Trend Watch 2018

Page 117

PART OF THE FAMILY? People become attached

points toward the east for

to their solar trackers when

tomorrow’s sunrise, which

they’re on the ground, Bill

takes a couple of minutes.

says. “The trackers move

On summer evenings, I

as they follow the sun,

know people who sit in the

and they engage people.

yard so they can watch their

At sunset, the tracker is

tracker moving. In addition,

vertical. When the sun

people give their trackers

goes down, it turns and

names like Apollo.”

“The back of the tracker can see one-third of the sky, plus any snow on the ground reflects energy from the sky,” Bill explains. “Having solar panels on the roof is not as good. On a sunny day, the sun is the point of energy. On a cloudy day, energy comes from all directions, and a tracker, with its unobstructed back side, is uniquely positioned to capture a significant boost from the backs of the panels, which collect the most energy.” TW To see a video of trackers in motion, visit www.solaflect.com. Solaflect Energy 326 Main Street Suite 4 Norwich, VT (802) 649-3700 www.solaflect.com

Opposite and above: Three Solaflect trackers on a farm in Norwich, Vermont, provide all the electricity needed for the home and the barn. Opposite below: Solar energy from two trackers provides all the electricity needed by the beautiful Shaker Hill Bed and Breakfast in Enfield, New Hampshire.

NEWS ABOUT THE FEDERAL TAX CREDIT FOR SOLAR The “Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit” is a federal income tax credit worth 30% of the total cost of the solar array. It’s available for solar installed for primary and secondary residences. For a Solaflect PV Tracker, this is worth nearly $6,000. UPDATE: In December 2015, Congress extended the tax credit. It will be 30% through the end of 2019. After that the credit steps down over a few years. In the final year, 2021, the credit will be 22%.

www.uppervalleyimage.com •

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