The Superpowers of Solar Energy

THE SUPERPOWERS SOLAR ENERGY With great power comes great responsibility. Discover how you can save the planet (and your wallet) with sun-fueled energy. 2012 It's never been a better time to go solar. In just 5 years, solar-panel prices have dropped from $3.37 per watt in 2007 to $.70 in 2012–an 80% price reduction! 2007 SAVING YOUR WALLET There's a rising trend in superefficient, solar-powered homes and businesses. As solar-panel systems are becoming more affordable, owners are truly living in "the green." ATYPICAL HOME INSTALLATION: Lasts 25-40 years Can save $60,000 in energy bills Tax incentives and credits can cover more than 30% of total installation Costs between $18,000–$40,000 costs for businesses and homeowners. 25 solar panels + Can add $17,000 to home value Excess power produced during peak sunlight can be stored in batteries for later use, or sent back to your electrical provider and "traded" for grid HOW MUCH GREEN TO "GO GREEN"? Equipment (45%) Installation/permits (25%) Operational (30%) System installation: $2,000-$4,000 Monitoring, maintenance, and repairs: Solar panels: $4,500-$12,000 Power inverter: $1,000-$3,000 Permits & fees: $3,000-$6,000 $4,000-$11,000 per installation Mounting hardware: $800-$2,000 Wiring: $1,000-$2,000 GIVING BACK Unlike fossil-fuel power plants, solar panels create absolutely no waste or emissions. They simply produce clean, renewable energy from an all-natural resource. No Harmful Emissions No land No water excavation consumption Globally, Solar Panels Save 75 million 35 million tons of CO/year barrels of oilyear A solar-panel system for a 3-bedroom home would offset 100,000 Ibs of CO, over 20 years. That's the equivalent of: co, absorption by 50 trees Driving 100,000 miles 30,000 gallons of water used for electricity EVERYBODY'S DOING IT Can small businesses save with solar, too? Fortune 500 companies may be better positioned to go solar, but the core benefits are true for companies of all sizes. Average annual growth rate of global solar energy capacity - 102% AVERAGE SMALL BUSINESS SOLAR-PANEL SYSTEM INSTALLATION BREAKDOWN • Over 82,000 homes in the U.S. installed solar-panel systems | in 2012. $59,000 Total Costs -$22,000 Utility company rebate -$11,000 State energy tax credits $19,000 Accelerated depreciation charge to lower taxable income OPEN $7,000 Estimated out-of- pocket expense Solar energy use may be on the rise, but only 0.7% of the solar energy share is consumed globally. 8.2 million quads of solar energy hit the earth each year, and only 400 quads are used annually. There's an opportunity... UNTAPPED POTENTIAL To power the planet: Installing solar panels on 4% of the world's deserts could produce all of the world's electricity demand. Only 0.01% of the energy produced by nuclear fusion in the sun PER SECOND would be needed. FIND THE SUPERHERO IN YOU Does your roof face south? See if your home or business is a Is your roof unobstructed and not shaded? candidate for the superpowers Is your property free from deed restrictions on solar-panel systems? of solar... Is your roof in good condition? Top 10 Nations With the Most Installed Solar Panels #1 GERMANY # 8 CHINA #7 BELGIUM #5 ITALY #9 FRANCE # 10 INDIA # 4 UNITED STATES #2 SPAIN # 6 CZECH REPUBLIC #3 JAPAN Flame-on! Learn more at: www.lineshapespace.com Sources: http://wwwaeia.arg/research sources/solar market insight eport 2012 92 http:/wwwseiaorg/eseerch-esources/americavotes-soler-nationalsolarsarvey-2012 http:/wwwsolarcity.com/residantial/environmantal benefits aspa | httplvotesalarorg/2012/11/nfagraphie/ http://www.solarenegynet/Articles/solar energy savingsasp | httpsolar.catinder.com/eskhow-many solar-2 LINE/SHAPE/SPACE A AUTODESK of-soler | htt wwslarcitycom/eam/soler-fasmp http:/sunnunhome.com/soler-lease/cost-of- http//www.sea.orgesarch-sources/solar-industry data | http www.nlgoidocs/fy0gosti45000 adt httplwwwrenewabieresouroesinc.com/renewable esources-blog/10-isteresting-facts-ebout-soler enegyhtml http:wwwstatisticbrain com/soler energy statistics | httplgreen blogs.nytimes.com/2011/04/29the top-10-soler states http:/wwwsmartmeneycom/amalbusiness/omal-business/more-small-businesses-are-taking-the-colar-plunge-1335282683556/ http://wwweisgowlenegyexpleined/index.cfm?pagesoler where | httpthesolerfoundation.org/esearch/national-solar jobs-census-2012 http:/wwwmovoto com/bloginfogmphic/soler-penels/ I http/amalbusiness.chron.com/benefits-soler power-business-94htmi