1.  Tap into Solar Incentives

One of my favorite resources is the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE), which lists state rebates and solar power incentive programs, as well as information on federal solar incentives.  The site is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.  There, you can find information on state, local, utility and federal incentive programs that can help you cut the cost of residential solar panel installations by as much as 60-80% off the retail cost.

Thinking of making a switch to solar power?

2.  Determine how Much Grid-Based Electricity You Can Offset with Solar

Here is another tool from the U.S. government that can help you switch to solar power.  Part of your analysis will be to determine how much electricity you use at home, and then how much you can offset with solar.  The website of the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) includes statistics about the amount of electricity the average American home demands.  In addition, check out the Energy Department‘s information about considerations to make before going solar.

3.  Find the Best Solar Panel Manufacturers

This may be surprising, but you can find the top solar manufacturers in the U.S. on Wikipedia.  The site includes a list, put together based on an annual report by Photon Magazine.  Additional information on annual solar manufacturer rankings is found at Solar Buzz.

4.  Log onto Solar Chat

These days, you can find a chat room on just about any topic!  Why not connect with other people that are thinking about going solar, or who have already made the switch?  Try the online forum at Solar Panel Talk.  You can find people to chat with on DIY solar panels, going off-grid, solar panel leases and purchasing/installing conventional residential solar systems.

5.  Use a Solar Price Calculator

Online calculators can help you determine how many solar panels you will need for your energy demands and what a system will cost.  There are a number of solar price calculators available and you can find links to many of them at CalFinder.

Solar Panel Efficiency

Over the past 5 years, the price of solar panels has dropped dramatically while efficiency of solar arrays has increased significantly.

Yet, it appears that the renewable energy revolution continues to make life better and cleaner for many of us!  The University of Texas at Austin announced this month that one of its solar researchers has discovered a method to further double solar panel efficiency up to 60%!

Solar panel efficiency can be summarized as follows:  The term refers to the amount of solar energy that is converted to usable electricity after hitting a solar panel.  It does not need to be a bright, sunny day.  All you need is UV (ultraviolet) sunlight, filtered through clouds or even precipitation.  According to a recent article:

An issue with regular photovoltaic panels is that much of the energy delivered by sunlight results in the conversion of “hot” electrons, which are too high-energy to be converted to electricity in silicon and are instead lost as heat. University of Texas Chemistry professor Xiaoyang Zhu and his team discovered that an organic plastic semiconductor could double the number of electrons harvested out of one photon of sunlight.

Solar panel efficiency is currently about 30% for silicon photovoltaic (PV) solar cells.  But solar technology indicates that this figure can at least double, to reach 66% efficiency.

The importance of this discovery is the potential of reaching grid parity – the point at which the cost of purchasing solar electricity is less than the price of fossil-fuel based power.

Reasons to Switch to Solar Power

Have you been thinking about installing a residential solar system?  Well, now is the time!  The cost of solar panels has dropped more than 40% this decade, and more and more people have changed to solar.

If you are still on the fence, consider these top reasons to switch to solar power:

1.  Reduce Your Electric Bill

Did you know that the average household in America spends over $1,400 each year on electricity?  The year 2010 marked the fifth consecutive year that utility rates have risen.  That means that homeowners are paying 20% more for electricity than they did only a half decade a ago.  Its time to keep more of that hard-earned cash for yourself, and protect against continued rising rates by switching to solar power.  In the first year following solar panel installation, most property owners realize 40% or more in electric bill savings.  These savings stay “locked in,” despite what happens to the economy and future electricity costs.

2. Take Advantage of Sunny Skies

Sunshine helps, but even brighter skies can generate ample solar electricity.  Generally speaking, solar panels are most efficient when exposed to direct sunlight.  However, ambient UV light is sufficient for solar panels to generate ample clean electricity.  If you are eligible for net metering, you can reduce your power bill to zero and even get paid for extra solar power generated during peak periods.

3. Take Advantage of Incentives

Currently, solar rebates and incentives offer  substantial savings on solar installation costs. The U.S. federal program can save you up to 30% off the retail cost to install a photovolatic (PV) solar power system. Most incentive programs have an expiration date, however.  In today’s political climate, continuation of many programs are uncertain.

4. Combat Rising Electricity Demands

Did you know that in the next 25 years, electricity demands will nearly double, according to a 2005 Energy Information Administration report.  Even though we are taking more and more steps to save energy, our consumption is increasing with the size of our homes, number of electronic devices and efforts to stay cool and comfortable year-round via HVAC.  By switching to solar power, you can off-set increasing demands, as well as cut down on energy demands through the insulating effects of installing solar panels on your roof.

5. Save the Environment

It is hard to continue to explain away the bizarre weather experienced around the world over the past decade.  Global climate change is real and its time to step up efforts to reduce CO2 emissions.  Switching to solar power can significantly help.

Wait another 10-15 years, and it might be too late to reverse the trend.

Solar charging canopies for electric vehicles

With more and more companies producing electric cars, and consumers looking to buy emissions-free vehicles that can save them significant money at the pump, is it any surprise that solar charging canopies are gaining in prominence?

Using solar power to charge electric vehicles (EVs) is becoming more common-place both at residential and commercial sites.  General Motors has pursuing more eco-friendly electric vehicles including as the Chevrolet Volt. Now, new solar charging canopies, including the Tracking Solar T have been installed at GM’s Company Vehicle Operations site in Warren, Michigan.

Envision Solar has developed the Tracking Solar Tree, which generates additional solar power by following the course of the sun as it crosses the sky each day.  The hybrid multi-axis tracking design increases renewable energy production by 25% compared to traditional solar panels. The Solar Tree can produce up to 30,000 kilowatt hours over a year, which is enough solar energy to charge six electric vehicles per day.

Rob Threlkeld, GM global manager of renewable energy said:

“We are constantly looking for places where we can add a renewable focus. This solar tree is an ideal addition because not only does it provide a space to charge our electric vehicles, but it’s another step in our journey toward cleaner energy use.”

Desmond Wheatley, President and CEO of Envision Solar also stated:

“Our Solar Tree structures can be installed in any location while our unique tracking solution allows us to always get the most from the sun. As such they are the perfect visible embodiment of GM and its dealerships commitment to the environment and the future of electric and other highly efficient vehicles. We look forward to installing many more of our iconic tracking Solar Tree structures for GM in the coming months.”

When it comes to electric vehicles, what do you think about these solar charging canopies?

Solar rebates and solar tax incentives

The exact measure of the benefits of solar rebates and tax incentives is a subject of debate.  Some question whether the government should allow tax revenues to be trimmed with rebates, given the current economic climate.  Others believe that the free market should be allowed to operate, and if people cannot afford solar power, they shouldn’t make the switch.

Personally, I am of the mind that solar rebates and tax incentives are important to encourage property owners to forgo cheaper sources of electricity (coal) in favor of renewable energy.  As grid parity – the point at which solar is as inexpensive as coal - comes closer and closer, the need for incentives will diminish.

Since the federal tax credit became available in 2006, solar panel installations have increased 800%.  Some of the growth is attributed to falling solar panel costs, but many agree that incentive programs have allowed many people to successfully switch to solar power.

State and local solar incentives vary, depending on where you live.  But the federal tax credit incentive covers as much as 30% of the cost of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels is available across the nation.  Under pressure to reduce the national debt, lawmakers have set the solar tax credit system to expire at the end of 2016.

The solar tax incentives could end even earlier than 2016, if Republicans make significant gains in the upcoming 2012 elections.

Either way, solar rebates and tax incentives will not last forever.  At least not until more lawmakers recognize the importance of continuing to encourage growth in the solar industry.  In the meantime, if you are considering installing solar, now may be the time to do so!

Occupy rooftops on Community Solar Day

Let’s raise awareness of the positive impact of solar power.  Band together with your neighbors and friends on November 20, 2011 for the first Community Solar Day: Occupy Rooftops, organized by Solar Mosaic, 350.org, Vote Solar, and others.

The day is dedicating to gathering people around the world in support of solar energy.  Participants will “occupy rooftops” by gathering at a building that would benefit from rooftop solar panels, both to save energy and create local green jobs.

Community Solar Day will work as follows:

1.  Locate a building in your hometown that would benefit from rooftop solar panels.

2.  Gather a group of friends, neighbors and others in your community to come out and support solar power

3.  Visit the building on which solar panels would be ideal and take a photograph in front of  your dream community solar project.

4.  Post your photograph on meetup.com/Community-Solar.

Community Solar Day is intended to be more than just an opportunity to post photographs.  We need to convince property owners and government leaders that solar power and other renewable energy projects benefit our community by saving money, increasing energy security and breaking free from our reliance on finite fossil fuels.

If you are interested in participating in Community Solar Day, visit Vote Solar for a primer on community solar and a policy toolkit. Learn more and sign up here.

Solar panel installations on schools

The report was produced under the DOE’s SunShot initiative to support development of Solar Master Plans for three California public school districts: Oakland, Berkeley, and West Contra Costa Unified School Districts.  According to the Department of Energy’s website:

The SunShot Initiative is a collaborative national effort to reduce the cost of solar energy by 75%, making it cost competitive with other forms of energy by the end of the decade. The new study supports DOE’s SunShot Initiative goal of addressing critical barriers, such as the availability of financing, to accelerate the integration of solar energy technologies across the United States. Installing solar energy systems on public schools can help school districts save money on their utility bills, reduce carbon emissions, support job creation, and provide students with opportunities to learn about clean energy.

At a time when school districts are looking to save energy in order to save money, and perhaps teach students a lesson on renewable energy, solar installations for schools makes great sense:

The DOE report compares and contrasts the two primary options for financing solar: (1) direct ownership, whereby the school takes out a loan to purchase solar panels, and (2) solar power purchase agreements or solar leasing, under which a third party owns, operates and maintains the solar panels and sells solar electricity generated by the array to the school at a cost less than typical grid-based power.  The third-party finance model also includes Energy Saving Performance Contracts, in which cost savings from energy efficiency improvements help to pay for the solar installation.

The analysis in the report is intended to help administrators select the best option for financing solar installations for schools.

For more information, see the DOE Progress Alert, the complete report, and the SunShot Initiative website.

What is the expected performance of solar panels?

The performance of solar panels is pretty consistent over the decades they are expected to last, however.  Solar panel manufacturers and the solar industry in general expect the greatest decline in the first year: approximately 2-3%.  After that, a very small degradation rates of half a percent (0.5%) each year may occur.

Warranty information provided by solar manufacturers is helpful information to assess solar panel efficiency.  Solar output warranties use an industry standard of 90% output in the 10th year of usage.  By the 25th year, solar manufacturers guarantee at least 80% solar panel efficiency.

Warranties and guarantees, of course, are more conservative than the actual performance of solar panels.  Manufacturers are using a “worst case scenario” in predicting solar output declines over the years.

Actual solar panel efficiency of the installations on your property could be much higher.  Consider the fact that very little (if any) maintenance of solar panels is required.  This is because the panels do not include any moving parts, and they have been designed to withstand extreme weather conditions.

This means that an investment in solar power is probably even more sound than you’ll read in warranty information!

With solar tax credits unknown, will people choose not to take a risk on the investment?

Recently, I read an article on cleanenergyauthority.com that described the recent upswing of interest in residential solar power as a “gold rush.”

To be fair, the article was commenting on a report published by Photon Consulting, titled “End of the Gold Rush: Crash of U.S. SREC Markets?”  There, the commentators opined that, as the solar renewable energy credits that fueled solar energy growth dry up, we could see market crashes in the solar industry, which would result in losses to homeowners and businesses who installed solar panels in the past few years.

Several states will be most affected, according to the report:

“[The credits] have created a gold rush of solar installations in U.S. states like Massachusetts, Ohio, Maryland, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. However, these self-correcting incentive programs may significantly dash future market growth expectations.”

The study’s authors commented that the report is not meant to scare consumers, but merely to provide a tool to examine future markets in solar power, particularly systems that have been constructed with solar renewable energy credits (SREC).  The issue is not that SRECs may be reduced or eliminated, but the uncertainty surrounding the credits in the future.  As a result, market and pricing estimations for solar panels are unpredictable, leaving some unwilling to take the risk.

In general, Renewable Energy Portfolio standards, require utilities to obtain a certain percentage of their power from renewable sources.  These standards have both driven demand for clean energy and the credit programs for continued growth. The problem is that the supply of renewable energy is catching up to demand, and the purpose for the credits – and the credits themselves – are slipping away.

In some states, like new Jersey, the change in SREC is already having an affect on solar power demand.  However, before you change your mind about renewable energy systems for your home or business, keep in mind that there are a lot of factors in play which could actually result in another increase in SRECs and associated demand for solar.

In short, investing in solar power is much like investing in the stock market.  There are no guarantees, and factors over which you have no control could dramatically increase or decrease the value of your investment.

Keep in mind, however, that reduction of CO2 emissions with solar installations is a long-term investment that will benefit the planet as a whole, including your family and future generations!

Solar power is cost competitive with coal in Australia

For years, people have discussed the concept of “grid parity,” which is the point at which generating solar energy does not cost any more money than burning coal or gas for electricity.

In one corner of the world, it appears that grid parity is here.  Solar power is cost competitive with coal in Australia.

The cost of solar has been dropping dramatically recently due to higher efficiencies and better solar technology.  People can now generate significantly more solar power at a lower price than they could a decade ago.  And, solar is more mainstream and accepted by property owners around the world and across the spectrum.

So, what is special about Australia?

On this island continent, photovoltaic (PV) panels installed on buildings and ground-mounted have resulted in a major dip in the cost of solar energy.  That means, that over a relatively short period of time, PV cells can now produce as much energy as coal, for about the same price.

The precipitous drop in solar costs has lead to the ability for the renewable energy resource to rival coal-generated power.  According to the Australian Photovoltaic Association, grid parity is leading to reconsideration by government regarding solar panels and solar power as viable options.   This is so, even without subsidies for solar power.

According to Photovoltaic Association spokeswoman Dr. Muriel Watt:

“It’s competitive with coal if you add what you need to do to bring the coal-fired electricity to where you want to use it,” she says. “So it’s coal plus the network. I think it’s a really good investment . . .”

Growth in the solar power market likely will mean a continuing decrease in solar production costs.

With solar power cost competitive with coal in Australia, which continent/country will be next?  Can the USA soon reach the point when consumers will have a real choice between polluting fossil fuels and solar power for their electricity needs?