Tag Archives: Solar
Missoula’s Clean Energy Expo
Saturday, October 20, 201811am – 3pm
Caras Park Pavilion
Get plugged in to the clean energy revolution!
Climate Smart Missoula is excited to host the first annual Missoula Clean Energy Expo, Saturday, October 20, 2018, from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm at Caras Park.
This free event will showcase local solar and renewable energy opportunities and businesses, energy efficiency, and other efforts that will help move our community to 100% clean electricity.
Sponsored by: City of Missoula Energy and Climate Action, Climate Smart Missoula, Montana Renewable Energy Association, Missoula Federal Credit Union
REAP 25% Renewable Energy Grants Deadline Approaching
Do you own a small business in Montana (outside the city limits of Missoula)? The USDA Rural Development, REAP (Rural Energy for America Program) offers up to 25% grants for total eligible project costs, as well as loan guarantees. Partnered with the 30% federal tax credit your savings really add up.
This program helps increase American energy independence by increasing the private sector supply of renewable energy and decreasing the demand for energy through energy efficiency improvements. Over time, these investments can also help lower the cost of energy costs for small businesses and agricultural producers.
Application Deadline:
- Grants of $20,000 or less: October 31, 2018 and March 31, 2019;
- Unrestricted Grants (up to $500,000): March 31, 2019;
- Loan Guarantees are competed continuously throughout the year.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to invest in the long term health of your business with an investment in solar energy and energy savings.
Call Dan for a free solar consultation today 406-541-8410.
Solar Energy Grants for Non Profit Organizations
Does your Non Profit qualify for a solar electric grant?
This is an awesome investment in the long term sustainability of your organization.
If your non-profit is interested in assistance with the grant application call Dan today. 406-541-8410.
Proposal information is included in the Anywhere Library Example and the application requirements.
Grants are awarded twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall. Next Deadline November 1, 2018.
The 5 criteria used to rank proposals are as follows:
- Non Profit
- Geographic Location
- Participant Match ( at least 10%)
- Educational Value
- System Maintenance
Wild Rose Emu Ranch Solar Electric System
You will often find Clover Quinn at the Hamilton Farmers Market on Bedford St from 9:00 – 12:30 on Saturdays in the summer. Clover is very excited about her solar electric system. “Last month our electric bill was $50.04. That includes the base rate of $46.00.” Clover smiles, “Who would have dreamed we would eagerly await our electric bill in the mail.”
You can also find Wild Rose Emu Ranch products at https://www.wildroseemuranch.com/.
Invest in your own Solar Electric System Today. SBS Solar Can Help
- 30% federal tax credit still available in 2018.
- State tax credit, $500.00 per tax payer makes this a great time to invest for the long term.
- 3.25% State of Montana DEQ Loans
- Missoula Federal Credit Union offers two loan options: Solar Home Equity Loan or Home Energy Loan
- For Small Businesses and Agricultural Producers in eligible areasUSDA Rural Development, REAP (Rural Energy for America Program) offers up to 25% grants for total eligible project costs, as well as loan guarantees.
Call SBS Solar today for your free solar estimate. 406-541-8410.
36-panel Solar Array Hamilton MT
We are thrilled with our new 36-panel solar array installed recently by Dan Brandborg and his great team at SBS Solar. This highly skilled and experienced group was great to work with from start to finish, and we most highly recommend this company to anyone wanting to utilize clean solar energy for their home or business. Dan and his team were always available to answer our questions, the project went smoothly, and we are now producing clean electricity for us and even others to use. Thank you SBS Solar for everything you did.
Carol and Tom Schwan
Hamilton, Montana
Solar Energy System Installed for Your Annual Energy Usage
Solar Myth # 7 I will have an excess of energy that will go unused and will be wasted
Fact: Nearly all modern solar panel systems are connected to the conventional electric utility grid. When this happens, your meter spins backwards and your utility company credits you for that power. This grid-tied method tends to be the most convenient for homeowners. This is ideal for us in Montana, because of our long solar days in the summer and shorter days in the winter time. In Montana the utility company will not write you a check for excess energy that you produce. So generally your system will be sized to accommodate your average annual usage. (determined by your utility bill). Each year the solar electric system generates power during peak season (summer), and you consume power during the darker, shorter days of winter. The utility company (each one slightly different dates) resets once a year and the process begins again.
Check out the rest of our videos.
Solar-Ease Workshop – round 2!
Mark your calendars.
Wednesday February 7th from 6 pm – 8 pm
at Missoula Federal Credit Union 3600 Brooks St, Missoula MT 59801
Making solar easy in Missoula Climate Smart Missoula, Montana Renewable Energy Association (MREA), the City of Missoula and Missoula Federal Credit Union had so much enthusiasm for the Solar-ease workshop in December, they are putting on another one.
Their aim – to make it easy! The goal is to help the consumer understand the process of installing a solar electric system and what barriers stand in the way.
Check out our resources Here.
Is Solar right for you? Solar Energy, Missoula-Style! Solar Process Flowchart
Navigate the flow-chart below to go step-by-step through the process of understanding the local solar landscape, and then chart your own path!
Join us in February to learn about this and much more.
Planning a New Garage or Carport? Great Solar Installation
Great time to incorporate solar into your construction project. Planning ahead gives you the opportunity to get the most out of your new project.
Call for a free solar estimate today.
Solar Works in Montana on Cloudy Overcast Days
Solar electric modules will produce energy even on cloudy days. Although it might seem counter-intuitive, consider that solar panels on a rooftop in foggy San Francisco produce nearly the same as the ones in nearby sunny Sacramento. Consider too that Germany (with a climate not that different from Vancouver Canada) leads the world in residential solar right now, and it is generally an overcast climate.
While the amount of sunlight your panels receive is important, a more accurate representation of the amount of energy your panels can produce is referred to as peak sun-hours or equivalent full sun. It is important, first of all, to note that “peak sun-hours” are not the same as “hours of daylight.” Peak sun-hours refers specifically to how much solar energy is available in an area during a typical day. As a comparison Phoenix Arizona has equivalent full sun value of 6.5, in Western Montana we use the equivalent full sun value of 4.5. The same equivalent sun hour value as a good part of the continental United States.