Solar Electricity (PV)
Systems, components and installation are eligible for both Federal and State income tax credits.
Confused about your options? Give us a call or email us with your questions. Part of our service is to empower you about options and possibilities so that you can choose a renewable energy system that works for you and your unique situation.
Grid Tie, or Net Metering Systems
Easiest, Greenest, Least Expensive
Net Metering is the easiest, greenest and least expensive PV choice.
Net metering allows you to sell power you produce to your electric utility. You do not need a battery bank, as essentially you are using the grid to store energy you produce. Your PV system is connected to the grid and will turn your meter backwards when you produce more energy than you use.
A grid-tie renewable energy system does not need to be sized to meet the full energy demand of the home or business.
No batteries are required in a grid-tie system, but when the grid power is out your power will also be out.
Grid-tie with a backup battery system is an option that allows the customer to continue to use his or her own power during an outage. This is more expensive due to the addition of batteries and an inverter with an automatic transfer switch.
Off Grid Solar Power Systems
Energy Independence
These stand alone electric systems have a robust battery bank to store power produced by photovoltaic (PV) panels. A system could be sized to handle all, or only a part of the customers electricity needs. A site assessment and analysis of current power needs will help determine the size and design of a system.
If the customer has both grid power and a PV system, a transfer switch on the distribution panel allows the customer to switch circuits from the PV system to the grid as needed. Commonly, the customer would isolate critical energy needs onto one or more circuits that would be powered by PV, most efficient when the grid power is off.
Mounting and Siting Options
PV modules come in a variety of formats suited to different installation needs.
Roof Mounting
Roof Mounted PV Array
If you have a South facing roof unobstructed by trees or other buildings, roof mounting PV modules is a great choice. Mounting systems from Sharp, UniSolar, and other manufacturers are specific to any roof type, from asphalt shingles to tile, wood and metal. If you have a standing seam metal roof, amorphous thin-film PV modules may be your best choice.
Pole Mounting
Top of Pole Mount PV Array
PV modules can be mounted on a pole to capture the site’s best solar location. Pole mounting facilitates cleaning the panels and keeping them free of snow.
The Alterra Powerhouse
The Alterra Powerhouse could be placed anywhere you need power with the added benefit of a small building. The building could house a battery bank for off grid or a propane generator backup for grid tie installations. Additionally it could function as a storage shed, guest house, camp, or cabin.
solar-powerhouse-datasheet
Sunwize Solar Electric
We carry Sunwize Solar Electric products.
Products from DC Power
We are a dealers of DC Power Systems Products.
Mage Solar
We are an exclusive dealer of Mage Solar modules in our area. These are high quality German engineered modules that are manufactured in the USA.
Harris Battery
We handle a wide selection of top-performing Clean and Green batteries from Harris Battery; including US Battery, Discover™, Crown®, Odyssey® Harris and Optima®. Environmentally friendly batteries from these manufacturers are ideal for RV, floor-scrubber, marine, renewable-energy, solar and many other applications.
