Category Archives: Solar Electric/Photovoltaic

Today’s Hot Tip:  Now is the time to schedule your pool opening for the summer season and set up pool and spa services.  Call us for an appointment today.

Welcome To The Aqua Care Solar Information Center

Aqua Care Solar is your complete Solar Heat and Hot Water provider. We cover the installation from start to finish including permitting, plumbing, solar heating system installation, and maintenance of installed systems.

We Also install, service and repair high-efficiency boilers,  water heaters, furnaces and evaporative coolers.  Our expertise includes pool and spa service.  We do both commercial and residential service in all areas.

Call us at 303-589-4428  to schedule your site visit today.

Aqua care Solar is a member of NABCEP (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners), CoSeia (Colorado Solar Energy Industries Association), Center for Resource Conservation,  BGBG (Colorado Green Building Guild) and the BBB.

Aqua Care Solar is also a qualified Energy Smart contractor.

Ask us about Energy Smart Rebates!

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Solar Gardens

Dec 30

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Here’s a great idea that’s catching on.   Check out what’s going on in Colorado and in other states around the country.

Solar Gardens

Solar panels are appearing on more and more roofs. But what about people who rent, live in a condominium, have shaded roofs, who might move or live in a historic district or home owners association? This is the majority of Americans! In several states, people can own solar panels in a common array called a solar garden, supplying their homes through the existing power grid.

Link: Colorado Community Solar Gardens Final Rules – September 12, 2011

Link: California SB843 – text of proposed solar gardens law

Legislation at the federal level and in several states is making this possible, with tax rebates and electric company incentives available to solar gardens subscribers.

Says SolarGardens.org founder Joy Hughes “For the first time, low income homeowners and renters will be able to go solar. We’ll put the first facilities on libraries, schools, and hospitals so these institutions can benefit. Solar gardens are sprouting up everywhere!”

By pooling resources and buying panels as a group, a community can save money and give subscribers a lower cost than going it alone.

In Colorado, the Community Solar Gardens bill will allow individuals to subscribe to solar energy within their county. The Solar Panel Hosting company has initiated the 70-acre Founders Garden in Jefferson County. This will be an Open Garden, allowing each solar company to have its own “patch” for their subscribers.

In Massachusetts, the Green Communities Act has made solar possible. My Generation Energyhas developed two subscriber based facilities, and applied for a trademark on the term “Solar Garden”. My Generation founder Luke Hinkle says he intends to use the trademark to help certify the quality and best practices of community solar gardens everywhere, and has given his support to this effort.

Visit the About page and FAQ to learn more about organizing your community to go solar!

Posted in Alternative Energy, Aqua Care Solar, Solar Electric/Photovoltaic

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Concentrating Photovoltaic Technology

Aug 15

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The thing I like about my job is that I work with some pretty smart people and if I pay attention I learn something new just about every week.  This week I learned about concentrated photovoltaics technology.  It’s pretty fascinating stuff.  Sounds like it is the PV wave of the future. Here’s what NREL (National Renewable Energy Laboratory) has to say:

Concentrating Photovoltaic Technology

Photo of a dense array of high efficiency silicon cells for use within a concentrating photovoltaic system.A concentrating photovoltaic system uses a dense array of high-efficiency silicon cells.

NREL continues to further research and develop concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) technology—a viable alternative to dish Stirling engines.

Concentrating photovoltaic systems use lenses or mirrors to concentrate sunlight onto high-efficiency solar cells. These solar cells are typically more expensive than conventional cells used for flat-plate photovoltaic systems. However, the concentration decreases the required cell area while also increasing the cell efficiency.

Concentrating photovoltaic technology offers the following advantages:

  • Potential for solar cell efficiencies greater than 40%
  • No moving parts
  • No intervening heat transfer surface
  • Near-ambient temperature operation
  • No thermal mass; fast response
  • Reduction in costs of cells relative to optics
  • Scalable to a range of sizes.

The high cost of advanced, high-efficiency solar cells requires the use of concentrated sunlight for systems to achieve a cost-effective comparison with both the cost of concentrator optics and other solar power options. NREL has focused on the development of multi-cell packages (dense arrays) to improve overall performance, improve cooling, and install reliable prototype systems.

We’ve tested numerous dense arrays at the High-Flux Solar Furnace where both the level and distribution of the concentrated solar flux can be controlled and the cooling source temperature can be varied. The combination of test conditions and measurement capabilities allow for a complete mapping of optical, thermal, and electrical performance.

NREL is a national laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, operated by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC.

Posted in Alternative Energy, Aqua Care Solar, Solar Electric/Photovoltaic

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What’s on your Sunday Calendar?

Apr 29

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How about coming out and seeing us at Green Frontier Fest?  We’ll be there from 10 am to 4 p.m.   We’d love to see you there.

Boulder Green Building Guild Green Frontier Fest

             Tons of Great Stuff to do this Weekend!

We’re very excited to announce lots of great activities taking place this Sunday as part of Green Frontier Fest!

Sunday, May 1st – a whole day of eco-friendly fun for the whole family

10AM to 4PM, Boulder Central Park — FREE to the community

This Sunday’s event is shaping up to be a great showcase of Boulder County’s efforts to create a vibrant community and do our best to celebrate our environment!  Talk to green building experts about energy efficiency and ReUse projects for your home, enjoy music all day on the main stage, browse innovative green business products and services at our vendor fair, stay and learn more about Boulder’s energy future, green living and eco-friendly building at our workshop tent, sample natural and organic food options from local chefs, and sip a microbrew or have a glass of wine in our organic and local beer garden.  In short, we’ve got something for everyone!

5th Annual BGBG Green Building Product & Service Fair
All Day at Green Frontier Fest!
The 5th annual BGBG Product and Service Fair is a must for any home or business owner considering a remodel, energy efficiency upgrade or new construction project. BGBG is hosting a special green building section as part of the Green Frontier Fest to provide an opportunity for the public to visit directly with Guild architects, builders, solar specialists, green landscapers, heating and cooling experts, energy auditors and many other green building contractors and service providers. 
Solar Powered Cookies, Art Projects, Face Painting, Oh MY!
Tons of Great kids activities all day long!
We’re excited to announce that we’ve got a great lineup of activities to keep the little ones entertained on Sunday.  Come make some eco-inspired art with the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art using repurposed bike tubes, build your own solar oven from recycled parts and bake cookies using solar power, get your face painted with your favorite wild animal, or get your picture taken with the plastic bag monster! Green Frontier Fest offers all kinds of fun and entertaining projects for our next generation of eco-heroes! 
Eco-themed Kids’ Concert at 1pm on the Main Stage!
Jeff Kagan and Paige Doughty
1pm on the Main Music Stage
Join local educators/children’s musicians Jeff Kagan and Paige Doughty for a concert of nature and conservation-based kids’ music. Jeff’s music explores the realm of ecological cycles, mountain ecosystems, pollination, bear and mountain lion safety, symbiosis, water purification, water and electricity conservation, alternative transportation and much more. We’ll have an hour of acoustic entertainment, educational tunes, quick costume changes and plenty of audience participation. Music appropriate for kids ages 3-9 and adults who love the great outdoors:)

Live Auction! Great Deals on Exciting Green Goods!
2PM on the Main Stage
Make sure you stop by the main stage at 2pm to participate in our live auction featuring tons of cool everyday green living products.  We’ll be auctioning off an electric scooter from Pete’s Electric Bike’s, a CSA share from Grant Family Farms, eco-friendly and fair trade jewelry, sustainable baby and family goods, and MUCH more.  Could be a great way to pick up some cool items at a discounted price and support the sustainable community here in Boulder.


Posted in Aqua Care Solar, Solar Electric/Photovoltaic, Solar Thermal

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Saving Energy at Home

Apr 29

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The Department of Energy has a nice little animation up where you can see who best to save energy in your home.  It includes both Solar Hot Water (Thermal) and Solar Electric (Photovoltaic) sections.  Check it out:

Make Every Day Earth Day. The U.S. Department of Energy’s tips to save money and protect the environment.

Posted in Alternative Energy, Aqua Care Solar, Solar Electric/Photovoltaic, Solar Thermal

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