Frequently Asked Questions About Solar Energy
Going Green Does Not Have To Be Painful
The Number One Frequently Asked Question is:
Are there Federal & State rebates or financial incentives for alternative energy products?
What are the other incentives for going solar?
Clean electric generation and stable electrical cost. Higher resale property values. Backup power for utility outage with battery storage system. Join the fight against climate change / global warming. Create a secure electrical supply. Political statement for a renewable energy future. Feeling of empowerment. Solar is an excellent choice for remote sites with no electric service. Solar energy just makes sense.
Solar Hot Water vs. Solar Photovoltaic, which has the fastest payback?
No question about it, Solar Hot Water has the quickest payback when making the move to solar. Tried and true flat plate collector systems have demonstrated their reliability for over 30 years. Some customers see paybacks in as little as 4 years.
Is Energy Efficiency the same as Energy Conservation?
Energy efficiency is a far cry from old energy conservation images. It's not turning down the thermostat and sacrificing comfort. Energy efficiency means getting the most from every energy unit by using state of the art technologies to provide daily needs - comfortable homes, profitable businesses, convenient transportation. It is the single most immediate, cost effective way to reduce energy use and pollution.
How do solar panels produce electricity?
The photovoltaic effect produces a flow of electrons. Electrons are excited by particles of light and find the attached electrical circuit the easiest path to travel from one side of the solar cell to the other.
This excitation of electrons causes an electron flow. The solar cell takes these electrons and directs them to flow in a path or an electrical circuit. Photovoltaic is the process of solar electric cells converting sunlight directly into DC power.
What are the first steps to going solar?
Step #1
If you are serious about using solar you need to walk around your house and look at ways to conserve and be the most efficient. Look at your lights. Use all compact fluorescent lights (CFL), or LED lighting, which are still bright but save substantial power. For example, a CFL light that equals a 75 watt incandescent bulb uses only 20 watts. Look at your appliances. Every appliance, from the refrigerator, dish washer, to the washer, should be Energy Star rated products. This simply means that they are design to conserve power and natural resources. The government sets a standard and all Energy Star products have to exceed this standard to carry the Energy Star label.
Step #2
Once you have conserved, dig out your utility bill. You want to find out the average amount of power you use each month. You will need to determine daily, monthly, and annual kWh (Killowatt hours).
Step #3
Compare this information to your power generation goal, your roof size and your budget. Now you are ready to plan your system.
OK, I'm now energy efficient and practicing conservation. I know my power usage and have a budget in mind. What other factors should I consider?
Go outside and determine if you have a sunny, south facing roof or piece of land. For PV systems, a true south direction is most desirable for optimum performance. Panels installed facing east or west still generate a very high percentage of possible power. It is usually more effective (and more attractive) to install the panels in the same plane as the roof direction, rather than build an awkward mount to angle them.
Solar Hot Water is more forgiving since we can face collectors within 55° of true South without any significant loss of efficiency.
Can I sell power back to, or get power credits from, the public utility?
Until uniform codes have been adopted by all utilities, it is best that you first check with your utility. Each utility has different interconnection standards that have to be met. All charge interconnection fees and city / county permits have to be issued. Some utilities charge additional "facility" or "recoupment" fees that can be monthly recurring charges while others do not. The unfortunate thing about these different interconnection requirements is that modern inverters have all of the safety equipment built into them as standard components. So some of the equipment a utility company may ask you to add is already inside the inverter.
What is an inverter?
A device used to convert DC power (typically 12, 24, 36 or 48 VDC) into standard household AC current (typically 120 or 240 VAC). In a PV system, DC power captured by the photovoltaic cells on solar panels, converts into AC power that can be used to power your home. This device is an integral part of a solar system. Large solar systems may have more than one inverter. Many inverters include integrated DC & AC disconnects which reduce installation time and complexity - often eliminating the need for additional disconnects. Inverters, like PCs, often come with "plug & play" technology that allow for additional sensors, data communications, remote displays, and etc.
If I sell my property, what effect does PV have on the sale price?
Energy conservation and renewable generation adds value to a home. Surveys have shown that for every $1,000.00 saved per year, $20,000.00 is added to a home's value. Solar energy can be one of the best home improvement investments you make. (See Solar Economics page).
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