Solar Power: Cut Your Electric Costs Now
Oil prices are on the rise again, and electricity prices will surely follow. Over the last 25 years, the solar energy industry has made great advances in technology in producing solar energy.
As the cost of power climbing and the cost for solar energy systems coming down, now is the time to educate yourself about solar energy.
Is Solar Energy Really Affordable?
The answer for most is “yes” because of government rebates. The federal, state and local governments are now giving large refunds to home owners. Based on your location, you may be incentivied 35% - 65% of the cost of your solar energy system. With financing available through many solar energy resellers (as well as home equity loans) many will be able to reduce monthly electric bills by more than the system costs.
Will the Utilities Buy Extra Electricity from Us?
Yes, the power companies will “buy” your excess power as it is produced. If your solar power system produces more electricity than your home is consuming at that moment, the extra electric feeds back into the power grid, and your power meter will actually rotate backwards! If you are away from your house, and leave as many electric items turned off as possible, the surplus electricity can automatically flow back earning you money.
Are Professional Installers Available for Solar Energy Systems?
Absolutely. In fact, because you are interfacing with the electric system of your house, it is strongly suggested that an experienced solar installer install the system for you. Most solar energy installation companies have their own electricians to handle this.
What is Required to Get a Solar Power System?
In general, you should have a home with exposure to the south, southwest or southeast. You will want it as unobstructed as possible. Having your house in the southern US has advantages, but home owners to the north also do extremely well with solar energy. Before you buy, most reputable solar energy companies send an engineer to inspect your site, property and landscape to determine whether solar energy will work and what sort of savings you can see.
Is Solar Power Really Good for the Environment?
Absolutely. While power is does not produce polution, the coal required to generate the electricity is not. By harnassing the energy of the sun, you are truly able to generate your own electricity with no negative impact on the environment. This reduces pollutants in the air, reduces our demand on foreign oil, and helps to lower the overall cost structure of power in this country.
Does the Government Really Support Solar Power?
Yes. There are local, state and federal programs specifically designed to encourage home owners to switch to solar energy (as well as other green energies). Washington knows that the fossil fuels will not last forever, and our dependency on them is bad for our nation as well as our ecology. By offering incentives for people to convert to solar energy, the government is making an investment in you, to help reduce the energy crisis. In the coming years, millions can switch to solar power, drastically reducing tax our dependency on foreign oil.
What Does a Solar Energy System Cost?
This varies based on the amount of energy you want to produce. Obviously the larger the system, the greater amount of electricity you can produce. Solar Power Systems can vary from $10,000-$30,000 or more based on your needs. If a solar energy system costs $20,000 and the government pays 65%, the cost to you is $7,000. Depending on how you choose to finance this, this may cost you approximately $50-$75 per month. Most will save more than this in their first month on their electric bill. The exact savings will vary based upon the price of the system, the tax incentives, and the amount you pay today for electricity.
For more information, we invite you to visit our website at WWW.SaveWithSolar.org
