We hear much about energy problems; supply shortages, pollution issues and high prices, but the solutions to these problems are here now in the form of renewable energy technologies like solar power. With Solar we can get cheaper electricity, enhance our national security and reduce fossil fuel & greenhouse gas emissions. It’s the right thing to do.

As our energy challenges grow, we are going to need a measure of independence in our homes, with solar we can have the peace of mind that we’ll have electricity regardless of what happens to a transmission line 500 miles away.

The entire system cost is the upfront capital cost for the solar system. Once it's installed there are no additional costs, there is no fuel or maintenance needed. The system will effectively run for the next years with no additional costs.

One way you can reduce your system's cost is to first improve your home energy's efficiency - Use compact fluorescent bulbs - Install better insulation - Use Energy Star appliances The lower the electricity demand, the smaller the system and the lower the cost.

Buying a solar system is like buying a car with all the gas that it will need for its entire life. It may seem like a lot of money at first, but over years, the system pays for itself. You can finance these systems through home equity loans, there are now mortgage lenders who focus on solar electric systems as a green product. With a 15 year loan your monthly payment may be less than what you would have to pay a power utility.

Multiple incentives are stimulating the market, making solar electricity more affordable. 30% Federal Credit State Rebates Utility Companies Incentives

Solar Electric (PV) panels convert sunlight to electricity. The modules generate DC electricity - or direct current - sending it to the inverter The Inverter regulates the charge of batteries. The stored electricity can be used at night or during blackouts. The inverter also transform the DC power into AC electricity for ordinary household needs. Battery Backup Optional

Stand-alone PV systems are designed to operate independent of the electric utility grid, and are generally designed and sized to supply certain DC and/or AC electrical loads Some home owners, often in rural areas, choose to be off-grid using only solar during the day and batteries as their only source of power at night.

Intertie systems use an inverter that converts the energy collected from the PV panels into conventional AC power and feeds it to your electrical circuit breaker panel. As long as there is enough electricity flowing in from your PV system, no electricity will flow in from the utility company.

A valuable feature of photovoltaic system is the ability to connect with the existing power grid allowing you to sell excess electricity back to the utility - at retail rate - with a plan known as Net Metering. If your system is generating more power than you are using, the excess will flow back into the grid, turning your meter backwards!

Both Stand-Alone and Intertie systems can operate with or without a battery. Batteries add a substantial amount of cost and maintenance to the system but it allows the systems to operate when there is no other energy input (at night, during cloudy days, or during utility power outages). Without a battery if there is no solar energy flowing in and your utility power goes down, so will your system.

SYSTEMS ARE MODULAR - Depending on your electricity use and need for reliability every part of the system can be scaled to provide as much power as you want. Your contractor can determine the size you need based on your usage (monthly usage is calculated by averaging the last 12 months of your kilowatt hour usage on your utility bill) and the number of sun hours received in your area. THE FACTORS IN SIZING: - Roof size - Roof Orientation and Shading - Electricity Needs - Percent of electricity you want from solar - Availability of net metering & incentives - Budget

Solar Photovoltaic systems last for decades. The Modules are warranted for years and the Inverter for years. The PV industry has expanded about 35% per year for the past several years, making it one of the fastest growing energy sources in the world.

CONTACT Dale Gulden ext 105