq ft
  3. Stainless steel flex pipe to connect collector to line set
  4. Complete pitched roof assembly kit, includes racks
  5. Station type Flow-Con-C with pump built in, type WILO-STAR S21 U15
    Controller/included in solar pump station BS3 and 2 sensors
  6. 6.57 gallon expansion tank with connecting kit
  7. 5 gallons 50% Propolene glycol antifreeze mix

Tanks are sold separately.  The tanks are Bradford White 75 or 120 gallon with one or two double walled internal heat exchangers.   The advantages are:

  1. Modular design speed configuration and installation
  2. Collectors are light weight (86 lbs vs 153 lbs)
  3. fast racking system
  4. Stainless Steel flexible pipe set available in 50 or 75′ lengths, no soldering required
  5. Corn based glycol

I look forward to working with Earthkind solar.

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02 Apr 10 | Solar Hot Water, Uncategorized | Comments (2)