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Colorado’s Quest For Renewable Energy

As federal, state, and city officials adapt to changing economic conditions and energy costs, some analysts say the landscape for renewable energy has become even more complicated and challenging. Colorado is an interesting case study in how legislative efforts to adopt progressive eco-friendly energy solutions must be contextualized within a broader economic sense. Even as citizens embrace technologies like Vivint, which allow them to more easily implement and control energy efficiency into their homes and daily lives, politics and public sentiment can’t always compete with the notoriously unpredictable market forces.

The state of Colorado has remained in the conversation as a major player in the fight to streamline renewable energy. In 2004, the state legislature passed Amendment 37, which created a green energy quota that has been scaling up consistently every three years. Currently, the state expects 30% of their energy to be generated by solar power and other renewable energy sources by the end of the decade. This is one of the most progressive in the country. The state has also been consistently crafting subsidies, loans, and rebates in order to bait private companies into investing in green technology and equipment. These enticements include nearly a dozen local loan and rebate programs, property and sales tax incentives, state and utility loans, and dozens of utility rebate programs.

So far, Colorado has been successful in incentivizing their businesses to head down the long road toward renewable energy, fostering an atmopshere which has created a market for some of the nation’s best solar panels. A recent accomplishment which received national headlines was the authorization of three Colorado roofing contractors to sell Dow Powerhouse solar shingles. Touting its place in the “50 Best Inventions of 2009,” Dow Powerhouse is attempting revolutionize roofing shingles by offering affordable Integrated Photovoltaic solar products. Now it appears Colorado will be first state to have the opportunity to tap into this innovation and use it to spur renewable energy use, sustainable home renovation and eco-friendly business ventures.

Analysts expect the future of economic growth in green tech—in Colorado and in the rest of the country—to involve collaborations between city legislatures and utility companies in order to subsidize the cost of solar devices. This must occur in addition to scientific innovation and social education regarding global warming and carbon emissions. In the meantime, environmentally conscious consumer activists should push for more federal legislation that incentivizes both public agencies and private companies to invest in long term energy solutions that are both green and economically practical.

Thank you from Solar Sphere!

We are thankful for all of our wonderful customers! Enjoy your family this weekend and we look forward to serving your holiday needs in the coming weeks!

Low Energy House Design

When considering how to create a low energy house there are several areas which need to be considered.

Orientation

In order to maximise the lowest possible energy demands it is important to recognise that the solar orientation is crucial .The prevailing climate, site layout, design and positioning of windows and room location need to be analysed at a very early stage wherever possible.

South facing windows and roofs add to the solar gain which can be distributed throughout the house as required. In hot climates bedrooms are usually located on the northerly aspect in order to keep them cooler at night.

Solar photovoltaic cells installed on south facing roofs offer the best results and solar water heating systems will help raise the ambient temperature for domestic water heating for many months of the year. Even if this is only a few degrees it cuts down on energy use.

Installing individual solar panels to power outside security lighting or even for operating features such as security shutters or garage doors opening systems is easy and cost effective.

Construction materials

Concrete, brick and stone all absorb heat .During the day this builds up and radiates through the fabric of the building as the outside temperature cools down in the evening. High levels of insulation will help to keep the heat in during the winter thus reducing energy consumption and also keep the house cooler during hot weather.

It is a fact that houses built into the ground such as cave houses have a more equable interior temperature all year round. This principal can be adapted in zero energy houses by the use of compacted earth around the external walls.

If you have a garage, then consider installing an insulated sectional garage door or roller garage doors to keep it draught proof and warm. This gives added benefit for rooms above the garage or leading off from it, such as the kitchen or utility room.

Sun awnings and sun shading systems installed in areas where excessive heat is a problem in summer help reduce the need for fuel hungry air conditioning units.

Day to day living

Most domestic appliances generate a certain amount of heat within the home. In the kitchen the process of making a meal may be the obvious source of heat and it makes sense to fit thermostatic radiator valves so you can regulate individual zones within the house as required rather than having one central thermostat.

Using a computer and electric lights, especially halogen, generates heat. Think carefully about leaving these items switched on when not totally necessary.

Energy Efficient Domestic Electrical Equipment

All domestic appliances are now rated according to their energy efficiency so it is easy to check which models offer the best results. Most modern fridges, freezers, dishwashers and washing machines comply with standards aimed at keeping energy use as low as possible.

All in all there are many ways energy levels can be kept as low as possible to the benefit of everyone whether by simple lifestyle changes or using the latest technology.

The Benefits of Living Off the Grid

By living off the grid, we use renewable energy sources to supply the energy needed for daily living and are no longer dependent on power companies. This means that we no longer have to worry about constant rate increases. Also, we now have a chance to do something positive about reducing our carbon footprint. Solar power and wind power make use of totally renewable, green energy. Compare this with using electricity from fossil fuels that are non-renewable and also pollute the environment. It is estimated that over 40 percent of total carbon dioxide emissions in the United State come from generating electricity. For the average person, about 12 percent of their carbon footprint is derived from home energy.

Is it a Wise Time to Go Solar Yet?

For many of us, when we hear experts talk about the cost of solar power, our primary point of reference may be our own monthly electric bill. We look at our bill, divide the amount we’re paying by the amount of watts we’re using each month, and make the deduction that solar energy is still too costly. This, however, is like comparing apples and oranges.

But the primary reason that costs are so low right is array of rebate and incentive programs offered by federal, state and local governments, as well as discounts offered by conventional power utilities. The federal incentive program alone can shave 30% of the cost of installation.

The amount that can be saved from these incentive programs varies from area to area. In some places, the savings are truly exceptional. In Florida, solar panel installation and construction company Dana B. Kenyon Company installed 130 solar panels, a massive 26-kilowatt system, on the roof of their own office building. After taking advantage of all available tax credits and incentives, the $240,000 system cost the company only $40,000.

These incentive programs will not continue forever, however. Some are already being phased out, altered or cut. In New Jersey, the fund reserved for the state rebate program was raided last year to help pay down the state’s budget deficit. The program has yet to be restarted. Governor Chris Christie is pushing for revisions in the state’s other green initiatives as well, which may result in cuts to the rebate program offered by New Jersey utilities. The federal incentive program will expire at the end of 2016.

It’s safe to assume that rebate and incentive programs nationwide may never be as generous as they are now. In addition to incentive programs, in most areas energy-efficient home loans are currently available from banks, government agencies and utilities. Again, these programs may never be as prevalent as they are right now. It’s unlikely that interest rates will fall much lower, either.

Meanwhile, conventional electricity costs continue to rise, up 50% in most areas from 1999. Experts predict that costs will double again by 2023. Energy consumption is increasing as well. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, worldwide energy consumption is expected to nearly double by 2035. Recent man-made and natural disasters have proven how world events can affect the price of energy, and how precarious energy production truly is. Taken all in all, there may be no better time to go solar than now.

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Hailing from Oakland, CA, Brittany Mauriss is editor for CalFinder, a free service that connects

you with residential solar installers and remodeling contractors. Her passions are music,

sustainability, and helping people make beautiful homes.