3 Story House Painting Pictures

Scott's Contracting 3 Story House Painting Pictures

see more Crown Square Building Restoration Photos and Information at: http://sustainablecitiescollective.com/Home/32212

Scott's Contracting, Stump Removal

Scott's Contracting Project Pictures

Tree Stump Removal

Tree Stump Removal, Clare Baxter Properties

Selecting Photovoltaic Modules and Inverters

Considerations for Selecting Photovoltaic Modules and Inverters


With so many different types of products on the market today for the solar electric (PV) industry, selecting the right module or inverter can be the difference between a successful system and a failed one. With the fast growth of the US market and other parts of the world, it seems that almost overnight the PV market has hundreds of companies to choose from when selecting product. Being that longevity is one goal in providing an extended return of investment (ROI) for projects, it is important to select the products from companies that you can trust will be around into the distant future.

Research can be a daunting task in regards to finding the balance of quality, longevity, and price — your distributor can be a great source of information when considering products for a PV systems. Your representative should be able to provide you with information about product warranty, quality of the product, price (often reflected in dollars per watt), and any technology implemented into the product.

As it relates to solar modules, the most expensive side to the system, a low priced module can get very tempting. While important, price should be weighed in conjunction to a manufacturer’s longevity; after all how good is a 20-25 year warranty when the company no longer exists? Additionally, there is a common miss-conception that module efficiency should be the deciding factor — efficiency generally only affects a systems size not performance. Efficiency reflects a modules ability to convert the sun’s energy into electrical power. For example a 200 Watt 16% efficient module vs. a 200 Watt 20% efficient module reflects a reduction in the system physical size by 20% but this will also most likely increase the cost of the module and therefore the length of ROI on the same 200 Watts of power. Until just recently, module technology was mostly based only on efficiency and material type, but now some electronic technology is implemented into the modules themselves increasing the modules energy yields, and power output.

Inverters are also a key function to the PV system and also typically the second most costly item of the system. Inverters contain many electronic components and over the years can be stressed to their limits, so selecting a manufacturer that has proven technology and a solid warranty can help save the installer a problem down the road. In the past the PV market has seen typically a 10 year inverter warranty and a fail period on the inverters in the first 15 years, however with today’s leading manufacturers these numbers are progressively getting better with 15+ year warranties and a fail period after the first 20+ years.

Product selection can take a significant amount of time, but with a good distributor relationship, on-going training, and a focus on longevity you can become a better installer with better projects and happier customers.

04/02/10,Michael Harvey- Able Energy Co.

Contact: Scotty, Scott's Contracting Green Builder "St Louis Renewable Energy" for all your Green Building and Renewable Energy Needs

A Message From Congressman Russ Carnahan

April 6, 2010

Saint Louis, Missouri

Thank you for contacting me in regard to H.R. 1835, the New Alternative Transportation to Give Americans Solutions (NAT GAS) Act of 2009. I appreciate hearing from you and welcome the opportunity to respond.


As you know, the NAT GAS Act would extend tax credits and incentives to encourage the use of natural gas in the commercial and federal vehicle fleets. It would direct the U.S. government to run 50% of its vehicles on compressed or liquefied natural gas by 2014, and it would authorize the Secretary of Energy to administer grants for research leading to cleaner, more efficient engines powered by natural gas.


Please be assured that since coming to Congress, I have been working hard to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, bring down record-high fuel prices, and launch a cleaner, smarter energy future for America. I have consistently supported legislation to lower costs while creating hundreds of thousands of high paying, clean energy jobs.


Last year, Congress took a number of steps to encourage the development of alternative energy sources. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act invested over $43 billion in researching and deploying new sources of energy. I also recently introduced legislation to create energy innovation hubs, which will be tasked with conducting intensive research to develop alternative energy sources.


Currently, the NAT GAS Act has been referred to three House committees, including the Committee on Science and Technology, of which I am a member. Please know that as this bill continues to be debated, I will keep your views firmly in mind.


Please feel free to get in touch with my office in the future if I can be of further assistance to you on this or any other matter of concern. I also hope you will find my website, carnahan.house.gov, a useful resource for keeping up with my work in Washington and the 3rd District of Missouri, and I welcome you to sign up for my e-newsletter at carnahan.house.gov/updates Thank you again for taking the time to share your thoughts with me.