Solar Power: Slash Your Energy Costs Now
by Chris Ulrich
Oil costs are on the rise again, and electricity prices will soon follow. Over the last 20 years, the solar energy industry has made great strides in producing solar energy. With the price of power climbing and the price of solar energy systems coming down, now is the time to educate yourself about solar energy. Is Solar Energy Really Affordable? Yes, thanks to government rebates. The federal, state and local governments are now giving large incentives to house owners. Depending upon where you live, you may be rebated 33% – 60% of the price of your solar energy system. With financing available through many solar power resellers (as well as house equity loans) you can potentially reduce monthly utility bills by more than the system costs. Will the Utilities Buy Surplus Electricity from Me? Yes, the utilities will "buy" your excess power as it is produced. If your solar power system produces more electricity than your home is using at that moment, the surplus electric flows back into the power grid, and your power meter will actually spin backwards! If you are away from your house, and are not consuming the electric produced, the surplus electricity can automatically flow back earning you money. Are Professional Installers Available for Solar Power Systems? Absolutely. In fact, because you are interfacing with the electric system of your home, it is highly recommended 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 house with exposure to the south, southwest or southeast. You will want to have as few shadows on the roof 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 power companies send an experienced technician to inspect your house, property and landscape to determine whether solar energy is appropriate and what sort of savings you can see. Is Solar Energy Really Good for the Environment? Absolutely. While power is does not produce polution, the fossil fuels required to generate the electricity is not. By using the energy of the sun, you are truly able to produce 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 Fed Really Support Solar Power? Yes. There are federal, state and local programs specifically designed to encourage house owners to switch to solar energy (as well as other green energies). Washington knows that our dependency on foreign oil cannot continue, and our dependency on them is bad for our country as well as our ecology. By offering financial assistance for people to convert to solar power, the government is making an investment in you, to help resolve the energy crisis. In the coming years, millions can switch to solar energy, significantly reducing tax our dependency on foreign oil. What Does a Typical Solar Power System Cost? This depends on the amount of energy you want to produce. Obviously the bigger the system, the more energy you can make. Solar Energy Systems can range from $10,000-$30,000 or more depending upon your needs. If a system costs $20,000 and the government pays 65%, the cost to you is $7,000. depending on how you finance it, this may cost you approximately $50-$75 per month. Most will save more than this in their first month on their electric bill. Your savings will be based upon the price of the system you choose, any tax incentives, and the amount you pay today for electricity. For more information, we invite you to see our website at http://WWW.SaveWithSolar.org
