Project in Nieuwland Amersfoort consists of solar panels on over 500 homes and utility buildings. Photo: flickr/enecomedia
Homeowners looking to lower their utility bill and environmental footprint are finding a bright idea in solar power generation. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, Americans added more solar power generating capacity during the third quarter of 2013 than ever before – 186 megawatts, up almost 50% year over year! Increased consumer demand and advancements in technology are leading homeowners to strongly consider installation.
For some homeowners, solar panels are still simply too expensive. However, you shouldn’t let initial sticker shock scare you off. Some retailers and utility companies offer lease (vs. buy) options, lessening the upfront investment costs. According to a recent FoxBusiness personal finance article, ‘Experts say the leasing process of a solar panel system is similar to leasing a car or even getting cable service. Most don’t require a down payment, but will lock in a rate homeowners will pay each month for as long as 20 years. The rate may be fixed over the contract period or it may rise on an annualized basis. Either way, experts say the savings compared to consumers’ current and future electricity rates will be greater during the life of the contract. The solar panel company or installer is responsible for any panel maintenance or repairs.’
DSIRE, the Database of State Incentives for Renewable & Efficiency, offers comprehensive information about federal and state incentive programs for implementing solar and other renewable energy projects at home. Tax credits, rebates and other incentives may be available in your area so check out this important resource.
Some utility providers even allow homeowners to sell unused solar power generation back to the grid, also helping offset costs of implementation.
CNNMoney Editor-at-large David Whitford recently installed a 15-panel, 3.75 kilowatt system on the roof of his Boston home. He shares that the system replaces about 80% of his family’s grid draw. And, over the promised 25 year life span of the equipment, the system will cut his household’s footprint by 62 tons of CO2 – not to mention the $25,000 in utility bill savings. Whitford’s total upfront cost was just under $13,000. But, thanks to state and federal incentives, his ROI will be less than five years.
In a newly formed partnership, Phoenix homebuilder Taylor Morrison and retailer SolarCity announced a solar option on all new Phoenix-area homes. The partners outline that homeowners can reap the benefits of solar power generation for little to no upfront costs. The partnership will make it possible for home buyers to save up to thousands on their utility bills, and will also enable them to lock in their solar electricity costs for decades into the future. Taylor Morison is the first national homebuilder in Arizona to offer SolarCity’s solar systems to homebuyers without increasing the purchase price of their homes.
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Solar panels are becoming more affordable and therefore more popular for homeowners. Photo: morgueFile/Seemann
For years, experts have believed that south-facing solar panels are most effective in gathering sun in the northern hemisphere. But a new study based on homes in Austin, Texas, has raised questions about which way our solar panels need to be facing.
The Pecan Street Research Institute released results of a study that indicated homeowners could find significant benefits by pointing their solar panels to the west. The study concluded that the west-facing panels were better at reducing peak loads in areas such as Austin, where air-conditioning use is a strong driving factor in energy use during peak times, typically 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The study showed south-facing panels provided a 54 percent peak-reduction in usage, while the panels facing west produced a more impressive 65 percent reduction.
But that doesn’t mean it’s time to tear down those south-oriented solar panels and put them on west-facing roofs just yet. While the study results immediately led to reports that homeowners could get greater results by pointing their solar panels to the west, there was more to the story than many reported.
While the study found that west-facing configurations did have their benefits, they produced less total energy over the course of the year than their south-facing counterparts. The value, it appears, is that they are able to help reduce the electricity load during peak times, which of course puts less stress on electricity distribution systems. That means the power they produce may be more valuable, particularly in hot climates where air-conditioning use can cause problems such as rolling blackouts during peak hours.
The new study raises the question of whether using west-facing solar panels may help offset some of the power usage during peak hours and provide some relief for the energy grid. More research is planned that will include broadening the region being studied and examining how the pitch of the roof affects solar collection.
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Decorating an outside tree is just one way you can have a greener holiday season. Photo: Shutterstock
‘Tis the season to start looking for the perfect tree to light up your home for the holidays.
Since most Christmas trees are grown on reputable farms, live trees are now a more eco-friendly option than artificial trees, which are made from nonrecyclable materials. But if you’re looking to go even greener this season, there are other sustainable options available.
Many nurseries now offer the option to rent out live trees, and some even come fully decorated. The renter simply waters the tree throughout the season, then takes it back to the nursery to be cared for until the next year.
No tree-renting nurseries near you? Why not get a plantable bulb tree? After the holidays, you can plant it outdoors, further lowering your carbon footprint.
Decorate your yard and your tree at the same time by planting and decorating an outside Christmas tree. Another perk — you get to appreciate it year-round, not just during the holidays.
If you’re still inclined to get a cut tree, there are several recycling options available. Leftover trees can be used for mulch, erosion, habitat creation and more. Check out our treecycling search to find a recycling option near you.
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Six out of 10 major homebuilders are now offering solar options on new home construction. Photo: MorgueFile/Jusben
In today’s increasingly energy-conscious world, solar power continues gaining popularity. The Solar Energy Industries Association reports that consumer demand has grown nearly 60 percent in 2013. As more options appear, customers who want to wean themselves from fossil fuel dependence or live off the grid may find it an appealing alternative to traditional energy resources.
In some areas of the U.S., entire communities are exploring the idea of solar power cooperatives to help make this natural energy source more affordable. Around the world, the overwhelming interest in solar is rapidly changing the economics — both to the benefit and the detriment of consumers.
Until very recently, solar panels were a relatively expensive way to harness the free power of the sun, particularly when coupled with installations costs. Most consumers understood that retrofitting a home for solar meant taking on a significant debt, with the understanding that it would take about half the lifespan of the panels to recoup the purchase price.
But with new technology offering more access to solar, consumers have greater flexibility in how they can use this power source. And that is changing the way many electric companies are approaching energy delivery.
Next page: New Lease on Power
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IKEA has installed solar panels on nearly 300 stores worldwide and will begin selling home solar panels in the U.K. in 2014. Photo: Volodymyr Kyrylyuk/Shutterstock
The world’s largest do-it-yourself home furnishings retailer is about to put something new on the shelves: solar panels. IKEA recently announced that it will begin selling solar panels in the U.K. through a partnership with Hanergy Solar Group, a Hong Kong–based company that produces thin film solar panels. But don’t worry, the panels won’t be a DIY adventure accompanied by IKEA’s famous illustrated, wordless instructions: Hanergy will also provide consultation, installation and maintenance services.
IKEA has already made its commitment to solar very clear, installing more than half a million panels on nearly 300 stores globally, including about 40 in the U.S. The company — which has previously shown its commitment to green initiatives by selling energy-efficient appliances and light bulbs and offering consumer recycling programs — says it will source all its energy from renewable sources by 2020.
The U.K. provides a logical starting point for IKEA’s solar panel sales. Solar energy there has become more mainstream and installations have more than doubled since the end of 2011, according to government figures, thanks to a combination of lower prices and state subsidies. IKEA began a “test run” of solar panel sales in July, and based on the success of that program, decided to launch its solar panel division in mid-2014. Presently, the store sells about one solar panel system every day, according to IKEA.
The standard 3.36-kW systems will power an average three-bedroom home and slash its energy costs. The systems will sell for about $9,200, and it will take an average of seven years for the system to pay for itself, according to the information released by IKEA. A leasing option will also be available.
At this time, IKEA has not announced plans to begin solar panel sales in the U.S. However, in June, it announced plans to add two dozen charging stations for electric vehicles at U.S. IKEA locations, bringing the total number to 55.
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Reusing shopping bags from other stores has helped Patina Green Home and Market cut back on waste. Photo: MorgueFile/clarita
When shoppers leave Patina Green Home and Market, they’re never sure exactly what bag they’ll get to tote their purchases home. That’s because owner Kaci Lyford is a firm believer in reusing and recycling — and she saw eliminating shopping bags from her store as an immediate way to cut back on waste.
“Our store is all about being green and finding ways to use what is already out there,” says Lyford, who opened the store in McKinney, Texas, with her mother and husband three years ago. “So instead of buying shopping bags for our store, we reuse bags from other stores.”
Patina Green, which started as a place for Lyford and her mother to sell antiques, has evolved into a “modern general store” that also carries an unexpected mix of handmade home décor, soaps, gifts and linens along with fresh, locally harvested market items like eggs, bread and produce.
Initially, they used their personal stash of reusable shopping bags from other stores, but now customers regularly drop off bags that otherwise would have been tossed or recycled.
“We have people who bring in piles of bags and are so grateful because they didn’t know what else to do with them, but didn’t want to just throw them away,” Lyford says.
Each of the reused shopping bags bears a tag explaining that the bag has been recycled and asks customers to consider dropping their old shopping bags off at the store instead of tossing them in the trash. And the unique approach has made for some memorable moments for customers.
“We had one lady who bought some groceries and we sent them home with her in a Victoria’s Secret bag,” Lyford recalls. “She said her husband was just dying when he saw the bag — until she started pulling out bread and eggs.”
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