With the growth and development in the popularity of alternative power sources like wind and solar energy, many utilities have been looking for ways to expand their offerings to more of the consumer market. Colorado, which has long been an innovative state for the creation, implementation and use of solar energy, is also leading the charge in this venture as developers in the area have discovered a way that would make integration of solar technology into new buildings even easier. Many contractors have been including solar electric panels into new buildings already, as they save homeowners measurable costs on utility expenses. Builders, in conjunction with the Colorado Solar Energy Industries Association (COSEIA), like to design with solar technology from the start of construction as they know it will save homeowners on power costs as well as prove their commitment to reducing energy use. Now, there is another form of solar technology that can be used in addition to solar paneling. Solar shingles are incorporated with the roofing of new construction homes to lower carbon footprint and increase energy savings. In test homes, it has been shown that some are actually receiving checks back from utilities because the shingles generate so much energy. With these shingles on part of your roof, as a homeowner, you are then free to incorporate solar panels on the section that is shingled with regular tiles, or to install a display on the lawn near your house. In a statement to Proud Green Home (PGH), State Rep. Dominick Moreno said that leading the solar industry is good for Colorado as a whole. “In Adams County and across the state, we need to make it easier for rooftop solar to thrive,” he told PGH. If you are interested in being a part of the solar revolution, contact Golden Solar for a free, on-site consultation.

With the recent surge in solar and wind energy usage across the nation, we often forget to highlight the importance of everyday, small upgrades that anyone can make that will help make your property more energy-efficient and decrease your utility costs. According to Triple Pundit, the nationwide investment into energy efficiency projects peaked at approximately $2 billion in 1992, and now resides at around $1.2 billion. Part of the problem is that savings are not consistent state-to-state. As a result, it is hard to say what the best practices for energy efficiency are across the board, while solar panels and wind turbines that are properly installed in high-impact locations tend to be consistent on savings yielded. Another major impediment when it comes to implementing energy efficiency on a wider scale is finding the financing for incentive programs. Allowing homeowners to borrow money from states using loans for clean energy investments requires significant funding that many municipalities cannot maintain, especially in an economic downturn. But some industry professionals say that the energy efficiency trend is going to be making a comeback, and soon. Most attribute this expectation because of an increase in awareness at a corporate level. Businesses are being more conscious of their energy decisions, which makes their employees more savvy. They then carry that over into their own homes and lives. Even with a resurgence in energy efficiency popularity, the fluctuation of savings is so great that many homeowners are still opting for solar or wind as they are consistently reliable in reducing utility costs. If you are interested in reaping these benefits for yourself with Colorado solar leases, contact Golden Solar today!

New data from the Environment Colorado Research and Policy Center (ECRPC) shows that Colorado played an important role in the development and growth of the solar industry over the past few years. The report, entitled “Lighting the Way: The Top Ten States that Helped Drive America’s Solar Energy Boom in 2013,” reveals that Colorado experienced an 18 percent increase in solar energy use during 2013. This is largely due to the state and local governments’ investment in developing policy and initiatives that encourage continued expansion. Between 2011 and 2013, the solar industry nearly tripled across the nation. In the last 10 years, solar power has grown 120-fold, according to the Pagosa Daily Post. This year, solar energy is estimated to account for approximately 74 percent of all new electricity generation installations in the U.S. “Solar energy is emerging as a go-to energy option here in Colorado and across the country,” Charlotte Bromley, the field organizer for Environment Colorado, told the Pagosa Daily Post. “Thanks to the commitment of Colorado’s leaders, this pollution-free energy option is poised to play a major role in helping us meet our carbon emission reduction standards set by the Clean Power Plan.” The good news about the large-scale growth of the solar industry is that it decreases the price of solar installations for home and business owners. It also causes a surge in the number of green power jobs available, ranging from panel design to installation and maintenance. Not only are solar electric panels good for your wallet, they’re also great for the environment, with a carbon emission output of zero. In fact, the report from the ECRPC states that the solar industry creates 96 percent less pollution than coal plants. To be a part of the solar revolution, contact Golden Solar today!

The end of July in Colorado was rife with news and meetings regarding the future of the state’s rooftop solar industry. Utility company Xcel Energy has issued a challenge to the state’s key financial incentive when it comes to rooftop solar installations. The idea of net metering on homes that install solar paneling is an important part of the state’s initiative to get residents to invest in solar power. Net metering allocates a credit for every kilowatt-hour that is generated by the solar array connected to the grid for the same price that residential customers are charged for regular electricity. For the area, this price is generally around 10.5 cents per kilowatt hour. As a result of this contest, the Colorado Public Utilities Commission heard the claims by the Xcel executives as well as representatives from the solar industry on Thursday, July 24th. This initial meeting is part of a three-part workshop series that will act as fact-gathering sessions for how to proceed. Xcel argues that the expense that net metering creates ends up costing their customers who may not subscribe to a solar program more in the long run. According the Denver Post, “Xcel calculates that the added power and avoided costs, such as needing less fuel, amounts to only 4.6 cents. The remaining 6 cents is picked up by Xcel’s other customers, the utility said.” The fact is that the cost that accompanies solar electric panels is insignificant when you factor the savings that homeowners experience as a result of their alternative energy generation. If you are interested in becoming a part of the green revolution, contact Golden Solar today.