Quality may cost more initially but will save money in the long run. Plus building in the location that you want is more rewarding, than having to base your decision on the high cost of running electricity lines to your property.
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Reduce Energy Bill One Room At A Time !! For Those of you who think being off grid involves a major investment, well...
We Have Solutions!!
Going off grid is - Let's face it - EXPENSIVE! The averagefamily probably cannot afford to do this all at once. Wind Volt Technology offer various solutions to your energy consumption needs. We recommend that you install renewable and energy efficient products "One Room At A Time".
You can spread the cost of an off-grid system out over time by getting your home "OFF-GRID ONE ROOM AT A TIME!" Inquire today contact us
Discover DC to AC Independence.
Full power at my remote site? Sure...
Many areas are beyond electrical utilities - or service costs are out of sight. Prime off-grid homesites were once left to those willing to put up with primitive conditions. Not any more.
An old idea made new
Renewable energy is not a new concept; wind generators have been used worldwide for years. But to take full advantage of an independent electrical system, a DC to AC inverter is needed.
Whatever the power need...
Now a new generation of powerful and efficient Trace inverters has finally made independent systems practical for everyday use.
Full-time homes, farms, and ranches require plenty of AC power to run water pumps, washing machines, shop tools, kitchen appliances, and computers.
In the last decade, cost-effective renewable energy systems, coupled with powerful Trace inverters, has opened the way to reliable, full-time, independent electrical service anywhere in the world. Thousands of off-grid homeowners have connected to a new kind of power company -- their own. Instead of paying for costly utility line extension, renting noisy and expensive-to-operate generators, they are choosing battery-based electrical systems. Many of them now report that they enjoy cheaper and more reliable electrical service than their connected neighbors.
Off Grid PV Systems: An off grid PV system, sometimes called a stand-alone system, is designed to provide electricity to a home or business without drawing on supplemental power from the electrical utility. These systems consist of a PV array, control and safety equipment, a battery bank, and usually an inverter.PV Array: PV panels are grouped together to form 12, 24, 36, or 48 volt arrays. The number of panels in a PV array varies depending on the wattage of the PV panels and the desired output of the system. A typical home (with energy conserving appliances) will need between 8 - 20 panels.
The PV array can be mounted on a south facing roof, on a static frame at ground level, or on a tracker. A tracker is a PV rack that rotaes on top of a pole. The tracker rotates to follow the sun across the sky during the day, thus insuring maximum solar exposure for the PV panels.
Control and Safety Equipment: Each PV system has a controller to monitor the electrical input of the PV panels, and to guard against over charging of the batteries. Monitoring equipment includes voltage and amperage meters which display pertinent information about the electricity being produced, used, and available for future use. The safety equipment includes an electrical fuse box.
Battery Bank: Batteries are used to store energy for use at a later time, like night time or on cloudy days. The batteries used in a PV system are deep cycle batteries, similar to those that power electric golf carts. The number of batteries used in a system varies on the type of battery, and the anticipated storage needs.
Inverter: An inverter converts the low voltage DC (Direct Current) power that is produced by the PV panels and stored in batteries, into 120 volt AC (Alternating Current) power. Most household appliances and lights require AC power to operate. Inverters are available in a wide range of wattage capabilities, from 100 - 10,000 watts.
Systems can be designed without an inverter. In these systems all appliances and lights must run off DC power. In general, DC appliances are more expensive and less available than traditional AC appliances and lights.
Cost Considerations: A PV system designed to power a full-sized home can cost anywhere from $10,000 - $20,000, depending on the number of people in the home, and their lifestyle choices. While this may seem like an expensive choice, a PV system can be a cost effective alternative for providing electricity to remote locations, or locations where power lines do not exist. In these areas utility line extensions can cost $10,000 or more per mile, ruin the look of the land, and provide a less reliable power source than PV panels.
PV systems can also replace gas generators for providing electricity in remote locations. While the initial capital investment is higher, PV provides electrical power at less than the cost of electricity from generator, based on life-cycle cost.. PV systems can deliver a positive cash flow in as little as 4-5 years of operation by displacing generator fuel, maintenance and replacement costs.
PV is the most reliable source of electric power ever invented and it is easily transported, easily installed, and virtually maintenance free. All of these reasons make PV the ideal power source for remote homes and businesses.
Conservation Measures: Small PV systems are not practical for powering space-heating systems, water heaters, air conditioners, electric stoves, or electric clothes dryers. These loads require a large amount of energy to operate, which will increase the size and cost of the PV system. Therefore, it is important to select the most energy-efficient equipment available. For example, if the PV system will power lights, look for the most energy-efficient light bulbs. If the system will pump water for toilets and showers, look for the most water conserving fixtures. A good rule of thumb is each dollar spent on efficient appliances saves at least three dollars in PV system components.
Site Requirements: There are three factors to consider when determining whether a site is appropriate for a PV installation.
First, systems installed must have a southern exposure. For maximum daily power output, PV modules should be exposed to the sun for as much of the day as possible, especially during the peak sun hours of 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Second, the southern exposure must be free of obstructions such as trees, mountains, and buildings that might shade the modules. Consider both summer and winter paths of the sun, as well as the growth of trees and future construction that may cause shading problems.
Finally, the unobstructed southern exposure must also have appropriate terrain and sufficient space to install the PV system.
Seasonal variations affect the amount of sunlight available to power a PV system. In Wisconsin the annual average "peak sun hours" is approximately 4.25 hours per day.
System Sizing: The size of the PV system (number of panels, batteries, etc.) is dependent on how much electricity must be generated to power the home's loads The procedure for determining system size requires looking at the wattage required for each appliance and light bulb in the house and multiplying it by the number of hours it will be used each day. This number is the total daily consumption. (The MREA has a worksheet to help you complete these calculations..) This is the electricity that must be generated by your PV system on average.
System Maintenance: No PV system is maintenance-free. Regular inspections of the system will ensure that the wiring and contacts are free from corrosion, the modules are clear of debris, and the mounting equipment has tight fasteners.
Storage batteries will also require regular maintenance. This will consist of a monthly check of the electrolyte levels, occasional addition of distilled water to the battery cells, and routine equalization of the batteries.
Off Grid Wind Systems More text will be added to this page soon regarding this subject, in mean time,
Interconnecting with Utility Company (On-grid) We advise others to go off grid if they value their freedom. If someone wants to interconnect with their utility company, they have more freedom paying their bill and not using renewable energy than if they interconnect. The utility company will ultimately be telling you what to do, and you have to do things the way they want or you can still be disconnected. But if you are still interested in interconnection click here
Grants & Loans Assist Renewables Development in Iowa There are a variety of loan and grant opportunities available to Iowans for financing renewable energy facilities and equipment. These opportunities, however, often go untapped or are not used to their fullest advantage chiefly because people don't know the programs are available or how to use them.
For example, Akron-Westfield School District worked with the Iowa Energy Center's Alternate Energy Revolving Loan Program (AERLP) and the DNR Energy Bank Program to install its 600kW wind turbine. Of the $705,000 needed to purchase and install the turbine, the Energy Bank Program provided $455,000 in low interest loans and the AERLP provided $250,000 at zero interest, effectively saving the district $72,000 in interest.
When planning a renewable energy project, look for organizations that can leverage the zero interest loans available from the Center through the AERLP. By taking this route, a qualifying organization could fund its entire project upfront and repay the loan with the energy savings - making the project budget neutral.
The following is a list of the programs, state and federal, that offer incentives and financing options for developing renewable energy facilities. While this listing is fairly comprehensive, it most likely is not all inclusive. Other opportunities may exist with local municipalities, business development groups or local utility companies. It pays, literally, to explore all the options.
Alternate Energy Revolving Loan Program Type of Incentive:
loan program
Eligible Technologies:
wind, solar, biomass, hydro
Eligible Applicants:
commercial, industrial, residential
Funding Amounts/Limits:
half of financed cost, up to $250,000 ; 0% interest on AERLP's portion of the loan.
Summary:
The AERLP provides loans to any individual or organization who wants to build renewable energy production facilities in Iowa. Successful applicants receive a single, low-interest loan that consists of a combination of AERLP funds and lender-provided funds. The AERLP provides 50% of the total loan, up to a maximum of $250,000 at 0% interest. The remainder of the loan is made by the lender at a negotiated interest rate. The maximum loan term allowed for the AERLP funds is 20 years. As the loans are paid back to the Iowa Energy Center, those funds revolve back into the program and are made available to new applicants.
Contact:
Keith Kutz
Iowa Energy Center
515-294-8819
Iowa Energy Bank Program Type of Incentive:
loan program
Eligible Technologies:
solar, wind, biomass, hydro, renewable fuels
Eligible Applicants:
public and private K-12 schools, community colleges, area agencies, hospitals, local government, private colleges and state agencies.
Funding Amounts/Limits:
variable
Summary:
The Iowa Energy Bank Program provides financing for energy conservation programs to public and nonprofit agencies. The program makes loans available that can be repaid by the energy savings that result from their energy improvement project. The participating organizations receive a six month interest-free loan to conduct an energy analysis. Implementation plans include only those improvements with an aggregate payback period of six years. These improvements are financed through a lease purchase agreement with the State of Iowa Facilities Improvement Corporation. The Improvement Corporation issues bonds to raise the necessary capital for improvements, and then a lease-purchase agreement is made with participating groups such that they can make lease payments with the funds created through the energy savings, i.e., projects are cash flow neutral. The improvement corporation and the participating group negotiate the interest rate, as well as the length of the term of the lease.
Contact:
Chad Stobbe
Iowa DNR, Energy Bureau
515-242-5851
Iowa Renewable Fuel Fund Type of Incentive:
loan program
Eligible Technologies:
biomass, renewable fuels
Eligible Applicants:
industry, commercial
Funding Amounts/Limits:
20% forgiveable loan, 80% traditional loan; maximum limit $900,000
Summary:
The Renewable Fuel Fund is one of two separate programs under the Value-Added Agricultural Products and Processes Financial Assistance Program. This value-added program combines forgiveable and traditional loans. Approximately 20% of the money awarded to the project is in the form of a forgiveable loan and the remaining 80% is a low-interest loan. The interest rate on the loan is typically the prime rate. Research and development projects are not eligible for this program. Past funded projects include, ethanol plants, soy processing plants and a methane recapture program for hog farmers.
Contact:
Joe Jones
Iowa Department of Economic Development
515-242-4801
Local Option Special Assessment of Wind Energy Devices Type of Incentive:
property tax incentive
Eligible Technologies:
wind
Eligible Applicants:
commercial, industrial,residential
Funding Amounts/Limits:
local option
Summary:
This financing option allows any city or county to assess wind energy conversion equipment at a special valuation for property tax purposes.Local governments offering this special assessment must follow state guidelines. In the first assessment year, the wind energy equipment is assessed at 0% of its costs. For the second through sixth following years, the property value increases by five percentage points each year. For the seventh and succeeding years, the value of the property is to be at 30% of its costs.
Contact:
Sharon Tahtinen
Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Energy Bureau
515-281-7066
Ethanol Based Fuels Exemption Type of Incentive:
sales tax incentive
Eligible Technologies:
renewable fuels
Eligible Applicants:
transportation
Funding Amounts/Limits:
1 cent per gallon, expiration date June 30, 2007
Summary:
Anyone who blends conventional motor fuel with alcohol to produce ethanol can file for a refund for the difference between (sales) taxes paid on the motor fuel purchased to produce ethanol blended gasoline and the tax due on the ethanol blended gasoline. This tax incentive is, in effect, an exemption for the sales tax on the value added to the fuel when it is blended.
Contact:
Sharon Tahtinen
Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Energy Bureau
515-281-7066
Wind Energy Equipment Exemption Type of Incentive:
sales tax incentive
Eligible Technologies:
wind
Eligible Applicants:
commercial, residential
Funding Amounts/Limits:
100% of project value
Summary:
This tax law exempts, from state sales tax, the total cost of wind energy equipment and all materials used to manufacture, install or construct wind energy systems.
Contact:
Sharon Tahtinen
Iowa Department ofNatural Resources, Energy Bureau
515-281-7066
Property Tax Exemption for Solar Systems Type of Incentive:
property tax incentive
Eligible Technologies:
solar
Eligible Applicants:
property owners
Funding Amounts/Limits:
100% of project value
Summary:
According to Iowa Code, Chapter 441.21, when assessing property for tax purposes, assessors shall disregard any market value added by a solar energy system to a building. Solar energy systems are defined as a system
capable of collecting and converting solar radiation into thermal, mechanical or electrical energy; or a system that uses the basic building design to maximize solar heat gain in the cold season and minimize solar heat gain in the hot season.
Contact:
Angela Chen
Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Energy Bureau
515-281-4736
Investment Tax Credit for Solar Energy Property Type of Incentive:
federal tax incentive
Eligible Technologies:
solar
Eligible Applicants:
commercial entities who invest in or purchases qualified solar energy property
Funding Amounts/Limits:
up to 10% of the investment/ purchase and installation costs
Summary:
Anyone who invests in or purchases qualified solar energy property can take advantage of this tax credit, up to 10% of the investment or purchase and installation costs, when income tax forms are filed. Only commercial entities qualify. This tax credit should not be confused with the residential tax credit which permanently expired in 1985.
Contact:
Solar Energy Industries Association
Washington,D.C.
202-383-2600
Federal 5-Year Depreciation Schedule for Solar Energy Property, U.S. Government Type of Incentive:
federal tax incentive
Eligible Technologies:
solar
Eligible Applicants:
commercial entities investing in or purchasing qualified solar energy property
Funding Amounts/Limits:
up to 10% of the invest or purchase and installation costs
Summary:
The federal government is offering a 5-year accelerated depreciation schedule for all solar energy equipment, including equipment that uses solar energy to generate electricity, storage devices, power conditioning equipment, transfer equipment and related parts, and equipment up to point which transmits or uses electricity. The tax incentive also includes dual use equipment only if it uses energy from non-solar energy does not exceed 25% of its total energy input in an annual measuring period.
Contact:
Solar Energy Industries Association
Washington, D.C., 202-383-2600