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Is Solar for You? 8 Things to Consider

Is Solar For You

 

 

Is Solar For You? One of the hottest trends in home improvement right now is solar energy systems. Homeowners are interested in the green aspect — as well as the promise of saving lots of green.  Solar can be a good choice for almost anyone, but there are things to consider before you make the investment.

1. Get an accurate idea of the energy your home actually uses. Think about the size of your family — is it growing? Are your kids going off to college? Do you run a business from your home? Find a solar installer to help determine your needs and estimate any future needs.

2. Are southwest-facing panels the only way to go? Yes, often southwest is best, but positioning panels west or south also works well. Southeast, east and north-northwest are also acceptable alternatives. A professional installer can determine the most ideal placement.

3. Will installing solar panels affect property taxes? No! In most jurisdictions, panels are not reason for reassessment.

4. One long-term cost that will increase, however, is homeowners’ insurance. It is important to cover your investment with a bit of additional coverage. This cost will probably average under $10 a month.

5. It is important to understand your warranties. There are basically two kinds you should consider. The manufacturer of the panels will provide a warranty on the panels and inverters. Generally, the warranty covers the panels for 20-25 years and the inverters for 5-10 years. Your installer should also offer a warranty on their work. Industry standard is approximately 2-10 years. Make sure any warranties are included in the written contract for the work and you stash a copy in a safe place for any future issues.

6. Will the panels harm my roof? The panels actually offer a protective barrier against the elements that various climates may bring. The panels help keep the roof cool, and also the rooms below.

7. The type of roof you have will affect the cost of installation. Expect to pay 10-25% more if you have a slate, or Spanish tile roof, as opposed to asphalt shingles. Always get a few estimates in your area. Price, warranty and timeline for completion can all vary significantly depending on your installer.

8. Before making the investment, do your best to conserve for free. See how well you can do with weatherproofing, using energy efficient appliances and bulbs, and good old conservation before taking the plunge. With these efforts, you will be able to determine your real energy needs and make a wise decision.

Tim Smith writes for Modernize.

Contact: Ashita Patel

Email: ashita.patel@modernize.com Website: http://www.modernize.com

Sector(s): Energy Efficiency, Green Building, Rebates & Incentives, Renewable Energy, Resources & Links

Keyword(s): energy, energy efficiency, green, green building, photovoltaic

Solar Hot Water Case Study

The Las Vegas Salvation Army now uses solar hot water, helped by a Southwest Gas rebate.

Solar Hot Water Case StudyBecause of the Smarter Greener Better® Solar Water Heating rebate program offered by local utility Southwest Gas, the Salvation Army was able to install a technology that uses the sun’s thermal energy to heat their water. With an abundance of sunshine in Las Vegas, this generates quite a savings for the homeless residence that houses and showers 600 people each night.

How It Works

When most people think of solar energy, they imagine solar photovoltaic cells, or PV. Solar thermal heating panels are different than PV panels in that solar thermal heating works on the principle of converting sunlight into heat rather than electricity.

Solar thermal water heating systems simply circulate liquid through rooftop panels heated by the sun. The circulated liquid transfers the sun’s heat to storage tanks that feed heated water into the conventional hot water system. The Salvation Army’s solar storage tanks will feed the solar-heated water to three existing 100-gallon, natural gas-fired water heaters, thus reducing the amount of natural gas needed to heat the water.*

“In today’s environment, where even some of our long-time regular donors are struggling to continue supporting us, we need to look for every way to save a dollar so we don’t jeopardize the critical services we’re offering.”

– Major Bob Lloyd, Salvation Army Clark County Coordinator

Solar Rebate Program Saves Money

Get more information about saving money with solar water heating system rebates. For residential rebates of up to $3,000, visit the website: Southwest Gas Smarter Greener Better Solar Water Heating Program for Nevada. SW Gas solar water heater rebates for businesses can range from a maximum of $7,500 for small businesses to $30,000 for larger customers.

* Excerpt from a case study by ENEREF INSTITUTE. Read the full solar hot water case study: Group Residence Puts In Solar Hot Water Using Southwest Gas Rebate (PDF)

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EnergyFit Nevada

EnergyFit NevadaEnergyFit Nevada, the statewide collaborative energy efficiency organization, helps homeowners make important energy upgrades in their homes, save money on their energy bills and create a safer, healthier environment for their families. Take the first step today by signing up for a home energy assessment for $199.

EnergyFit Nevada Loan Program

Home Performance with Energy StarYou may be aware that a home energy upgrade with EnergyFit Nevada can save you hundreds of dollars per year in reduced air conditioning costs, while keeping your home cooler and more comfortable throughout the summer, and that rebates are available to help reduce a significant amount of the upfront cost. But did you know that there are also low-cost financing options available that can make an EnergyFit Nevada home upgrade even more attractive? Through a collaborative partnership with Green Chips and Nevada State Bank, the Energy Fit Loan Program provides homeowners with low-interest financing of up to $7,500 (paid over 5 years) to help cover the upfront cost of home energy efficiency upgrades. Throughout the duration of the loan and depending on the extent of your upgrades, there is a very good possibility that your energy savings will more than offset the cost of your loan payments (we call this, ‘paid by savings’). And this is in addition to the other rebates!

How Do I Get Started?

To qualify for the low-interest Energy Fit Loan Program you must be a resident of the state of Nevada, own the home that you will be upgrading, and meet a few other standard financing qualifications. The minimum credit score is very reasonable meaning that this loan can work for just about everybody. Northern Nevada homeowners can get started by calling the Nevada State Bank at (775) 851-8811, selecting #4 and asking for information on the Energy Fit Loan Program. In Southern Nevada please call the bank at (702) 399-5626, select #3, and ask for the Energy Fit Loan Program.

EnergyFit Nevada   Mayor Hafen Hearts EnergyFit Nevada    EnergyFit Nevada

NVE HydroGenerations Program

Hydropower is based on simple concepts. Moving water turns a turbine, the turbine spins a generator, and electricity is produced. NV Energy’s HydroGenerations incentive program offers incentive to agriculture and Tribal customers to help offset the costs to install micro-hydro systems. Now customers can take advantage of running water on their property to help lower their monthly power bills.

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