Solar: The Sexy Alternative

Are you interested in reducing our dependency on foreign oil and saving the planet?  Buildings account for 38% of carbon dioxide emissions in the United States, which is more than either the transportation or industrial sectors. Additionally, buildings consume 70% of the electricity load in the United States. There are many simple and easy ways to reduce fossil fuel and greenhouse gas emissions that come from powering our buildings. These include:

  • Weatherizing your home through insulation, weather stripping, and caulking
  • Changing incandescent light bulbs to energy efficient alternatives
  • Installing Energy Star appliances
  • Planting deciduous shade trees on the Southwest exposure of your home
  • Installing programmable thermostats to reduce heating and cooling costs

If you have already applied these techniques and want to go one step further, remember solar is sexy! It is non-polluting, it does not deplete valuable natural resources, and it does not have carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gas emissions! Solar power is one of the greenest options for powering your energy needs for your home or business. For people today and in the future, solar energy will be an accessible, efficient, and conscientious renewable energy option. If reducing Earth’s carbon footprint and making it a better place to live for generations to come interests you, then choosing solar energy to power your home or business will definitely be an opportunity you will want to consider.

Let’s Look at Your Solar Options

Now is a great time to install solar energy systems for your home or business. South Carolina is offering incentives for investing in any type of solar energy system, which includes a 25 percent tax credit with a $3,500 annual cap.  You are also eligible for a 30 percent of system cost federal tax credit.

Many people are choosing solar hot water systems. A solar hot water system for a family of 3 to 4 people would cost anywhere between $6,500-$7,500.  According to Argand, a local Columbia solar distributor and installer, the average residential solar hot water system can save people around 70% annually on their hot water bills, and typically the return on the investment can be reached in about 5 years.  You can expect a solar water heater to pay for itself in 5 to 7 years and there are state and federal tax credits that can be applied to defray the cost.

Installing a solar energy system for your entire house is more expensive in terms of cost, but consider this… Every kilowatt of power that you do not have to buy from the utility company means extra savings for you. To get an idea of the potential savings for your home, total your monthly kilowatt usage from your monthly electric bill over one year. Knowing that most solar electric systems can produce 80 to 90 percent of the power needed for a home gives you an idea of the electricity you will not have to purchase from the utility company. Based on a rate of 10 cents per kilowatt, a solar electric system that produces 5,900 kilowatts of energy per year will save you $590 each year. Also, with the tax savings, a system that starts out at $27,500 will be around $14,437 after the state tax credit and a 30 percent federal tax credit are applied. Not only are you saving money but you are also doing a huge favor for the environment.

Net-metering is a program for people who generate their own renewable energy to sell excess energy to the utility company. This provides greater savings and can decrease the payback time from 12 to 15 years to as quickly as 7 to 10 years. SCE&G now offers this service, and you can receive a credit for the electricity that you feed the SCE&G grid.

How solar can work for you

There are a few considerations when accommodating solar panels to fit your home. If you choose to install the panels on your roof, it is ideal for your roof to face south, but facing west is the next best scenario. It is also helpful for your roof to be sunny for at least 7 to 8 hours per day throughout the year. Solar electric systems also work on cloudy days; however, the output may be reduced. If your roof orientation is not ideal, look for a sunny spot in your yard where a ground mount system can be placed. In addition, there are new options available, such as solar shingles. Solar shingles look like architectural shingles but absorb energy from the sun and convert it into usable power just like solar panels do.

A typical solar energy system has a life span of around 30 years.  They are very user friendly, and other than occasionally dusting off the solar panels, there is virtually no maintenance.  Installing a solar energy system can also significantly increase the value of your home if you choose to sell.

With the rising efforts on sustainability and environmental awareness in today’s society, the popularity of solar energy systems is growing. The positive impact on the environment along with the long-term benefits on your pocket prove that solar power is definitely a sexy, renewable energy source that residents in South Carolina will embrace.

For more information about solar power, contact the South Carolina Solar Council at www.scsolarcouncil.org.

Or try the following links:

http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:ALi-SrlgBjYJ:sfbay.sierraclub.org/energy/hggs.doc+solar+is+it+right+for+your+house&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=safari

www.argandenergy.com