Solar Photovoltaic System, Renee and Gordon Rodda, Fort Collins, CO

The home of Fort Collins residents Renee and Gordon Rodda is a three bedroom, wood-framed, suburban house-ordinary except that it was cleverly engineered for minimal energy demand, using passive solar heating and natural convective cooling in the summer, low-energy-use CFL light bulbs, energy-efficient appliances and a xeriscaped low water use yard. A small 1.8 kilowatt east facing solar electric system from Bella Energy produces over 100% of their electricity and the investment was only about $6,000. In addition, the Roddas are selling excess to the utility grid.

Colorado’s net-metering law requires Xcel Energy to allow meters to spin both forwards and backwards for residential renewable energy producers. At the end of the year, Xcel Energy pays customers for the extra electricity.

In 2007 the Rodda family’s surplus was 200 kilowatt hours and they got a modest check for $10.

Photo Credit: @ copyright William A. Cotton Photography

“Photovoltaics are a win-win-win; the power company benefits, the consumer benefits, and the atmosphere benefits, but it’s not about the money, it’s the satisfaction in knowing that our little solar system produces all the electricity we need, meaning our personal electrical needs are not contributing to global warming.”

Gordon Rodda

Owner, Architect

“Coloradoans could satisfy all residential electric demand with renewable solar energy. Solar systems produce electricity during the power company’s demand peaks times and they’re happy to collect the extra power.”

Jim Welch

CEO of Bella Energy

Tags: Project of the Month