Solar Power

More and more homeowners desire alternative measures to counter the effects of global warming and rising energy costs. They want to do more than recycling or using energy-efficient lighting and appliances. One way to accomplish that goal is to install solar power for their homes.

The Solar Power Advantage

·         More economical than other conventional fuel sources

·         Better for the environment and the future health of your family

·         Reduces dependence on fossil fuels and declares energy independence

Energy Savings
Solar energy systems can reduce up to 100% of your electricity costs, depending on the system size. Every watt-hour of electricity your panels produce is one less watt-hour you have to buy from the utility company. Solar energy provides security from rising electricity rates in the future, and the value of your savings increases over time. An average-size solar installation of 5 kW can generate $40,000 in energy savings over the course of 20 years.

The cost of solar panels will vary depending on the size of your system. You can choose the number of  panels that will fit your house and your budget. Government and utility rebates and incentives will dramatically offset the out-of-pocket costs. A wide variety of federal, state, local, and utility incentives reduce the upfront cost of the system by 50% - 80%.

Add Value to Your Home
Solar panels will increase the value of your home by $20,000 for each $1,000 in annual energy savings. The home’s value can increase more than the out-of-pocket costs for the system! The value of homes with solar panels appreciates faster, and they sell more easily than identical homes without solar panels.

• A solar electric system adds value to any home without increasing your property taxes.

• Solar is an environmentally responsible technology. No pollutants are emitted that could harm your family or the environment.

• If you qualify, the current state and federal incentives for solar can save from 50 - 80% of your system cost.

• Some panels are backed by a 25-year manufacturer warranty

Maintenance Free
Most Solar panels will only need a periodic rinsing to remove accumulated dust and dirt, but often a simple rain shower will do it for you. Tree branches must be trimmed so they do not shade the panels.

Environmental Impact
Conventional generation of electrical power creates over a third of all greenhouse gas emissions in the United States.  70% of the electricity provided in the U.S. is generated by burning fossil fuels that cause climate change. Converting to solar energy is the most important personal change you can make to fight global warming. Reducing the electricity drawn from local power companies will reduce carbon emissions, and will result in cleaner air for all of us.

Solar panels have a life of about 30 years and will continue to be a benefit to the environment during that time. An average 5kW system will have the environmental impact of:

·         3,030 trees planted

·         22 cars taken off the road for a year

·         0.6 railcars of coal not burned 

·         1.6 tanker trucks of gasoline not burned

Solar Requirements

·         You must have a south-facing area of roof for your solar panel system. 
A south facing roof will provide the optimum potential for your system. Depending on your building location, other directions can also provide sufficient production, but may require alternative installation fixtures.

·         You need unobstructed space for your system. 
Each kilowatt (kW) of solar generated will need approximately 100-150 sq. ft. of space. Roofs or ground area are acceptable, but all areas must be free from shade.

·         Look for daytime shading problems on your south-facing space. 
Trees, adjacent buildings, or other architectural features can cause shading throughout the day and will significantly hamper your power production.

·         Roofing surface should be able to last at least another 5 years without maintenance. 
If not, you should consider applying a new roof before installing your solar panel system.

Call our office for more information:
757-220-2067