Applying For Solar Panel Incentives
Applying For Solar Panel Incentives
Once you decide to install solar energy system, either you or your solar installer will need to contact the California Solar Incentive program administrator. You will have to apply for a solar incentive and you’ll have to arrange for your system to be connected to your local utility company.
You will be given an application to fill out. Once the application is completed funds will be reserved based on the size of your system. You can also apply online using Powerclerk.
After your application is approved, you will receive a written notice that will confirm the dollar amount of your reservation. You will also receive an expiration date for installing your system. This is usually 12 months after you’ve been approved.
The incentive payments are usually disbursed in one of two ways;
EPBB- Expected Performance Based Buydown. The applicant will receive the entire amount at the time of installment.
PBI- Performance Based Incentive- The applicant will receive a portion of the amount every month for five years.
As of January 1, 2010, only systems that are smaller than 30 kW will be eligible for the EPBB payment. Any systems that are eligible for the EPBB can opt to take the PBI instead.
Both payment plans are intended to be equal financially. This means that the payment disbursed to an EPBB applicant will be the same after accounting for the time-value as the monthly payments given to a PBI applicant.
In order to create a self sustaining market for solar energy systems, without government subsidies, the incentive payments will decline as the market grows. This means the incentive levels decline as more and more people apply for the program.
If you have a system that is smaller then 50kW, you can calculate how much your up front incentive will be by using the California Solar Initiative EPBB Calculator.…
Solar Energy Cost
Solar Energy Cost
Owning your electricity is a great way to cut off the monthly expenses for your household. By using natural energy source, like solar energy perhaps, you do not need to worry about the high rates you see printed on your electric bills. What if we run out of oil? We all know that oil is our primary source of electricity?
By using an alternative, natural source of power, we are not only helping the environment through the reduction of pollution, but we will also be able to help ourselves from having to pay dreadful rates. Today, the solar energy costs a little high. However, you will be able to realize soon that the high cost is only spent during the start up process. Although the prices of solar panels are no joke, the benefits that you will get after installing one in your homes are truly worth laughing for.
A�If you have already heard of solar energy like ten years ago, you might also have found out that the cost of the energy generators before cost almost ten times their costs now. The rapid breakthrough of technology has produced inventions and machines that have made the cost of solar energy generating materials go down the price ladder with a fast whoosh. Today, we are enjoying the benefits of the inventions being made. With the high – end machines that we have now, the creation of solar panels have become so easy; and with the process turning into something that is already so easy, more and more industries are trying to adapt it. The increasing number of producers has made the cost to decrease. A�With more and more people adapting the method of getting their power needs from solar energy, we can expect that the prices of solar panel materials will continue to decrease extensively.
The bigger the solar panels and solar arrays that you will build, the more electricity you will be able to produce. If the power that your panels produce exceeds the energy needs of your household, you will also be able to earn from that. Utility companies will be more than happy to purchase your extra electricity. So, how does that sound now? With solar energy, you will not only be able to save up and cut off a great part of your monthly bills, you will also be able to earn from the extra power that you produce.
The government will also pay you for installing solar panels to generate solar power. Yes, indeed. All you have to do is inform the government that you will be using solar power for your homes, and they will process a rebate for you. They will give you as much as 30% of the cost of the installation depending on your usual electricity usage. The government is really serious with its campaign for generating renewable, clean and cheap energy source because they are giving the people rebate when they install on in their homes. So, not only have you saved money by using solar energy, you also earn from it. The start – up cost will, indeed, pay off in the end.…
Home Renewable Energy: What You Should Know
Home Renewable Energy: What You Should Know
The world today is heavily dependent on oil and fossil fuel. This is a very disturbing situation because the growing demand for oil is slowly overtaking the world supply. It won’t be long before the supply of non-renewable fossil fuel dries up. With this in mind plus the ever-increasing cost of oil, it’s not surprising that many people are now thinking of building a home renewable energy system.
Types of Renewable Energy
Renewable energy sources can be found around us in abundant supply. And because these sources are renewable, we can use them without worrying that the supply will run out.
• Solar energy. We can get energy from the sun everyday. Solar energy can be used for heating and can be converted to electricity to power homes, schools and businesses.
• Wind energy. A windmill or wind turbine can harness energy from the wind and convert it to electricity.
• Hydropower. Energy from flowing water can turn a turbine. The energy that turns the turbine is converted into electricity.
• Biomass. Biomass or bio-fuel comes from plants. It can be used as transportation fuel or converted to electricity.
• Geothermal. Heat energy from under the earth can be used for electricity, heating and cooling.
Not all of these energy sources are suitable for home renewable energy systems. The most viable options are solar energy, wind energy and biomass.
Benefits of Home Renewable Energy
• Clean and eco-friendly
• Small carbon footprint
• Renewable and can be replenished
• You may qualify for tax breaks and incentive plans
• Can translate to savings in home energy costs
Things to Think About
Installing a renewable energy system at home can entail a big investment. Find out what type of alternative energy source is appropriate for your home. Your choice will depend on certain conditions.
If you live in an area with strong winds averaging 10 miles per hour, a windmill is a good option for your energy source. On the other hand, solar energy may be a good choice if you live in an area where you get plenty of sunlight. And if you live on a farm, biomass or bio-fuel may be a viable option.
The primary drawback of home renewable energy generation is the prohibitive cost of alternative energy technology. For instance, it can cost up to $20,000 to install a solar cell system or a wind turbine. If making renewable power can be made more affordable, people will readily install alternative energy technology and help save the environment even as they reduce their utility bills.…
Basics of Solar Panels For Home Use
Basics of Solar Panels For Home Use
Going green with solar panel is the best thing you can do to cut off your electricity bills. You can use the latest technology to install solar panels for home use. With the increasing rates of electricity the first thing that hits the mind is to reduce the usage of electricity and for this there in no efficient way than using solar energy. Many people think that fixing of solar panels will cost them huge amount and they simply hesitate to take initiative. But the rates of ready made panels are quite affordable and they are simply ready to install. The kit also includes the instruction manual that guides you throughout the installation process.
Solar panels are the array of photovoltaic cells that utilize the energy that is emitted by the sun and converts it into electrical energy. You can use this energy to operate your domestic electrical appliances. Many people rush towards homemade panels due to expensive rates of ready made panels as they find it easy to afford.
Before installing the solar panels for your home use it is necessary that you must know the basics for the installation. You need to research for the best DIY kit that will guide you in perfect manner. Some panels are designed in such a way that they can be fixed on any type of roof tops. These panels draw the energy from the sun and enable the energy to be used for certain uses at domestic level such as heating the rooms, boiling water etc.
They do not contain any moving or mobile parts so the solar panels for home use can be considered with complete reliability as they are safe and free from any type of accident. The size of solar array that is mounted on the roof depends on the number of panels fixed and the amount of electricity required by your home. The company provides a complete assistance and guides throughout the electricity production that will give you the best deal.
Solar energy is the best way to help your economical and environmental status. It can be defined as the greenest energy source that can help for reduction of global warming. This planet can be saved when there is more usage of solar energy rather than fossil fuels with the solar panels for home use. They give a very low maintenance cost and produce the clean and hygienic energy for the betterment of the family as well as society. The incentives paid for the installation the panel for your home give you the additional income. More earning can be done with extra energy production for selling purpose.
When various tasks are performed with the help of solar energy that were previously done by electrical energy then there is surely an addition to the monthly savings. This installation can be done with some cheaper and less complicated material such as copper, plastic, aluminum and even stainless steel. There is less wastage of energy in getting transferred as it is consumed at the place where it is produced. There is the most appropriate reason for going green, that there is no by-product and it is very healthy way to produce energy with the solar panels.…
Solar Energy Information – Fundamentals
Solar Energy Information – Fundamentals
The benefits of solar power have becoming more and more recognized among average people ever since the day when the equipment that can convert it into other forms of energy was invented. Is it going to stay? Or is it just a fad? To answer these questions, we need to read the following some fundamental solar energy information.
The forms in which energy from the sun is used are diversifying.
The most common way that people use solar power is through solar panels which convert the solar energy into electricity. Then the electricity is directed to a battery backup system which will be used for later. But nowadays, there are more and more innovations coming into being. There are small solar panels of various shapes and even flexible solar panels which can be rolled up and installed in places which have been thought impossible before such as calculators and watches. Solar panels are even installed on cars.
Other forms in which sun-provided energy is used include green house and swimming pools. In green houses, plants are covered with plastic which is transparent. When the sun shines in, the temperature will rise inside. The temperature inside will not drop even after the sunset. In this way, we can have fresh flowers and fresh vegetables available which can not be grown in winter otherwise. Swimming pools that are using solar energy make swimming in winter possible and fun.
Due to the scale of production, prices for solar energy are reducing.
Enjoying the benefits brought by the solar power was something so luxurious that only big companies could afford it. But nowadays, average households can afford some sort of solar panels. More and more solar energy kits are made directly for the purpose of household use. Once the installation is finished, they don’t make much additional costs, either.
As you can see, the solar energy can be used in more and more fields. More and more people can afford it. So it is just gaining momentum. It will undoubtedly stay for a long time.…
How To Create Solar Power For Your Home
How To Create Solar Power For Your Home
How does solar power work even work? Solar Power works by first creating solar cells which consist of semi-conducting components. The solar cells are put directly in the sun it creates an effect known as the “photoelectric effect” and free electrons are formed. Together these form an electrical current and electricity is formed. A couple solar cells are linked to create a solar panel.
The suns power is larger than you or I can really imagine. The sun produces an estimated 4 x 1026.. Since this is really beyond anyone’s comprehension, it means it is equal to 8 x 1016. of the largest power plants in the world. A different way to relate the difference in power is that our sun puts out as much energy each second that the world’s largest power plant produces each year.
Don’t feel bad if you have trouble grasping the amount of energy it produces every second let alone how many hundreds of years it’s been doing it for. It’s mind boggling. So, let’s break it down to the smallest denominator that so that we can understand it. Each time we hang our cloths out to dry, we are using the suns energy to dry our cloths and even eliminate any odors. Plants use the suns power to grow, grow plants for animals and humans to consume and create energy in our own bodies.
The typical American households use about 1kW of power each hour. That equates to about 720 hours each month or 720Kw of energy used. This does not account for extra usage for items like spas, continual running of major appliances, plasma TV or other electronics that run all day which use up added power. To be on the safe side, solar panels produce about 10 watts/sq. ft. The average conversion rate is 12%, this means that for every kW of energy you need to produce, you will need about 100 sq. ft. of solar panels.
Depending on which part of the country you live in and how many hours of continual sunlight you have during the day will increase or decrease the total area of solar panels you’ll need. On average places like Portland, Chicago, New York will get about 3 hours of adequate sunlight per day where as Denver will get 5 hours and Scottsdale Arizona and Miami will get 7 hours.
Before you attempt to build your own solar power, you have to have the right tools. You need to have a simple process that I spell out in this guide. I made it a personal mission to manufacturer the best solar panel manual you can get. I searched the Internet for months looking for the best designs for building solar panels.…
Photovoltaic Energy – CPV Vs CST
Photovoltaic Energy – CPV Vs CST
You might think that every solar power plant is about the same as every other one. You’d be wrong.
A solar power plant works most efficiently when sunlight is concentrated. A solar power plant system may be a concentrated solar thermal type (CST), use concentrated photovoltaic cells (CPV), or operate with a combination of the two (CPT).
You may be surprised to learn that the principles of concentrated photovoltaic solar energy goes back a long way; in fact, the Chinese were experimenting with solar power some 2000 years ago. According to legend, the Greek scientist Archimedes actually caused the ships of an invading Roman fleet to catch fire using the principles of concentrated solar energy – something that was actually recreated by a Greek scientist in the early 1970s. Solar collectors have been used to generate power since the late 19th Century, but it wasn’t until the late 1960s that technology had advanced to the point that such methods of generating power were made practical.
A CST plant uses a variety of parabolic mirrors and focusing lenses in order to concentrate solar energy and direct it into a small area, generating enough thermal heat to boil water. This boiling water in turn runs a turbine that operates an electrical generator, much in the same way a coal or oil-fired plant does.
A concentrated photovoltaic solar energy plant concentrates sunlights onto photovoltaic cells, thus generating electricity directly rather than using the energy to heat water. Because of the unique properties of the silicon compounds that are used as semiconductors in photovoltaic panels and because the electricity is being generated directly, the CPV is actually more efficient under most conditions.
However, most solar plants employ both types, and each has distinct advantages. CST is better for the production of hot water and direct climate control (heating as well as cooling). CPV is more efficient at producing direct electrical energy that can be stored for later use.
Expense has been the most immediate barrier to the expansion of the CPV and CST type of solar generation; in 2009, the price tag of constructing such a facility generating 250 megawatts would require an initial investment of between $600 million and $1 billion. Currently, this would cost consumers between.12 and.18 cents a kilowatt hour. However, as solar technology continues to advance, this cost is expected to fall to under.05 cents per kilowatt hour within the near future – possibly as soon as 2015.…
Build a Generator – Which Generators Are the Best For You?
Build a Generator – Which Generators Are the Best For You?
Want to build a generator? Before you get started you will want to do some research. Where possible read about all the possible generator options available and make a decision about which is going to suit you best according to your needs and abilities.
So what are the most popular projects to consider if you want to build your own generator?
1. Wind Generators are by far the easiest.
Thousands of homes are taking advantage of wind turbines to generate a portion of the power for their homes. The advantages of these systems is that they are very inexpensive to manufacture and require little or no diy experience. There are hundreds of plans available online and all the required components are easily found in a local hardware store.
2. Solar Energy Generators are more efficient.
Over the last decade solar energy has become mainstream and as a result the components required to build your own have become more easily available. The manufacture of these devices requires a little more diy experience, but there are some excellent step by step instructions available online that will guide just about anyone through the process. The cost of building these devices ranges, but one can consider getting all the components for around $200 (less if you are research alternatives to new components).
3. Magnetic Generators are reliable and don’t require specific weather conditions.
In 1990, an instruction manual was published explaining how to build a magnetic generator for domestic application. At the time, the components were very difficult to locate and the system was designed by engineers for engineers.
On 29th May 2009, an additional manual for magnetic generators was launched to the public. This manual was written for the diy enthusiast and included step by step instructions on how to manufacture a perpetual motion magnetic generator. Since its launch, other groups have launched additional manuals and there has been a huge interest in the number of people buying and using these instruction manuals.
These generators are compact, relatively easy to manufacture, work irrelevant of weather conditions and are extremely easy to maintain. They generate more energy than they require to run and that energy is clean and free and can be used to run your home.
Always look for a money back guarantee.
The greatest advantage of all of these manuals is that they all include a money back guarantee which means that if you are not completely satisfied with the manual, you can return it. Records show that the return rate for the top magnetic generator manual is less than 6%, with sales in the tens of thousands monthly. It is advisable to always look for generator manuals that offer a money back guarantee to ensure that are getting what you paid for. If not, take your money back and look elsewhere.…