The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) released new national polling showing strong public support for solar water heating systems and the perception that solar water heating helps the economy and create jobs. The independent poll conducted by Gotham Research Group showed 74 percent of Americans agree that the solar water heating industry will produce jobs and help the U.S. economy. Positive perceptions of solar water heating systems exceeded negative perceptions by more than 10 to 1 (48 percent to 4 percent). More broadly, solar energy is considered the energy source most deserving of U.S. government support. Continue reading New Study, Majority of Americans See Benefits of Solar Hot Water Heating
Category Archives: Solar Home & Business Commentary
Emergency Solar Generator You Home’s Hedge Against the Dark
Frequent utility blackouts are the ever-increasing evidence of our changing climate and raises the awareness for having emergency solar backup power in the home. Utilities are having a difficult time repairing what nature can dismantle in a matter of seconds.
Using the battery bank in an emergency solar power center is some of the best technology a homeowner can invest in today. A backup solar generator can keep you out of the dark when the grid goes down. Solar powered generators with battery backup do not rely on fossil fuel to keep electricity flowing to your critical home loads. A solar-powered generator in your home is the ultimate security in emergencies. Continue reading Emergency Solar Generator You Home’s Hedge Against the Dark
Solar Panel Maintenance, a Necessary Chore
When a homeowner purchases a home solar kit or SunPod, solar panel maintenance is often viewed as an unnecessary evil, a task that often gets overlooked or delayed in order to save money. But at what cost to the homeowners investment and company’s reputation? I recently was at a homeowners installation of a one of our SunPods and the owner told me that simply by cleaning the panels, the output rose by 10%. Continue reading Solar Panel Maintenance, a Necessary Chore
Ethics of Small Wind and Solar, a Road Less Traveled?
Next to my coffee maker this morning, my wife had placed a copy of the Sacramento news paper which had an article about a fraud probe that had been launched against a California based small wind manufacturer and a coupon for a cheap solar panel kit that was being advertised. The article about the small wind rebate program was titled “Fraud Probe Causes Pain for Small Wind Sites”. As a result of the small wind turbine companies fraud probe, the California Energy Commission suspended the entire rebate program while it’s probe is conducted.
The minute I read the article chills went up my spine. Why? A couple of months ago we came about an inch away from picking up the company’s small wind generator product line but backed off at the last moment. I don’t recall if it was luck or instinct but something did not feel right or it just was not in the cards. Continue reading Ethics of Small Wind and Solar, a Road Less Traveled?
Bipartisan Congressional Attempt to Restart PACE Home Solar Financing
Considering the daily blow hards we see elbowing each other for their 15 min of fame on TV it’s hard to believe there is any agreement from Washington on anything let alone helping solar. It still doesn’t mark the Age of Aquarius, but two Republicans and a Democrat have joined forces to introduce legislation to revive a popular home solar financing program scuttled by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac last year. Continue reading Bipartisan Congressional Attempt to Restart PACE Home Solar Financing
Solar Vs Oil; Wall Street Short Sellers, Dangerous to US Economy
For most of 2011, the stocks of solar power companies of all kinds, from providers of raw polysilicon to developers of finished utility-scale plants, have been taking a beating on world and U.S. stock markets, partly because solar has been the industry most singled out for attack by bearish short sellers.
In an article for MSNBC, Garvin Jabusch writes ” I cannot describe this phenomenon any better than did Roberto Pedone in a recent column for thestreet.com”: Besides the banking sector post-2008 financial crisis, I can’t think of a group that’s as hated and despised as solar stocks. … For whatever reason, this entire complex of solar energy has become a favorite target of short-sellers. There are so many names in the solar sector that are heavily shorted that it’s hard to find a name the bears aren’t leaning all over. Continue reading Solar Vs Oil; Wall Street Short Sellers, Dangerous to US Economy
Solar Installers Continue to Battle PV Installation Fees
There is some controversy among solar companies that PV installers permitting process is unnecessarily complicated and bureaucratic in many cities. I am sure that may be true in many cases, but our experience most of the required information is based on a fundamental principal of local government protecting the interests of the community.
Most municipalities in California are working to streamline the solar installation permit process and lower costs but they are faced with the same challenges as most households. If solar installers do a complete job of submitting the permit application including an electrical design that meets code requirements, the process is greatly expedited. Continue reading Solar Installers Continue to Battle PV Installation Fees
Is a Home Solar Lease the Equivalent of a Sub-prime Mortgage that is Doomed to Fail?
There are some that argue that a home solar leases being offered by some solar companies is the renewable energy equivalent of a banks subprime mortgage and will have serious repercussions in the years to come.
One popular residential solar lease program permits the solar company to own the equipment and enjoying all the benefits and tax credits available while Mr. and Mrs. Homeowner saves $10 per month on their utility bill. There are voices in the industry that are shouting at the top of their lungs asking why would a homeowner let some solar company attached equipment to their house they don’t own? So instead of renting your electricity from the utility company you are now renting it from an unnamed financial institution? That does sound a little crazy after you say it out loud. Continue reading Is a Home Solar Lease the Equivalent of a Sub-prime Mortgage that is Doomed to Fail?
Homeowners Motivation Survey Hiring Solar Installers
The solar installers market in America is potentially around 40 million homes of which only a fraction of which have installed home PV. Though some of the solar rebates have dwindled in because of their popularity, there are some serious discussions going on regarding solar feed-in-tariffs. That is where you get paid fair market price for your excess electricity generated by solar. Continue reading Homeowners Motivation Survey Hiring Solar Installers
When Home Solar Gets Sexy
When you first put the amp meter on the DC wire run coming off the roof of new solar panels and someone shouts out “there are 340 volts being produced by the panels now”. That is when solar in Sacramento gets sexy.
When our Sacramento solar company’s sales staff first engages a customer about installing home solar panels, they talk about things like feasibility of the site for installation, costs and rebates. All of that is very cool and necessary, but it’s not sexy. Continue reading When Home Solar Gets Sexy