Carbon offset.

Why is it so important? Because conventional means of making electricity actually use two fuels, Carbon and Oxygen.  We buy the Carbon (e.g. Gasoline, Natural Gas, Coal) which is only about 27% of the actual fuel used to make electricity (by mass). The rest is taken out of the air… this is the Oxygen that we all breathe.  It gets replaced by  CO2, Carbon monoxide and other gases.    A renewable energy source  avoids or offsets this creating what is called a Carbon offset.   Planting a tree is another way of creating a  Carbon offset.

Photovoltaic (PV) renewable energy has the great advantage of producing electricity by just being in the Sun.   PV is considered renewable energy but it is really more than renewable.  It’s quiet and passive and it doesn’t take any air or emit any harmful gases.  It just makes energy.  

Our vision is to make PV part of the landscape everywhere.

The Photo Voltaic Tree for Renewable Energy and the Environment (PVTREE) provides a solar module mounting solution that can make better use of new technologies (micro inverters, optimizers and A.C. modules) while providing an aesthetic solution as landscaping. Landscaping that has a real Carbon Offset!

Solar energy or PV in general does have many challenges. These include a

• Limited ability to place equipment in the Sun because of local regulations, restrictions or lack of acceptance
• Poor performance because of shading from nearby trees, buildings and power lines
• Limited duration because of the life span of a supporting roof.

Often one or more of these challenges prevent PV from being used where it is needed. PVTREEs may provide an aesthetic solution to these issues by

• Expanding where you can put solar- some jurisdictions accept PVTREEs as landscaping allowing access beyond setback lines 
• Maximizing solar access and providing power when it is needed most-the top surface can be a non-planar surface designed to optimize solar access
• Maximizing payoff by matching energy production to loads, time of use and demand charges through a non-planar surface design
• Providing long lasting support that will outlast many roof types.

Additionally, the design concept is beneficial to local economies since it is constructed of materials that are typically made locally such as recycled rebar steel.  Many local distributors can provide automated bending.   The  over all carbon offset is determined by many factors including how far materials need to be shipped.  We are mindful of this.

Lastly, a PVTREE provides shade and we hope a little bit of unique beauty to where you live.

The advantage that we bring is that we are committed to a holistic solution that  will provide “light years of energy” to individuals, schools, churches, businesses and non-profits.