Solar Power Discussion Forum

Leif Juell, from Alternative Power, and Kelvin Verity, from Veritas Solar, (both local solar providers) gave an in-depth presentation on how you can green your house and get off the grid. They also discussed the new incentives Colorado is adopting to increase the payback of investing in these renewable energy sources. There are a number of interesting programs available to the homeowner wishing to tap this limitless resource.

Leif kicked off the discussion with a presentation of the Solar Modules and arrays available on today's market, showing installations and technology up and running in the area. He discussed the different systems, how they work, and how they are fitted to individual homes, bringing this futuristic technology right to your doorstep and solidly into the present!

Kelvin followed up with a discussion of the economics behind these systems--how you can save money, how the government and industry will buy your Renewable Energy Credits to help offset the costs, and roughly how much it will cost per Watt to solar up your house! He showed the different considerations that play into generating cost projections such as average days of sunlight, solar aspect, energy conservation in the home, size and type of array.

Both speakers dwelt on PV (photovoltaic) electricity production, for electircal energy, and Solar Thermal heaters that heat your home's water.

10 patrons enjoyed the discussion, and asked lots of questions that centered on cost, Renewable Energy Credits, and how easy it is to tap this renewable resouce!

We managed to record the presentation successfully, like the Hydrogen discussion forum, and it will soon be available online as a podcast!



Leif kicks off the presentation discussing the installation of solar systems, what the needs-to-know are, showing examples from homes in the area.



Kelvin shows off a demo Solar Thermal vacuum tube, for a more efficient way to transfer solar heat to household water supplies.



Leif answers some questions as patrons browse the table set up with examples of solar technologies, including the polymer PV cells that can replace roof tiles to give your home a power producing roof! The tubes in the foreground are demonstration Solar Thermal heaters, that heat water efficiently and renewably. The actual tubes used on homes are more than 6 feet long!



A close up of the PV polymer roofing material, and some high efficiency bulbs.