Grand Valley Power Identifies Preferred Solar Installers
Members’ experience is top of mind
by Destry Smith, Energy Services Administrator
GRAND JUNCTION, COLO. - (Oct. 2, 2023)
Thinking about going solar? Wondering what reputable companies to consider for your installation? Look no further. Grand Valley Power recently held its first ever Preferred Solar Installers Workshop, and now you can go to the GVP website and find a list of companies that we’ve identified as preferred installers. The current Preferred Solar Installers list comprises four companies, some of which have been conducting business in the Grand Valley for many years. All have successfully completed installations for GVP members over the past couple years.
The companies on our inaugural list of Preferred Solar Installers include Atlasta Solar Center, Mountain Power Solutions, SOCO Solar and Power, and Titan Solar Power. Each of these vendors attended our Preferred Solar Installers Workshop where they completed a thorough vetting process to help ensure they provide members with expert advice and quality service; and they pledged to conduct business with integrity and honesty.
The goal of GVP’s Preferred Solar Installers program is to establish a clear communication path between GVP and solar installers and to ensure that our members have a positive experience. In the past, GVP has encountered members who have not had a good experience with solar companies and who were met with “high pressure sales tactics” and “fly by night” installers. Grand Valley Power’s new Preferred Solar Installers program seeks to identify reputable installers that will work with GVP members and will have members’ best interests in mind.
One common misconception that GVP addresses regularly is that once solar is connected to the meter, the member should never have another bill. Regardless of usage, all members pay the monthly Grid Connectivity Charge. This cost is a fixed charge that all members are subject to even if a member is net-metered. The Grid Connectivity Charge helps to cover the cost of operating and maintaining GVP’s distribution system.
After this fee, the other part of members’ bills is the usage portion. Keep in mind that usage is broken down into two time periods: On-Peak (4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.) and Off-Peak (all other hours of the day). Solar electricity that is generated within each of these time periods can only be used to offset electricity usage within the same time period. This is why it is important to get accurately sized systems and that the panels face in a direction that will most benefit one’s usage. It’s important to capture the sun’s energy during the time period when your household uses electricity.
Remember, too, that solar energy generated by the installed solar system will vary month to month due to environmental factors such as clouds. Members may notice that sometimes their solar installation doesn’t produce enough electricity to offset their household electricity usage, and they still rely on GVP for a portion of their power. It is also important for GVP members to understand that once the solar installation is complete, without an additional energy storage system (battery), net-meter members will not have electric power during a GVP system outage that affects their service.
During the Preferred Solar Installers Workshop we engaged in great discussions regarding Grand Valley Power’s Interconnection Policy and Time-of-Use Rates. Grand Valley Power’s Preferred Solar Installers are aware of these topics and are sure to communicate this information with all members during conversations about a solar installation.
The number one driver behind Grand Valley Power’s Preferred Solar Installers program is our members. As your trusted energy advisor, we want to ensure that you get accurate information when you need it. As always, call me and we can talk. I will work to answer your questions. We can dive into your usage and see how solar will affect your bill and talk about what you can expect with your usage during On-Peak and Off-Peak hours.
If you are a solar installer who has successfully completed an installation with us in the past few months, and you want to participate in this program, please reach out to me and we can start the process.
Destry Smith is GVP’s Energy Services Administrator. Prior to this role, he worked in the field as a GVP journeyman lineman. A graduate of Colorado Mesa University with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree, Destry also completed the Electrical Lineworkers Program at Western Colorado Community College. His education and work in the field as a lineman has prepared him to serve in GVP’s Member Services Department as your trusted energy advisor.