Situated in a bustling mixed-use neighborhood in northwest Denver, the Coffee Shop is home to one of the state’s largest PV systems. Containing a coffee shop, a furniture woodworking shop and arts studio, the 3,000 sq ft building hosts a 9.52 kW array.

On average, the system produces 100% of the building’s electrical needs. “It gives me great satisfaction to go outside and see our meter spinning backward”, noted building owner Jay Smith, referring to his PV system’s consistent net metering.

“When my wife and I inherited a modest amount of stock in an oil company last year, we decided it was time to invest in a clean energy system”. The result is a 9.52kW PV system composed 56 Sharp 170 watt modules and three Xantrex GT 3.0 inverters. The 9.52 kW system has a 10-degree tilt and is secured to the roof using ProSolar mounting hardware and custom-built curbs.

On an annual basis, the system will generate about 14,000 kWh’s and save about $1,200 in electricity costs. An estimated 28,293 of lbs of CO2 are being abated annually from the array. Jay is in the process of purchasing another PV system for his home, and raising funds to have a larger array installed at his child’s elementary school. Jay added, “Once realizing that the system wasn’t nearly as expensive as I had imagined, I’m encouraging everyone I know to buy one”.

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