Solar Electric
(PV) systems power the international space station and
hundreds of satellites transmitting TV signals and cell
phone calls. PV is an elegant, sophisticated, and reliable
technology that now powers dozens of local homes. Yours
could be next!
A
1.5 kW PV system can save homeowners approximately $250
per year at current Colorado electricity prices. Systems
installed in the Roaring Fork Valley can use net metering.
That means when your system produces more electricity
than you are using, your meter spins backwards. On cloudy
days, your meter will spin forwards.
There are many types
of solar cells and several options for mounting the
panels. In the photo on the left,
the panels have been pole-mounted.
This roof
surface has a thin
film PV solar
laminated to it. The solar strips have an adhesive back that
sticks directly to the metal roof surface.
To see an
example of a Building Integrated PV (BIPV) system, visit the
Yellow Brick school house in Aspen (on Garmisch St.)
This barn
uses another Building Integrated PV technology--solar
roof shingles.
This picture
from the Atlantis website shows "SUNSLATES"
which is another type of PV roof
shingle.
