How To Solar Energy

HOW TO SOLAR ENERGY A VISUAL GUIDE FOR HOMEOWNERS 0000 GET A HOME ENERGY CHECKUP GET A WRITTEN CONTRACT 010000 Before going solar, a home checkup will teach you how to maximize the efficiency of your home. Obtain a written contract from your chosen solar company that details the terms, service & payment schedules, completion timeline, ethics, code compliance, warranties & guarantees. Find a local utility service provider at wwww.naesco.org/providers GET ESTIMATES FROM SEVERAL VENDORS LOOK FOR REPUTABLE SUPPLIERS & INSTALLERS Verify the quality, licensing & ethical policies of solar providers using customer references and online During your energy checkup, your service provider should recommend ways for you to be more efficient. resources. Find a list of ethical providers at www.nabcep.org/providers Find providers near you at www.resnet.us If solar seems to to be a viable option for you, request customer references from whom you can ask questions. CONSIDER YOUR WEATHER & ROOF CONDITIONS FIND INCENTIVES Since solar requires sunlight, it is critical to consider local weather conditions. Understanding how federal, state, & utility company incentives work will assist you in and your $4 determining whether solar is right for you how they affect you as a homeowner. Also, keep in mind that the warranty for solar panels is 25 years, so make sure your roof is in good shape to avoid the additional expense of removing solar panels to have your roof replaced. Find incentives by zip code at www.dsire.org Check to see if your home is suitable for solar at www.sunnumber.com EVALUATE THE BENEFITS OF SOLAR KNOW YOUR FINANCES afford the initial outlay for solar panels? Is it better for you to buy upfront, lease, borrow, or enter into a purchase power agreement? Can Some advantages include lower bills, a short payback period, financial incentives (tax credits, rebates, etc.), increased home property value, being future-oriented, and being environmentally sustainable. you Get an estimate for your home at www.find-solar.org FIND YOUR CURRENT C PROJECTED ENERGY USAGE Knowing your current energy rate will give you a better idea of how much money you could save by going solar. Use a kwh calculator at www.pvwatts.nrel.gov %24 LO