Solar PV Electric Installation
There is little doubt when you take into consideration all of the incentives, rebates, and grants that are currently available in states nationwide renewable energy systems have much to offer homeowners. These savings are also just the tip of the iceberg where the dollars and sense of these systems are concerned as is posted by systems engineers for wind and solar energy systems. On average homeowners who make these system purchases and installations can also expect a $3 to $5 return on their investment for every dollar spent on these improvements. This in most cases can equate out to tens of thousands of dollars in property value increases or more depending on the actual systems installed and invested in. Furthermore, let us not forget the actual cash savings these systems offer to homeowners in the form of greatly reduced monthly electric bills which alone are worth thousands of dollars each and every year.
Many of our readers have asked very general questions regarding solar or wind energy systems such as, “how many panels do I need for a 3 bedroom home?” or ,”how much power do I need to generate for my home?” Unfortunately when approaching renewable energy systems as a serious consideration for your home questions such as these will usually get you a blank stare as far more goes into the answers for these questions then most people realize. Buying a solar panel system for your home is not like going out to pick up a package of light bulbs where you only need to consider the wattage of the bulb you wish to use for the brightness of light or savings of electricity. The first question you should plan to answer is pretty straight forward and one you can probably answer without much thought. How many kilowatt hours does your home use each month? If you do not know this answer then consult your monthly electric bill as it will be detailed there.
Wind Turbine Installation
Although many people would love to be able to go solar or wind and be done with ever having to pay the utility company ever again, this is not a reality many can afford to realize. So the next question you need to answer becomes, “how much would you like to reduce your monthly electric usage from the utility?” Given that a 1kw solar panel system will generate approximately 3.63 kWh per day and the average 3 to 4 bedroom home can anticipate usage of 1100 to 1500 kWh per month of usage it will take a considerable sized solar panel system to enable you to completely eliminate your monthly electric bill. Utilizing energy efficiency devices and appliances are your first and most importantly critical step in lowering your monthly electric bills followed by renewable energy systems to further reduce your usage of utility provided power.
Obstruction view of solar pathway
Renewable energy incentives that are available are typically issued in the form of tax incentives, utility rebates or government issued grants and the only way you will learn what you are entitled too is by taking the first step in scheduling either a solar or wind site assessment. Site assessments take into consideration all of the variables that go into every detail of your particular location. The actual report that is generated from this site assessment can be rather large containing more than 45 pages of technical information covering everything from photographs showing the suns path and any obstructions to it, options of various solar or wind configurations that would be suitable to that location as well as key specific details relating to your power needs and annual usage.
This report is then submitted to your state department of energy for review and approval after which you will be informed of what incentives you qualify for. You will know every detail about every aspect of making the move to renewable energy systems before you purchase any equipment or pay for any installation services so it is in your best interests that you work with a NABCEP qualified and certified company to receive the best information and highest quality systems and installation services available. Are you more of a Do-It-Yourselfer? Then there is a great deal of information that you can read regarding renewable energy incentives that are currently available in your state by visiting our main web site. The organization we use maintains a very detailed database of every state and federal incentive program currently available nationwide and is a great place to start looking if you have incentives available to you in your state or county.
