Here Comes The Sun
California's Million Solar Roofs bill, SB1, was just signed into law by Governor Schwarzenegger. SB1 complements the California Solar Initiative established by the Public Utilities Commission and puts California on track toward building a million solar roofs in the next ten years.
More than 1.5 million new homes will be built throughout the state over the next ten years. The greatest growth will occur in outlying areas that will also require new infrastructure, including power plants and transmission lines, shopping centers, big-box stores, auto dealerships, etc. The California Energy Commission estimates that California's energy demands will increase 20%.
Homeowners interested in reducing their energy bills and/or being environmentally friendly will be pleased to note that the price of solar photovoltaic (PV) has declined 85% in the past 30 years due in large part to a ten fold increase in demand. the bulk of this demand comes from the retrofit market i.e. existing homes or businesses that add a solar power system. PV systems are now provided by major companies such as Sharp and GE. Still, a typical home solar system costs $20,000 to $30,000 before rebates and other incentives..so how do you determine whether solar makes sense for you and your home?
*Location - If your house is shaded by trees or a neighbor's house, your roof may not get enough light; even partial shading can reduce a solar system's effectiveness. Rebates vary from city to city.
*Cost - Home solar systems eventually pay for themselves, usually long before their 20 to 25 year warranties run out. They cut the amount of power you need to buy, and you get credit for excess electricity your system generates and adds to the state's grid. State and federal incentive programs can cover more than 35 percent of the installation costs. The California Energy Commission offers a "Clean Power Cost Estimator" on its web site, at www.consumerenergycenter.org/renewables/estimator/index.html.
*Reliable Vendors - If everything looks workable, you'll need to find someone who can design a system for you home, sell you the solar modules and install them. California's solar rebates are available only to homeowners who use installers registered with the state; all those listed on the California Energy Commission's Web site qualify.
*Equipment - Solar panels vary in looks and performance. Some are more efficient than others and cost more as a result. Some blend into a rooftop but lose efficiency in the process. Base your choice on the numbers, and your aesthetics.
For those interested in doing more research, visit the very informative http://www.gosolarfalicornia.ca.gov/ a joint effort of the California Energy Commission and the California Public Utilities Commission;it is a "one-stop-shop" for information on solar power, rebates, tax credits, and issues.
More than 1.5 million new homes will be built throughout the state over the next ten years. The greatest growth will occur in outlying areas that will also require new infrastructure, including power plants and transmission lines, shopping centers, big-box stores, auto dealerships, etc. The California Energy Commission estimates that California's energy demands will increase 20%.
Homeowners interested in reducing their energy bills and/or being environmentally friendly will be pleased to note that the price of solar photovoltaic (PV) has declined 85% in the past 30 years due in large part to a ten fold increase in demand. the bulk of this demand comes from the retrofit market i.e. existing homes or businesses that add a solar power system. PV systems are now provided by major companies such as Sharp and GE. Still, a typical home solar system costs $20,000 to $30,000 before rebates and other incentives..so how do you determine whether solar makes sense for you and your home?
*Location - If your house is shaded by trees or a neighbor's house, your roof may not get enough light; even partial shading can reduce a solar system's effectiveness. Rebates vary from city to city.
*Cost - Home solar systems eventually pay for themselves, usually long before their 20 to 25 year warranties run out. They cut the amount of power you need to buy, and you get credit for excess electricity your system generates and adds to the state's grid. State and federal incentive programs can cover more than 35 percent of the installation costs. The California Energy Commission offers a "Clean Power Cost Estimator" on its web site, at www.consumerenergycenter.org/renewables/estimator/index.html.
*Reliable Vendors - If everything looks workable, you'll need to find someone who can design a system for you home, sell you the solar modules and install them. California's solar rebates are available only to homeowners who use installers registered with the state; all those listed on the California Energy Commission's Web site qualify.
*Equipment - Solar panels vary in looks and performance. Some are more efficient than others and cost more as a result. Some blend into a rooftop but lose efficiency in the process. Base your choice on the numbers, and your aesthetics.
For those interested in doing more research, visit the very informative http://www.gosolarfalicornia.ca.gov/ a joint effort of the California Energy Commission and the California Public Utilities Commission;it is a "one-stop-shop" for information on solar power, rebates, tax credits, and issues.
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