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Above top, Hoisting a wind generator; above bottom the gang from the
Solar Energy Institute.
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Innovative Energy designs, installs and services all types of renewable energy systems. We have more than 10 years of experience with solar, wind and hydro power systems in Colorado. We can provide Professional Engineering services and have Colorado Solar Energy Industry Association (COSIEA) certified PV installers on staff.
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WHY GO SOLAR?
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Colorado has over 320 sunny days a year; this is free fuel that can be harnessed to power your home or business. Solar power produces no harmful pollutants, is reliable, quiet and is an independent energy source. Manufacturers supply 20 year warrantees on PV panels. Solar power works wherever the sun shines.
The cost of PV power has been higher than conventional energy sources so it has not been widely used. However, as energy prices rise and states like Colorado provide economic incentives, the cost of solar energy can now compete with conventional energy costs. Colorado has adopted a Renewable Energy Portfolio (RPS) that encourages the use of renewable energy sources.
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AMENDMENT 37
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Passed by Colorado voters in November of 2004, this amendment requires that large utility companies provide net metering for PV energy providers. This means that the utility company must pay you at the same rate they bill you. The amendment also says that qualifying utilities offer monetary incentives to encourage the installation of grid tied PV systems.
With these 2 regulations solar power is now an economically sound alternative to conventional energy sources. States like California, New Jersey, New York and New Mexico have adopted similar programs and they are seeing unexpected benefits.
As of December 1, 2004 Xcel Energy has agreed to pay grid-tied PV customers in their service area 40% to 50% of their installed system cost as an equipment rebate and REC payment. Xcel Energy has also streamlined the process of net metering energy of 10 kilowatts or less. In addition the federal government will give a 30% tax credit from 2006 until 2008.
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MORE INFORMATION
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For additional information please see the following resources:
http://www.nrel.gov
http://www.solarenergy.org
http://www.coseia.org
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