Solar Power Now Worth up to Triple the Cost of Grid Power in CO

This is big news for photovoltaic solar customers in Colorado.

I first proposed this in 2007.  Xcel then tried Smart Grid City which they bungled.

Xcel is finally letting us benefit from the advantages of:

"Net Metering Time of Use (TOU)

COSEIA and other solar parties scored a win with the agreement that  extra energy generated by solar systems in a given month can be rolled over as a monetary credit that recognizes the value of the energy at the time it was generated. The credit will be used to offset the bill for consumption the next month and can continually roll over. Those who have elected to cash out extra production will still have that option. "

(From a COSEIA email announcement of the settlement)

Time Periods:

On Peak:       2 PM through 6 PM (weekday, non-holiday)

Off Peak:       9 PM through 9 AM

Shoulder:      All Other Hours

Price per kilowatt-hour (kwh): 

                                Summer                     Winter

On Peak:                  $0.13814                   $0.08880

Shoulder:                 $0.08420                   $0.05413

Off Peak:                  $0.04440                   $0.04440

For example, if your PV system generates 10 kwh between 2 pm and 6 pm, Xcel must give you a credit of $1.38.

But if you can use the same 10 kwh during off peak hours, it will only cost you $0.44.

Some of the takeaways:

1.  Solar systems will earn more money if they face to the southwest instead of due south.

2.  Homes in Colorado can now benefit from smart timers and products like the Tesla Powerwall.

3.  The demand peak for power occurs at 4pm, which doesn't align with peak solar production. Battery storage is the key to solving this problem, hence the Gigafactory and V2G.

Note that there are a bunch of fees and charges on your utility bill that make it difficult to see your actual cost per kwh.  This issue killed TOU rates the first and second time around.

Now You Can Affordably Tell if the Air in Your House is Healthy

Nate Adams has tested some of the affordable consumer grade indoor air quality (IAQ) monitors:
http://energysmartohio.com/blog/which-indoor-air-quality-monitors-are-best-and-why

UDATE:  I bought the Foobot, and it will go into our new homes to see if the initial air quality is acceptable. 

With all the new materials and paint, etc., the initial air quality can be suspect.

Low Energy Carriage House Under Construction

After a painfully long permitting process, GBID's "Tandem House" at 2268 S Acoma (off the alley) is under construction.

Design Highlights:

1.  Double stud "Shirley Wall" construction to meet superinsulation goals.

2.  Insulated forms for stem walls.

3.  No natural gas needed for the house.

4.  Heated and cooled with one ductless minisplit heat pump.

5.  Passivhaus air tightness goal, (0.6 ACH 50)

6.  Fluid-applied Vapor Permeable Air Barrier.

7.  Grid tied PV system for net zero yearly energy usage.

8.  Induction range for cooking.

9.  Ductless heat recovery ventilator.

10. Ventless heat pump clothes dryer.

11. Complies with Denver's new Tandem House zoning form.  The home can be legally sold seperately from the home in front.

Tiny Houses and Sustainability

A new study is out on the topic of tiny house feasibility for urban settings.

Tiny Houses could be a large part of the solution to affordable housing in Denver.

Here at GBID we are continuing to gain experience in the low cost housing sector by renting out fiberglass egg trailers parked in back yards.  These trailers have full utility hookups.

We just rented another one for $450/month after a tenant moved out.  Here's a one-minute "exit interview" with Dave after his 6 month stay in the Scamp.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvH-ufaR4u4

This price point makes it one of the few solutions for someone trying to survive on minimum wage or Social Security alone.

LED Lighting is evolving quickly

Conturrent puts low energy LED lighting into a less expensive total package.

This is starting to deliver on LED's potential to deliver a lower first cost as well as using a fraction of the electricity of older systems.

"Conturrent uses so little energy that it doesn't need all the protective hardware of traditional lighting systems to keep you safe from dangerous (110v) AC voltage."