| Residential Solar Panel Installations |
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| Renewable Energy for the Small Business Small business owners across America are recognizing the financial incentives of converting to renewable energy sources. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 (Epact) provides incentives in the form of tax credit to individuals purchasing and installing solar equipment. Commercial users may qualify for a 30% reimbursement with no cap, and photovoltaic buyers can earn a tax credit of 30% up to the first $2,000 spent on equipment and installation. Small businesses report savings of 20% to 30% by making energy-saving moves,” and “As energy and gasoline prices rise, small businesses can voluntarily and profitably lower their energy bills.” Says Byron Kennard, executive director for the Center for Small Business and the Environment. The US Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency both offer resources to small businesses. |
| Renewable Energy for Home Owners As a nation, we spend almost $200 billion a year to cool, heat and light our homes. The average American could save 30% or more by incorporating renewable energy into their home. The urgency to conserve dwindling fossil fuels and to increase environmental protection has yielded a bevy of renewable energy sources for homeowners. The use of solar energy has many applications within a home. Over 300,000 home pools are heated with the use of solar panels today. It not only cuts or eliminates costs to the homeowner for heating; it also extends the swim season. The electric hot water heater is the biggest energy user of all household appliances. It accounts for one-quarter of the total energy use. A solar powered hot water unit could save the average family as much as 85% on their heating bill. |
| Solar Basics...How it works: Solar panels, or photovoltaic (pv) panels are made of silicon, a natural element. When subjected to natural sunlight they become electrically charged. The PV array, or set of solar panels, is connected to a structure and directed in a way that will receive a proper solar charge. The electrical charge is consolidated, and then transferred to the output terminals. Standard output is 12 volts although it can reach as high as 24 volts. The US Department of Energy estimates the amount of solar energy produced in one hour, is roughly equivalent to the amount of energy the entire country uses in one year. However, the intensity of the sun varies drastically based on location, time of day and time of year. Averaging Peak Sun Hours for a specific area determines the number of solar panels necessary to fill energy needs. A full system requires solar panels, a charge converter, a battery and an inverter. The solar panels charge the battery. The controller ensures the battery receives the proper charge. The battery provides DC voltage to the inverter, which in turn converts that voltage to AC voltage. The proper installation determines the total output of energy. PV panels can be wired individually, in panels, or singly to increase the total yield. By connecting the positive terminal of one panel to the negative panel of another, you increase the voltage. Conversely, connecting negative-to-negative, and positive-to-positive, increases amperage. But, you can actually do both and increase your overall net yield. |