Scott Gray, LEED AP Advanced Engineering Consultants, Columbus, Ohio

Retrofitting PV and wind generation systems

View the full story, including all images and figures, in our monthly digital edition Retrofitting alternative power generation systems such as solar photovoltaics (PV) is much easier than one might anticipate. While these systems typically still have rather long paybacks in the Midwest, where utility power is relatively cheap, other areas such as California are realizing paybacks in 3 to 7 years. It is anticipated that within the next 5 to 10 years, PV electricity will be cost-competitive nationwide with utility power.