Comments on: The Ugly Side of Solar, Part 1 http://blog.heliopower.com/2009/08/the-ugly-side-of-solar-part-1/ A Sustainable Energy Blog Thu, 29 Dec 2011 17:04:44 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Scott Gordon http://blog.heliopower.com/2009/08/the-ugly-side-of-solar-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-683 Scott Gordon Sat, 09 Jan 2010 01:21:12 +0000 http://blog.heliopower.com/?p=455#comment-683 Thanks, Ken! Shading is an issue that most people considering solar don't consider critical unless the system will be very obviously and heavily shaded. I've had folks brush it off as an annoyance. When someone tells me that 'the other solar installer didn't have a problem with that tree', I wince. Whether the customer or the installer (or both conspire together) to downplay the very real negative effects of shading, one thing is certain, the Utility WILL notice and WILL reduce the customer's rebate appropriately and WILL cite the offending installer. When it comes to solar, a little shade is a BIG problem. Thanks, Ken!
Shading is an issue that most people considering solar don't consider critical unless the system will be very obviously and heavily shaded. I've had folks brush it off as an annoyance. When someone tells me that 'the other solar installer didn't have a problem with that tree', I wince. Whether the customer or the installer (or both conspire together) to downplay the very real negative effects of shading, one thing is certain, the Utility WILL notice and WILL reduce the customer's rebate appropriately and WILL cite the offending installer. When it comes to solar, a little shade is a BIG problem.

]]> By: Ken Rahn http://blog.heliopower.com/2009/08/the-ugly-side-of-solar-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-682 Ken Rahn Fri, 08 Jan 2010 21:25:35 +0000 http://blog.heliopower.com/?p=455#comment-682 Scott, I love showing customers these pictures so they understand what I mean when I say "shading"... and to show our new employees that HelioPower is in a different league of installers than what an average consumer might stumble upon out there! Thanks! Ken Rahn, SunRun Scott,

I love showing customers these pictures so they understand what I mean when I say "shading"… and to show our new employees that HelioPower is in a different league of installers than what an average consumer might stumble upon out there! Thanks!

Ken Rahn, SunRun

]]> By: Dan Hahn http://blog.heliopower.com/2009/08/the-ugly-side-of-solar-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-495 Dan Hahn Wed, 02 Sep 2009 19:47:30 +0000 http://blog.heliopower.com/?p=455#comment-495 Scott, This is an excellent series! Nice job putting it together. Scott,

This is an excellent series! Nice job putting it together.

]]> By: Scott Gordon http://blog.heliopower.com/2009/08/the-ugly-side-of-solar-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-486 Scott Gordon Thu, 27 Aug 2009 00:42:52 +0000 http://blog.heliopower.com/?p=455#comment-486 The thin film 'paste on' solar is a neat concept and is aesthetically very pleasing. Other thin film modules, like those offered by First Solar, are very good looking as well. If you have the room on your roof, thin film can be a great option. The downside of thin film is that the efficiencies are still generally under 10%. Compared to the most efficient monocrystalline panels (like those offered by Sunpower), thin film requires twice the square footage on your roof to make the same amount of electricity. As I said, thin film is a good option if you are seeking to address aesthetic concerns AND you have ample roof space to accommodate the extra modules, paste and go, shingles, tiles, or whatever your thin film fancy may be. The thin film 'paste on' solar is a neat concept and is aesthetically very pleasing. Other thin film modules, like those offered by First Solar, are very good looking as well. If you have the room on your roof, thin film can be a great option. The downside of thin film is that the efficiencies are still generally under 10%. Compared to the most efficient monocrystalline panels (like those offered by Sunpower), thin film requires twice the square footage on your roof to make the same amount of electricity. As I said, thin film is a good option if you are seeking to address aesthetic concerns AND you have ample roof space to accommodate the extra modules, paste and go, shingles, tiles, or whatever your thin film fancy may be.

]]> By: francis http://blog.heliopower.com/2009/08/the-ugly-side-of-solar-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-485 francis Wed, 26 Aug 2009 00:25:40 +0000 http://blog.heliopower.com/?p=455#comment-485 I enjoyed this article but wish I could print out this little "estimated cost of a solar installation" here in Carmel CA secondly your article said nothing about the paste-on thin film solar especially on raised seam metal roofs they look NEAT ! I enjoyed this article but wish I could print out this little "estimated cost of a solar installation" here in Carmel CA
secondly your article said nothing about the paste-on thin film solar especially on raised seam metal roofs they look NEAT !

]]>