Solar Energy Topics and Conversation » Uncategorized

Solar LED Lamps

dannyvouw — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 21:47:28 +0000

Q: Hi,

I want to help the 2 million displaced Pakistanis by buying Solar LED lamps and replacing them with the Kerosen Lamps that are burning down many tents.

Do you who are the manufacturers of these Solar LED lamps?

Thanks
Atif

Asked by atif

A: We do not know the manufacturers, but we do know the operators of: http://www.solarlighting.com/

They are a great resource to use for solar led lamps, and they also do a lot of work internationally. Good luck with your quest!

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Is the Federal 30% Tax Credit applied to the gross or net cost of a system?

dannyvouw — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 17:42:27 +0000

Q: Is the 30% tax incentive applied to the amount before or after the utility company rebate. Some companies are saying before some companies like yours say after. It seems as though no one has the facts. I also wonder if a business can apply for both a 30% residential and 30% commercial tax credit if the owner lives at the place of business such as a resort. Would the owner qualify for both residential and business incentives for going solar?

Asked by justin

A: According to our sources, the 30% federal tax rebate is applied to the net cost of the system (which would be after any local/utility rebates). A given system is only eligible for either the residential or commercial incentive and not both. A local professional would be better qualified to answer all specific rebate questions for your area. You can get in contact with one using our form here: http://solar.coolerplanet.com/RequestInformation.aspx.

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Are DIY solar panels worth the effort to save money?

dannyvouw — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 17:37:51 +0000

Q: A 3-4KW residential grid tied PV system costs about $25-$39,000 for panels & install. That is still too much $ even w/incentives, payback being 12+ years. So I keep reading about DIY panels (100W apparently you solder cells & assemble yourself). Intended more to power specific appliances, they can be connected & grid tied if connected at box by qualified electician/pro. How much would it cost for that connection? DIY worth considering? We built our own solar water panel 25 yrs ago, still in use.

Asked by Leena

A: Any solar is good solar! If you have the technical skills, there is no reason not to give it a try. However, DIY solar thermal is much more simple than solar electric. First, the incentives are only available for grid tied systems and panels usually come with a warranty that may only be available with professional installation. DIY is always worth considering but because the specific placement of the panels has a great deal to do with their efficiency, its usually worthwhile to speak with a pro. Even if a professional system takes 15 years to pay off, there will be 15 years following of free energy.

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Where can I go to get a loan for a solar panel system?

dannyvouw — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 22:29:07 +0000

Q: Where can I go to get a loan for a solar panel system. Are there specific banks you recommend? Is a down payment required?

Asked by Justin

A: You can finance your system in a number of different ways. The easiest way is through home equity. If that is not available there are a number of banks with special ‘green’ financing options. Contact your local banking center. Money is also available from government incentives, rebates and grants. These can be found on Cooler Planets solar calculator. Another option that may be available is called a PPA, or power purchase agreement. This requires little money down but you simply purchase the energy rather than owning the system.

If you wish to purchase a solar system, you will usually need a down payment. It is usually lower than one might think based on the federal, state and local incentives.

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Is a Solar Hot Water System a good place to start to convert a house to green?

dannyvouw — Mon, 18 May 2009 18:05:37 +0000

Q: What is the effect of a solar hot water system on a 1800SF houses’ monthly bill? Is this a good place to start to convert my house to "green"?

Asked by Nancy McCormick

A: The answer will depend on if you have a gas, electric, or oil heated hot water system. A thermal system will decrease the amount of electricity, gas, or oil that you are spending on a monthly basis for heating the water. It will not depend on the size of your home. You would need to meet with a solar hot water installer to find the exact figures on how much it would save you on a monthly basis. It is a great place to start to convert your house to “green” due to the relatively lower cost than a PV electrical system.

If you would like to find an installer in your area, fill out our request information form and we’ll be in contact with you: http://solar.coolerplanet.com/RequestInformation.aspx

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Nano Saws cut silicone wafers thinner, reducing consumer cost

daleythegreenguy — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 20:04:58 +0000

The solar industry is becoming even more consumer friendly, and the newest cost cutting measure is by going thin, baby, thin! Thin is in, and the new nano saw cuts silicone layers so thin, the cost to manufacture solar cells from these lightweights is expected to be reduced by 18 cents per watt! *

Even now, as solar prices are breaking low price thresholds unheard of even last year, this new cost cutting edge-pun intended-will drive solar cell prices even lower. You’ve got to get in on this, the solar cell revolution is now! Who in their right mind would ever have said that it’s a buyers market in the world of solar panels. But it’s happening before our eyes, and the movement keeps on keeping on!

Nano saws will continue to be one of the ways to keep the price of solar cells right. The government stimulus package and state incentives are just another part of the package. 2009 is going to be another banner year for alternative energy and solar cells in particular. It’s time to be a part of that movement. Go solar, and go now!

http://solarenergynewsandreview.blogspot.com/2009/03/applied-materials-delivers-major.html

Solar Energy Maps

dannyvouw — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 23:05:09 +0000

Q: What kind of maps do people in the renewable / solar energy need? I build maps – high-level one-offs and web-based apps – and would love to know what it is that people are using and what they’re looking for.

Asked by Catherine Burton

A: People love seeing interactive maps regarding renewable energy installations or the history of renewable energy. You can see similar maps that we have done ourselves here:

http://solar.coolerplanet.com/Content/solar-install-map.aspx

and

http://solar.coolerplanet.com/Content/california-solar-history.aspx

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Con Ed takes solar power up north and blows away the myth.

daleythegreenguy — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 17:31:26 +0000

As we have mentioned before, California leads the nation in solar power. And why not? They get the 30% tax credit like anyone can, but they also have something that not a lot of states have in abundance; sun. That is the main ingredient with anything solar. No sun, no electricity, no reason to get it..

Northern climes are more noted for their cloud cover than their sun tanning rays, and as would be expected, Florida, Arizona, New Mexico and California are big time solar panel users. Now, a guy like me, living in a northern state like Wisconsin, watching solar grow in southern states, well, where does that leave me?

I’ll tell you, right in the thick of things, that’s where! Solar is for everyone, just ask Con Ed who is set to install 25 million dollars worth of solar panels in New York city!* (New York is on the same latitude as Wisconsin, by the way.)

If you have been a steady reader here at A Cooler Planet, then you know that solar panel prices are dropping. But don’t think that it is becoming an inferior product, oh no, not at all. In fact, efficiency is up, and the newest panels on the market are 30% more efficient than what was offered just last year** That means any myth that evolved about solar panels not being able to produce usable power except in a southern climate, is just a bunch of bunk!

Don’t believe me though, just ask Con Ed. They want to have 12 megawatts of solar power up and producing by 2011, in a cloudy northern climate. And just so you know, 1 megawatt will power about 1000 houses, free energy, no pollution, and no burning fossil fuels to do it.

Forget the myth, solar is the new wave. It’s there, it’s available, and it will produce usable electricity all over the USA, north or south, and anywhere in between.

*http://www.pvtech.org/news/_a/con_ed_proposes_12mw_solar_plan/?utm_source=Feeds&utm_campaign=News+Feed&utm_medium=rss

** http://www.sunpowercorp.com/products-and-services/~/media/Downloads/for_products_services/spwr_230wh_res_en_lt_w_ra.ashx

DSIRE

dannyvouw — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 17:49:03 +0000

Q: HI!

I’m looking for info on grants or State/Fed programs to help property owners install solar/wind services for commercial buildings. Any ideas as to whom to speak with?

Aaron

Asked by Aaron

A: The best place to look for this information is the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency here: http://www.dsireusa.org/

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40% drop in solar panel prices expected

daleythegreenguy — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 17:34:47 +0000

On the heels of the 30% tax credit incentive, comes even bigger news. It is expected that solar panel prices will drop a whopping 40% by years end!

With little downturn in the solar panel industry, silicone manufacturers are ramping up production of the raw materials needed for photovoltaic applications. To that end, as the market begins to get flooded, these panels need to be sold and installed.

The other aspect of this price reduction is competition in the solar cell market place. Thin film solar cells are about to be offered as an alternative to standard polycrystalline cells, and as in any market, competition is always good for technology, as well as lower prices.

All bets are on the Obama tax incentives for solar panels, which will open up the market to people that never thought they could afford sustainable energy before, or even the people that have been sitting on the fence.

Even installation companies are expanding in some parts of the US, with their eyes firmly focused on the very real possibility of a huge increase of installation contracts. Needless to say, as we have noted here at A Cooler Planet in the past, the sustainable solar market is a growing green technology that curtails fossil fuel use, boosts the economy and creates more jobs.

Once again, it is looking like another big year for solar.*

*http://www.worldchanging.com/archives/009478.html