How deep are the higher electricity bills cutting into your bottom lines?
 You don't need to live in California, Hawaii or the Australian outback to utilize the power of the sun. Solar power is free, natural, cost saving and available every day. Generating up to 100% of your own dean electricity with solar has never been a better investment. State and federal incentives reduce your investment cost by up to 80% - making solar not only an impressive commitment to the environment, but also a great economic choice!
Various solar power options have become available and it's only the beginning. Understand the benefits and costs of each option below.
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How Solar Power Works
Solar power is produced by using photovoltaics to convert sunlight directly into electricity by converting photon (light particles) into electrons (negatively charged particles). Photovoltaic (PV) cells are made of special materials called semiconductors. Silicon, mixed with other atoms, is currently the most commonly semi-conductive material ( like the chips used in computers). When light strikes the PV cell, a certain portion of it is absorbed within the semiconductor material, meaning that the energy of the absorbed light is transferred to the semiconductor. In Short, when the sun hits a PV cell it causes the atoms to release their electrons in a way that produces a direct current (DC) similar to the energy from batteries. The solar system includes an inverter which changes the DC current into useable AC current (what we use).
For more detail on how solar power works, please visit:
http://www.solarelectricpower.org/
Solar water System
A solar water heating system is fairly simple. Solar water heating systems include storage tanks and solar collectors. Once the solar panels are installed and the sun heats the panels. The solar collectors heat a fluid in pipes held in the interior of the panel boxes, can include a pump which circulates the transmission fluid from the roof to the water tank and back again (active systems), but pumpless (passive) systems are also available.
Type of solar collectors: flat-plate collector (typically used for pool heating), integral collector storage (ICS) or batch system, evacuated-tube solar collector (used more frequently for u.s. commercial application), direct circulation, indirect circulation (popular in climates prone to freezing temperatures), integral collector-storage passive (popular in climates rarely below freezing), thermosyphon system.
For more information please visit www.eere.energy.gov
Solar Power Costs & Incentives
Renewable energy solar systems help businesses benefit from PV solar. Energy efficiency will help reduce costs of a solar system depends on the size of your business, the orientation of your property, and your electricity needs.
Many state and local governments offer incentives for solar installation that can significantly reduce the costs. Rebates combined with federal tax credits can save thousands! Be sure to check with your local government for these offers.
To see a list of state and local incentives please visit: http://www.dsireusa.org/
More Incentives:
Federal Tax Credit
The Federal govemment offers a 30% rebate of the net system cost of solar power systems, with no cap.
Modified Accelerated Cost-Recovery System (MACRS)
An additional tax credit advantage of an accelerated 5-year depreciation of your net solar system investment. These provisions are found in IRC section 179.
In Addition to solar electric systems, reduce electricity use by replacing light bulbs with compact fluorescents and upgrading old appliances. One way to cut the cost of a solar electric system is to reduce your electricity use before installing the system.
If the cost of a full business solar system is not in the budget or simply daunting, a very attractive option can be heating just the water with the power of the sun. The payback period on these units is typically under five years. You can also get attractive solar lights to illuminate the landscape/garden and other exterior areas, as well as using solar energy to power fountains or heat pool(s).
Energy Associations & Institutions Links
There are many research institutions and departments at universities around the world who are active in solar energy research.
Incentives are subject to change without notice. Please confirm current incentives with your solar advisor.
Individual results of using green products and services listed herein may vary. EcoGreenHotels, Inc. takes no responsibility for individual results, nor for services providers or products listed on this website. |
