Solar Energy Money-Saving Tips
One of the primary deterrents to solar energy installation is its initial expense. Right now, for the average American home, it’s still more expensive to buy the equipment for a solar home energy system, than a traditional fossil fuel home energy system. Here are a few facts to consider, however, when looking at the “bigger picture” of solar energy installation:
1. Using solar panels to capture and use the sun’s energy will improve your home value.
2. Solar home energy systems pay for themselves in about half their lifetime (on average 25 - 30 years lifetime).
3. A solar energy system is clean and non-polluting. It’s also maintenance-free or low maintenance, because it has no moving parts to break or replace.
4. If you generate more power than you need, you may be able to sell your excess energy to your local electric company.
5. You may be eligible for government sponsored rebates and incentives.
The recent home building trends show that home owners are becoming more and more interesting in “going green.” This means a big increase in using solar energy, and other renewable resources, for construction as possible. Not only is this resulting in decreasing costs for solar energy and other environmentally-friendly building supplies, it also is bringing the value for “green” homes up.
If you’ve decided you really want solar energy when building or remodeling your home, but can’t convince yourself you can afford it…at least the initial installation cost…consider installing the system yourself. Solar panels installed by a contractor is much more expensive…bids are coming in that are 10 times or greater more than what you would pay if you did your own installation. There’s no rocket science involved in solar energy construction or installation. Basically, you have a specially constructed solar panel (a box, PV or photovoltaic cells, wire, soldering iron, connections, a cover made of tempered or plexiglass and silicone or other sealant), that captures the sunlight’s energy to activate the electrons on the PV cells. When those electrons move, and then are directed through your panel, they create an electrical chain. That goes through a charge controller in the form of a DC charge. Then, the charge gets either run through an inverter to transform it into 110 volt AC current, or it gets captured in a deep cycle storage battery. There are many DIY models on the Internet with tips, tricks, and instructions. Some are free and some charge a small amount. Look at Earth4Energy to find a clear instruction for a very reasonable amount.
Using passive solar energy, however, is an easy way to cut your energy costs. Look at the best ways to use solar energy, directing sunlight to your home’s windows, floors and walls, so you can distribute the heat throughout the winter, and reject it during the summer. No panels, electrical or mechanical devices are involved in passive solar energy. However, there are five elements of passive solar design that you need to succeed. Those five include your collector (area, generally glass, where sunlight comes into your building), absorber (dark, hard surface where sunlight hits and is absorbed as heat), thermal mass (this is the material below or behind the absorber), distribution (how solar heat is circulated), and control (roof overhangs, differential thermostats, awnings and blinds.)
There’s money to be saved using solar energy, whether you use passive or active, or combine the two. While your initial cost may be higher, (although you can reduce that expense significantly with your own installation) consider the cost of your energy usage over time. With constantly rising fossil fuel expenses, putting in solar energy is going to ultimately save you money on your utility bills. And, you’ll be saving the planet from the environmental damage that continues to escalate.
States CEO and President Rhone Resch, Solar Energy Industries Association, on Earth Day 2010: “Today we need to take action to accelerate the deployment of solar. If you are a homeowner or business owner, consider putting solar on your property or buying clean energy through your utility. And if you are a policymaker, consider incentives, like extending the federal Treasury Grant Program, that are working to stimulate more investment in solar.”
Whatever thing, large or small, that each one of us can do to support and encourage the development and usage of solar energy will make a difference for generations to come.
Looking to find out all you can about solar power costs, then visit www.HomeSolarPowerExplained.com to find the best advice on home solar power for you.
