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PV Production – tracker vs. fixed

Have you ever wondered about the benefit of a dual-axis tracker over a fixed array? Based on a comparison of two PV systems, the tracker is worth the additional cost, if you have the right conditions for installation of a tracker. Part of the increase in production shown in the graph is related to the way a tracker handles snow – it cleans itself off after a storm, whereas a fixed array (roof mount in this case) does not. Note that the tracker came online on June 5 late in the day.

PV ProductionAs you can see in the graph, the tracker out-performed the fixed array, especially in the winter when there was significant snow cover on the roof (January and February). While December 2014 was a bad month for PV by all measures, the tracker was able to produce more than double the amount of power than the fixed array. The average production of the tracker over a 10-month period is around 37% more than the fixed array.

If you are interested in more information about trackers, or PV in general, please contact us. We would love to help you.

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New Business Line!

We are pleased to announce that we have recently purchased a business providing raised garden bed and greenhouse kits. These kits have been produced by Good Wood for several years, and have been sold locally and outside of the state to numerous satisfied customers. The garden bed kits come in 4 by 8, 4 by 12, and 4 by 16 foot configurations, and the greenhouse kits can be matched to the size of the bed. Custom sizes are also available.

The acquisition of this business fits well with the services provided by Net Zero Renewable Resources, which provides design and installation of renewable energy systems, including solar electricity and solar hot water. Many customers realize the benefits of being self-sufficient, and growing their own food fits in well with that lifestyle.

You can find more information here.

greenhouse with poles

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New Partnership

Check out these press releases:

http://vtdigger.org/2014/06/18/new-local-energy-partnership-brings-solar-tracker-central-southeastern-vermont/?utm_source=VTDigger+Subscribers+and+Donors&utm_campaign=6187003a0c-Weekly+Update&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_dc3c5486db-6187003a0c-405532073

http://www.greenenergytimes.net/2014/06/22/new-local-energy-partnership/

http://chestertelegraph.org/2014/06/23/net-zero-of-chester-partners-to-bring-allsun-trackers-to-s-vt-sba-honors-six-small-businesses/

http://www.readoz.com/publication/read?i=1062756#page10

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Solar tracker

We recently completed installation of two active trackers for a customer. The system consists of two AllSun Series 24 trackers with high-efficiency 300-watt LG modules for a total of 14.4 kW. The solar energy generated by the array will offset both the customer’s traditional electric use, as well as the electricity used for geothermal heating. The graph shows the power output from this system since commissioning.

IMG_3176 Screen shot 2014-06-17 at 7.09.21 PM

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100 kW in 2013

We are pleased to announce that Net Zero Renewable Resources, LLC has installed just under 100 kW of PV in 2013! This brings our total installed capacity to 217 kW since 2009. Thank you to all that helped us reach this milestone.

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Wind power in cities

I had the privilege of driving through Cleveland, Ohio on the way to and from Michigan over the weekend, and observed three wind turbines sited in Cleveland or one of its suburbs. Since Cleveland sits right on Lake Erie, and the wind is constantly blowing, using the wind to generate power makes perfect sense for this location. I had actually seen these turbines during a previous trip, and noted how well they fit into an urban environment.

One normally thinks, at least in New England, that these machines need to sit on top of a peak or along a ridge line to make consistent power. I am wondering if there are other locations that we are not considering that might make sense in the long run. Or perhaps other technology that could be used to make power without causing damage to the environment. While visiting a customer today, he noted that mooring a floating platform fitted with an undershot water wheel on the large river that flowed past his house could generate a LOT of power, without causing any harm to the river or ecosystem.

Perhaps we need to reconsider some of our priorities.

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Advertising

You may have seen an advertisement for our services in the online and print media over the past few weeks. This is our first effort at advertising, and we would appreciate any feedback you can give us on the effectiveness of the ad. Did it grab your attention? Were you able to get contact information from it? Did you want to go to our website for more information?

Hopefully, the answer to all these questions is “Yes” and you were able to get more details. If not, please let us know how we can improve.

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Happy New Year

The past couple of days have been very, very cold. With the cold and sun comes very good production of electricity from your PV system, since the solar modules make more power when it is cold. As a matter of fact, during the design of a PV system, we look at the record cold temperature for an area, and make sure the equipment can handle the extra power that could be made during cold weather.

If you don’t yet have a PV system helping you cut your electric bill, call or email us today and let us design a system for you! What a great way to start the new year.

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Merry Christmas

A hearty Merry Christmas to all of you. We think of the blessings we have received over the course of the year, and thank God and each one of you for the opportunity to work with you. We are looking forward to 2013 with anticipation of meeting and making many more good friends.