Sun can penetrate light snow, and the panels will heat up with the sun’s rays to melt the snow. Heavier snow can be removed with a squeegee or panel-safe pole.
Archives: FAQs
In which states is solar a cost-competitive technology?
States with the greatest solar resources, such as Texas, California, Arizona, Hawaii and New Mexico, are the states in which solar PV is the most cost competitive. While those states make sense from a solar resource perspective, solar PV is also cost competitive in other places, including Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Connecticut. And although the solar resource is lower in the Northeast region of the country, those states typically have high costs of power from traditional providers. And there are lucrative financial incentives available through state legislation.
What kind of financial incentives can I receive if I own the solar PV system?
Depending on where the system will be located, there can be numerous local and state tax incentives available. Many states also have a lucrative market for the Solar Renewable Energy Credits produced by the system. On a federal basis, the tax owner of a commercial or utility scale solar PV system is eligible to receive a 30 percent investment tax credit, as well as the benefits from accelerated depreciation. We can help you determine whether solar is cost-effective for your application. And you can find other information about state incentives on the DSIRE website. http://www.dsireusa.org/
Does solar PV require a major upfront cost?
Typically not. The majority of our clients enter into a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with one of our reputable finance providers. A PPA allows the client to purchase the electricity produced by the solar system at a fixed rate over 20-25 years. The finance provider pays to construct the system and then owns it long term. This agreement benefits our clients, as the cost of the electricity produced by the solar system is usually lower than that supplied by the local utility. The contract also allows our clients to hedge against long-term energy cost inflation risk. This agreement does not appear as an ongoing liability on our clients financial statements. Most PPAs give the power purchaser the option to purchase the system at a later date, usually after seven years of operation.
A great example of a solar PPA is the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, a Melink Solar project in 2011. View the Cincinnati Zoo Solar Video on YouTube by clicking here.
Is solar PV a cost-prohibitive technology?
Solar PV systems are a mature technology which is cost competitive and easily adaptable to existing sites – whether mounted on a roof, the ground or as a canopy. The cost of a solar PV system is contingent upon the type, size and physical location of the project.
Our knowledge of numerous financing structures available from national financial institutions, as well as non-traditional lenders, is what sets Melink apart from other developers. We joke around and call it “financial engineering for solar,” but that’s truly the best term for it. We work closely with our clients to determine the most advantageous financing structure for each project.
What are the advantages of using solar over other renewable energy sources?
To give recommendations on the different renewable and conservation technologies, we initially test them out on our own headquarters office. We have concluded the following advantages of solar:
1) Because it has no moving parts and the modules last at least 25 years, it is one of the most cost-effective renewable sources for generating energy.
2) Solar PV systems can often be easily expanded as your energy needs change, they require little to no maintenance, and they are durable in various weather conditions.
3) Solar-powered buildings can rely less on traditional electricity suppliers and fossil fuels to provide them with energy. Solar PV is good for the environment and a safe way to provide your facility with energy. The solar arrays at our headquarters are the main contributor to our renewable energy goals to achieve Net-Zero energy results.
How much CO2 emissions are typically avoided as a result of installing a solar project?
The amount of CO2 emissions avoided is contingent upon a system’s geographic location, the size and type (ground mount, rooftop, canopy, etc.). Bearing those factors in mind, the production from a 500 kW DC project located on the East Coast of North America can equate to the avoidance of about 473 tons of carbon dioxide a year. This equates to the greenhouse gas emissions of 90 passenger vehicles driven over the course of one year. A system of the same size in Southwest North America can produce enough energy to equate to the avoidance of 670 tons of carbon dioxide a year.
The EPA has created a very effective CO2 avoidance calculator tool for the general public: https://www.epa.gov/energy/greenhouse-gas-equivalencies-calculator
What manufacturers does Melink Solar use?
We use only top-tier equipment from reputable manufacturers who have the ability to stand behind their equipment warranties over the life of the systems. We do not chase lowest up-front cost at the expense of long-term performance.
How long do solar PV systems work?
Solar panels are warranted by manufacturers to last 25 years. Considering the panels themselves have no moving parts, they can continue producing enough energy to cover operating costs for up to 35 years or more. Inverters, the equipment that changes the DC power produced by the solar system into the AC power that our appliances and buildings use, have a lifespan of about 15-20 years. After that point, it is expected that new inverters will be installed to take advantage of the remaining life of the panels.
What types of solar photovoltaic (PV) projects does Melink Solar do?
We focus primarily on small- to mid-size commercial projects (500 kW-1 MW) and utility scale projects (1 MW+). We also have experience aggregating multiple smaller systems relating to a single landowner or power off-taker into a single portfolio to achieve reasonable economies of scale.