Solar Energy Systems
310 SolarSM can help you find the best solar energy products for your commercial or residential application. That includes designing an appropriate and cost-effective system, identifying available incentives, installing and maintaining your solar energy system.
The different general categories of systems are discussed below, but keep in mind that additional savings and synergies can be achieved by combining different systems. For example, if you’re thinking about installing equipment to heat your pool, why not use the same equipment to heat your domestic hot water. Doing so actually decreases the cost of installing the system because it makes more of it eligible for tax incentives, while also dramatically increasing your savings by taking out the second largest energy user in the property.
PV arrays convert plain ol' photons into free electricity that PNM pays you for!
Photovoltaics – Electricity from the Sun
Whether grid-tied and off-grid, photovoltaic (PV) technology converts the sun’s radiant energy directly into electricity. Originally exotic and expensive, PV was mainly used to power space satellites and small electronic devices. Some pioneers actually set up working residential solar electric systems, and industry frequently used PV to power installations far from power lines.
But with accelerating development and constant innovations, along with PV-installation incentive programs, solar-electric power has become practical and cost-effective for many domestic and commercial uses. In fact, installations that produce excess power are now able to run their electric meters backward, and sell electricity back to the electric utility companies, especially in the PNM service area.
Evergreen Spruce Line™ features high power, state-of-the-art
photovoltaic panels for residential or commercial applications.
A PV system consists of semiconductor cells that absorb sunlight and generate electric current. Many cells are combined into a sealed “module.” Modules are wired together into a PV “array.” The direct current (DC) electricity produced is fed through an “inverter” which converts DC to AC, the alternating current needed by most homes and business, and compatible with the larger electric grid. Battery storage systems used to comprise a large part of the PV’s investment, but are no longer necessary for most users since any electrical power not needed immediately can flow into the grid, where it is essentially “stored” for later use.
Photovoltaic power generation can save you money, reduce dependence on fossil fuels, and cut emissions of global warming gases. We’d love to hear about your specific power needs and help you decide if the time is right to explore photovoltaics.
Domestic Hot Water
Heliodyne solar hot water systems are extremely efficient at harnessing energy from the sun to heat water.
(More info: Download Heliodyne brochure )
Humans have been using solar energy to heat water since ancient times. Today, solar hot water systems are common — even required — in many countries.
With rising energy costs and environmental concerns, more people are looking to solar hot water. In New Mexico, with 310 days of sunshine average per year, it’s a natural. Like PV, solar hot water technology has become more efficient, reliable, and affordable. New kinds of glass, higher quality insulation, and better coatings for absorbers produce more energy and longer lasting systems. Industry experience has led to more reliable manufacturing, highly skilled installers, and a rating system to help consumers make informed choices.
A solar hot water heater improves the air quality both inside and outside a home. A relatively simple system can take most, if not all, of the load off your conventional water heater. These systems can be integrated with your existing water heater as a back-up, or 310 can design a system that has this function integrated.
Solar hot water can also be used for space heating with radiators or in-floor radiant systems. Various “passive” and “active” solar hot water systems have been developed for a wide range of applications. 310 SolarSM can also design your solar powered radiant heating system.
Solar Heated Swimming Pools
Pools are perfect candidates for solar heating.
With their large volume of water needing to be heated, swimming pools are a perfect candidate for the savings provided by solar water heating. At the same time, all that water provides massive storage for the accumulated heat. Backup heaters are rarely needed for swimming pools, though would be required to the higher temperatures desired for hot tubs and spas.
Because in New Mexico a pool array is really only needed for the first 45-60 days of the swimming season as well as the last 45-60 days, the best use of these systems can be achieved by integrating them into a domestic solar water heating system or even as a back-up to a space heating system. Because of the rapidly increasing price of alternatives like gas and propane (40% - 200% respectively in just the past year), thermal systems for pools, domestic hot water, and even space heating make the most economic sense.
Either way, 310 SolarSM has the products and expertise to help you design a system you will enjoy for years to come.
