This is my 3rd video interview with John Shaw Project Engineer Bella Energy of out of Louisville Colorado.

SolarDave: Do Solar Panels Work Better at Higher Altitude?

John Shaw:The fact is at 6,000 feet you are actually closer to the sun so the eradiation (?) would likely be more than the 1,000 watts per meter squared. I think we have done a little test right outside here and seen 1025 watts per meter squared.

On one hand you could potentially be getting more but because of differences in humidity and air pressure things like that you could be getting less.

When someone talks about a Sanyo 200 watt panel that 200 watt panel has been established in STC standard testing conditions which is a certain humidity at 75 degrees at sea level and in the lab.

And then there is PTC which is Pacific Test Conditions which is supposed represent a little more reality I think they just change the temperature and humidity.

Post from: Dave Dugdale SolarDave.com

When I pulled in to the rec center I noticed a crane lifting boxes to the roof and then I noticed a SunEdison sign - so it was like someone was reading my thoughts.

I thought, what the heck I take some pictures of it while my youngest is inside.

Looks like they are using a ton of Sanyo HIP-195BA19 - hundreds of them. I asked some of the workers from Sun Edison the size of the array, but I am not sure they understood the question well (non-english speaking employees?).

I will write Sun Edison an email and see if they can tell me. But the last time I asked them for info on the Alamosa install they never got back to me.

I am going to guess that Broomfield funded this solar install with a PPA (power purchase agreement). Which I think is smart because these types of world class rec centers waste a ton of power. I think it is funny that you have to plug in a treadmill to get exercise! Can’t people just go outside and run?

I am a little surprised they are not doing solar thermal panels like Boulder’s North Rec Center did, because most of the power is used to heat the pools.

The picture below confuses me. Why on the east facing side of the Rec Center did the architect design the awnings in the wrong inverted up position (the southwest side that is on the left of the picture that are oriented correctly.)  Why waste money on awnings if you are going to orient them the wrong way.

Across the street from the rec center is a house with solar on it.

Post from: Dave Dugdale SolarDave.com

Dave Kilowatt Usage, Green = old house

Why am I using so much more electricity in the winter months than I do in the summer?

I am not sure. I did replace my entire AC system last summer with a 14 SEER unit that has saved a lot money for me, but I would think AC would use more than gas furnace blower.

I have my thermostat set at 80 in the summer and 65 in the winter.

Any ideas?

Update: I just had my furnace cleaned for the season and I had the tech measure the current draw on the furnace blower and it was 6.5 amps.

Post from: Dave Dugdale SolarDave.com

I wonder what will happen to the Colorado solar industry as the rebates drop.

I think Xcel should have given people more than 24 hour notice, they should have given them 2 months notice.

The rebate will be lowered from $4.50/DC watt to $3.50/DC watt, resulting in increased solar system pricing.

In order to qualify for the $4.50 rebate amount, we have to submit your application by 11:50pm today, Friday, October 24, 2008.

Post from: Dave Dugdale SolarDave.com

This video is of California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. It is always fun to hear from the governor.

From his comments it sounds like the conference is getting really big. I wonder if this conference would ever leave CA and move to Colorado?

Post from: Dave Dugdale SolarDave.com

This is my 1st interview with Leanna Harris, she is Executive Director for Partnership for Sustainability, Recorded at SunFest 2008 in Denver.

SolarDave: What is Partnership for Sustainability?

Leanna Harris: Partnership for Sustainability (PFS) is a non-profit organization that uses a revolving loan fund to provide no-interest loans for solar electricity projects.

(Remaining transcription to come later - watch the video for now.)

Post from: Dave Dugdale SolarDave.com

This is my 1st question I asked John Dallapiazza, he is with Bella Energy, Recorded at SunFest 2008 in Denver.

SolarDave: Solar System Size For 750KW Hours/Month?

John Dallapiazza: The general accepted formula the National Renewal Energy NRL database called PV Watts and that predicts that one kilowatt of optimally oriented solar electric will generate 120 kilowatt hours per month.

(Remaining transcription to come later - watch the video for now.)

Post from: Dave Dugdale SolarDave.com

This is my 4th video interview with Daimon Vilppu President Simply Efficient of out of Denver Colorado.

SolarDave: What services do you provide and the locations you serve?

Daimon Vilppu: Solar thermal, solar electric servicing solar hot water systems a lot of people have a problem finding someone that already has a system in place. A lot of those are 25 years old and need servicing.

Anywhere up and down the front range (Colorado) up in the mountains around Evergreen even in Granby is another location down to Silverthorne I have a crew down in Alamosa today doing a commercial system and Antonito.

Will go anywhere they are willing to pay us. The western slope would be hard for us to do a residential system, a larger residential system we would do it.

A lot of times we work with contractors to just design a system and make sure they know what they need and come out for a trip or two. If we can minize our trips and times on site that is what runs up the cost a lot - let them do it and let them benefit from all our knowledge and all our design.

Post from: Dave Dugdale SolarDave.com

This is my 3nd video interview with Daimon Vilppu President Simply Efficient of out of Denver Colorado.

SolarDave: Can you give me a 101 lesson on how solar panels work?

Daimon Vilppu: That is actually that is a highly complex question. It is basically like any type of electricity,  it is electrons moving (transcription to follow later)

Post from: Dave Dugdale SolarDave.com

This is my 9th video interview with Scott Franklin President of Lighthouse Solar out of Boulder Colorado.

SolarDave: What services do you offer and the locations you serve?

Scott Franklin:  We are a full service solar thermal, solar electric systems design and installation are our core services we are also full service electrical and mechanical contractors so we do plumbing heating systems all electrical systems on residential and commerical systems.

The advantage is we are a one stop shop for new construction for remodels the huge advantage for contractors and home owners because we are intergrated on all sides we are not trying to … (will finish trancription later)

Post from: Dave Dugdale SolarDave.com