Full Spectrum Solar 1240 East Washington Ave , Madison, Wisconsin, United States

Full Spectrum Solar began in August 2002 as “Light Energy Systems,” when lead Engineer Burke O’Neal returned from his position with the California-based Light Energy Systems to set up a similar business with his brother, Master Plumber Mark O’Neal.  With Light Energy Systems in California, Burke designed and supervised the installation of more than 100 grid-connected photovoltaic and solar thermal systems.  Here in Madison, our team has installed over 400 solar energy systems. Our most visible projects include Yahara River View Apartments, Troy Gardens Co-housing, and Holy Wisdom Monastery in Dane County; the Milwaukee Recycling Center in Milwaukee; Organic Valley Cooperative in La Farge; Evansville Community Pool in Evansville; and Dominican Eco-Justice Center in Racine.Complete turn-key installation of solar electric systems for businesses, homeowners, public authorities, and community organizations.  With a growing staff of professionals and over 20 years of experience, we can design and install solar electric systems of any size.

Advantages of photovoltaic (PV) solar installation

• Often produces more power than the site uses during the day
  The excess energy is feed back into the grid.

• PV technology continues to become cheaper and more efficient

  While fossil fuels generally become more difficult and costly to extract.

• There are no moving parts

  the most reliable and efficient renewable energy system available

• Pricing on panels and inverters is near the lowest it has ever been

  Competition among manufacturers is intense. There’s never been a better time to go solar!

Our Commitment to Quality

Quality is our first priority. From the moment we begin designing your system with proven components, to assembling, testing, and beyond final inspection, our goal is to create long lasting and quality solar systems. Our workmanship warranty is among the best in the industry and the major components we specify come with longer manufacturer warranties to safeguard your investment.

SOLAR ELECTRIC (PHOTOVOLTAIC)

Barn with solar 12.4 kW photovoltaic roof mount  Full Spectrum Solar specializes in “grid-interactive” solar electric systems. These systems often produce more power than the site uses during the day. This excess energy is feed back into the grid through the electric meter and sold to the utility, resulting in a lower electric bill or even a monthly credit.

How it works:

PV stands for photovoltaic, which describes materials that produce an electric current when exposed to sunlight. There are several types of PV technologies but the most common and efficient is the crystalline silicon cell. These cells are assembled together in an aluminum frame and covered with tempered glass. All PV solar panels generate direct current (DC), which flows through wiring to an inverter, often mounted in a garage or basement.  The inverter turns the DC energy into alternating current (AC), the type of electricity provided by the electrical grid. The AC power is routed to either the building’s main electrical panel or directly to an electric meter. In some situations, module level optimization is used to provide greater efficiency by introducing module level monitoring and per-module maximum power point tracking. This can reduce the negative effect of shading and snow cover resulting in a higher electrical output from your system.  A major advantage of solar PV is that there are no moving parts aside from the electrons, creating the most reliable and efficient renewable energy system available. Grid-tied systems send any energy that is not immediately consumed into the grid to be sold to other customers resulting in little energy waste. Another positive of solar PV is that the panels are sustainable – the silicon cells are crystallized from purified sand and can be recycled along with the aluminum and glass after a few decades of use.  PV technology continues to become cheaper and more efficient while fossil fuels generally become more difficult and costly to extract via techniques such as hydrofracking, tar sand refinement and deep-sea oil drilling. The current pricing on panels and inverters is near the lowest ever and competition among manufacturers is intense. There’s never been a better time to go solar!

ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING

Volt charging Our Chevy Volt charging for the next site visit  Electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrids offer exciting new ways to get around using less fossil fuels, but the batteries can take a long time to charge. Fortunately a dedicated high-current EV charging station can recharge a vehicle’s batteries in less than half the time a standard wall-socket charger requires.  Full Spectrum Solar is excited to add electric vehicle charging stations to the products we install. We feel that charging electric or hybrid vehicles with solar power is a great combination – we’ve even made a Chevy Volt the newest member of our vehicle fleet!