Alternative Energy for the Home - Get Solar Panels and Become Your Own Energy Provider! Going green is the growing trend as people become more aware of the impact they have on our environment. This awareness has led many people to seek out ways they can lessen their footprint on the earth. One option is the use of solar power for the home. Solar energy is the converting of the sun’s rays into energy and heat. One way of doing this is to use solar panels on your home to capture the sun’s rays. Maybe you are considering solar panels for your home and wondering if it is the right choice for your family. Let’s look at the advantages and disadvantages. The benefits are plenty, the first being that you become your own energy provider. You get to crawl out from under the utility companies. As electric rates continue to climb you will be unaffected. Another attractive benefit is that solar panels require little to no maintenance. They cleanly and quietly provide electricity for 25-40 years. Then there are the obvious environmental benefits. The use of solar panels reduces the consumption of fossil fuels. It reduces greenhouse gas emissions. It reduce the nation’s dependence on foreign energy sources. Every little step toward green has a significant positive impact on the environment. So, even the use of a small solar electric system is beneficial in a big way. There is only one disadvantage and that is the initial cost. The installation of a solar panel system for the home can run into the tens of thousands of dollars. As the popularity of these systems rises the options increase and the prices become more competitive. However, the thought of shelling out so much money for these systems can seem daunting and make one give the deal a second thought. The good news is that there are government programs in place, such as tax credits and rebates, to help offset the cost. Also, those who already use solar panels will tell you that they pay for themselves within a short amount of time as you avoid the rising rates of the electric company. In the long run you save money. So, this one disadvantage isn’t really much of a disadvantage at all. As demand has risen and technology has advanced, the types of solar panels available have become more varied and more aesthetically pleasing. In contrast to those of the past, modern panels blend right into the home. Solar panels can also vary depending on how much power you need. Words such as monocrystalline, and polycrystalline refer to types of panels. The other type is amorphous. The three types work in the same way. The main difference is in the way they are produced which can cause a slight difference in efficiency. When purchasing panels it is important to know how much power you’ll need, how much space you’ll have for panels and where you want them placed on your home. Knowing these key things will help you decide which panels will work best for you. Solar power can save you a lot of bucks and solar power kits are now easy to own and afford. Did you know that you can get your own solar panels built and installed for under $200? Get off the grid the easy way and get all the Facts on Solar Energy at: Residential Solar Panels Get Solar Panels and Become Your Own Energy Provider!
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PON 1050 Solar Electric Incentive Program
The PV Incentive Program has allocated all of its funding to potential projects, as of August 18, 2008. However, the Public Service Commission (PSC) is currently considering authorizing additional funds (SAPA process). For more information, click here.
WHAT IS THE SOLAR ELECTRIC INCENTIVE PROGRAM?
It’s an innovative program from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) that provides cash incentives for the installation of new Solar Electric or Photovoltaic (PV) systems by Eligible Installers. Funding of approximately $13.8 million in incentives, through 2009, for the Solar Electric Incentive Program (“Program”) has been allocated by the New York State Renewable Portfolio Standard. Additional funding may be made available based on customer demand and program success. Incentives are granted on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications will be accepted through September 30, 2009, or until funds are fully committed, whichever comes first.
HOW DOES THE PROGRAM WORK?
The cash incentives are available for qualified systems and customers, through applications submitted to the Program by an “Eligible Installer.” Eligible Installers are those who have demonstrated technical competence in the PV field and who have signed written agreements with NYSERDA to abide by certain Program terms and conditions. The cash incentives are paid directly to the Eligible Installer, but must be passed on in full to the customers. A list of all Eligible Installers is available on NYSERDA’s website at www.powernaturally.org/Programs/Solar/Installerspv.asp?i=1. Eligible Installers are responsible for preparing and submitting all necessary incentive paperwork to NYSERDA. In general, incentives for a typical residential or commercial system cover approximately 40-45% of the installed cost of a PV System. For commercial systems, incentives may be combined with loan assistance from NYSERDA through the NY Energy $mart Loan FundSM to the extent available. Customers may also be eligible for New York State and federal tax credits. PV installers, electricians, builders, and contractors with training and experience in designing and installing PV Systems are encouraged to submit applications to become Eligible Installers. Installers can apply for Eligible Installer status at any time while the program is open. Once approved, Eligible Installers can apply for financial incentives for PV Systems meeting the requirements of this Program.
GENERAL PROGRAM RULES - INCENTIVES
The following rules apply to the Program and the payment of incentives. Please read them carefully, as they affect the eligibility of the PV System for cash incentives from NYSERDA:
Incentives are only available for PV Systems installed by an Eligible Installer.
Incentives are paid directly to Eligible Installers, but must be passed on in the full amount to the customer.
Incentives will not be provided directly to customers purchasing or installing PV Systems.
Incentives are available for systems installed for qualified customers. Qualified customers are those who pay the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS)/Systems Benefits Charge (SBC) as part of their electricity bill.
Incentives are only available for new equipment and PV Systems that have not been installed (partially or completely) prior to NYSERDA approval of an incentive application submitted in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Program.
Incentives are capped based on a PV System size that produces no greater than 110% of the demonstrated annual electric use (i.e. past electric bills) for the site.
All potential system output losses (kilowatt hours or kWh generated after all equipment losses are applied) associated with shading, system orientation, tilt angle, etc., must be analyzed and detailed for each PV System by the Eligible Installers. If your system is shaded by trees, faces east or west, or is installed on a flat roof, the kWh output of your PV System will be less than ideal. All impacts on system output must be quantified and are considered during the review of applications submitted by the Eligible Installer. Incentives are reduced in proportion to output losses when losses from factors such as shading and orientation exceed 20% for a traditional PV System and 40% for building integrated PV Systems.
Incentive levels may be changed at any time while the incentive is open. Any revisions in the incentive or incentive levels will be posted on NYSERDA’s website.
If you think the NYSERDA Solar Electric Incentive Program might be right for you or your client, we encourage you to visit the links below to learn more.
If you need any further information or have a question regarding NYSERDA’s PV Incentive Program or other NYSERDA programs, email us at innovativeassessment@yahoo.com or call (518) 862-1090. Review other blog posting at this Alternative Energy for the Home site.
Please rate, comment and subscribe to the feed on the right! Many manufacturers are going into production or creating concepts with integrated solar panels in the roof or body of the car. Although under normal use this will not provide all the vehicles power it will make a significant contribution when you factor in the decreasing cost of solar panels and the rising cost of fossil fuel. The Fisker Karma can already be ordered from the Fisker website - the first ones are scheduled for delivery in 2009. The music theme is called ’sunshine’. The wattage of the average car roof panel is around 250 watts. If you covered the entire car in solar film or panels you would get around 1000 watts or more.
While on safari in Tanzania, Africa I got the chance to video lions, elephants, warthogs, zebras and many of the big five that people only dream about seeing.After waiting a few days I finally was face to face with a lion minutes away from pouncing on a warthog and just as he made his fatal bite my video camera died.I missed the climax of the hunt.Well, if only I knew then what I know now.Thus we have Solio.
Award-winning, compact and versatile - Solio stores power from the sun, USB, or socket; freeing you to recharge your mobile phone, MP3 players, GPS, Bluetooth earpieces, portable game systems and other handheld devices anywhere, anytime. A fully charged Solio will recharge the average phone up to two times, or give you up to 15 hours of MP3 music. Solio’s intelligent internal circuitry and Adapter Tip System lets you charge devices at about the same rate as their dedicated wall chargers. Solio generates free and clean energy immediately. Replacing your wall and car chargers with Solio reduces your ecological footprint. It’s Universal, use Solio for virtually all of your devices ¿ just change the adaptor tip! It Stores Power, internal battery stores power for up to one year charge your devices when you need to. It’s a Hybrid, plug into the sun and charge Solio through it’s solar panel it’s free and green, or use the included cable to charge from a USB port! Comes with¿ USB port replicator tip, Mini-USB tip, Nokia tip, LG tip, Samsung tip, Sony Ericsson tip, adapter cable, USB charging cable, window suction cup, and instruction manual. Limited 1 year warranty. Specifications:- Rated output: 4-12V, 1.5 to 5.5 Watts - Solar panel output: 155mA @ 6V - Internal battery: Rechargeable 3.7V, 1650mAh Lithium Ion - Dimensions (L x H x W): 4.7 x 1.3 x 2.5in./11.94 x 3.30 x 6.35cm - Weight: 5.6oz/156g - Temperature Range: -4°F to 131°F,-20°C to 55°C
Product Description iPod and iPhone are two great mobile products and, when filled with energy, provide much happiness. But power may be fleeting. How can you keep them charged when you’re on the road? Solio, the Universal “Hybrid” Charger is powerful enough to charge all of your handheld electronic products at home or on the move, anywhere under the sun. Solio is a Hybrid because it can accept power from either the sun or the wall storing this energy within Solio’s internal rechargeable battery. Solio then uses this energy to power your gadgets at the same rate as your wall adapter. Solio will also hold its charge for up to a year.
Solio limits your need to purchase and carry around multiple chargers and is your one stop charging solution for all of your products from cell phones and iPods, to digital cameras, game players, and GPS. A fully charged Solio Classic will charge a typical mobile phone more than twice or give over 20 hours of iPod music. Just 1 hour of sunshine = 20 minutes talk time or 50 minutes of MP3 music.
I have friends that have this device and the back pack solar charger for laptop computers etc. and they love it. All I have to say is AMAZING!
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