One Fort Collins community is taking full advantage of the substantial group discounts offered by the Astralux Energy Partners Program. Thus far 8 households in this neighborhood have committed to going solar.

Client services representative Osea Nelson helped build this group of solar enthusiasts. "It's great to see entire communities going solar - we are able to give sizable discounts when we can install several solar systems in one area," Osea commented, "you see an almost viral mentality - when one home installs a system, others in the neighborhood start to get interested and want to learn more about solar - even if they haven't considered it before."

Other solar energy group purchasing programs are offered by 3rd party companies who charge installers for collecting these groups, which means extra costs to cover their fees. Astralux Solar offers the Energy Partners Program directly, so solar customers know they are getting a true discount for gathering their community together to go green.

Astralux now has Energy Partners Groups in over a dozen Colorado communities including Lakewood, Boulder, Stapleton, Pueblo, Alamosa, and Denver.

From the GEO Website:

"Coloradans can soon tap into millions of Recovery Act dollars and take steps to save money, boost the economy and save energy as the Governor's Energy Office and partners prepare to launch a sweeping, statewide rebate program April 19. This initiative is designed to bring energy efficiency and renewable energy to tens of thousands of Coloradans and will provide nearly 75,000 rebates worth approximately $22 million."

For 2010, the Colorado GEO solar rebate is set at $1.50 per watt (up to 3kW for residential and 10kW for commercial projects). Several rural and co-op electric utilities in Colorado are offering matching funds to the GEO rebate, bringing the overall solar rebate up to $3 per watt. This is more than the current Xcel Energy and Black Hills Energy solar rebate of $2.55 per watt in Colorado.

Astralux has special GEO 3kW solar packages for Residential and 10kW packages for Small Business projects. These packages come with a free energy audit of your home or business.

Funds for the GEO solar rebate are first-come, first-serve.

http://www.astraluxsolar.com/Astralux_GEO_Solar_Package.pdf

Link: http://bit.ly/b6xdJ7

For the 3rd straight year, Astralux Solar will have a booth at the largest show in the west. 60,000 people are expected to attend the 48th annual Colorado Garden & Home Show. This is the LARGEST consumer show held in the Colorado Convention Center and boasts the highest attendance.

Come visit us at Booth #530. The show runs from the 13th to the 21st of this month.

Link: http://bit.ly/6kr28A

ColoradoBiz Magazine devotes its annual "power-list issue" to recognizing the people who drive growth, the often unsung heroes of business who keep cash coming in the door by connecting clients with the products and services they need to prosper.

Osea Nelson has been named to this list as the premier salesperson in Solar Energy. Read more about Osea's story...

Link: http://bit.ly/79JDZ6

2009 was an incredible and adventurous year for solar energy in Colorado, the nation, and the world. Here were the highlights:

1) Despite the recession, the amount of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems sold and installed in Colorado increased by over 90%.

2) Over $50 million in solar energy rebates were distributed statewide.

3) The small category (under 10kW in size) saw the greatest increase, going from 6.02 megawatts (MW) installed in 2008 to 12.5MW in 2009.

4) A European solar module supply gut led to solar system material prices dropping by as much as 50%...

Read More...

Link: http://bit.ly/7kYlqR

Gov. Bill Ritter announced the award of 14 New Energy Economic Development (NEED) grants to recipients across Colorado for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects that will help create and retain jobs, strengthen local economies, and save money and energy. The Colorado Governor's Energy Office created the grants from funds available from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

Astralux Power Systems was one of the 14 awarded, out of nearly 200 grant applications. Astralux received $60,000 to design and install a 20kW solar energy system for the Crouse Farm in Alamosa, Colorado.

A certified organic farm, currently producing 600 tons of alfalfa hay annually, the electricity from this system will help offset the nearly 64,000kWh of energy needed to irrigate the farm’s crops. Located in Alamosa, the Crouse Farm will provide Southern Colorado a model for the sustainable and energy efficient farm of the future. Crouse has already begun arrangements for school "field trips" to his farm with the hope of creating a sustainable road map for the future farmers of America. This project will also be able to showcase solar energy in an area of Colorado thus far neglected in renewable energy efforts.

Grant Summary - Astralux Power Systems: This Boulder-based company received $59,940 to install a photovoltaic system to offset irrigation costs at the Crouse Farm located in Alamosa, CO. Contact: Jesse Malcomb, Astralux Power Systems.

Osea Nelson has been named one of the Top 25 Salespeople in Colorado by ColoradoBiz Magazine. Osea has been a Client Services Representative for Astralux since 2008, and is a big reason for Astralux's success over the past 2 years.

Everyone at Astralux congratulates Osea for this distinction and for all of his accomplishments in the solar energy field.

Link: http://www.gardeningcolorado.com/fall/live_green_zone.htm

The 2009 Colorado Fall Home Show features hundreds of exciting and useful home improvement products. But, if you are looking for that special and unique product this year, you will find it first in the 9NEWS Live Green Zone.

Astralux has been selected as one of these "special and unique products" and will be on display this weekend at the Colorado Convention Center.

The 9NEWS Live Green Zone islocated at the top of the escalators near the show entrance. Make note of where the products are exhibited and see them for yourself on the show floor.

Astralux will be located at Booth 1811. Come visit us and learn more about Solar Energy in Colorado.

Xcel Energy modified its Solar Rewards program by offering the ability of 3rd Parties to conduct Power Purchasing Agreements (PPA) within the small system category. They also slightly modified the medium system program to include systems that are sized 100.1 - 500kW and offer an increased REC payment of $125 per MWh. These changes took effect September 1st.

The best news for Coloradans looking to go solar, Xcel did not reduce the rebates as it was rumored to do. Although, they may reduce their rebates at anytime in the future.

Astralux has confirmed that Black Hills Energy, based in Southern Colorado, will be reducing its nation-leading solar energy rebate by $1 per watt - from $4.50 to $3.50 per watt - on September 1st.

This news is also fueling rumors that Xcel Energy may also reduce its solar rebate as well, anywhere from $0.50 to $1.00 - also on September 1st.

If you are a Black Hills Customer and are interested in solar energy, you must act fast! We can reserve the $4.50 per watt rebate for you before it goes down on Tuesday. Contact us to secure your rebate before it is reduced by over 20%.

Link: http://www.earthworks2009.com/

Come visit us at the 2009 Earthworks Expo at the Denver Merchandise Mart this weekend. Meet and talk with one of our experienced client service reps about solar energy! We'll be at booth 205-207.

Our CEO, Dr. Rande Treece, will be giving a talk entitled "Peak Oil, Climate Change, and Population Growth" in the Blue Whale Room on Saturday, August 22nd at 12:10pm. Click the link above for more details.

Link: http://marketwire.denverpost.com/client/denver_post/release.jsp?actionFor=1027331

(Boulder, CO – August 7, 2009) – Astralux Power Systems, a leading solar energy integrator in Colorado, announced the release of the SolarCare Program for residential and commercial solar energy customers.

“SolarCare addresses the key stress points of widespread solar energy adoption,” said Founder and CEO Dr. Rande Treece. “Astralux has always been committed to developing solutions that push solar beyond the typical ‘eco-friendly’ markets and make it more practical for the average consumer.”

Astralux SolarCare consists of three programs:

SolarCare Protection
This protection plan offers the longest labor warranty and performance guarantee in the industry, plus the most comprehensive maintenance, service, cleaning, and monitoring program available.

SolarCare Energy Partners™
By gathering three or more neighbors together to go solar, local communities can receive thousands in Astralux Energy Partners rebates – on top of existing solar utility rebates and tax credits.

SolarCare Financing
Astralux offers up to 18 months same-as-cash, no-equity financing for residential and commercial solar energy systems – allowing consumers to get solar for no money down today and avoid having to wait for the solar tax credit / grant.

“In the quest for widespread adoption of solar, aside from financial feasibility, consumer confidence and community involvement are the tipping points,” explained Jesse Malcomb, VP of Business Development for Astralux. “SolarCare achieves this by allowing the consumer to get solar for no money upfront and protect their investment with our long-term warranties and performance guarantee. The Energy Partners program gets local communities involved by offering substantial group discounts – which also increases acceptance from HOA’s and other community regulatory committees.”

About Astralux
Astralux, established in 1992, is a Boulder, Colorado-based solar energy integration firm and was originally founded to research and develop silicon and semiconductor materials and devices. Leveraging its extensive R&D in advanced solar energy technologies, Astralux created the Power Systems group which has developed proprietary engineering, design, rendering, and installation solutions for the solar energy integration industry. This technical expertise allows Astralux to offer the exclusive SolarCare protection plan, providing the longest and most comprehensive labor warranty and performance guarantee in the industry. Since 2007, Astralux Power Systems is the fastest growing solar energy integrator in Colorado.

Link: http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2009/08/03/story11.html?q=xcel%20energy

According to unknown sources inside Xcel and local industry rumblings, the Xcel Solar Energy rebate may soon be reduced. There’s speculation that this change could come any time between now and November, but the amount of the reduction is unknown.

In early October 2008, Xcel announced a solar rebate reduction of $1 per watt (from $4.50 to $3.50 per watt). The announcement gave the industry about a one month warning - prompting over a thousand solar rebate applications in October, by far a record for Colorado.

This time, Xcel has indicated that there will be no warning - the rebate reduction will take place as soon as it's announced and any new applications after that will be subject to the lower rebate.

If you are interested in solar for your home or business, now is the time to act. This rebate reduction could happen in November, but it could also happen tomorrow morning.

Applying for a solar rebate is free, simply schedule a free consultation with Astralux and we will start your application. Starting an application DOES NOT obligate you to a purchase, it simply reserves a spot for the current rebate rate.

Contact us today to reserve your rebate at today's rates.

Link: http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2009/08/03/daily31.html

With immense pressure bearing down from Colorado solar customers, installers, local government officials, renewable energy advocacy associations, and the Government Energy Office - Xcel has withdrawn the solar fee proposal that was slated for debate on Wednesday.

Dr. Rande Treece, Founder and CEO of Astralux, proclaimed, "This is a big win for the local solar energy community - and sends the message that concerned citizens do have the power to stop large organizations like Xcel from creating unfair policies.”

Astralux received hundreds of phone calls and emails, from customers and strangers alike, concerning this potential "solar fee". Almost every employee and over 2 dozen customers had planned on attending Wednesday's PUC open forum covering the matter. Fortunately, Xcel has come to their senses on this issue and everyone planning to attend can instead spend their time enjoying the Colorado summer!

Thanks to everyone for your support and letters to the PUC - they obviously got the message!

Xcel Energy is proposing unfair rake hikes for new solar energy customers in Colorado. These hikes would unjustly charge new solar owners a minimum usage fee every month simply for the "privilege" to use Xcel's energy grid.

Solar energy not only helps reduce the load demand for Xcel's energy grid, but the solar energy surge (pun intended) has created demand for new businesses setting up shop in Colorado, subsequently leading to more electricity use. In fact, Colorado is Xcel's #1 profit source, and just reported increased profits on higher electricity rates.

Please join us for the Public Utilities Commission open forum on this topic, the more support we can get there - the better:

August 5th - 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
1560 Broadway, Suite 1550
Denver, CO 80202

Please Note: THIS PROPOSED POLICY DOES NOT APPLY TO EXISTING SOLAR ENERGY OWNERS. If passed, the proposal would go into effect in April 2010, and therefore only solar energy owners after that date would be subject to these proposed charges. If you have a system already installed, you will not be subject to these charges.

Holy Cross Electric in Colorado has announced an additional $250,000 in solar rebates for 2009.

Holy Cross has already given out over $1.1 million in rebates this year, and given the overwhelming demand, has decided to reallocate other funds into more solar rebates.

The rebate will remain at $2 per watt, with a cap of $12,000. For more information on reserving rebates in that area - contact us.

[Source: Aspen Times]

Astralux employees will be celebrating Earth Day by building trails, restoring habitat, planting trees and flowers, and educating the public about solar for their homes! The event will be held this Saturday, April 18 at Bear Creek Lake Park in Lakewood near Meadowlark Cove and will go from 8am to noon.

This event is hosted by REI and Whole Foods, who will provide lunch to reward volunteers for all their hard work. Astralux will be there rain or shine to celebrate Earth Day and educate about the benefits of solar energy for the environment and your wallet!

For more information and to register, see http://denver.yourhub.com/Lakewood/Stories/Goings-on/Story~598399.aspx.

The following is an excerpt from The Woodmen Edition newspaper in Colorado Springs.

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Here comes the sun. And for the Leitz family, here comes lower electricity bills, a way to help Colorado Springs' energy needs and a method to make a positive impact on the environment.

In early Nov., the Leitz's, through a company called Astralux Power Systems, installed 36 panels on their roof hoping to glean enough sunlight to keep their house's electricity totally powered during daylight hours.

Mr. Butch Leitz said he worked with Astralux because their design helped the panels blend in with the rest of the home...Leitz said the connection between the panels and the city provided electricity proved seamless and he's yet to see any problems.

"It's really a no-brainer when it comes to solar energy. It's a simple concept" he said. "The environment is only getting worse; there's no reason not to invest right now."

[Source: The Woodmen Edition, Maren Sorensen]

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We commend the Leitz family on their new system and front page story in the Woodmen Paper! They are setting an example for others in Colorado Springs (and beyond) to follow.

Congratulations to:

Carol Schultz - Arvada, CO
Gene Mooneyham - Littleton, CO
Margaret Sandeli - Greeley, CO

They have each won a portable solar charger courtesy of Astralux Power Systems. Each home show, Astralux will be giving away these very neat (and very useful) solar energy chargers. Just visit our booth at one of these upcoming shows to register...

Denver Home and Remodeling Show - Denver Merchandise Mart (3/13 - 3/15)
Denver Home Show - National Western Complex (3/19 - 3/22)
Garden and Outdoor Living Show - Douglas County Fairgrounds (3/29 - 3/30)

Here is a link to a story done on the 30kW Solar Energy Installation on the IBEW office in Colorado Springs.

http://www.kktv.com/news/headlines/40319987.html