Monthly Archives: February 2016

Solar energy was dealt a serious blow in Nevada in late December, but customers are striking back. NV Energy, a large public utility company serving much of Nevada, adopted new policies and pricing structures that are putting serious dents in the wallets of solar power customers in Nevada. This action has sparked protests from everyone from residential users to the state’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. Consumer agencies and state legislators believe that NV Energy and the Nevada Public Utilities Commission (NPUC) may have colluded in implementing this potentially illegal rate hike. And now, two solar energy customers have filed a class action lawsuit against NV Energy. All industry eyes are on Nevada, as the court’s decision could impact how other...

Using solar energy to provide power to your home or business is considered beneficial for the environment, and this is why some people choose to install photovoltaic systems. But, going green is far from being the only reason to adopt solar. In fact, many people who take advantage of the sun’s energy today don’t do it to help the environment — their main motivation for going solar is a different kind of green — money! Homeowners and Businesses Alike Save Money with Solar Energy from the sun is free and unlimited, unlike other traditional energy sources. This is the true beauty — as well as the lure — of using solar energy for generating power. And, not surprisingly, many cost-conscious...

Do you know how solar panel installation affects the value of your home? If not, you might want to keep reading! Many homeowners — even those not currently looking to sell their property — are looking to photovoltaic energy systems as a way to increase both the value and the salability of their homes. Compelling evidence shows that this may indeed be a very wise decision. Adding a photovoltaic system makes a home more marketable, a good idea regardless of when you plan to sell. And, in most U.S. markets, it also means a big bump in your potential selling price. Research Says Buyers Pay More for Solar-Powered Homes The Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory recently completed a study, in conjunction...

When choosing off-grid solar energy to power your home or business, cost is one of the most important considerations. One factor that affects the overall cost of a grid-tied or off-grid solar energy system is the durability and anticipated life of the system. After all, the longer your photovoltaic system lasts, the greater the return on your investment. An off-grid system carries a higher initial equipment and installation cost, due to the battery backup systems and other components necessary to store your power. Life Expectancy of Solar Systems Most manufacturers offer a standard 25-year warranty on their solar panels, guaranteeing that their energy output will remain at 80 percent of capacity (or greater) for 25 years. But what happens after...

By now, you’ve seen photovoltaic solar panels on residences and businesses throughout you community. After all, the large, shiny, blue rectangles are hard to miss, particularly in a large solar array. Have you ever wondered how these photovoltaic solar panels are made? Creating a Crystalline Silicon Sheet Traditional photovoltaic solar panels, which are used for most systems today, use crystalline silicon in the solar cells. Silicon is one of the most common elements in the earth, and it functions effectively as a semiconducting material. The crystalline silicon is sliced into thin disks that are typically less than a centimeter thick. This cutting process can damage the delicate material, however, so the tiny disks are then carefully treated and polished. Metal...

Community solar power programs like the Intermountain Community Solar Initiative (ICSI) are making solar energy accessible to more people across the United States. Summit Community Solar (SCS) did exactly that for residents of Summit County and Park City, Utah, via a year-long project in 2013. Created to increase the adoption of residential photovoltaic power, the project streamlined the process of installing a photovoltaic system and provided financial incentives to homeowners who participated. How the Community Program Worked The SCS project’s first step was community outreach. It offered free informational workshops so that residents could learn about the benefits of photovoltaic power and the technology behind it. Interested community members completed an online questionnaire to determine their property’s suitability for photovoltaic...

Solar power is more affordable today than ever, opening the doors for any homeowner considering installing a system. The homeowners who save the most on their photovoltaic systems, however, are the ones who most accurately determine their energy needs and goals before installation. Energy Consumption Begin by establishing exactly how much power your home or business uses each month. Check your electrical bills from the past year to find out your typical annual kilowatt energy consumption, then divide by 365 to determine your daily usage. Divide again by the average number of daily peak sun hours in your location ― you can find this figure on the National Renewable Energy Laboratory website’s solar maps page. Though other factors are involved,...

Great news! The solar tax credit we all know and love has been extended! This means sunny days are ahead for business owners interested in adopting solar. Previously, in order to be eligible for the full investment tax credit (ITC), photovoltaic energy systems had to be completed before 2017. Now, companies have more time to claim the ITC and all its benefits. Extensions for Commercial Installations On their last day of work in 2015, Congress approved a five-year extension of the tax credit. With this extension, business owners can reduce their federal income tax liability by 30 percent of the cost of installing a commercial PV system. (Note that the system must be in service by Dec. 31, 2019.) After...