How is solar energy converted into energy I can use?
There are two different types of active solar panel installations commonly used in residential solar energy projects: photovoltaic systems and solar thermal systems.

• Photovoltaic systems convert sunlight directly into electricity which can be used for domestic electricity needs. The process of turning light (or photons) into electricity (or voltage) is known as the photovoltaic effect.
• Solar thermal systems collect heat from the sun and this energy can be used to heat domestic hot water (DHW), to heat your home, or to heat a pool.

A Kilowatt (kW) is equal to 1,000 Watts. A Megawatt is equal to 1,000,000 Watts and a Gigawatt is equal to 1000 Megawatts. We generally measure our energy usage in our homes by the amount of Kilowatt-hours used in a month.

How much energy would solar photovoltaic panels offset?
To put it in perspective, one megawatt has the potential to power about 750 average homes.

On average, each kW of installed solar photovoltaic panel capacity can generate 150 kWh per month for a residential home. A typical home could have four or more kW of installed solar photovoltaic paneling, which would generate approximately 600 kWh/month, translating to 70% of the electricity use of the typical home in the mountain states, without any energy efficiency upgrades.

How much would I save using solar thermal panels?
One household using an electric hot water heater spends about 25% of its energy expenses to heat water. By using solar thermal panels, your customer can save between 50% and 85% annually when compared to electric water heating.

Solar thermal panels typically pay for themselves in energy savings within 7 to 10 years, and after that, supply free energy.

A local solar installer can give you figures for your area on initial costs, energy offset costs, and other savings possibilities. Also, by initiating energy savings techniques in the home, the solar panels have the potential to offset much of the remaining part of the home energy bill.

For more tips on saving energy and money, see www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/your_home

What are my rights as far as accessibility to sunlight for my solar panels?
The state of Colorado has what is referred to as "Solar Access Laws" to protect your right to install solar panels; however, be sure to look at the local regulations as well. These are usually found in the municipality’s Land Use or Municipal Code/Charter codebooks.

What permits or licenses do I need?
This is an issue generally dealt with on the local level. You can find this information by contacting the local jurisdiction’s zoning and building enforcement divisions.

It's important to work with a solar installer that uses third party testing of their equipment, such as Underwriter Laboratories. The Building and Zoning department will use this third party testing of the manufacturer’s material as a gauge to okay the permit. Solar installation companies will give the Building and Zoning department their third party testing information in lieu of Building and Zoning inspecting the material first-hand.

This same information and other code information can be acquired at either the local library or the local government building and zoning department.

What are solar easements and how do they affect my solar installation?
Solar easements are a privilege or right to obtain access to sunlight on your property even if another owner's property may be affected. If you have a solar easement, another property owner cannot restrict your access to sunlight.

Colorado Revised Statute, Article 38-32.5 establishes the right to protect your solar access through creation of a "Solar Easement." A solar easement is only obtained in writing in the state of Colorado and it cannot be founded on the basis of long usage or custom. In other words, just because a homeowner has had access to the morning sun in their kitchen window and roof for the past 25 years doesn’t mean their neighbor isn't able to put in a new addition, blocking your light, unless they have a solar easement.

What are the preliminary steps I should take to obtain permits and comply with codes?

1. Contact the local jurisdiction's zoning and building enforcement divisions and describe the intended construction. Ask for other relevant ordinances and codes that might be in effect. Be sure to find out if there are any additional local modifications to the regulations in effect.
2. Ask whether the site is located in a historic district, flood-plain area, or any other special category regulated by a government. Follow up on contacts provided.
3. Ask where you may find pertinent ordinances/codes (local library, government office, etc.). Make photocopies of information you wish to file for future review and design/installation analysis.
4. Check with your homeowner's, subdivision, neighborhood, and community association(s) regarding compliance with their own set of ordinances, provisions, or covenants that may affect the design and installation of the system. Copy and file pertinent sections for reference.

Information can also be obtained by speaking directly with the local officials.

What are potential code and zoning issues that should be avoided?

• Exceeding roof load, unacceptable heat exchangers, improper wiring, and unlawful tampering with potable water supplies.
• Obstructing sideyards, erecting unlawful protrusions on roofs, and siting the system too close to streets or lot boundaries.
• See the U.S. Dept of Energy: Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Building Codes, Covenants and Regulations for Solar Energy Systems, at www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/

Are there any tax incentives or low-interest loans for installing solar panels?

Federal Government
There are certain tax incentives and low-interest loans for both residential, but chiefly commercial development through the federal government. You can find out if you qualify by visiting the Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy at: www.dsireusa.org

State of Colorado
The state of Colorado does not offer any tax incentives or low interest loans for installing solar panels. All incentives for the state of Colorado are on an individual, town by town/city by city basis or through the public utility. For more information go to www.dsireusa.org and click on the state of Colorado.

What is net metering or net billing?
Also known as parallel generation or co-generation, customers who produce energy from solar panels may enter into an agreement with their local utility company in order to credit them for energy they produce. Generally, any surplus energy produced by the customer is sold back to the utility company at the wholesale market price.

How do I initiate the net metering process?
If your utility does not offer net metering, it will probably require you to use two meters: one to measure the flow of electricity into the building, the other to measure the flow of electricity out of the building. If net metering is not available, the utility will only pay you a wholesale rate for your excess electricity. In this case, you will have a strong incentive to use all the electricity you generate so that it offsets electricity you would otherwise have to purchase at the retail rate. This may be a factor in how you optimize your system size, because you may want to limit the excess electricity you generate. This "dual metering" arrangement is the norm for industrial customers who generate their own power.

What is Amendment 37 and how will it affect me when I put up my solar panels?
Amendment 37 requires "Colorado utilities with 40,000 or more customers to generate or purchase 10% of their electricity from renewable sources by 2015." The schedule for implementation is:

• 3% renewable energy from 2007 to 2010
• 6% from 2011 to 2014
• 10% by 2015

Four percent of the required 10% renewable energy must come from solar technology. Half of this must come from on-site facilities (you and other residential or commercial facilities). Rebates are a possibility for the homeowner when they choose to install solar panels. Ask the solar installer about possible rebates and the Colorado Public Utility Commission (PUC) at (303) 894-2000 or see www.dora.state.co.us/puc/ for more information.

Thanks to Scott Glick for his information on net metering and Jon Wilkinson for research and compilation of this material.