SEEING THE LIGHT- FIRST IN A SERIES ON GOING SOLAR
Topic Summary: Solar energy is the cleanest and most abundant renewable energy source available. Is it time for you to learn more about it and even join other homeowners in going green and saving money?
The U.S. has some of the richest solar resources in the world. Modern technology can harness this energy for a variety of uses, including generating electricity for for heating water for domestic use.
The U.S. solar market faces both challenges and opportunities. The industry is working to scale up the production of solar technology, and drive down manufacturing and installation costs. In this five-part series we are going to cover some of the issues:
-The basics of Solar, and the concept of Net Metering
-Site selection and is it possible
-How to pay for the system and tax credits
– State by State rules and regulations
-What’s the future?
Unique Nationawide Open House! If you are thinking about going solar, visit local buildings and homes in communities that are “open” for visitors. The event is called The ASES National Solar Tour. More than 165,000 consumers will visit some 5,500 buildings in hundreds of communities across the U.S. And it all starts this week. Click HERE to see if any events are close to you.
Introduction: You see the roof ?top panels in more and more places, from homes to supermarkets. It seems solar is everywhere. In this series, you have the information needed to see if going solar is a worthwhile investment.
Solar systems can provide electricity generated from solar panels that face the sun. These panels can be placed on your roof or on the ground. There are some selection criteria for your local geography as some parts of the country are better suited to “going solar” than others. ( quick tip- Arizona is the best!)
? Every day, light (photons) hits your roof’s solar panels that you install.
? The panel converts those photons into electrons called direct current (“DC”) electricity.(batteries are DC)
—The electrons by way of a wire move to the inverter that converts “DC” power into alternating current or “AC” power. AC power is what you use to power up a refrigerator or turn on lighting.
—The AC power is hooked up to a special power meter that runs both ways. When you are producing more electricity that you are using, the extra “juice” goes back onto the local power grid and you get credit for it.
Sure it’s more complicated but one concept you need to be aware of to understand solar is called Net Metering, Remember? We just told you about the power meter that goes both ways!
The economics involved in the solar proposition falls apart without net metering.
Net metering is a billing mechanism that credits solar energy system owners for the electricity they add to the grid. For example, if a residential customer has a solar system on the home’s rooftop, it may generate more electricity than the home uses during daylight hours. If the home is net-metered, the electricity meter will run backwards to provide a credit against what electricity is consumed at night or other periods where the home’s electricity use exceeds the system’s output. Customers are only billed for their “net” energy use. Next edition we get deeper into site selection and cost issues. Stay tuned!
