Posts Tagged ‘nature’
Financial Incentives For Using Solar Power
January 15th, 2012 | 
Author: When it comes to running a business, much of the necessary focus is on the bottom line. But there are only few who realize that they can save much on energy costs by going solar.
The Tax Incentives
The Federal and State governments acknowledge that giving an economic benefit is the best way to start change. The government encourages the use of solar energy by businesses all the time. They offer tax incentives through tax credits and deductions. It would depend on the government agency and other factors, but the deductions and credits can reach 10-35% of the cost of purchasing and installing solar energy systems.
Net Metering
Aside from the tax incentives, businesses can also save a lot through net metering. Net metering refers to the state laws that tell utilities to buy power generated from solar systems used by businesses at the same price the utilities would have otherwise charged the business. If the business is producing energy in excess of what it is using, the energy is sent into the utility grid and the building power meter actually runs backwards. Since many businesses are closed two days a week, this effectively means the utility is buying the power on said days. Net metering allows great savings on utility costs.
The Solar Loans
Businesses can gain further benefits through going solar by taking advantage of government solar financing programs. These loan programs have great terms to promote the use of solar energy. Typically created as state programs, these “solar loans” offer financing for the purchase and installation of the equipment. Usually, the terms extend from 7-10 years, with little or no interest. You just might want to jump at the chance to go solar if you think about all these benefits.
Of course, there would be differences when it comes to how each state handles the promotion of alternative energy. When combined with federal programs, businesses can reap a financial benefit from using solar energy sources.
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What To Look For In An Installer For Your Solar Platform
With the new roll out of massive federal tax credits, state subsidiary programs and net metering, going solar makes sense. Conversion would mean looking for a qualified installer.
Putting Up the System
Installing a solar system is a specialized job that requires the services of a solar power specialist. Installations that do not meet the required specifications can mean the forfeiture of government granted benefits and incentives. It is essential therefore to have the proper system in order to avail of government benefits.
While a solar platform is necessarily a form of electrical generation, you shouldn’t assume every electrician knows how to install one. Most actually don’t have the proper training. What you should do is search in the internet or in the telephone directory for a qualified installer in your locality. Finding one will depend on your location because some places have plenty of skilled installers while in others there are hardly any.
Once you’ve located potential installers, make sure to ask some questions. You would want one who charges a reasonable fee, but first he should be qualified. The intent of your interview is to find out about his credentials and expertise in the same way you do with other service contractors.
The first question to ask is whether the installer has, in fact, installed systems before, how often and for how many years? You cannot afford to let an inexperienced electrician do such a delicate job. Installation experience is vital because certain elements of solar systems are very unique, particularly if you are tying into a grid system for a utility company. Look for an installer who is qualified not only to set up your solar panels but also to tie up with the utility company’s grid.
The second question to ask is whether the installing company is licensed. The accreditation of a qualified electrician will require a valid and current license. You may communicate with the state electrical board about the accreditation of an installer. It will be easier to avail of state rebates if you hire an installer that holds a solar contractor specialty license. You can play it safe by contacting and verifying from the state electrical board.
If you find things a little complicated, than try the simplest way of looking for your installer. You can just go straight to the solar panel manufacturer and explain your problem. The manufacturers can refer you to a qualified installer from their list. They may also recommend service companies that provide the service that you need.
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Using Solar Lights For Your Walkways – What Are The Advantages?
Over the last fifteen years, becoming a highly flexible power source is solar energy. One of the best ways to use it and cut costs is go with solar lighting for your walkways.
A common misconception among many people is that solar energy requires large, bulky panels to work. This may be true, but if you want to produce large amounts of electricity for a structure it leaves out a large segment of cheaper solar users.
Major advancements in creating one piece solar platforms that are cheap and can be used for practical purposes has been made by the solar industry. One area is to use solar lights for pathways around your home.
For gardens, landscaping, and lighting paths, the choice is now solar lighting. Typically coming in sets of two to six self-contained lights are lighting products. Each light is also comprised of a plastic or metal stem with a lighting mechanism on the top. LED technology is used by the lighting mechanism and is powered by a small solar panel built into the top of the piece. The lights can be purchased with or without backup batteries depending on your needs.
You simply map out where you want to add lighting in your landscaping once you have selected your solar lighting pieces. You can then put the solar lights in place by sticking them in the ground to a point where they are snug and will not blow over in the wind. Congratulations! Now, you have lighting for your pathways that isn’t adding to your utility bill.
Your lights will charge during the day and light up in the evening. Depending on the particular brand, the lights may stay on throughout the night. Alternatively, certain brands will run for 8 hours or so, which means they go dark around midnight or one in the morning.
Your solar lights can be easily maintained. You really don’t have to do anything. The lights are not broken if they start to dim or go out earlier than usual. Typically, the problem is you have dirty solar panels. Follow the manufacturer direction or you can clean them off with water. The lights should work perfectly once more.
To highlight your home and save money on energy costs, a great way is using the sun to power your outdoor lighting needs. As long as you keep them clean, then the lights will last for years.
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Solar Power 101 – A Quick Article On Its Fundamentals
Solar power is a form of energy that has a dual-pronged purpose – first, you’re going green and second, you’re saving a lot of money. And if you don’t understand why solar is all the rage these days, this article just might answer your questions.
Sunning Your Home
The sun’s rays, which we all know are free of charge, are converted into energy that can be used through solar power. This process involves using photovoltaic tiles or platforms to capture the energy of sunlight. The material is specifically designed to attract the sun, and the photovoltaic tiles contain both positive and negative material. This would produce a chain reaction of sorts, as sunlight comes in contact with the cells, and the energy produced would cut into negatively charged ions. This creates a magnetic field, a form of energy. The energy is then captured in small wires, which forms an electric current. The wires are connected to an inverter. The inverter would be the last stage in the process, converting the energy so that it can be used as an alternative power source.
The beauty of solar power is it is a free source of energy. Since solar power was considered an extravagant luxury back in the day, it wasn’t exactly like buying a pack of cigarettes at the convenience store, but it has since become considerably more affordable. Systems are now much more efficient, with the total cost usually involved in the purchase and installation. Depending on the system, there is almost no maintenance cost and most systems have a 40 or 50 year life span. Tempted yet?
Going solar is also more attractive now because of laws passed by numerous states, and homeowners can get a tax rebate for installing solar. “Net metering” is a neat new procedure now being used in more than half of the fifty states, and we shall quickly describe it below.
Net metering is a great way to get a discount on your utility bill. In a nutshell, you are forbidden to “sell it forward” to the electric company, or selling electricity at the same price they bill you for it. But by means of solar power, you can make things as simple as using the utility grid for power in the daytime and regular electricity in the evening. The neat part of this is that the utility meter will be running backwards, so there is a chance you may not even have an electricity bill in some months! Depending on your monthly utility bill, you might just be able to save $40,000 upwards depending on the system’s lifespan, which still equates to thousands of dollars yearly. These savings alone are enough reason to consider solar power as an alternative form of energy.
When it comes to solar power, the question isn’t whether you should use it. The question right here, right now should be this – WHY HAVEN’T YOU HOPPED ON THE SOLAR POWER BANDWAGON YET?
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Why Sell Solar To Utilities
In many states, homeowners and businesses can now sell solar panel energy to utilities. An interconnection agreement with your local utility will be required though.
When Lowering Your Utility Bill
In most states, a concept known as net metering is something homeowners who are using solar energy can take advantage of. Essentially, net metering refers to the act of selling excess power that your solar panels produced to the local utility. You use the utility energy as you need it in the evening and while you are at work during the day, the energy produced by panels is fed directly back to the utility and your meter runs backwards. The utility company “pays” you at the same rate per watt as what it charges you, thus creating a “net metering” situation. Also, you could say that this is one way you can slash or eliminate your electric bill.
You can’t just sell electricity to the utility company if ever that is your intention. Getting and signing an interconnection agreement with it is what you can do instead. Though the name can change from utility to utility, the ground rules on how the process will work is what this agreement basically lays out. Let’s take a closer look.
Federal and state laws require utility companies to supply you with standard interconnection agreements. The agreement specifies the terms and conditions under which your system will be connected to the utility grid. Here, certain things like your obligation to get any required permits, maintain homeowner’s insurance and meet certain connection specifications are included.
Sometimes set apart as a separate document, the agreement will also include the specifics related to the sale and purchase of power by each of you. Most utilities, rather than install multiple meters to asses the transfer of power, will simply let the existing utility meter run forward when you are drawing energy from the grid and backward when you are supplying energy to it.
If more energy than you use in a month is what you supply, should the utility company send you a check? The bad news is that the utilities are not required to do so because of the net metering laws. The company will rather credit the monetary equivalent of the excess generation to the electric bill next month until eventually, you use it during a cloudy or rainy month.
Interconnect agreements are fairly standardized agreements that shouldn’t cause you much concern. You need to make sure you get one before you hook up to the local utility.
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