What technologies does Meadows Renewable Energy offer

We offer complete solar (PV) power systems, individual solar power system components and solar attic fans. We are constantly investigating other and emerging renewable energy and energy conservation technologies such as wind, thin-film solar and solar water heating, and evaluating their application in Southern Nevada. We want to make sure the renewable energy products we sell are suited to Las Vegas and provide the greatest value possible for our customers.

Do you provide installation services?

At present, we do not provide installation services, but are happy to refer you to qualified, licensed contractors that can install any product we sell.

Do you offer financing?

We hope to offer financing in the future. In the meantime, we would encourage our customers to inquire about home equity lines of credit and loans with their personal banks.

What do “off-the-grid” and “grid-tied” mean?

Electricity provided by the utility company is said to be from the grid. When you have a renewable energy system that produces all of the electricity you need, you may elect to stop getting electricityfrom the grid. The utility company will shut off the power to your property and you will no longer receive a bill. You are said to be off-the-grid in this case.

In most renewable energy installations, you will maintain a connection to the grid, and only draw what electricity you need from it, while any excess electricity you generate is fed back into the grid. Your renewable energy system is said to be grid-tied in this case.

What is net metering?

Net metering is an agreement between a customer-generator and utility company whereby any excess energy generated by the customer’s renewable energy system is fed back in to the grid where it can be redistributed by the utility company. Net metering requires a new electric meter that can measure the flow of electricity both ways.

Can I sell the power I generate from a renewable energy system back to the utility company?

Yes, though you will first need to enter into a net metering agreement with the utility company. In the case of NV Energy, a credit is applied to your next month’s bill for the excess electricity you produced in the current month. If you are consistently generating more power than you are using, your bill will consist only of basic service, i.e., connection, charges.

What if I’m part of an HOA that doesn?t allow things like solar panels or solar attic fans?

We can appreciate the desire to be in compliance with the CC&Rs of your neighborhood association, as well as to not upset any of your neighbors, however, per Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) § 111.239 and 278.0208, it is unlawful for a governing body to enact any rule or regulation that prohibits the installation of a renewable energy system on private property, and any existing rule or regulation that does so is, by law, unenforceable.

We are happy to assist you with any questions or concerns you may have regarding renewable energy and your homeowners association.

What does “PV” mean?

“PV” is the common abbreviation for photovoltaic, which is the name generally ascribed to the research, development and application of technologies in which sunlight is converted to electricity in a solar cell. Solar panels, which are made up of numerous solar cells, and solar power systems are often referred to as PV panels and PV systems. “Solar power” and “PV” are interchangeable terms.

How does a solar power system work?

An electric current is generated when semi-conductive material in solar cells, which make up each solar panel, absorbs energy from sunlight. This electricity is in the form of Direct Current (or DC).

The DC electricity travels from the solar array, which comprises several solar panels grouped together, to the inverter, which is simply an electrical device that converts DC electricity to Alternating Current (or AC) electricity.

The newly converted AC electricity is then fed into the building?s power supply, where it is used to supply power to heating and cooling systems, lighting, appliances and anything else that is
plugged into any of the building?s existing electrical outlets.

How and where is the solar power system installed?

For most installations, the panels are secured to metal rails or racks installed on the roof. We offer mounting solutions for numerous types of roofs and roofing materials to ensure proper installation and provide the most efficient power generation. Wire is run from the solar array on the roof down the side of the building to the inverter, and from there is tied into the power supply. Ideally, the array should be on the south side of the building, and in an area with little to no shade cover throughout the day.

Is there any maintenance required for a solar power system?

Because a solar panel system contains no moving parts, there is little to no maintenance required. In fact, only in extremely dusty areas is it even be necessary to clean the panels with any regular frequency (once or twice a year). Most rain showers here will do the job for you!

How long do solar panels last?

It varies by manufacturer, but the minimum warranty on the solar panels we sell is 20 years, though it’s reasonable to expect the panels to continue to produce electricity well beyond their warranty term.

Can I upgrade my solar power system at a later time?

Absolutely! The simplest way to do this is to purchase a larger capacity inverter for your solar power system. For example, if you wanted a system with a power output of 2 kW, purchasing an inverter with a 3 or 4 kW capacity means you can increase the overall system power output by adding panels in the future without having to purchase a new inverter.

Another option is to add storage capacity to your renewable energy system using batteries. This is necessary in off-the-grid applications as the power output of most renewable energy systems will vary depending on sources like sunlight or wind. Batteries store the excess energy produced on sunny or windy days, so there is power in reserve on cloudy or calm days.

It’s easy to begin with a small, grid-tied solar power system, and then later, by adding additional solar panels and adequate storage capacity, get off-the-grid for good and become 100% energy efficient!

Which electrical outlets will be supplied with electricity from the solar power system?

All of them! The electricity a solar power system generates is essentially “mixed in” with the electricity you already get from the utility company. All of your outlets, appliances, lighting, and heating and cooling system will function as before. The only difference you’ll notice will be on your utility bill!

How does a solar attic fan work?

Solar attic fans work independently from the rest of the home?s power and heating and cooling systems. DC motors in fans are powered entirely by their own small solar panel, and therefore do not require a connection to any existing electrical system. As such, they cost nothing to operate.

In summer months, fans extract hot air that accumulates in the attic space and roof areas of homes, which helps maintain cooler indoor temperatures and reduces the load placed on air conditioning equipment. Your home will be more comfortable and you?ll use less electricity, which will save you money.

In winter months, fans operate at a much lower rate (as the amount of sunlight is reduced and is less direct), allowing the home to maintain its heat while also venting moisture out of attic space and roof areas, which helps prevent wet insulation, mildew, decay, cracking plaster, peeling paint and roof damage.

Do I need a separate solar power system too?

No! A solar attic fan is a stand-alone solution that can provide substantial energy and cost-savings by itself (as much as 30%). When used in conjunction with a renewable energy system, such as solar power system, your home will require less electricity overall, and a larger portion of the electricity you do need will be produced by a clean, renewable source, making your home even more energy-efficient.

How and where is the solar attic fan installed?

The fan is installed on the roof of your home, ideally as close to the highest point possible (where initial heat loading in your attic is greatest). While it is necessary to cut a hole in the roof, we offer mounting solutions that can utilize existing holes (such as for a turbine vent), and for numerous types of roofs and roofing materials. We also offer a remote option so that the included solar panel can be mounted separately from the fan itself (such as on the south side where sunlight is greatest).