NREL Study Indicates that Solar Panels for Lease Are Becoming Increasingly Prevalent

March 26, 2012 by Nathan Thompson  
Filed under Wind And Solar Energy

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory recently commissioned and published an insightful study on the promise held by solar panels for lease arrangements. According to the findings, this mode of ownership is becoming increasingly prevalent in key US markets. By extension, this trend is thought to be a true reflection of matters as they are in the rest of the country. Looking at how the systems work, there can be little doubt why many people are finding the arrangements as attractive.

No one questions the fact that turning to solar power alternatives holds enormous potential for homeowners the world over. However, the initial costs of setting up a comprehensive system can be a limiting factor and credit arrangements are not that common for a majority of homeowners. It is therefore understandable that an option that lets someone enjoy the maximum capability of a complete system without having to foot a substantial bill at the same time proves attractive to a vast majority of homeowners.

The main focus of the research was in Southern California, arguably the solar capital in the United States. The study took a comparison of solar energy systems installed in a variety of neighborhoods, all selected on the basis of their average income. If a neighborhood had a population of residents with an average annual income of $150,000 or more; it was almost given that this family would choose to buy their system outright.

In many ways, some of the findings are very illustrative of the current state of the market as well as perceptions that are affecting demand. Perhaps most significantly, the report indicates that there is need for a radical rethink of strategies aimed at encouraging more people to adopt renewable energy solutions. Many of the conventional funding programs are inaccessible by families whose homes are incapable of attaining adequate equity for such funding.

The indications of the current state of the market in Southern California indicates that a rethink of the funding policy to target homeowners with greater efficacy is called for. It is the only way to bring in the majority of low income families on board in the solar project nationwide. With plenty of indications that such a market constitutes up to 13 million families, the numbers are decidedly clear for all to see.

Some of the more illuminating findings of the study includes the fact that younger families are just as open to these lease to own arrangements as opposed to outright buying. This trend was pretty unchanged even when the data was observed across both low and high income neighborhoods.

The research also indicated that this trend in opting to lease solar panels before paying off is on the increase and can be expected to continue being so well into the foreseeable future. The data showed that only five of years ago, the number of solar panels that had been bought right off were up to 5 times those acquired through third party financing or by leasehold arrangements in the key Orange County market. By the end of 2010, the numbers had dropped to a ratio of 2:1 in favor of outright ownership. By the end of 2011, the differences were negligible.

The most significant observation on the option of owning solar panels on lease to own arrangements is that a homeowner only needs to invest as little as $3,000 and have a fully functional system in place. Even if they will have to pay significantly more at the end of the agreed lease period, the amounts are more than worth it considering the drop in energy bills. Even if the study was done in Southern California alone, there is every reason to suppose that findings elsewhere in the nation would bear a close semblance to the same trend.

Solar Systems USA has had many years of cordial relationship with the most well established solar manufacturers in the world. We only stock the highest quality solar panels at the most affordable prices you can get on the web.. This article, NREL Study Indicates that Solar Panels for Lease Are Becoming Increasingly Prevalent is released under a creative commons attribution license.

Solar Energy Is Free Energy For Mankind

February 13, 2012 by Nathan Thompson  
Filed under Wind And Solar Energy

From the sun, about 3,850,000 exajoules of energy coming from sun is received by earth. This solar energy is free energy for our planet. A total of 174 petawatts of radiation is absorbed by the planet earth. Clouds, soil and water retain about 70% of radiation while the remaining 30% bounces back to space.

Man has used sun power, which comes from the heat of the sun, since the olden times. Solar energy is free energy source for the people. It does not require fuel and does not cause pollution.

Compared to natural gas, coal and oik that takes a long time to be harvested in huge amount, this power has no shortage of supply. With this advantage, modern solar applications are being developed to harness the heat. Some of theses solar applications that are used nowadays include water heating, heating and cooling architectures, electricity production and those used for industrial purposes.

Recently a lot of buildings are designed with the utilization of passive sun heating. The design usually includes huge windows created from materials that retains heat. The place of storage for the collected sun heat is in the walls and the floors. These continually release heat when it is cold especially when it is nighttime. With this development, the owners can now put aside some money for other uses.

Passive sun systems are also used by different power plants. Some have transferred from using fossil fuels into using sun heat. Sun power systems which include the parabolic-through, power tower and dish are used.

Parabolic-through focus the power from the sun through slanted curved mirrors. These focuses the light to pipes that contains oil which in turn heats the water used in a generator for electricity production. The dish system and power tower system use mirrors to focus light from the sun in order to produce electricity as well.

Aside from heating, this is also used as a cooling power source. Like an air conditioner, cooling devices generate power from the heat. Aside from this, evaporative coolers also use this for its power source.

Water heating has also been a famous use of sun power. Glass panels in roofs are used to heat water. Through this, gas or electricity will be saved. Pipes in the panel contain water. Water is propelled from the bottom which helps hot water to be pumped from the top.

And lastly, our everyday use of satellite TV, telephones, internet and navigation systems make use of sun as well. In order to run satellites that orbit our planet, sun cells are utilized as a natural source of power. Once again, we are using heat from the sun as our free source of power.

We have been using solar energy is free energy ever since. We use it to dry clothes. Some even use it to dry food by natural means. However, in the past only a few amount of this vast resource is being used. Nevertheless, with the development of technologies, we are now able to harness this heat for better usage and still it is for free.

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An Objective Guide on Means to Make Use of the Openly Exploitable Energy from the Sun For Homeowners

February 10, 2012 by Nathan Thompson  
Filed under Wind And Solar Energy

From the sun, about 3,850,000 exajoules of energy coming from sun is received by earth. This solar energy is free energy for our planet. A total of 174 petawatts of radiation is absorbed by the planet earth. Clouds, soil and water retain about 70% of radiation while the remaining 30% bounces back to space.

The power that comes from the heat of the sun is very useful to people since the olden times. It does not cause any pollution and it does not require any fuel in order to be utilized. This solar energy is free energy.

Compared to natural gas, coal and oik that takes a long time to be harvested in huge amount, this power has no shortage of supply. With this advantage, modern solar applications are being developed to harness the heat. Some of theses solar applications that are used nowadays include water heating, heating and cooling architectures, electricity production and those used for industrial purposes.

Passive sun heating is now commonly designed for a lot of buildings. Buildings are structured with large windows that are composed of materials that can absorb heat. The collected heat is then stored to the building’s wall and floors. When it is cold, the walls and floors give off heat. With this free source of power, building owners are able to save their money from paying electric bills.

Passive sun systems are also used by different power plants. Some have transferred from using fossil fuels into using sun heat. Sun power systems which include the parabolic-through, power tower and dish are used.

With the use of tilted curved mirrors, parabolic-through collect energy from the sun. Pipes with oil are being focused on with light and heat. The oil heats the water used in generators. The generators in turn produce electricity. Mirrors are also used to collect light for the dish system and power tower system in order to generate electricity.

Aside from heating, this is also used as a cooling power source. Like an air conditioner, cooling devices generate power from the heat. Aside from this, evaporative coolers also use this for its power source.

Water heating with the use of this heat is also another application which uses glass panels to collect heat. Glass panels are placed on roofs where pipes with water are pumped from the bottom in order to propel the hot water from the top. This way gas or electricity is saved.

And lastly, our everyday use of satellite TV, telephones, internet and navigation systems make use of sun as well. In order to run satellites that orbit our planet, sun cells are utilized as a natural source of power. Once again, we are using heat from the sun as our free source of power.

We have been using solar energy is free energy ever since. We use it to dry clothes. Some even use it to dry food by natural means. However, in the past only a few amount of this vast resource is being used. Nevertheless, with the development of technologies, we are now able to harness this heat for better usage and still it is for free.

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A Complete Look at Opting for the Most Workable Solar Kits for Homeowners

February 8, 2012 by Nathan Thompson  
Filed under Wind And Solar Energy

If you are looking to make your solar system project really affordable in the long run, ready to assemble DIY solar kits will help you achieve your objective easily. The ease of assembly as well as lower overall costs make these kits obvious choices for those seeking complete and easily scalable alternative energy solutions. But you need to identify the requirements you have in your home before opting for any of the products.

In practical terms, there are two brands of solar kits that you can opt for. There are some that are built to integrate with a grid tied electric supply system while others are only suitable for off the grid systems. You will further be limited in your choices by the amount of sunshine in your area as well as the budget you have at hand.

If you need a lot of flexibility, you may as well opt for grid tied systems. The main motivation for these projects come from the fact that you can integrate your home generated solar power into what is sourced from your utility grid. The fact that it is possible for you to sell the excess energy to the grid company is a great motivation for the vast majority of homeowners. The opposite is true as well, you can be able to make up for generation shortages by getting more power from the grid.

This level of flexibility is obviously lacking when it comes to off grid solar kits. They are specifically meant to work as stand alone projects with no connection whatsoever to an external source of power. With invariable consistency, you will find that just about all off grid kits come coupled with a battery pack that ensures that power can be stored for use when there is too little of it being generated.

It is not possible to outline the significant advantages that come attached with either system right off the bat. This is because the robustness and performance of each choice is dependent on a number of individual preferences. Only a detailed assessment of your particular requirements will determine if you have an offer that meets your needs as well as budget.

If the project you are contemplating is located in off the way and remotely inaccessible places, the argument for opting for off grid systems becomes quite valid. This option also comes with the added level of satisfaction that you are for a lifetime free of the unpredictable utility power bills. For green energy purists, the kits offer a level of satisfaction that all their energy requirements are met without having to resort to resource depleting fossil energy technologies.

It is as well worth remembering that not all utility grids offer customers the choice of integrating their home supply with the company’s. As a matter of fact, many electricity feed in programs are still in many senses experimental in many regions of the world. But because an awareness of the enormous potential that the programs offer are becoming apparent, any investment is all called for.

Playing a role in the green revolution is an aspiration that many a homeowner often cherish. Unfortunately, information about what that can do is not always available. The availability of affordably priced solar kits offer such owners a number of options to kick-start a home improvement program that will keep on giving down the years.

Solar Systems USA has had a lot of years of experience and cooperation with the best solar manufacturers in the world. We only offer the highest quality solar panels at the most affordable prices you can get on the Internet.. Also published at A Complete Look at Opting for the Most Workable Solar Kits for Homeowners.

A Complete Look at Choices Available When Transitioning From Utility Company to Solar Power

January 24, 2012 by Nathan Thompson  
Filed under Wind And Solar Energy

When considering solar power vs grid power, the first thing to think about is the qualities of each one. The latter transfers energy through a grid-like system which can go to several places all at once. The former is the use of sunlight being used as energy by being absorbed into a panel mechanism. It can be used at once or stored to be used later.

There are, of course, a few main differences between the two sources of power that should definitely be acknowledged. The main advantage of solar power is, naturally, the fact that it is environmentally friendly. You do not have to worry about the impact that using this kind of energy source is having on the ecology, which makes you freer to use more of it.

Solar energy can often be meagre and unpredictable, which might make it unsuitable for many. However, it is grid work that can be much worse for the environment, and those who want to take that into consideration may want to use it in moderation at the most.

It can be better for some, however, as it is reliable and many do value that above all else. It is also automatic, so you do not have to check to make sure that it is still working.

As a renewable source, solar energy has endless use for as long as it can absorb sunlight. No fossil fuels or finite substances are being consumed, here, it is something that will never run out being used to generate power. For many, this is part of its appeal, particularly as it contributes to how environmentally friendly it is. It does not work at night, of course, and so for those who are awake in the small hours of the morning, it may not be the best idea to rely on something that can run out.

It is possible to use it at night, though, as it can be conserved during the day. This means leaving the panels in a place where it can pick up sun rays with its surfaces and then store them for later use. It is also possible to find devices that can operate by using solar energy and some of these will store power during daylight hours.

The weather is also something that solar panels depend on. It is is a very sunny, clear day, then there will probably be more energy than there would be on a rainy or cloudy day, and this, of course, needs to be considered. Power grids will be fair more likely to take up space. There will be even more impact on the environment, this way, and this includes physical demonstrations that can be seen on the landscape.

However, as pylons have been possible to see for years, many people claim not to notice them since they are so common. There is a positive argument to be made for grids covering a large surface area, however, and this is that many places will receive electricity, this way. Another downside, though, is that the grid shutting down means that everything it was supplying energy to will effectively be rendered useless without a secondary source.

At Solar Systems USA, we are convinced that the need to transition from fossil fuel dependency is not just the duty of governments but for us all. Our website has products and information to get you started on this noble task.

Attractive Solar Affordability And Incentives Now Make It Easier To Switch

January 19, 2012 by Nathan Thompson  
Filed under Wind And Solar Energy

The price of carbon-based fuels like crude oil, coal, and gas oil continue going up, straining budgets. Savings achieved by switching to solar energy continue increasing as a result. Moreover, governments are assisting people to make the switch to solar. They have introduced a range of measures to improve solar affordability and incentives and in that way encourage the switch to solar. The move is also a positive for a cleaner, greener environment. Finally, it can assist national security because it reduces dependence on oil imports.

Both national and state governments extend incentives. The range of national and state government incentives is very large. In the USA, they include personal tax exemptions, corporate tax exemptions, sales tax exemptions for renewable investments, property tax exemptions, buy-down programs, loan programs and grants as well as industrial recruitment incentives.

At the federal level, the 2005 Energy Bill was a benchmark law that introduced significant incentives. It introduced a residential 30 percent energy credit for selected solar products for two years capped at a maximum of two thousand dollars. At the regional level, sunbelt states like Texas, California and Florida are among the leaders in offering incentives.

A specific case example may be helpful. A Floridian homeowner that installs around approved solar energy products valued fifty or sixty thousand dollars can expect to receive government-funded incentives totaling more than fifteen thousand dollars. The exact amount depends on the specific products purchased. Federal government provides tax credits for purchase of solar electricity (photovoltaic) systems plus water heaters. Several states, Florida being one, provides tax credits rebates for purchase of solar water heaters plus pool heaters. Policies vary across states.

Several mortgage and general finance companies offer so-called green loans at interest rates subsidized by government to support the purchase of approved solar products. Fannie Mae offers green mortgage loans where the purchase cost of approved energy product purchases is added to the home mortgage loan.

Switching to solar energy is good for the environment. It assists adverse climate change by reducing carbon emissions. As an example, an average sized home solar hot water heater can reduce annual carbon emissions by around 1 ton (precise figure varies depending on fuel source of existing heater). This is equal to the carbon produced by an average sized petrol-driven motor car that is driven 10,000 miles.

In conclusion, people are increasingly switching to solar energy products. Solar affordability and incentives provided by government are supporting home and business owners make the move. Even seemingly minor products can make a difference. Skylights, for example, allow sunlight to penetrate interiors and avoid electric lights being used. Solar vents extract heat from attics, lowering interior temperature and avoid air conditioning being used. When aggregated across the community even small measures like these can significantly decrease carbon emissions.

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At Solar Systems USA, we believe that the need to change from fossil fuel dependency is not only the duty of governments but for us all. Our website has products and information to get you started on this noble task.