RESIDENTIAL

Rural Homeowners
Rural homeowners frequently turn to clean, renewable energy systems to supply home power. Solar- and/or wind-generated, battery-based systems serve our clients well for their typical energy needs. Whether our clients are using solar panels or wind turbines to produce power, the features of the site are of utmost importance:

A site with a steady resource of wind would be ideal for wind turbines as long as homeowners are willing to perform regular yearly maintenance and/or inspections of the equipment. A site with a steady wind resource can provide tremendous amounts of power for relatively little cost per watt generated.

A south-facing site with minimal solar obstructions (shading) will maximize the potential of solar panels. In Alaska, we like to take advantage of the abundant sunlight we experience for 9 months of the year using solar photovoltaic systems, saving us avoided cost of burning fuel in a generator. The silent operation, no/low maintenance, and 25 year warranty on panels we sell provide clean, reliable power to our clients.

The most important effective means for reducing the overall system cost is by reducing energy consumption.

Homeowners with homes and cabins using generators have found battery/inverter systems increase power system reliability while lowering fuel consumption and operating costs. If you're interested in seeing a cost comparison for a generator only system vs. a battery/inverter system, or you'd just like to know how they work, check out our new “how they work” page.

Urban Homeowners
Homeowners who have access to the power grid can take advantage of the additional efficiency of renewable energy systems with no batteries. Utility buy-back programs such as SNAP actually pay producers for the power generated to the grid. Such programs allow homeowners to produce their own clean, renewable energy and contribute their power to the grid. However, in most cases, the power produced in such programs usually go up the utility pole and back into your home for immediate use, as the energy demand to the grid is to the nearest load (usually, your home). Batteryless grid-tied systems, however, do not generate power when power is not sensed in the grid. In short, when the grid loses power, so do you.

Despite the efficiency gain of a batteryless grid-tied system, some homeowners prefer a battery backup, and such systems are possible. Such systems would enable some critical loads to be supplied power when the grid power is not available. Feel free to contact us regarding your needs for a grid-tied system.