ECO Energy News

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Posts Tagged ‘costs of installation’

McGlynn Middle School Northwind 100 turbine web interface

October 9th, 2009

Northern Power Systems offers administrative software to monitor their Northwind 100 Wind Turbine. Here is a website that shows the McGlynn Middle School’s turbine in Medford, MA.

A quote from the Northern Power Systems website says it best:

PublicView: Your Community’s Window Into Your Northwind 100 Turbine

The turbine is up and spinning, the ribbon cutting is over, and most of the news camera crews have gone home. But neighbors, residents, and customers are still calling, inquiring, and visiting the newest addition to their town. PublicView is a web-based tool that can provide answers to the questions people may have, such as:

How much power is the Northwind 100 producing?
How windy is it today?
How much energy has the Northwind 100 made to date?

Your turbine will be the center of attention for at least the first few years of operation. Giving your neighbors a window into its operation and impact can encourage long-term support and a sense of community involvement in your wind project.

Good for ‘em!

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Posted in Case Studies, Commercial Wind Power, Energy, Wind

Tags: application costs of installation development small wind turbines

2009 Govenors Energy Office Solar Rebate Program Successful, Program Being Expanded with ARRA Funds

September 4th, 2009

The GEO’s 2009 Solar Rebate Program ended on June 30th and was a great
success. A result of the close collaboration of community non-profits,
municipalities, Rural Electric Associations, solar contractors, energy
auditors, and Colorado residents and businesses, the results achieved in
the program’s first year included:

A total of 499 solar energy systems were installed resulting in 2.36 megawatts of production capacity. This is enough energy to power 486 homes every year with 100% solar energy.
A total of $2,433,919 in rebates was issued resulting in $9,278,000 in direct system investment, a significant portion of which was generated in economically depressed regions of the state.
Eighteen direct jobs were created within program partner organizations and solar contracting companies.
The instillations avoided 2,443 Metric Tons of CO2 emissions, the equivalent of taking 447 passenger cars off the road for 1 year.
Five Colorado schools received grants for systems.

The GEO Solar Rebate Program is currently being upgraded and finalized.

You can expect to see an expanded version of this program for residents and businesses as a result of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

In the meantime:

Xcel Energy customers should visit the Xcel Energy Web site for information about the Solar Rewards program.
Black Hills Energy customers should visit the Black Hills Energy Web site for information about their rebate program.

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Posted in News, Planning, Policy

Tags: costs of installation government News rebates

Xcel Energy & Black Hills Energy solar rebate programs

September 1st, 2009

I just received a message from Mike Brown of Eco Depot USA outlining two scenerios that take advantage of Xcel Energy and Black Hills Energy PV Solar Rebate programs.

Xcel pays $3.50 a watt for an installed system up to 10 kW (that’s up to $35,000).

Black Hills pays up to $45,000 for a 10 kW system (that’s up to $45,000).

He says a typical home requires a 5 kW system . Installed turn key cost $32,500.

So the Xcel rebate on a 5 kW system would be $17,500. Then there is the Federal tax credit of 30% or net of $4,500.

So the total installed cost of a 5 kW system after rebate and tax credit would be $10,500. The typical payback time for that would be 7-9 years.

Extrapolate that out for Black Hills Energy $4.50 a watt and payback is 5-7 years (32,500 – 22,500 = 10,000 – 30% = 3000.00 = $7,000.00 after rebate and credit).

Here are a couple links to the utility company programs:

Excel Energy solar rebate program

Black Hills Energy solar rebate program