Tag: solar power

Categories
Home Improvement

Getting Started On Solar Energy. What You Need To Know

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We all dream of a world where everyone uses renewable energy that won’t pollute the Earth. for that world to be a reality, we all need to do out part. Solar energy is one of the best ways to live a sustainable life and in recent years it has become more accessible than ever. Both homeowners and companies can enjoy solar power more easily than you might think. However, with so much information going around it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Here are some basic things you need to know about solar energy before you get started.

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1. Solar energy is a growing market – In 2014, solar investments grew 25% and the market is expected to be 16-25% larger by the end of 2015. This is the result of both governments and companies trying to become more sustainable in later years. For you, it means having more options to choose from. Today, there are more solar power companies than ever, and they all offer a unique service to fit different needs. Before you commit to any one company, you should definitely research the options in your area.

2. Do your research right – Right now, residential solar power is only a small portion of the market, which means that not every solar energy company will support the residential market. Only 20% of 2014 solar panel installations were done in residential projects, so you need to keep that in mind when looking for the company that’s right for you.

3. There are tax incentives for you – If you live in the US, chances are you can benefit from several federal and local tax incentives for solar power installations. The bad news is that the US investment tax credit, the largest solar subsidy in the country, is set to expire at the end of 2016. This would really be the perfect time to invest in solar panels for your home.

4. The cost of solar energy is going down – Both residential and commercial systems costs are down by over 50%, which means both businesses and homeowners can profit from investing in solar energy. This doesn’t mean that the installation will be cheap, though. The initial investment includes costs for installation, permits and equipment, which can add up to more than $15,000. While that may seem pricey, the real value comes in money saved from your regular energy consumption. Besides, tax credits can really offset the cost and there are several financing and leasing options to make solar energy more accessible for everyone.

5. Not all systems are created the same – A Solar Thermal System will use solar panels to gather sunlight and transform it into energy during daylight to use it for heating water systems. On the other hand, a Photovoltaic System will convert energy into electricity to operate many appliances in your home. Find out what system is the one you need and take that into account when calculating costs and benefits.

Categories
Eco Tips Home Design

Eliminate Fossil Fuels, Electric Bills and Natural Gas Bills With Solar

While the pressure to find alternatives to fossil fuels has eased due to somewhat lower gas prices and the media attention has shifted away from the ecology again, that doesn’t mean these issues have gone away. In fact, based on past behaviors, these issues will come to a peak yet again sometime in the future. However, one way you can know you’re doing your part for the ecology, plus saving yourself a lot of money in the process, is to switch everything you have to solar power.

You may wonder how this is possible. With today’s technology, not only is solar power more affordable and efficient than ever, but by replacing or supplanting what you currently have with electric equivalents, you can actually accomplish this. Here’s how:

  • After installing a solar system, replace appliances that use natural gas with electric ones. This includes hot water heaters, stoves, ranges and ovens.
  • Replace your heating system that may use natural gas, kerosene or fuel oil with an electric one.
  • If possible, replace your vehicles with EV (electric vehicle) equivalents. Today, not only can you find small vehicles that are EVs, but SUVs and performance vehicles as well.

Granted, the initial investment in solar isn’t cheap and replacing your existing natural gas appliances and gasoline powered vehicles isn’t an inexpensive prospect, there are lots of compensations. First and foremost, you’ll receive tax breaks from the Federal government and many state governments also provide tax breaks as well.

Also, since you’ll have eliminated electric bills, natural gas bills and gasoline expenses, those funds can be applied to defraying the costs of the solar build. What most people don’t realize is that going solar can actually be subsidized by the electric companies as well. That’s because excess electricity generated by your solar system can be “sent” through the existing power grid and redistributed by the electric companies. This means you can actually accrue credits or even be paid by the electric companies for your excess electricity.

Determining your actual ROI (Return On Investment) can be somewhat challenging. Most solar ROI calculators are limited, but can give you a general idea of your break even points. By replacing fossil fuel factors, this number can drop dramatically which means you could actually be making money from your solar system in just a few years. Not only can you save money and reduce your carbon footprint with solar, you could actually make money in the process!

~Brian C.

Categories
Gadgets & Gear

2 Solar Flashlights to Keep Handy

Need a flashlight and the batteries are dead? How many times has that happened to you? Have no fear because solar powered flashlights are here! With so many great solar powered models on the market it is hard to know what exactly to look for. It is best to determine what you and your family needs are then decide what kind of flashlight model to get!

A solar flashlight is a flashlight that stores energy from the sun, using solar power as a source of light when it gets turned on. A typical solar powered flashlight has a small amount of solar panels, normally in the handle; which makes the flashlight easy to use! Other models include a crank that creates light was well or even hybrid models that include a hand crank and solar panels or a set of batteries and a hand crank. There are even some flashlights that include radios (very handy in emergency situations).

Many stores have solar flashlights such as Bass Pro Shops and Target and you can shop around online and also order directly from the manufacturers. If you buy a good solar flashlight is should last you a long time. You can throw it in your toolbox and forget about it, just do not forget to place the flashlight in the sun to charge!

Here are two great solar powered flashlights you should consider buying:

  • Goal Zero 90107 Solo Solar Powered Flashlight

This flashlight includes solar powered panels as well as a crank and a AC/DC output to power this flashlight. It has a long battery life and can be charged in as little as 10 minutes with the hand crank. It costs about $25 dollars online not including shipping and handling on Amazon.com.

  • Dorcy 3 LED Dynamo & Solar Flashlight

This flashlight has solar panels and a crank shaft to charge the batteries. It features three bright LED lights. It costs $20.59 plus shipping and handling and you can find it at opticsplanet.com.