The power of nature’s renewable resources offers a the ability to become energy independent. In the wake of winter electrical outages in the four corners area, renewable resources may give the power back to the people.
“We the people are going to be the leaders, so follow us,” said Doug Large, owner of Arrowhead Solar Products in Pagosa Springs, Colo. “It is a real, viable resource.” Large mapped rivers in New Mexico and Utah for a surveying company in Breckenridge, and assisted with hydroelectric river water collection systems in Idaho.
In December 2007 President George W. Bush signed the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (H.R. 6). The bill requires more energy efficient buildings, including clean government buildings by 2030. However, the bill repealed incentives that pushed for national utilities to produce a portion of their electric power with renewable sources and was stripped of subsidies for renewable energy sources that would be paid through increased taxes on oil companies.
About three years ago, Colorado’s Amendment 37 received voter approval, and requires utilities to obtain 10 percent of their electricity from renewable energy sources by 2015.
Solar systems heat water and air through active or passive systems. In an active solar water system, panels are used to heat water in a 220-gallon water storage tank. Passive systems use a variety of types of mass to capture heat and then heat surrounding air. Photovoltaic (PV) solar systems, such as the panels located in Pagosa Springs, Colo. in the picture above, are active. Silicon wafers convert sunlight directly into electricity. A solar or PV cell consists of semiconducting material that absorbs the sunlight.
“Their efficiency is 15 to 20 percent on a solar module,” Large said.
Solar panels combined with wind turbines are another form of active energy system. The nation’s fifth largest wind farm, in Lamar, provides electricity with this type of system. “It produced more than expected,” Large said.
Geothermal resources are also a viable resource. “Costwise I am not a big fan, unless a geothermal system is in place,” Large said.
The potential of renewable energy affords Coloradans the opportunity to participate in the new energy economy, and keep the lights on during a snowstorm.
“We the people are going to be the leaders, so follow us,” said Doug Large, owner of Arrowhead Solar Products in Pagosa Springs, Colo. “It is a real, viable resource.” Large mapped rivers in New Mexico and Utah for a surveying company in Breckenridge, and assisted with hydroelectric river water collection systems in Idaho.
In December 2007 President George W. Bush signed the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (H.R. 6). The bill requires more energy efficient buildings, including clean government buildings by 2030. However, the bill repealed incentives that pushed for national utilities to produce a portion of their electric power with renewable sources and was stripped of subsidies for renewable energy sources that would be paid through increased taxes on oil companies.
About three years ago, Colorado’s Amendment 37 received voter approval, and requires utilities to obtain 10 percent of their electricity from renewable energy sources by 2015.
Solar systems heat water and air through active or passive systems. In an active solar water system, panels are used to heat water in a 220-gallon water storage tank. Passive systems use a variety of types of mass to capture heat and then heat surrounding air. Photovoltaic (PV) solar systems, such as the panels located in Pagosa Springs, Colo. in the picture above, are active. Silicon wafers convert sunlight directly into electricity. A solar or PV cell consists of semiconducting material that absorbs the sunlight.
“Their efficiency is 15 to 20 percent on a solar module,” Large said.
Solar panels combined with wind turbines are another form of active energy system. The nation’s fifth largest wind farm, in Lamar, provides electricity with this type of system. “It produced more than expected,” Large said.
Geothermal resources are also a viable resource. “Costwise I am not a big fan, unless a geothermal system is in place,” Large said.
The potential of renewable energy affords Coloradans the opportunity to participate in the new energy economy, and keep the lights on during a snowstorm.
