Solar hot water system size and cost depends upon number people in your household, water usage, radiant floor heating, ground or roof mounting systems can be installed from $3500 up to $10,000.
All Solar Hot Water systems are eligible for a 30% Federal Tax Credit off the entire installed price, as well as up to $1200 incentive rebates in NY, PA, and recently in NJ if replacing electric systems.
At today’s energy prices, over the life of the system, the cost to operate is about 20% lower than gas and over 50% lower than electric. As the cost of gas, oil, and electric grows, your savings will increase over time.

As a extra bonus, the value of your home will appreciate and estimated 16-23% because people want to purchase energy efficient homes.

‘Solar Systems Design Inc. Same-As-Cash’ Program offers 0% and No Payments for up to 12 Months.

Newton NJ / Milford PA / Port Jervis NY – Feb 11, 2010 –
Solar Systems Design Inc, one of the leading solar integrators on the East Coast, today announced that it is offering its customers the new ‘Solar Systems Design Same-As-Cash’ program, a fast, easy way to own a high-efficiency Solar PV or Solar Hot Water Thermal system.

“The Solar Systems Design Same As Cash program is a quick, easy way for home owners to enjoy the financial and green benefits of owning a solar system with little or no upfront capital expenditure,” said Elliott J Kayne, President of Solar Systems Design Inc. “Homeowners can defer payment up to 12 months until they receive their state rebates and federal tax refund while generating emission-free solar electric power, or heating their hot water, or pools, and gain immediate savings on their energy bills.

These unsecured, same-as-cash loans, for commercial or residential customers, provide up to $45,000 for solar energy installations – a dollar figure that can be estimated to provide a 6-8 kilowatt system which will deliver, on average, a savings of about $100 per day on their energy bills.

There is no application fee or pre-payment penalty. With a paperless loan-by-phone application process, credit decisions are fast and easy usually generated within 10 minutes.

The average U.S. home, without energy upgrades and conservation measures, uses about 40 kilowatt-hours per day, or 1,000 kilowatt-hours a month. However, with solar panel prices falling worldwide, it may soon be possible to install up to 10 kilowatts for about $40,000, after incentives and rebates.

Solar thermal or heating hot water with the energy of the sun offers an even greater return on your investment. If you are currently heating your hot water with electric, you can reduce your energy bills by 30-40% for as little as $4500 after rebates.

The biggest barrier to residential and small commercial solar installations to date has been the upfront cost of installing enough solar panels to offset the majority of a building’s electrical needs. Federal and state solar rebates offset some of this cost (30 percent of net cost for federal incentives, and up to 30 percent for state and municipal rebates), but this still leaves most of a system’s cost in the homeowner’s hands – an unfortunate development, given the ongoing recession and an overall drop in housing prices.

More important, homeowners can’t even claim the credits until the systems are installed and – in the case of the federal rebate – yearly taxes are filed and processed. Equally as important, lease programs don’t offer ownership opportunity until the systems have reached the end of their effective lifetimes, though they do provide “green” electricity at surprisingly affordable monthly rates.

With no principal payments or interest for up to 12 months, this financing provides homeowners with sufficient time to realize the benefits of the existing 30 percent federal tax credit for the installation of residential solar energy systems, as well as the many state and local tax credits that may be available to certain homeowners.

According to Solar Systems Design’s Vice President of Engineering, Raymond Earle, the funds are readily available, and applications can be taken over the phone. Decisions are also made quickly (often within minutes), and homeowners who take advantage of the loan program can, after the 12-month period, either pay the loan off or convert it to a fixed-interest installment loan.

Solar Systems Design Inc. advertises the rates, as “competitive”, or low-interest, and offers complete financing through mortgage experts who advise homeowners about the best solution for their home and tax status. Interest on financing, if homeowners choose the extended financing, are usually allowed as an equity deduction against tax liability, but check with a tax expert to be certain.

Solar Systems Design Inc. offers complete energy efficient solutions, including Solar PV, Solar Thermal, Wind, Geo-thermal, and Pool Heating, in NE PA and Northern NJ. All systems are custom engineered to your building specifications and needs. Solar PV systems are grid-tied, so net metering will reduce electricity consumption from your utility provider to gain additional cash benefits for any electricity sent to the grid. They will perform a Free Site Evaluation to assess your buildings solar energy potential and provide an cost savings estimate.

Margaret Schechter , a homeowner in Sussex NJ., said, “The Solar Systems Design Same As Cash program, along with the New Jersey Clean Energy Fund solar rebate and the 30 percent federal tax credit, opened a window of opportunity to achieve a rapid payback on our solar investment. It’s a win-win for us, the economy and energy independence. They made the loan process very easy, and our high-efficiency Solar system is maximizing the amount of clean power generated on our roof every day.”

“Compared to solar leasing programs available from other companies, Solar Systems Design’s loan programs offer significant tax advantages and the opportunity to easily transfer the solar power system – and its value – when you sell your home,” said Solar Systems Design’s Vice President of Solar Thermal; Glen Metzler. “Why spend years paying to essentially rent a system, when you can enjoy the benefits of ownership today? The time for solar is now.”

About Solar Systems Design Inc.
Solar Systems Design Inc., is one of the leading solar integrators on the East Coast. The company designs and installs solar electric and solar thermal energy systems for commercial and residential applications. For more information visit www.solarsystemsdesign.com or call 570-686-2300 for a free site evaluation.

SREC, (or Solar REC), stands for Solar Renewable Energy Certificate. An SREC is a certificate which can be traded that represents all the clean energy benefits of electricity generated from your solar electric system. SREC’s will be issued to you regularly as your solar panels generate each 1000 kiloWatt hours (see our solar term g¬lossary). In rough numbers, a 5 kW system will usually earn you almost 6 SREC Credits each year.

How Do I Sell an SREC?
An SREC is sold separately from the electric power the system generates. One way to sell is on an on-line broker, such as Flett Exchange or directly posted on the NJ Clean Energy Web site.

How Much Money is a New Jersey SREC Worth?
The market price of an SREC is determined by supply and demand for SRECs. A number of factors including the cost of a Solar Alternative Compliance Payment (SACP) that utility companies (PSEG, JCPL etc.) are required to pay if they do not buy enough SRECs. The SACP price effectively establishes a price ceiling for an SREC. In early energy year 2009, SRECs are selling for as high as $650 each.

THE ORIGINAL PROBLEM:

For years a major blockade to having a solar system that can run your entire home and the difficulty associated is because the major rotating equipment in your home, (compressors, motors, and pumps) requires a heavy start up current surge (amperage) to get them going. Once going, the amperage draw levels out, and becomes manageable. For example, when a typical three ton heat pump starts, it requires 30+ amps at 220 volts, but after it is running, the amperage draw levels out to approximately 10. That is why, sometimes when a heat pump starts, that your lights may dim slightly for a second or two. This start up amperage is very detrimental to running off of a battery bank that would typically be utilized in a photovoltaic solar system. The battery bank was simply not capable of this high of amperage draw, and also would certainly shorten the life expectancy.

However, new technologies have come into play.

RENEWABLE ENERGY:

First, let’s talk about our renewable energy system.

The solar system at the Tews utilizes forty eight – 200 Watt Photovoltaic Polycrystalline panels. These will generate approximately 10 kilowatts of power. This power is then routed to a configuration of SMA grid tie inverters, charge controllers, and power management systems. The concept is, in off-grid power scenarios, a SMA Sunny Island connected to a bank of batteries acts as the source of AC power, or the “AC grid” for the location. All power generation devices as well as AC loads are connected together on the AC side of the inverter. During the day, when sun production is high and load use is low, the Sunny Island uses the sun power to charge the batteries. Once the batteries are full, any daytime loads are powered directly from the power generating devices on the AC bus. This eliminates the need for the power for the loads to be run through the batteries, which reduces the number of charge cycles and extends the overall life of the batteries. At night, when power production is low and load use is high, the Sunny Island provides power from the battery bank. In the morning, the batteries are recharged and the cycle begins anew.

In simplified terms, the solar panels charge a battery bank. The battery bank supplies power to a sub-panel. Hooked to the sub-panel is the heating and air conditioning system, and other home appliances if needed. If the battery bank becomes discharged, it will recharge first by the solar system, then from the grid if needed.

One of the greatest benefits of this AC coupling configuration is that it allows virtually any type of power generating device to be connected to the system, i.e. solar, wind, water, even gas or diesel powered generators. Please note this for future reference.

Other features of this solar system include the Sunny WebBox, which allows users to access their system performance data anytime – from anywhere in the world. By logging onto Sunny Portal, users can see their current and historical system performance data displayed graphically. The data collected is stored in common file formats for use in spread sheets, graphs or other websites. In addition, it provides a method for service personnel to receive prior notice to any potential issues or to check the status of a system before traveling to the site. Data storage services to users are free of charge.

MINI SPLIT APPLICATION:

What is a Mini-Split?
A typical definition of a mini split is a split air conditioner or heat pump, without ductwork (ductless), the evaporator is usually mounted in or adjacent to the area being cooled. Other features are typically low air volume, good humidity removal, low noise levels and remote control. In recent years, mini splits have began incorporating multiple indoor units, while still having only one outdoor compressor section.

In the early 1970’s ductless split room air conditioning was developed. The mini split air conditioners and heat pumps were sold mainly in Japan first. In the late 1980’s, Mini-splits became popular in Japan, East Asia and Southern Europe. At the end of the Twenty-first century over one-half of the worlds total shipments of air conditioners are Ductless split systems, however in the US the market is still small compared to the total air conditioning market.

Why use a Mini-Split?
The first answer that most people think of is: I don’t have or can’t install any ductwork. A mini-split simply utilizes copper tubes to transport the refrigerant to the indoor unit. The indoor unit, is in essence, the indoor air handler, and is positioned in the home at the location needed. No ductwork is generally attached.

Other reasons are:

Comfort:
Mini-splits offer greater comfort when compared to traditional air conditioning units. The lower air volume promotes greater dehumidification, the individual control allows for greater personal comfort, and the lack of ductwork added to the anti bacterial filters and construction can prevent the spread of airborne contaminants. And because they can run at lower air volume levels, they also control humidity extremely well.

Noise Levels:
Because the indoor unit shares the living space with you, they are designed for the lowest noise levels possible, 35 Db. The outdoor units are also much quieter than conventional central air conditioning condensing units. This means that they can be installed in areas close to property lines without disturbing your neighbors.

NEW ADVANCES IN MINI SPLIT TECHNOLOGY: INTELLIGENT CONTROLLERS, VRF TECHNOLOGY, AND R410A REFRIGERANTS.

Inverter Technology:
Several manufacturers offer variable refrigerant volume (VRV) or variable refrigerant flow (VRF) HVAC systems. And while there are differences among the various systems, all of them react to changes in heating and cooling requirements by varying the flow of refrigerant. This is accomplished by using highly advanced inverter technology to vary the speed of a 48 volt direct current compressor. An intelligent series of electronic devices called Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) control system gives added control over the rotational speed of the compressors, which allows it to precisely match the amount of refrigerant being delivered to the needs of each zone.

This type of system is not new. In fact, the technology developed in the late ’50s has mainly have found acceptance in Europe and Asia. However, manufacturers have been promoting these systems in North America of late, because of the design flexibility that they offer, especially for retrofit projects, and the energy efficiency of the variable speed compressor, which avoids on/off cycling. The typical VRF system is ductless, but could be ducted. The United States may still be a “ducted” society, but that’s beginning to change.

The VRV (Variable Refrigerant Volume) or VRF (Variable Refrigerant Flow) systems deliver maximum efficiency during partial load conditions by abbreviating the control steps into smaller units, providing precise temperature control in all zones. It also prevents the heavy start up current surge (amperage) that is required of most air conditioning systems. This technology is why these units can be powered by a battery bank.

Precise Room Temperature Control:
One outdoor unit connects to as many as nine indoor units. (50% to 130% ratio of indoor capacity to outdoor capacity.) Each indoor unit incorporates an electronic expansion valve that continually controls the flow rate of refrigerant. In this way, the VRV system maintains a nearly constant room temperature without the typical temperature fluctuations that occur with a conventional ON/OFF control system. The extremely refined PID control maintains room temperature to within ±1°F of the set temperature. With immediate response to changing room capacity heat loads and varying sun exposures throughout the day, everybody stays cool and comfortable. The system also ensures individual zone temperature control so each room can be adjusted for personalized comfort. Advances with the indoor units now also allow some ducting for multiple room applications. Overall, the Mini Split system provides healthier air quality, potentially reducing sick days and time off from school and work.

Less Frequent Stop/Start Cycle:
By using variable speed compressors to regulate capacity, switching losses or power surges are minimized.

THE PERFECT STORM:

A “perfect storm” by definition is a convergence of events that form an environment never experienced before.

Carolina Cool has done this groundbreaking installation for the Tews. Others are in line to do the same. For these customers, it is revolutionizing the way they save energy, and bring us all a step closer to energy independence. This unique installation that delivers solar energy to the grid for buy-back purposes and off-grid power to a zoned, ducted HVAC system of the home effectively reduces total household power consumption by up to 70%, depending on conservation of usage. Other key benefits include uninterruptible power for heating and cooling and critical 120V circuits, such as refrigerators and electronics. And because we package this as a solar heating/cooling system, the whole package qualifies for the Federal and State tax credits up to 60%, making it quite affordable. Finally, couple all of this with interest free loans from Santee Cooper, and you too can have the perfect storm.

THE FUTURE:

Earlier I mentioned, one of the greatest benefits of an AC coupling configuration is that it allows virtually any type of power generating device to be connected to the system, i.e. solar, wind, water, even gas or diesel powered generators.

So let’s add that gas powered generator, install a variable speed well pump, tweak a few more appliances in the home, and voila,

. . . . .your home is an island. And it’s not that hard to do anymore!

For more information, please contact:

Verlon Wulf or Steve Brakefield
Carolina Cool, Inc.
1294 Surfside Industrial Park
Surfside Beach, SC 29575

Energy From the Sun

Everyone thinks there is some super module just around the corner. What is never mentioned in the nightly news or newspaper article is that though there are scientists creating high efficiency modules in the lab they have been doing that for decades. The high efficiency solar module is not something that is close to being discovered because its been around for long time. The advancements that are changing the industry are in the manufacturing processes. Making higher efficiency modules cheaper, longer lasting and more consistent.

Some manufacturers are experimenting with Thin Film technologies. These typically have a warranty about half that of a Polycrystalline or Monocrystalline module because the Thin Film structure is not as stable, furthermore its much less efficient and usually not ideal for rooftop installations since it takes more space. One newer highly successful technology is the evergreen string ribbon modules which are very efficient polycrystalline modules that are manufactured using in a continuous process which results in a \”string ribbon\” or solar cells.

These are the types of advancements that are likely in coming years; incremental improvements in efficiency and processes. Keep in mind there is a lot of money and interest being invested into the solar markets. It is predicted by most to be the next boom. Manufacturers are working hard in China, Korea, Japan, Germany, USA and other countries all competing to have the best module and/or the best price.

If you have any doubt about the amount of competition to have the best module look at this list. http://www.gosolarcalifornia.org/equipm … odule.html This is the California Energy Commissions list of approved modules for the CSI rebate. There are 1,605 different models available as of March 2010. If there were a new technology that would revolutionize the market on the brink of debut these companies would be all over it. Furthermore, before a manufacturer invests money into tooling and equipment necessary to be competitive, they do extensive research. These manufactures would not be getting all tooled up for the current technology if they had any reason to believe that something new could render their current equipment obsolete.

That said there have been some interesting developments in inverter technology. Residential and small commercial inverters remain at about 95%-96% efficient and that is not likely to improve by much. The inverter is always going to consume some energy and with smaller systems this will probably make up a few percent of total output no matter how advanced the technology. The biggest advancements on the horizon are in two areas; Monitoring and MPPT (which is an acronym for Maximum Power Point Tracking).

A newer model on the market is the Enphase inverter. The Enphase system uses a single inverter for each solar panel. The wiring from one inverter to the next and down to the meter is 220VAC. The primary advantage to this system from a practical standpoint is that each panel has its own MPPT. That means that should some of the panels be exposed to different conditions than the rest, each inverter will be able to adjust to maximize its panels output. Partial shading or different angles are the two main reasons where you would see a marked improvement from a standard inverter to Enphase.

For instance if you would like to place some panels on the south and some on the west you will greatly improve your system output with individual MPPT. Also, should your array have some shading, the individual MPPT will enhance output significantly making sure each panel generates its maximum wattage at all times.

The other primary advantage of these systems is individual panel monitoring. Enphase has a web portal where you can view nearly every imaginable aspect of your systems performance and production history for the entire array and each panel. It really is remarkable. However, it does little to improve your system performance. The primary performance enhancement would be early detection of a damaged module. Since modules are fairly robust it is likely that most will never use this feature but it is nice to know that all modules are performing as expected.

There are other technologies that provide individual monitoring and MPPT with a conventional inverter. TIGO makes a DC to DC converter that separates the modules similarly to the Enphase, however, they do not convert the power to AC grid power, this is still achieved with a conventional inverter.

As awesome as these technologies appear, in all reality many customers would be better off with a conventional inverter. The reason being that most people aren’t likely to be glued to their computer screen day after day in awe of their solar systems output data. If you don’t have shading issues you will see a faster return on investment from a less costly conventional inverter. If you are willing to pay a slight premium for the fun of it by all means. Just keep in mind that the real purpose of a solar array is to spin your meter backwards and it should last a long time and pay for itself in a short time, otherwise why spend the money. Your safest bet is tried and true technology manufactured by reputable companies that will be around to stand by their warranty.

To sum it all up grid tied solar has been around long enough that all of the kinks are worked out and the technology has progressed to a point where it is reliable, efficient and affordable. Panels will get better but so will televisions, cell phones and computers. At some point you simply have to pull the trigger and make that investment. Especially since your system will probably pay for itself well before affordable solar modules reach 20% efficiency.

Don’t forget… That rebate is not going to be there forever. As of March 2010 there is only 7.38 out of 21 MW left for the $1.90 per watt rebate. The next step will be $1.55 per watt. This decrease represents about 15% of the current cost of solar modules. So unless solar panels increase by 15% efficiency or decrease by 15% in cost before the rebate goes down Now is a great time to GO SOLAR!

Visit: Coastalsolarventura.com for more information

Solar Panels on Residential Roofs are Growing Quickly

From a simple residential attic fan or pool heater to domestic water heating on a residential or industrial pre-heat level to mega-watts or a solar farm, Solar Source knows no limitations. Try putting us to work on your project today. This installation was done in approximately 5 months and includes over five thousand eight hundred modules. The special weights in the weighted ballast systems were custom designed just for this application. The installation educated numerous electrical contractors and put many unemployed laborers to work and opened doors for a large number of people. The system generates about the same amount of power that it would take to power 100 homes. The environmental impact in CO2 emissions can be viewed on the system monitoring section of our website at Solarsource.net.

A solar power panel is a semiconductor device which converts photons from the sun into electricity. A solar power panel has many applications and uses, and is considered as being particularly used in situations where electrical power from a grid is unavailable, and they are often electrically connected and encapsulated as a module, thereby termed as a photovoltaic array or solar power panel.

A solar power panel uses semiconductors which are made from silicon, and the generating of useable electrical energy that a solar power panel creates is considered to be the photovoltaic effect.

What Is The Photovoltaic Effect?

The photovoltaic effect consists basically of the fulfilling of two functions: photogeneration of charge carriers in a light-absorbing material, and separation of the charge carriers to a conductive contact that will transmit the electricity. It is actually the conversion of this which is titled the photovoltaic effect. In other words, the photovoltaic effect is the basic physical process through which a solar cell coverts sunlight into electricity; the energy of a photon is transferred to an electron in an atom of the semiconductor device.

A photovoltaic cell is principally made from doped silicon, and when a cell such as this is exposed to the sun’s electromagnetic rays, the photons in light transmit their energy to atoms in the connection. Basically, the photovoltaic effect is the phenomenon in which the incidence of light or other electromagnetic radiation upon the junction of two dissimilar materials, as a metal and a semiconductor, induces the generation of an electromotive force.

Where To Find A Solar Panel

There are many different locations that offer solar panels for the public to purchase, and if you are going to buy solar panels, you should remember to compare them by dollars per watt. Used solar panels are the best idea, and can be considered as bargains in several different ways. However, used solar panels produce less power per square foot than do new panels. As well, a modern solar panel might produce twice as much power as an old one of the exact same size; however it will also cost you about twice as much.

Solar panels are obviously essential to the process of solar power, and are an incredibly important matter to thoroughly understand if you are hoping to actually learn anything about the solar power process.

The Advantages Of The RV Solar Power Kit

Are you and your family people who love to travel at the drop of the hat in your RV? Are you at the same time piqued by the necessity of parking in certain places because of your dependency on outside electricity sources? Well, the RV solar power kit can provide you relief from this worry.

The RV solar power kit will enable you to produce your own electricity; however much you want, whenever you want it. The cost is substantial at the installation time; however, your investment can be recovered within a maximum two years, because the solar power kit will provide you free electricity.

Once you have the solar power kit installed in your RV, you can camp literally anywhere (safe) you know without having any worries about light, or how much electricity you consume per day.

What You Should Know Before Buying A RV Solar Power Kit

When you go for a RV solar power kit, you need to ensure three main things, (i) what type of temperature (minimum – maximum) your battery is going to be exposed to, (ii) operating voltage of the solar panels, and (iii) correct usage of charge controllers. If you manage these three factors, you will never have any trouble with the solar power kit you are installing. Each of these factors is crucial to the installation and function of the solar panel.

When you decide on buying the solar power kit, ensure that you know how much total power you need now and in the future so you can buy an adequate power system to support your present and future needs. The solar power system can always be upgraded as well. It is good however, to work out the minimum future requirements as well so the system can be set up once in for all. In this way, you will invest only once and then enjoy the freedom of traveling anywhere you please, anytime you please.

The Uses Of The Solar Power Generator

The best thing that a solar power generator does is provide continuous, free electricity to whomever it uses it. Free electricity is not an exaggeration here; it is totally free. This is the beauty of the solar energy – it is free for whoever wants it. Hence, your investment will be reimbursed to you within two years time, time in which you will get totally hooked on you solar power generator. You will be surprised in the end, how you could live before without it because life becomes impossible without it.

There are millions of families out there in the world who are happily using solar power generators; these people have completely forgotten what it means to have to pay an electricity bill. They can use any and all the appliances they need in the course of the day, just as they did before they switched off from the conventional electricity company to the solar power generator. The only difference they find is the lack of bills at the end of the month. The electricity provided by the solar power generator is as good, if not better, than the conventional electricity system.

A Befitting Answer To Environmental Problems

Since people are shifting to using solar power over the conventional hydro-power that we use today, the solar power generator also contributes to the solving of the environmental problems that we are facing today. The more people who opt for solar power, the better the environment will get, since there will be lesser exploitation of the natural resources available.

The cost of electricity is spiraling out of control. People are fighting hard to make both ends meet on one salary and paying thousands of bills that come from all over. Once the shift is made, from conventional electricity to solar power generator, the electricity cost will be reduced to zero. Solar power is totally free. All you have to do is to order its installation and then enjoy its use forever. The solar power generator will show you how you get free electricity forever.

A solar power garden light uses renewable energy, and has little or no emission of pollutants. However, one of the only disadvantages to a solar power garden light is that they tend to only have a small area of solar cells, and therefore they have a reputation for emitting only a small amount of light for a relatively short period of time. It should be known, though, that even this should not be considered as a full disadvantage, as the technology of solar cells and batteries is constantly improving and the current generation of solar powered garden lights is clearly superior to that of the first generation of solar powered garden lights.

Where To Find A Solar Power Garden Light

Generally, as with the majority of other products, the more you pay the better quality you are going to get. There are many available locations that offer a wide variety of solar power garden lights, including that of Silicon Solar, which is one of the most popular and notorious solar power product selling company in the world.

Here they offer a multitude of products, including: portable solar power systems, flexible solar panels, flexible panel accessories, solar electric panels, solar panel modules, RV solar panels, solar fountain pumps, floating solar water fountains, solar birdbath fountains, large solar fountains, solar garden lights, solar flood lights, solar security lights, solar flag lights, solar sign lights, solar post lights, solar spot lights, commercial solar cells, solar cells by the watt, educational solar cells, solar panel kits, solar powered cars, and solar powered battery chargers.

They also offer sealed lead acid batteries, solar books, evacuated solar collectors, flat plate solar collectors, solar hot water controllers, solar hot water storage tanks, and more. Silicon Solar is a company which has been around long enough to gain a positive and respected reputation, and they fully stand by all of their products and services; if you are looking for a place to shop for your solar power needs, this is an excellent choice.