Link: http://www.astraluxsolar.com/images/res_solar_costs_in_co_large.jpg

One of the most frequent questions we get as a solar energy integrator is "Why should I buy now, won't the price of solar keep coming down?"

For the last 12 months, the price of solar has come down drastically, as much as 30% in some cases. However, the rebates for solar have also dropped by virtually the same amount.

As you can see in the graph (click link above to view), the price of residential solar is leveling out, while the rebates continue to decrease (per the new tiered rebate program from Xcel). Thus, the cost to the customer is now beginning to increase for the first time since the introduction of rebates in Colorado.

The price of solar will continue to slowly decrease, with supply levels still high and with more competition than ever between solar integrators - but it is highly unlikely we will see a drop in price like we saw in 2009. The solar rebates are finite, and will continue to decrease until the solar rebate fund is depleted.

There is always the possibility that solar materials will have a major breakthrough and further decrease in price - but will it decrease more than the current value of solar rebates in Colorado? That is the question to ask when you are determining whether to go solar - do it now and get the rebates, or wait and take a chance on solar materials prices significantly decreasing in the future.

Our own Jesse Malcomb is running for one of the three available Board of Director seats for the Colorado Solar Energy Industries Association (CoSEIA). Read his bio below and remember to vote by January 13th.

Following my passion for alternative energies, I currently serve as the VP of Business Development at Astralux Power Systems. With this position, I have been able to leverage my technical background in Government R&D with several years of renewable energy market research and analysis experience. My focus has been to implement strategies to cost]effectively identify and educate receptive market segments that have otherwise been neglected or ignored by the industry. As a corollary, I have developed a deep qualitative understanding of the local solar market. I have been involved in the Colorado solar industry since the start of the "rebate era" in 2006.

My goals for CoSEIA would involve helping the organization focus on working towards greater consumer awareness or "forward equity". We are at a saturation point in the Colorado solar market, and reaching out beyond the typical solar niche markets is the key to the long term success of the solar industry. The catalyst for this outreach must be CoSEIA, as this wonderful organization is the foundation of the Colorado solar industry. I hope to bring my years of proven marketing and development expertise to expanding the reach and awareness of CoSEIA.

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%...

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