Solar Solutions
Q: Ask yourself why you are interested in buying Solar Energy?
A: People buy solar energy systems for many reasons. Here are some of them:
• They want to contribute to a cleaner environment
• They want independence from the Utility Electricity Grid
• It's the cheapest source of energy
• You want power when the electricity grid goes down
Q: If you want to contribute to a cleaner environment, what are your energy choices?
A: The simplest way is to buy "green power". However, this is only an option for those connected to the electricit grid and who have access to a "green power" provider. Ask the green power provider, where they source their energy from. Decide whether you like their energy mix. You may find that most of their energy is sourced from hydroelectric, biomass and wind, with little or not solar energy.
Q: What can purchasing solar energy accomplish that buying green power does not?
A: You know you have made a direct contribution to cleaner air. No ifs, ands or buts about it. You actually see what energy you are generating, you are in control and you have created options for self sufficiency.
Q: When does solar energy make economic sense?
A: Are you connected to the electricity grid? If, no, solar energy can already be the best economic solution. If, yes, solar energy is unlikely to be the best economic solution, without consideration of sever other factors. Against average electricity retail tariffs, solar costs about 3 to 5 times regular electricity prices.
Q: What circumstances can enhance the economic equation?
A: CHECK YOUR ELECTRICITY RATES Depending upon where you live, they vary dramatically from one region to another. Are you exposed to peak rate tariff structures?
The higher your rates, the better economics of solar energy.
CAN YOU ACCESS LOCAL SOLAR ENERGY PROMOTION CAMPAIGN Ask your local utility or government energy agency. There are now many utility and regional programs subsidize the cost of solar by
anything from 10% to 60% of the total cost.
WILL YOUR UTILITY TAKE YOUR SURPLUS POWER? Many state, federal and utility solar energy programs set up a mechanism where you can export "surplus power" (the power in excess of your needs)
back into the electricity grid during the day. This means that your electricity meter literally goes backwards. When your power needs exceed the solar generated
(at night), you draw from the electricity grid in the normal way.
WHAT REGION DO YOU LIVE IN? Solar conditions will the economics. High solar conditions in Central Africa, Southern Europe, Sunbelt of United States, and India can double the
electricity output over more cloudy locations. However, some of the largest and most successful solar programs are in Germany and Japan, neither of which have ideal solar conditions.
OTHER SOURCES OF VALUE: Solar panels offer value in their insolation qualities, potential to integrate with other building materials and can offer shading. In the case of commercial
entities, companies are using solar to enhance their corporate brand.
Q: How much power will my solar energy system generate?
A: A 1 kilowatt (1000 watts) peak system will generate nearly 1000 kilowatt hours per year of energy in cloudy climates (ie.northern europe,canada and japan) and up to 2000 kilowatt hours in sunny climates (ie. brazil, africa, india, australia). The average of solar energy systems is that they can be configured to virtually any power load. The actual size of your solar systm is up to you! A typical home (1,500-2,000 sqft) uses around 10,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per year. It is normal for solar moduels to have useful lives for 20 years or more. Other parts of the solar energy system, like the inverters, may require replacement on more regular intervals (about every 5 years).
Q: How much will my solar energy system cost?
A: A 1 kilowatt peak system costs can very from $8,000-$12,000 before sales tax and any government program assistance. Plan on about another $1,000-$2,000 for installation. The solar module itself represents about 50% of the total cost and usually warranted for 20 years or longer. Other parts of the system will often be warranted to shorter periods. Where government program is in place, expect warranty on the total solar system of about 5 years. Working on a 20 year life of the solar system, and including the cost of finance, solar energy translates to around *30-40c/kwhr in sunny climates and 60-80c/kwhr in cloudy climates. This is before taking into account any rebates that might be available, which can cut these rates by 50% or more. If you exclude financing costs with a program that reduces the cost by 50% reducing the above electricity rates to 15-20c/kwhr in sunny climates and 30-40c/kwhr in cloudy climates. * numbers less than this have been achieved when part of a major utility purchase program.
Q: Where can I find out about programs that reduce the cost of solar energy?
A: It is important to check with your local utility, government energy office and solar retailer to find out whether there are rebates available to you. Many people question why governement and utilities are offering rebates after the failed experiments of the 1970's. It's not just about the environment, it's about sound economics.
Q: Are all solar systems the same?
A: Most solar manufacturers specialize in making the individual parts of a solar system. Some of the major module manufacturers are now starting to market standardized solar systems. Nonetheless, the majority of solar systems are customized by the sales companies. Products are usually constructed to national or international standards. You should ask whether the solar module has UL (underwriter laboratories, a united states qualification body) or IEEE (institute of electrical and electronics engineers) or IEC (international electrotechnical commission) certification. It should have at least 1 of these qualifications. You migh hear people mention polycrystalline solar cells, vs. monocrystalline solar sells vs. thin films. Polycrystalline and monocrystalline cells (account for 90% of sales) have similar energy output. The attraction of thin film cells is tht they may offer a lowest cost per peak watt. However, their cell efficiencies are lower and therefore an equivalent energy output require more space. Thin films may be an attractive solution if you have no space limitations. A typical monocrystalline solar module will require about 150 sqft of space for 1 kilowatt system. If you are using a thin film solar modul you should double the space requirement.
Services Information
Engineering Analysis
- Roof spacing suitability
- Shade analysis
- KVA (Kilo Volt Amps) capacity
Other
- Total design & installation
- PV (photo volatic) repairs
- PV maintenance & cell cleaning * GRID TIDE SYSTEMS ONLY!
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