Integration

Solar Power – Be Your Own Power Company
Our customers consciously want to reduce their consumption of fossil fuels to make electricity. However, many people also want to become free from an ever-increasing utility bill. With electric utility rates soaring an average 7-10% annually, it’s easy to understand this objective. iPower can help you analyze and manage this expense, while minimizing your environmental impact.

Solar electric systems all need one basic thing: sun exposure! We look for unshaded areas that receive direct sunlight from 9am - 4pm. If you have such a resource, you are an ideal candidate for solar power. We provide a careful site analysis before recommending a system of any size. Then, based on your needs, we will develop a proposal based on one of the two options listed below.

iPower’s Two Basic Systems
Stand-Alone and Grid-Tie are the two basic systems that we offer. The “grid” is the vast network owned by the utility companies that is used to deliver electricity across large geographical areas. Most likely, you are connected to it right now! Some of our customers have the desire to get completely off the grid, while others wish to exploit its advantages.

1. A Stand-Alone System provides for a completely self-sufficient energy system.
   Benefits include:
   a. No meter, no utility, and no bills –– it’s completely off the grid!
   b. Electricity that is generated is stored daily, relying on a battery system for back-up power in the evening or during inclement weather.
   c. It works very well for remote locations where getting connected to the utility grid is expensive or unnecessary.
   d. Careful system design that will ensure that you produce enough power for your needs.
   
2. A Grid-Tie System feeds into your electric utility and then uses the grid for back-up power when the solar panels are not generating current.
   Benefits include:
   a. It usually costs less and has the additional benefit of net-metering, offered by many utilities.
   b. Net metering refers to an alternative payment schedule with your utility where your consumption is offset, or “netted,” against your production.
   c. You generate solar power and receive credit at high peak rates, while in the evening, you buy it back at low off-peak rates.
   d. It usually requires a smaller overall system, while achieving a near zero electric bill.

source: US Dept. of Energy & NREL
Residential Hybrid Grid System

It is also possible to design a hybrid system that has the advantages of both stand-alone and grid-tied systems. We understand that each project has its own special requirements, and iPower can offer you solutions for each scenario. A thorough consultation will help you determine which strategy will be right for you.

Determining Which System Works Best
From the beginning, we’ll need to determine which type of solar panels will work best for you.

• If you have new construction plans, we suggest building the system into the design of your home’s structure.
• We offer unique products that provide all the benefits of solar, while maintaining an attractive appearance.
• If the aesthetics are not a concern, or you simply wish to add a system to your existing structure, a traditional panel array is a great way to use the pure energy of the sun!

Solar Energy Benefits Everyone
Solar energy provides a number of great benefits to you, your community, and the planet:

• A clean, renewable source of energy that is sustainable for the future.
• A fixed cost that allows for easy home or office budget forecasts.
• Virtually zero maintenance for the decades ahead.
• An investment that can grow over time like a stock purchase.

What Does Solar Energy Cost?
So now, you might wonder, how much does all of this cost? For a brief explanation, read The Bottom Line.