Archive for the ‘Solar Panels Cheap’ Category
The shortage of power, the rapid consumption of non-renewable energy, the ever-increasing demand for power supply, the daily warnings about our environment are enough signs to tell us that it’s time we do something.
So, what can you do? For starters, how about using alternative energy? If I have startled you with that proposition, let me tell you that living off the grid not only helps the environment and helps save power; it also cuts down our electricity bill substantially. Now, that’s a substantial benefit apart from all the good you will do to the world. Trust me, you will feel good doing this.
Let us first study the advantages of living off the grid:
• Wasted dependability on exhausting resources: Who wants to depend on public utilities all the time? Living off the grid helps you rely only on your resources and not the ones supplied by governments or corporations. How often have you cursed when faced with a power outage in the midst of some important work or a party? Wouldn’t you like to take charge of such factors affecting you life? With alternate power solutions, you can.
• Freedom of usage of naturally available resources: How would you feel when you don’t have to pay for the power you use? Wouldn’t it be delightful to use as much power as you want without worrying about the electricity meter? You can make use of the abundant power available in the nature to light up your home and make your food. The solar power solutions and the wind power solutions are the answers to your power quest (well, literally!).
• Reduced power costs, helping save your money: How would you feel if the electricity bills stop coming in your letter box? The alternate power solutions give you a return on investment very soon, thus making the power supply to your home eventually free!
• Making way for a healthy environment: Don’t you bless the people who planted trees years ago not expecting them to miraculously grow? They planted those trees for the future generations. Make the future of your future generations secure by giving them a greener, healthier world. Cut down on the usage of non-renewable sources of energy. Try to use water minimally. There is not much drinking water left for the next generations.
If you are thinking it is not very achievable to live off the grid, look for alternate power solutions and you will be surprised to learn that they are not only cost-effective but also
extremely feasible.
Solar energy for homes is usually considered to be a very serious topic, one that involves a great deal of time, expense and hard work. For most people, it brings to mind things like adding solar panels to their roof, putting in a solar water heater, or maybe learning how to build solar generators. Even for people who are genuinely interested in living a more environmentally responsible lifestyle, the prospect can seem so overwhelming that they feel too discouraged to even know where to begin.
Why not take some of the pressure off and focus on an aspect of home solar systems that’s not expensive, not difficult to do, and will actually add a lot of fun to your life: turning your backyard into an eco-friendly, home solar entertainment lounge!
Start by replacing all of your outdoor electrical light fixtures with solar ones. Solar wall sconces, floodlights and path lighting come in a variety of attractive styles and are available at any home supply store. Next, you can buy or build solar water fountains for your yard and/or tabletop. You’ll be adding essential habitat features for birds and other wildlife while at the same time creating a soothing, tranquil environment.
Soothing and tranquil are great for intimate gatherings, but for livelier parties, install an outdoor solar speaker system. With battery charges that can last up to eight hours, your sun-powered speakers will have you and your guests dancing long into the night.
Solar energy for homes doesn’t have to be boring, backbreaking, or a strain on your budget. Solar yard accessories range from the practical to the whimsical, they’re widely available, and they’re a great way to help build solar technology into your everyday life.
Solar energy is free but the tools that will enable you to harness this free energy are not.
If you are planning to install a solar energy system right at your home and would like to know how much it would cost, there are 3 things you need to consider:
First, the cost depends on how much energy your household requires. More energy you require means more solar panels and higher cost of installation. The good thing is, the technology to harness the power of the sun is relatively cheaper than it was several years ago.
Second, the government is offering a rebate to those who will switch to alternative form of energy. That means, the government will shoulder a portion of the total cost of the system.
Third, you can get tax credits when you switch to solar energy system. The amount of tax rebate depends from state to state but the range can go from $1000 to $2000.
All these affect the overall cost of your installation.
A photovoltaic system can cost roughly at $8000 to $10000 per 1kW system. This equates to $8 to $10 per Watt. An average American household with 3 bedrooms requires at least 1.5kW to as much as 3kW. Thus, installation can cost from $14000 to $30000, before rebates and tax credits.
Government rebate varies from state to state. As a reference, an average California household that requires 1.5kW system can get as much as $4200 rebate (1.5kW= 1500 watts x $2.80 per watt = $4200).
A household that requires 3kW system can get as much as $8400 (3kW= 3000 watts x $2.80 per watt = $8400).
Before, tax credit goes as much as 30% but it is lowered to 7.5% of system cost after rebate.
So an average household with 1.5kW system can get $735 ($14000 – $4200 x 7.5% = $735) worth of tax credit while the 3kW system can get $1620 ($30000 – $8400 x 7.5% = $1620) worth of tax credit.
Example A: 1.5kW system
Cost of solar electric system: $14000
Less rebate: $4200
Less tax credit: $735
Cost of the system after rebate and tax credit: $9065
Example B: 3kW system
Cost of solar electric system: $30000
Less rebate: $8400
Less tax credit: $1620
Cost of the system after rebate and tax credit: $19980
Again, these are rough estimates just to give you an idea of the cost of installing solar energy system. They do not represent real figures.
Top tips:
Energy independent home has higher resale value and is more preferred by home buyers. So, if you are planning to sell your home in several years, installing solar energy system does not only provide substantial saving on electric bill, it also is a good home improvement option.
If you want to finance the cost of your solar energy installation, include it in your mortgage.
If you want to reduce your electricity load, switch to energy efficient appliances. Buy electric appliances with ENERGY STAR seal.
Low energy requirement means lower installation cost.
Residents of areas with higher electricity rate can benefit most on solar energy system.
If you can’t afford the photovoltaic system, you can install solar hot water system that costs roughly from $2000 to $4000.
Due to the quickly approaching energy crisis, it is important that we reduce our dependency on non-renewable sources of energy like coal. Non-renewable power sources are limited but renewable energy solutions can keep churning energy without exhaustion. Three types of energy solutions fall into the category of renewable energy solutions: cheap solar panels, hydro energy solutions, and homemade wind energy.
The sun’s energy is the most abundant energy available to the earth. You can make use of this wonderful and free energy by employing solar power solutions at home. This will not only cut down power bills but also help you contribute to a greener planet that is detter suited to fight the climate change. Some solar power solutions include solar cookers, solar heating systems, solar lighting systems, solar dryers etc.
And homemade solar cells have many advantages apart from being cost-effective and environment-friendly. They are low on maintenance and can last up to 25years without neededing replacement. Also, homemade solar systems give you a fairly quick return on investment, thus making the systems completetly free after some time. And who doesn’t like free? It just requires a little bit onf knowledge and some elbow grease.
