Xcel Energy, one of the nation’s leading electric and natural gas companies, is doing its part to make Colorado one of the most eco-friendly states nationwide. Granted 170 megawatts by Colorado Public Utilities Commission in late 2013, Xcel announced earlier this year that it would partner with Community Energy Solar LLC for 120 megawatts of the allotment. According to the Denver Business Journal, that 120-megawatt solar plant is estimated to be established by mid-2016, take up 900 acres, and service approximately 31,000 average-sized households. Once completed, the farm would be the largest solar power farm east of the Rockies, according to a press release from Community Energy Solar LLC. But that’s not all. In a joint press release from Xcel Energy, and its new partner SunPower Corp. on May 27th, the pair have “signed a power purchase agreement to build a 50-megawatt solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant in Colorado’s San Luis Valley.” Dependent on permits, this farm would be established by the end of 2016, span 320 acres, and service around 13,500 homes.This deal fulfills Xcel’s 170-megawatt grant in the state of Colorado. Between these two deals, Xcel is well on its way to becoming one of Colorado’s leading green-energy providers. Along with the farms that Xcel has already established throughout Colorado, customers will be able to purchase the solar energy that is generated by these panels to electrify their homes. With opportunities to ‘go green’ arising every day, there is no reason that you should wait to make your home as sustainable as possible. At Golden Solar, our team of experts can help you understand the growing world of clean energy and offer panel design advice and installation. Contact Golden Solar for your free, on-site consultation today!

With a governmental push from the U.S. Department of Energy via their SunShot Initiative to create cost-competitive solar energy for consumers across the country, the nation as a whole is moving towards innovative forms of sustainable energy. As a result, many cities and towns are taking it upon themselves to push for change at a local level. In Colorado, eco-conscious areas like Denver, Boulder and Jefferson counties have already created their own community-owned solar programs. According to a press release issued on May 14 by the Clean Energy Collective (CEC), another Colorado hub, Fort Collins, announced that it would be following suit. As a part of an initiative to measurably decrease the community’s greenhouse gas emissions by 80  percent by 2030, Fort Collins Utilities will partner with the Clean Energy Collective (CEC) to run its program. Clean Energy Collective is a Colorado-based solar developer that plans to build a 333 kW commercial-grade solar PV array within its territory. This construction and partnership will enable solar ownership for any of Fort Collins’ roughly 65,000 residential consumers. Participants in the Fort Collins program will purchase remotely located panels through Fort Collins Utilities. In doing so, they will receive the same incentives and rebates associated with converting to solar energy, just as they would if the panels were on their own roof. Any power that their purchased panel(s) generate will be directly credited to their utility bills through the CEC’s RemoteMeter™. With affordable upfront cost and long-term savings, going solar in Fort Collins will be more than possible by the end of this year. Even if you aren’t established in Fort Collins, you can still reap the benefits of going solar in your own home! If you are interested in learning more about this technology and how to convert your home to solar energy, contact Golden Solar today. Our experienced staff of specialists offer free on-site consultations, as well as design and installation!

Valentin Software, a Berlin, Germany-based company, announced its plans to release a new, updated solar plant simulation software for users at solar power plants. The company’s new program, called PV*SOL premium,  provides users with an easy-to-use interface where they can visualize the plan and design for solar power plants in greater detail than before. This innovative, fresh software will replace its predecessors that offer a similar service in less detail. According to a press release from Valentin Software, the new program will be presented to the international solar energy community at Intersolar Europe, the world’s largest solar trade fair held at the beginning of June. The presentation will highlight the software’s updates and key features. At the core of all Valentin Software programs is the ability to calculate the the amount of shade that panels would receive in certain locations on a home. PV*SOL premium is able to evaluate ideal location for panels in any given space, as well as how different placement would affect the amount of energy generated by the panels. Two of the prominent updates from previous programs are that PV*SOL premium accounts for its own use of energy, and updates load profiles of each panel in any increment of time. These updates make the software more intuitive for users, and efficient and effective at powering any residential, commercial and industrial locations. While software like this will make large-scale projects in the solar panel industry much more manageable, it isn’t necessary for turning your house into a sustainable home. Our trained staff of experts at Golden Solar can help you understand the advancements of this industry, and plan, design and install solar electric panels for you! Contact Golden Solar for your free consultation with one of our representatives!

We spend a lot of time on this blog talking about the benefits of solar panels in Colorado, whether it’s the energy savings that they provide for homeowners or the independence from fossil fuels that they afford the state’s electricity infrastructure. But one aspect of this issue that doesn’t get enough attention is how solar power can also benefit public health. It’s important to remember that in addition to emitting carbon dioxide, which contributes to climate change, burning natural gas and coal also emits particulate matter that is harmful to peoples’ lungs and allergies. Data published in Scientific American reveals that particle emissions are estimated to cause 59,000 cases of acute bronchitis and 603,000 asthma attacks every year. This doesn’t take into account the fact that mining for coal and drilling for natural gas are both very dangerous operations. While fatality rates have declined over time, it is still the case that these professions lead to many injuries and deaths, not to mention long-term health problems for those who work in the field. Solar power has none of these risks, nor does it produce the kind of emissions that result in serious public health crises. By switching to solar power, you can help reduce the amount of electricity that is derived from coal and natural gas, all while saving thousands of dollars on your electricity bills. If you’re interested in finding out more about the advantages of this technology, contact Golden Solar today! We can perform an on-site consultation for you to figure out the best configuration of panels for your home. Once the system is installed, we can also handle all of your permitting paperwork to make sure that you can claim net metering benefits on your energy bills!

We may not see this for a few years, but it’s certainly an interesting concept to think about: A new company is looking into the feasibility of converting roadway surfaces into solar modules. Using specially designed glass solar cells that are strong enough to be walked and driven on, the firm, called Solar Roadways, has launched a crowd-sourced funding campaign and hopes to begin large-scale manufacture of their panels. The solar cells, which feature a hexagonal shape, could be laid on just about any surface that receives sunlight. In addition to streets, they could be placed in parking lots, bike paths, promenades, sidewalks and any type of pavement. Solar Roadways estimates that there are 31,000 square miles of usable surface area where their panels could be installed, and if that entire area were utilized, it would generate three times as much electricity as the country uses in a year. In addition to providing energy, the company’s panels present a number of other benefits. They’re considered more durable than conventional pavement, so they wouldn’t lead to potholes and other problems that endanger tires and public safety. They’re also equipped with LED lights that can be illuminated at night to mark lanes and provide safer driving. Solar Roadways’ fundraising campaign on IndieGogo has already met its $1 million goal, so hopefully we’ll see their products put into use within the next few years. In the meantime, if you’re looking to convert your own home to Colorado solar energy and you’re wondering whether this is economically feasible, we invite you to contact Golden Solar today! We can provide you with an on-site consultation and tell you more about the incredible savings that this technology offers homeowners.