ABS Renewable Energy Information Library
Alternative Energy & Power System Information:
Basic Power System Diagram: See all the basic parts of an alternative energy system, including solar panels, wind and water turbines, and engine generators. Click on the components to get more information. (requires javascript)
Document Download Center: Download our Alternative Energy Tech Notes, our Hydro Design Booklet and a wide selection of product manuals. These PDF format files are ideal for downloading, saving and printing out for future use.
Alternative Energy Info: Learn about renewable power sources, and their potential benefits to homeowners. Subjects include everything from solar panels to energy efficient appliances.
System Design: The details you need to know before designing your home power system...
- Electrical Load Calculation: How and why you should do an accurate calculation of how much power you use before designing your home power system. Includes links to our Automatic Load Calculation Worksheet.
- Renewable Resource Site Analysis: How to determine which alternative energy sources will provide the most power at your site, and how much power you can expect from each one.
Tax Credits & Incentives: Tax credit programs, and other financial incentives for alternative energy systems...
- Residential PV Tax Credits: How to take advantage of the US Government's current residential solar photovoltaic system tax credits.
- Selling Power Back to the Utility Company: Regulations from the US Government and various Alaskan utility companies for designing a power system to sell power back to the electric company.
New Products at ABS Alaskan
We've introduced a lot of new product lines in the last few weeks, a few of the most exciting new items are:
EnCurrent vertical-axis in-stream water turbines: These innovative water turbines are "run of river" mounted, without any complicated penstocks or water diversions needed. They can even be mounted in coastal areas, capturing tidal flow and wave action for your power system. Every turbine is sold as a complete "water to wire" kit, including the appropriate inverter configuration for either a grid-tie or off-grid installation.
Westwind 5kW wind turbines: Westwind's turbine design combines the best design elements from the small wind turbine industry to create a durable, easy to install and maintain mid-size turbine, with an exceptionally low start-up speed for low to moderate wind speed sites.
Polarwind grid-tie wind turbines and towers: Polarwind's 10kW and 20kW grid-tie turbines are an excellent choice for larger alternative energy systems. Each turbine includes a grid-tie inverter with adjustable MPPT (maximum power point tracking) system, to maximize production efficiency in a variety of wind conditions.
Now Available: Xantrex XW Inverter Systems
The ABS Alaskan alternative energy store is pleased to announce we now carry Xantrex's new XW inverter-battery chargers, and all the accessories you need to build a state-of-the-art home power system around your XW inverter.
See our selection of XW inverters and XW accessories here!
GVEA's SNAP Program: support alternative energy for Interior Alaska
Golden Valley Electric Association's SNAP (Sustainable Natural Alternative Power) program allows people with alternative energy power systems to sell electricity back to GVEA, for up to $1.50 per kilowatt hour, partially through an annual revenue-share program. GVEA members who subscribe to the SNAP program (by checking a box on their monthly electric bill, or filling out the online SNAP application) contribute $2 or more a month to support these providers. Once a year, these contributions are divided evenly among the registered producers, according to how much power they've provided.
SNAP is a great example of how electric utility companies can encourage natural energy production, by getting their members involved! Check out more information about SNAP.
Welcome to the new absAK.com
The site may not look new at first glance, but we've moved our library to a new, better backend system, with an all-new news blog! You can subscribe to our news posts via RSS, or email, and keep in touch with our latest projects, new renewable energy tax incentives and utility intertie programs, and other alternative energy information.