Thursday, January 21, 2010
5 Simple Steps to a Solar Power Home
The Homeowners Guide to Going Solar and Saving Money
The good news? Solar power is now cheap enough for most homeowners to
actually earn money by using the power of the sun.
Free Report and Solar Installer Contact
actually earn money by using the power of the sun.
The not-so-good news? Your first steps toward a solar power home can be a
little overwhelming if you don't know the...
5 Steps That Will Save You Money And Time On Your Solar Install
With these 5 steps, you can start your solar power journey on the right foot
and make one of the best investments you'll ever make.
Let's get started with how you can...
1. Save Money Today With The "NegaWatt"
A "negawatt" is a play on the word megawatt and it refers to saving energy
by reducing consumption. I know that's not as exciting as installing the
latest thin-film solar panels on your roof as your next door neighbor watches
jealously, but the fact is...
The Cheapest Electricity Is The Electricity You Don't Use
I talk to a lot of people who have been in the solar business for a long time.
They may disagree about which brand of solar panel is most efficient or whether amorphous silicon technology is the wave of the future, but they all agree on this advice:
First Conserve,Then Go Solar
Whether you're interested in solar power because you want to save money or because you want to save the planet, it only makes sense to stop wasting power before you start producing power. Conserving power will allow you to purchase a smaller solar power system (save money) and reduce the drain on natural resources (save the planet).
Of course the first step to conserving power is to...
Find Out How Much Power You Actually Use Check your latest bill from the power company to see how many kilowatthours (kWh) your family used last month. This is your starting point so you can see how much less energy you use when you...
Eliminate Unnecessary Power Hogs
Do you have an old beer fridge in the garage that's usually empty except for a couple Budweisers and a potato salad from your last family reunion? Older appliances (1990's era) can use more than twice the power of today's energy efficient models and could be a great place to start cutting back on your kilowatt-hours.
Another idea: Switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs. They use a fraction of the power of incandescent bulbs because they give off more light and less heat.
If you really want to know where your power is flowing, try the Kill A Watt™. You can pick up this power meter for around 25 bucks online and it will tell you exactly how much power each of your gadgets and appliances is really using.
Alright, enough of the boring "conserve energy" stuff. Let's move on so you can...
2. Get To Know Your Solar Potential
If you're going to lay down your hard earned money on solar panels, you want to make sure you get enough sunshine to get your money's worth, right? Well the good news is that...
Most Places Get More Than Enough Sun For Solar Panels
As you would expect, the Southwest gets the most sun but even the Pacific Northwest and New England get about 4.0 kWh/m²/day. That is plenty of sun to get a great return on installing solar panels.
What About South Facing Roof Space?
If you've got a large amount of south facing roof space, great! But don't be too disappointed if you don't, a southwest or southeast facing roof is also great for solar.
Solar panels will usually do fine on an east or west facing roof as well, as long as the roof isn't too steep (An east facing roof could also affect your payback since you will be producing less power during the afternoon "peak" time).
The bottom line...
Roof Orientation Is Not As Important As You Think
Okay, that takes care of the south facing roof issue but now you're probably asking yourself...
What About If I Have Shading On My Roof?
Shading is a very important issue when it comes to solar panels. Unfortunately, even partial shading can have a big impact on the power output of your solar panel array. Since the solar cells are connected in series, you can think of shading as a kink in a garden hose that slows down, or even stops, the flow of water coming from the end of the hose.
You will want to trim any trees that will shade your panel area and keep an eye out for any trees on your neighbor's property that could pose a problem in the years to come (After all, solar panels can produce power for well over thirty years!).
The bottom line...
Shading Is Probably More important Than You Think Now that you've got a rough idea of your site's solar potential, let's take a look at how you can...
3. Save Money With Rebates And Grants
Obviously rebates and grants will vary depending on where you live. What we can do here is tell you where to look so you... Don't Leave Any Money On The Table
There are two main places you will find rebate and grant money:
• Government (Federal, State, and Local)
• Utility Companies
The first place you'll want to check out is a website called the "Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency" (DSIRE) at www.dsireusa.org.
Just click on your state and you'll get a list of all state, local, and utility incentives that you may be able to take advantage of. There is also a separate section that features all federal incentives (including the 30% Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit).
Since the application process and paperwork for rebate programs can get a little complicated you're going to want a little help from someone who knows the ropes. This is where a qualified solar installer can really come in handy.
At SolarPowerBeginner, we make sure that any installer we recommend can help you out with the rebate application process.
When you have an idea of the grants and rebates you have available, it's time to...
4. Know Your Solar
Financing Options Have you ever thought: "Gee it would be nice to get solar panels, but I don't have thousands of dollars to spare at the moment"? Well, there are some financing options available that might make going solar easier than you think.
Here are a few solar financing options that you should be aware of:
• Energy Efficient Mortgages (EEM)
◦ Roll the cost of solar panels into your mortgage.
◦ Interest payments on mortgages are tax deductible (This can make an EEM more attractive than other loan options).
◦ Check out the "Energy Efficient Mortgage Home Owner Guide" from the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
• Solar Leasing
◦ Pay as you go instead of having to pay upfront for your solar panel installation.
◦ Your savings increase as utility rates continue to rise.
◦ In an example on SolarCity's SolarLease website, saving $30 a month adds up to over $10,000 on a 15 year lease.
• Group Purchasing
◦ Get together with other homeowners and qualify for group rates.
◦ One Block Off The Grid helps organize homeowners so they can take advantage of these savings.
• Public Financing
◦ Your municipality lends you money and allows you to pay it back as part of your property taxes.
◦ You don't need great credit to qualify and the loan is attached to the house and passes to any future buyers.
◦ The downside? It may not yet be available where you live. It is spreading fast, though, so check with your municipality.
• Power Purchase Agreement (PPA)
◦ A solar company buys solar panels on your behalf and is responsible for maintenance.
◦ You pay a fixed rate for the electricity produced by the panels.
◦ A PPA is common with businesses but is fairly new to the residential market (Check out SunRun).
Now that you know how you can pay for your solar panels, you'll need to...
5. Find A Solar Installer Who Will
Do The Job Right
Now you're really getting there! Just one more step: Finding the right installer for the job.
Finding a qualified solar installer shouldn't be too tough. Here are a few things to look for:
• NABCEP™ Solar PV Installer Certification
◦ NABCEP is the National American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners and they have very rigorous standards for certification.
◦ If your installer isn't NABCEP certified you should at least make sure that they have a lot of...
Experience
◦ They say there's no substitute for experience and the solar industry is no different. Make sure the company has been around for a while and that the employees have done ten or
more installations. That way you should have no problem getting...
• Customer Referrals
◦ Hearing what an installer's past customers have to say is important. It will let you know how they did with the installation and if they deal with their customer's concerns promptly and politely.
• Turnaround Time
◦ You're excited to get those solar panels installed! Do you really want to deal with a six month wait?
• Solar Panel Quality
◦ Make sure the solar panels used by the installer have a good name in the industry (The inverter is another piece of solar power equipment that should be high quality).
There you go! Five simple steps and you've got a solid foundation for building your solar power future.
Here's a quick recap:
1. Save Money Today With The "NegaWatt"
2. Get To Know Your Solar Potential
3. Save Money With Rebates And Grants
4. Know Your Solar Financing Options
5. Find A Solar Installer Who Will Do The Job Right
If you haven't already signed up for a free solar consultation with a friendly
and qualified installer in your area, go to:
http://edge.affiliateshop.com/public/AIDLink?AID=109011&BID=13598
Thanks for thinking solar!
The Top Five Solar Power Myths
Solar power is more affordable than ever thanks to lower solar panel prices and the
availability of government incentives. Going solar is also good for the environment and
energy independence.
With so much going for it, what could keep solar power from exploding into the
mainstream?
Well, unfortunately there are some persistent myths about solar power that continue to
unfairly tarnish its reputation. Today we're going to squash these myths and tell nothing but
the solar truth.
Myth #1 - Solar Panels Are An Unproven Technology
Solar Power Beginner
Many people still think of solar panels as a new technology. In fact, the silicon solar cell was
developed at Bell Laboratories back in the early 1950's. This means that solar panel
technology has been around since before Elvis Presley appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show.
That's right, solar panel technology is older than rock and roll. Would you call rock and roll
an unproven music style? I didn't think so.
Myth #2 - Building A Solar Panel Consumes More Energy Than The Panel Produces
Free Solar Report
You may have heard this one from a know-it-all at your last cocktail party. In reality, many
independent studies put the 'energy payback time' of crystalline solar panels at anywhere
from 1.5 to 4 years.
In other words, a solar panel produces the amount of energy used to build it in a few years.
Since most solar panels have a 25 year warranty, a solar panel will produce many times it's
'embodied energy' over the life of the panel.
Myth #3 - I Can't Get Solar Panels Because I Don't Have A South Facing Roof
A south facing roof is ideal for solar panels but roof orientation is actually much less
important than most people realize. According to the Department of Energy, solar panel
orientation can be up to 45ยบ east or west of true south without significantly decreasing
performance.
Myth #4 - Solar Power Will Be Cheaper In A Few Years
The price of solar panels may continue to drop over the next few years but so will
government incentives. Doesn't seem fair? Just remember that the incentive programs are
meant to boost demand and kickstart the industry.
As the solar industry matures and learns to stand on its own two feet, the incentives are no
longer considered necessary. On that note we come to...
Myth #5 - If Solar Power Really Worked It Wouldn't Need Government Incentives
Let's take a look at some energy history:
• By 1916 the federal government provided incentives to encourage oil drilling.
• In the 1930's federal money built dams to produce hydroelectric power.
• Since the 1950's government money has financed research into nuclear power.
In fact, it is estimated that fossil fuels and nuclear power receive ten times the government
money that renewable energy sources do. So before you pick on solar power for receiving
government incentives, just remember that other energy sources are getting even more of
your tax dollars.
Well, that's it. Hopefully this little bout of myth busting will save a few unsuspecting people
from getting fooled by these solar power falsehoods.
People might even realize that the truth about solar power is more exciting than the myths.
Go Solar!
availability of government incentives. Going solar is also good for the environment and
energy independence.
With so much going for it, what could keep solar power from exploding into the
mainstream?
Well, unfortunately there are some persistent myths about solar power that continue to
unfairly tarnish its reputation. Today we're going to squash these myths and tell nothing but
the solar truth.
Myth #1 - Solar Panels Are An Unproven Technology
Many people still think of solar panels as a new technology. In fact, the silicon solar cell was
developed at Bell Laboratories back in the early 1950's. This means that solar panel
technology has been around since before Elvis Presley appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show.
That's right, solar panel technology is older than rock and roll. Would you call rock and roll
an unproven music style? I didn't think so.
Myth #2 - Building A Solar Panel Consumes More Energy Than The Panel Produces
You may have heard this one from a know-it-all at your last cocktail party. In reality, many
independent studies put the 'energy payback time' of crystalline solar panels at anywhere
from 1.5 to 4 years.
In other words, a solar panel produces the amount of energy used to build it in a few years.
Since most solar panels have a 25 year warranty, a solar panel will produce many times it's
'embodied energy' over the life of the panel.
Myth #3 - I Can't Get Solar Panels Because I Don't Have A South Facing Roof
A south facing roof is ideal for solar panels but roof orientation is actually much less
important than most people realize. According to the Department of Energy, solar panel
orientation can be up to 45ยบ east or west of true south without significantly decreasing
performance.
Myth #4 - Solar Power Will Be Cheaper In A Few Years
The price of solar panels may continue to drop over the next few years but so will
government incentives. Doesn't seem fair? Just remember that the incentive programs are
meant to boost demand and kickstart the industry.
As the solar industry matures and learns to stand on its own two feet, the incentives are no
longer considered necessary. On that note we come to...
Myth #5 - If Solar Power Really Worked It Wouldn't Need Government Incentives
Let's take a look at some energy history:
• By 1916 the federal government provided incentives to encourage oil drilling.
• In the 1930's federal money built dams to produce hydroelectric power.
• Since the 1950's government money has financed research into nuclear power.
In fact, it is estimated that fossil fuels and nuclear power receive ten times the government
money that renewable energy sources do. So before you pick on solar power for receiving
government incentives, just remember that other energy sources are getting even more of
your tax dollars.
Well, that's it. Hopefully this little bout of myth busting will save a few unsuspecting people
from getting fooled by these solar power falsehoods.
People might even realize that the truth about solar power is more exciting than the myths.
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