Solar Energy Cost

Would you like to own your electricity? Want to stop worrying about rate inflation from your utility company, charging you whatever they like? Did you know that rates have been rising by about 6% each year in California for example? They will only keep going up and up unless you do something about it!

By installing a solar electric system you can SAVE MONEY, break free from the clutches of your utility company and HELP the Environment too.

Only 20 Years ago, solar energy cost 7 times as much. Advanced technologies have contributed to the enormous decrease in price, but it is mainly due to the increase in manufacturing volumes, as more and more people realise the benefits of solar energy.

There’s more good news. Solar energy cost will continue to decline as the market continues to grow, making it even more affordable.

Governments too have realised the benefits. Incentives are available form state, federal and local governments, as well as some utility companies.       Check out the DSIRE websiteto find out what’s available in your area (USA only).

Another cost benefit is that you will get paid for the excess electricity you produce through a system called – Net-metering.

$ – Just how much does solar energy cost? – $

It varies. Depending on the size of your household, the amount of electricity you use, the particular solar energy system you choose, how much sunshine you receive in your area and available government funding to name only a few.

As a very rough guide, depending on the above conditions – - -

• A solar hot water system will cost between US $2,000 and $4,000.

• A photovoltaic system will cost between US $8,000 and $10,000 for a 1kW system. (or $8 – $10 /Watt)

An average American family, living in a 3-bedroom home will require a 1.5 – 3kW system, which will cost between US $13,000 and US $27,000, before rebates.

Lets take a couple of example of a Californian household to illustrate just how much you can save with all these incentives:

An average family needing 2.5 Kilowatt system –
(current electricity bill between $50 and $75 per month)

Cost of Solar electric system incl. Installation: $22,500

LESS: Government Rebate: – $7,000 *

LESS: Tax credit: -$1,163 **
___________________________________

You pay only: $14,337
___________________________________

An average family needing 3 Kilowatt system –
(current electricity bill between $75 and $100 per month)

Cost of Solar electric system incl. Installation: $27,000

LESS: Government Rebate: – $8,400 *

LESS: Tax credit: -$1,395 **
___________________________________

You pay only: $17,205
___________________________________

Save even more with Net Metering each year.

* (2.5 Kw system = 2500 watt x $2.80 per watt rebate = $7,000)
(3Kw system = 3000 watt x $2.80 per watt rebate = $8,400)

** (7.5% of system cost after rebate. $22,500 – $7,000 x 7.5% = $1,163)
(7.5% of system cost after rebate. $27,000 – $8,400 x 7.5% = $1,395)

As a rough guide: Add .5 to your system size for each additional $25 on your bill and $4,500 to the cost before incentives.

PLEASE NOTE that these prices are only estimates and will vary depending on many different factors that needs to be taken into account for each specific installation.

See this article in its original location here

Check us out on the web at www.allenergysolar.com

While I am not sure if it is possible to love solar as much as we do, for those that come close it is interesting to imagine that some home owners associations might try to prevent some people from putting up solar.  We have never run into such a problem, but apparently, in rare instances this has happened.  Check it out here: Homeowners Associations and then check us out www.allenergysolar.com.

In the summer months we start to see our electric bills skyrocket.  Isn’t it interesting that the this big ball of burning gas can actually help cool us down even as we are heating up!  Because the sun is higher in the sky during the summer months, solar powered homes and businesses can take advantage of their solar systems producing the most amount of energy for them when them when they need it the most.

Awesome right? This company in Pennsylvania certainly thinks so.  Read their story: Solar Panels and Iced Tea or check us out at www. allenergysolar.com to start your story.

As political rivalries and battles over control play out on capitol hill we in the Renewable Energy (RE) industry stand poised for action, hoping that our government will stand behind us in our industry goals. Tremendous support of the RE industry has helped propel this revolutionary technology. Homes, businesses, governments, and non-profits can now invest in reliable energy and feel confident the effects on our environment are positive. So what does the shift in control mean for the coming years?

Most of the focus is being placed on the coming weeks. The senate passed the tax breaks which included an extension of the RE tax grant. We fully expect the bill to pass and the extension will mean another prosperous year for RE. But there is another big question and concern hanging over all our heads… JOBS!

One industry cannot be the sole source of job creation but as a growing industry, one with a lot of expected job creation, we are proud to say that in 2010 the solar industry added 50,000 new jobs, according to the national solar jobs census. To date there are over 90,000 jobs in solar energy alone. The 5 sectors of renewable energy technologies – solar, geothermal, wind, bioenergy, and hydro – are growing and unequivocally adding jobs. yet there remains a perception that clean energy is not adding enough jobs to our economy.

It is difficult to see the added benefits that clean energy adds to our economy when there are over 30 million people unemployed in our nation. That number alone is staggering, which is why 50,000 new jobs in one year can go unnoticed when it’s up against a number as large as 30 million. It seems that the unemployment problem is just too big for clean energy to solve alone. Which brings up the next issue – Manufacturing.

Manufacturing jobs in the US have slipped to levels not seen since before 1945. Between 2000 and 2009, manufacturers shed upwards of 7 million jobs. Add to that the staggering unemployment rates and it’s no wonder the population is looking to the RE sector for manufacturing jobs. Carrie Cullen Hitt, executive director of The Solar Alliance, an organization that works with companies and legislators to create solar policy, said “The pressure on solar to create manufactuiring jobs is misplaced. Manufacturing is fine, but there are so many other jobs in other aspects of the industry that its a misrepresentation that you’re going to get the most amount of jobs out of encouraging manufacturing. There are development jobs, installation, financing and the whole value chain. If you have good policy, all these aspects of development will create jobs in the state.”

The RE industry is working very hard to show that we are a real and established economic engine. We are creating jobs and we are improving our environment at the same time. Yet we still seem to have opposition and doubt. One theory is that the fossil fuel lobby is spending large amounts of money to discredit the RE industry and convince the American public that green jobs are a farce. We don’t believe that the American public is that ignorant. Let the fossil fuel lobbyists spend their millions of dollars, we’ll continue to invest in what is real and tangible; a job and a pay check. The RE industry doesn’t have the money to spend millions on lobbyist and special interests agendas, we only have the money to keep this nation moving forward. With the help of regular Americans like yourself and with support from our representaitves on capitol hill we can continue to propel the RE industry into the future.

We at All Energy Solar, Inc hope you enjoyed our op-ed piece. We feel very strongly that we are creating a future fit for our children and that our efforts will have great implications for not only our environment but our economy as well. We referenced several articles in this piece and implore you to read on. View the articles listed below…

We are open to your opinions and suggestions. Feel free to contact us at info@allenergysolar.com or call us any time at 800-620-3370.

Highlights at 11

Green Jobs are Real

Will Clean Energy Manufacturing Create U.S. Jobs?