How to Incorporate Solar Energy into Your Home

HOW TO INCORPORATE SOLAR ENERGY INTO YOUR HOME Becoming less dependent on nonrenewable fuel sources is of growing importance to homeowners due to the financial savings and the creation of a cleaner environment. While the investment to add solar energy to your home is no small affair, there are so many positive reasons why you should... go solar! THE CURRENT STATE OF ELECTRICAL POWER AN ESTIMATED RATE CAPS which were put in place beginning in 1997 have begun to expire giving the impression that rates are rising when in actuality costs that have already been incurred by electric utilities are being INFRASTRUCTURE COSTS ARE 258 GIGAWATTS (GW) INCREASING. The cost of maintaining the nation's electric power grid (including high-voltage transmission lines and towers, power sub-stations, and electric distribution systems) is advancing in an upward trajectory. For the next ten years electric of new electric generating capacity will be needed by 2030 to meet the growing demand. (This equates to an additional 250 to 500 baseload power plants rated at between one-half and one gigawatt of capacity.) PASSED ON TO CONSUMERS. utilities will invest $14 BILLION PER YEAR on infrastructure. SO WHY GO SOLAR? RISING ENERGY COSTS ADVANCEMENTS IN SOLAR PANEL TECHNOLOGY MAKE THE EASIER AND CHEAPER TO INSTALL/MAINTAIN, WHICH LEADS TO. SOLD $17K Solar rebate programs, subsidies, and other incentives - help make Photovoltaic (PV) systems Quicker return on Solar power homes Solar power appraise higher - a 3.1kilowatt system can add $17,000 to your home's value investment homes sell 15% faster more affordable. The advent of the third-party owned solar leasing models have made it easier for homeowners The average American household uses 920kilowatthours (kWh) per month. Installing a typical 5kW solar system would save at least 50% of that energy. 50% to attain rooftop solar. CONSIDERATIONS BEFORE INVESTING FIRST OFF, ALL AREAS IN THE US HAVE GOOD TO EXCELLENT SOLAR RESOURCES. ECONOMICS Evaluate your energy usage to determine the PV system's worth by: • Looking at your utility bills over the past year • Calculating energy consumption • Recognizing consumption trends 1347.15 AVAILABLE SPACE - Do you have the roof or yard space to fit solar panels? LOCAL PERMITS AND COVENANTS - Are there any legal issues with installing a system? Do you live in a HOA (Home Owner's Association)? NET ENERGY METERING - Laws that allow solar system owners to sell excess electricity back to the utility company at retail rates. THE FUTURE'S SO BRIGHT- 15% The global solar Photovoltaic (PV) market grew 15 percent in value in 2013 UP ON A ROOF JUST WHAT TYPE OF EQUIPMENT CREATES SOLAR PANEL SYSTEM? 10 YEARS RACKING - How the panels are attached to the roof. Built to last 10 INVERTER/METER - SOLAR PANELS - Produce DC current. MONITORING PLATFORM - Converts DC current into AC current. Performs system checks and tracks production. years. FACTORS THAT AFFECT BOTH CAPITAL AND OPERATING COSTS INCLUDE: SYSTEM SYSTEM WHETHER A SYSTEM IS SOLAR RESOURCE AT SIZE COMPONENTS GRID-CONNECTED OR YOUR LOCATION STANDS ALONE (OFF-GRID) (INTENSITY OF SUNLIGHT & CLOUDINESS) ENVIRONMENTAL FUN FACT: IN 2013, solar powered generating capacity surpassed wind-powered generating capacity for the first time with a total capacity for 36.5 gigawatts (GW) vs. wind's 35.5 GW. A solar power system for a typical 3-bedroom home will offset 50 tons of carbon dioxide over 20 years, saving the equivalent of. 40,000 gallons of water used in electricity Driving a car 125,000 miles Carbon Dioxide 12.1 tons of coal 36.5 GW absorbed by 60 trees 35.5 GW 17% OF ALL U.S. RESIDENTIAL CONSUMED ENERGY IS USED FOR HEATING WATER O SOLAR THERMAL WATER HEATERS: ANOTHER WAY TO HARNESS THE POWER OF THE SUN (AND SAVE 50% - 80% ON YOUR WATER HEATING BILL) THIS OPTION IS A LOT LESS POPULAR BECAUSE OF HIGH INCENTIVES FOR SOLAR PV AND FALLING COSTS. FRAMED PANEL SYSTEM (small system providing hot water for 4-6 people) SUNLIGHT IS ABSORBED BY THE PANEL IN THERMAL ENERGY FORM, WARMING UP THE SERIES OF TUBES INSIDE. THESE TUBES CYCLE WARM FLUID INTO YOUR WATER TANK AND PROVIDE YOU WITH INSTANT, CONSTANTLY HOT WATER. SYSTEMS ARE FREEZE TOLERANT BECAUSE THEY USE A NON-TOXIC SUBSTANCE CALLED PROPYLENE GLYCOL. EVACUATED TUBE SYSTEM (comprised of 30 evacuated tubes within a closed loop system) SUNLIGHT TRAVELS THROUGH THE EVACUATED TUBES HEATING COPPER TUBES INSIDE. Hot Water to House HEAT IS TRANSFERRED FROM THE TUBES TO A COPPER MANIFOLD CONTAINING A NON-TOXIC ANTIFREEZE SOLUTION CALLED GLYCOL. THIS FLUID IS PUMPED THROUGH TO A SOLAR HEAT EXCHANGER IN STORAGE TANK. HEAT IS TRANSFERRED TO YOUR HOT WATER TANK, REDUCING BACKUP DEMAND. As residential solar panel systems proliferate within the market--and more energy-conscious consumers discover the benefits of going solar--prices will continue to drop while the systems become increasingly efficient. Imagine Energy wants to stand beside you as you consider the most cost-effective improvement you can make to your home. www.lmagineEnergy.net & IMAGINENERGY Copyright © 2014 Imagine Energy Sources: GTM Research, Clean Edge, Energy Information Administration, AOL Money & Finance, U.S. Dept. of Energy %24