About Solar Electric (PV or Photovoltaic)

You can bet your bottom dollar that the sun will come out tomorrow. That is a profitable certainty in an increasingly uncertain world. Solar electric is the straight-flush of poker. Current incentives reduce the costs of a system to you by as much as two-thirds. This means that your photovoltaic system essentially pays for itself the day it is purchased. Unlike a winning poker-hand, PV is a public display of affection that shows you care about doing the right thing for the environment, the country, and your pocketbook.

Novan is Dedicated to Proving That the Best Things in Life Really Are Free

What is PV (Photovoltaic Electricity)?
How Does PV Work?
What About “Net Metering”?
Why Should I Invest in PV?
How Can Novan Meet my Solar Electric Needs?
What About Third-Party Arrangements?
Why Should I Choose Novan?

What is PV (Photovoltaic Electricity)?

• Solar PV is electricity from sunlight
• A solar PV system is an appliance that converts sunshine into usable electricity
• Energy from the sun is free, perfectly clean, and the most abundant source of energy on Earth

How Does PV Work?

• The workhorse of a PV system is the solar cell
• A solar cell is made of a semiconductor – usually silicon (which is just processed sand) – that has been crafted to create an electric current when illuminated by sunlight
• A PV panel or module is simply many solar cells connected together.
• A solar array is many panels connected together.
• Arrays are custom designed to fit your specific energy needs.
• A solar cell = modified silicon. A panel = many solar cells. Array = many panels.
• A complete photovoltaic system also contains other important components called the “body-of-system”.

Components of a grid-tie body-of-system include:

Mounting hardware
A “flush mount” is where the panels are mounted flush against your roof
A “pole-mount” or “ground-mount” is where the panels are mounted onto a base built into the ground

An inverter to convert direct current (DC) produced by the panels to alternating current (AC) that is used in most common household appliances

Stand-alone systems have a more complicated “power conditioning system” that includes such hardware as batteries, charge controllers, back-up generators, as well as the inverter

System disconnect to protect utility technicians from inadvertent electric shock during a repair of the grid

Array – inverter - (power conditioning system) – controller – load and grid

What About “Net Metering”?

• “Grid-tie” means that your system is connected directly to the power grid
• The utility company buys this electricity from you at retail prices through a process called net metering.
• When your system produces more energy than you consume the excess energy is fed back into the power grid and your meter runs backward.
• Excess energy at the end of the month is carried forward into the next month as a credit on your electric bill
• At the end of the year, if your system has produced more energy than you have consumed, the utility will buy that electricity from you at wholesale prices
• There is no real financial incentive to produce more electricity than you use
• The best thing you can do is to reduce your use of electricity

Every dollar you invest in energy efficient appliances will save you three dollars off the price of your PV system.

Why Should I Invest in PV (Photovoltaic Electricity)?

The Simple Reason is the Peace of Mind That Comes From Bing Solar Savvy

Economic:

• The combination of government tax incentives and utility rebates reduce the cost of a system to you by 50 to 60%
• Systems designed to last maintenance-free for decades essentially pay for themselves as soon as they’re purchased
• From then on, you’ll be generating your own electricity free and clear
• Considering the endless spiral of increasing energy costs, can you afford not to invest in PV?

Environmental:

• Climate change and degradation means the days of cheap, carefree energy are over.
• Solar energy is emission-free, silent, and one of the best things you can do to reduce your carbon footprint
• Solar energy is an investment your children and grandchildren will thank you for

National Security:

The estimated cost of the 2003 northeastern blackout is between $6.8 to $10.3 billion:

• Our nation’s electric grid is aging at the same time more and more is being asked of it
• Not even considering the possibility of a terrorist attack, this is a threat to our national security
• PV is something you can do to significantly reduce the threat of blackouts and increase our national security

Most of our electricity is generated independent of foreign sources, but domestic coal and nuclear carry their own set of threats:

• Nuclear energy is always a risky proposition
• Spent fuel and nuclear waste pose environmental and health risks for tens of thousands of years
• Investing in PV will help preserve the places we love, and the nation we cherish, for generations to come

How Can Novan Meet my Solar Electric Needs?

• Our leading product is the photovoltaic (“PV”) system - an appliance that converts sunlight into electricity
• Novan installs only the highest quality PV panels (collectors) and other “body of system components” such as inverters and mounting hardware
• Novan has monitoring systems so that you can see how much your system is producing on your home computer
• Novan will give you a free on-site evaluation and custom design your system to meet your particular needs

What About Third-Party Arrangements?

• For large installations (100+ panels), a third party energy provider finances the cost of the installation of your PV system on your property at zero cost to you
• The third party then sells you the electricity or heat produced from the system at a fixed rate for a period of time agreed upon by both parties (usually 10 to 15 years)
• At the end of your contract, you will have the option to renew or purchase the system at a nominal cost and enjoy free electricity or heat for decades to come

Why Should I Choose Novan?

• At Novan, Customer Service Comes First
• Novan is Colorado’s oldest and most trusted provider of solar energy – we’ve been in the business since 1983
• From design to build, Novan has the experience you can count on for any size system
• Our in-house engineering and installation staff provides a single source capability for all of your solar power needs

Contact us to set-up a free onsite evaluation and discuss incentives and financing options