Blog

Colorado: a Great State for Solar

Colorado is one of the best places in North America to take advantage of solar power. Here in Colorado, the climate and legislative environment come together to create the perfect place to pursue energy independence through solar electricity. There are plenty of reasons we love living in western Colorado: the natural beauty, the perfect climate, the recreational...

Solar Growth in the Last Decade

At Mountain Power Solutions, we’ve been providing off-grid solar systems to western Colorado and eastern Utah for over a decade. During that time, the solar industry has exploded across the country; and we’re happy to be a part of the solar revolution.  Over the last ten years, we’ve been busy helping dozens of families achieve their off-grid goals. And during that same time,...

Passive Solar for New Construction

Going with an off-grid solar system is all about efficiency. For many people, that means retrofitting an existing dwelling with energy efficient updates. But if you are building a new home, there are many opportunities to optimize your home for off-grid living from day one. One of the best ways to cut down on a...

The Benefits of Decentralized Power Production

Local goods are all the rage these days, manifesting itself in farm-to-fork restaurants, shop local campaigns, and farmers’ markets. But there is one element this local-first mindset forgets about – energy production. Currently, most of our electricity is produced at large facilities and then transmitted around the country for local use. This system worked great...

Energy Usage Trends in the United States

Like so much of the modern world, the energy landscape in the United States is undergoing a massive shift. The environmental effects of fossil fuels and inefficient systems are becoming more obvious, and our priorities are (slowly) moving to account for the impact of our energy production. As of 2016, the United States uses 18%...

Off-Grid vs. Grid-Tied: Which is Right for You?

Transitioning to solar power can be a daunting task. Wading through the wide range of options, terminology, and technologies can seem insurmountable – but it doesn’t have to be that way. Today, we’ll cover one of the most important decision you will face: off-grid, hybrid, or grid-tied systems. Each system has its own pros and...

Solar Power & HOAs in Colorado

*Note: We’re not lawyers. And nothing in this article should be construed as legal advice. If you are in a fight with your HOA, we recommend getting advice from a real lawyer. Homeowner’s Associates (HOA’s) in Colorado are often very restrictive on what you can and cannot do with your property. Regulations run from the...

A Brief History of Solar Energy

While solar energy has exploded in popularity and availability in the last two decades, it has a long history. Humans have been harnessing the power of the sun for thousands of years, and even the modern idea of solar-generated electricity dates back to 1839. We’re excited about both the past and the future of solar...

The Solar Impulse II: a Fully Solar Powered Aircraft

In 2016 the Solar Impulse 2, a solar-powered aircraft completed a circumnavigation of the globe. Mountain Power Solution isn’t going to build you a solar-powered aircraft the size of a Boeing 747, but we think this is too cool to pass up. The Solar Impulse project was started in Switzerland by Andre Borschberg and Bertrand...