CarbonFeet

Oil costs are rising again, and electricity prices will soon follow. Over the last 15 years, the solar energy industry has made great strides in producing solar energy.

With the price of electricity climbing and the price of solar energy systems falling, now is the time to educate yourself about solar power.

Is Solar Power Really Affordable?

Yes, because of government rebates. The federal, state and local governments are now giving large refunds to home owners. Based on your location, you may be incentivised 35% – 65% of the cost of your solar energy system. With financing available through many solar energy resellers (as well as home equity loans) you may be able to reduce monthly electric bills by more than the system costs.

Will the Utilities Buy Extra 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 house is consuming at that moment, the extra electric feeds back into the power grid, and your power meter will actually spin backwards! If you are away from your house, and leave as many electric items turned off as possible, the surplus electricity can automatically flow back earning you money.

Are Professional Installers Available for Solar Power Systems?

Absolutely. In fact, because you are integrating with the electric system of your house, it is highly recommended that an experienced licensed electrician install the system for you. Most solar energy installation companies have electricians to handle this.

What is Required to Get a Solar Power System?

Generally, you should have a house with exposure to the south, southeast or southwest. You will want it as unobstructed as possible. Having your home in the southern US has advantages, but home owners in the north also benefit greatly from solar energy. Before you make a purchase, most reputable solar energy companies send an engineer to inspect your site, property and landscape to determine whether solar power will work and what sort of savings you can see.

Is Solar Power Really Good for the Environment?

Absolutely. While electricity is clean, the oil required to generate the electricity is not. By harnessing the energy of the sun, you are actually able to produce your own electricity with no impact on the environment. This reduces pollutants in the air, decreases 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 local, state and federal programs specifically designed to encourage home owners to switch to solar energy (as well as wind and other alternative energies). Our government is aware 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 fed is making an investment in you, to help reduce the energy crisis. In the coming years, millions can switch to solar power, significantly reducing tax our dependency on foreign oil.

What Does a Typical Solar Power System Cost?

This depends on the amount of energy you need to produce. Obviously the bigger the system, the greater amount of electricity you can produce. Solar Energy Systems can range from $10,000-$30,000 or more based on your needs. If a solar energy 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 vary based upon the cost of the system you choose, the tax incentives, and the amount you pay today for electricity.

For more information, we invite you to visit our website at http://WWW.SaveWithSolar.org

By Chris Ulrich. SaveWithSolar.org shares great tips about solar energy and ways to save with solar power. Get the facts, including information on the solar power rebates available in your county!