Smart meters and solar panels are a smart combination

If you have or are installing residential solar panels, you may also want to also have a smart meter.  These devices track the amount of energy that you use from the grid (i.e., non solar electricity), as well as excess solar power you have generated that you do not use, which is fed back into the system.

The meters are called “smart” because they give you credit from the utility company for the power you contribute to the grid – which they end up selling to other customers.  Any electricity you have purchased will have a credit against the bill for the excess solar power generated by your solar panels.

In recent years, smart meters have become “smarter,” allowing homeowners to track periods during which they are drawing on the grid (which can be an incentive to adopt energy saving measures), as well as providing data on the times extra solar electricity is fed into the grid.

While there is no dial on smart meters, as on analog utility devices, people with solar panels can “turn their meters backward,” which is an exciting and rewarding experience.

Some people have erroneously believed that residential solar panels and smart meters are incompatible.  But nothing can be further from the truth!  The two work hand-in-hand helping homeowners save money and reduce carbon emissions.  Other people have unwarranted concerns about EMF radiation or invasions of privacy from use of the meters.

We will prepare a follow-up post to explore the pros and cons of smart meters.

Low-profile solar shingles

While the claim of lowered home values is untrue – its just the opposite, in fact – the appearance of solar panel systems can be improved with solar shingles.  Instead of their bulkier counterparts, new low-profile solar panels can literally blend into your roofing materials.  Also called building integrated photovoltaics, solar power shingles are designed to resemble roofing tiles so that your power generating materials blend right in.

The leader in this new solar technology is Dow Chemical.  For years, we have been hearing about their solar shingles that would soon be available for homeowners.  The promises are finally coming true.

Recently, CNET reported that Dow is now marketing its solar shingles, allowing homeowners to more easily install residential solar panels that have a sleek, unobtrusive appearance.  Solar cells created with Copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) are printed onto a steel foil backing.

Colorado was chosen as the testing ground for the new technology, with Dow selling solar shingles in January 2012.  Following the initial roll-out in Colorado, the company will move to California, and then Texas.  Eventually, you will be able to find the low-profile solar panels in 12 states over the next 18 months.

Save Money on Solar Panels

Here’s how you can afford going solar this year:

1.  Lease Solar Panels

Instead of owning the solar array yourself, you enter into a contract with a solar company that will install, own and maintain the installation on your rooftop.  When you lease solar panels, you only pay a fixed monthly cost for the electricity generated by the panels.  Not only is the amount less than what you would otherwise pay your utility company, but it is green energy (help save the environment) and you guard against utility rate hikes during the life of your lease (20-30 years).

2.  Negotiate a Group Discount

We’ve blogged about solar panel group buying services such as those provided by One Block Off the Grid (1BOG).  Enter your zipcode at the website and they will let you know if other homeowners in your area are also considering going solar.  Then, 1BOG will negotiate a group discount for all those interested, which can save you 20% off retail.

3.  Look into Financing for Solar Panels

Solar panels are considered to be a good investment, not only by homeowners, but also by various contractors, financial institutions and banks that offer financing for solar arrays and home equity loans for energy efficiency projects, at discounted interest rates.

4.  Tax Credits and Incentives

This one is practically a no-brainer.  Solar tax credits, rebates and incentives are offered in every state, as well as the federal government.  The federal tax credit allows up to 30% of solar panel installation costs.  Coupled with state or local rebates, you can save as much as 80% off the cost of solar power.

5.  Solar Renewable Energy Credit

Most states in the U.S. allow homeowners to add onto the power bill savings they enjoy each month with solar panels through Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SREC).  The program works by giving financial credit for each megawatt-hour of electricity generated by the owner’s residential solar power system.  Depending on the individual state’s program, SRECs are basically a financial instrument, sold to utilities or solar energy markets.  People with home solar panels can expect credits of $200-700 a year, which is a nice bonus to lower power bills!

Residential solar panel installation

Solar power is picking up across the United States with more and more people installing solar panels for energy independence and to reduce their carbon footprint.

Although residents of any state can find bargains and incentives on solar arrays, the top 5 states for residential solar panel installations (as of the date of this post) include:

• California
• Arizona
• New Jersey
• Colorado
• Pennsylvania

According to a SEIA/GTM Research report, these five states offered very favorable markets for residential solar installations in 2010.  As a result, they represent the greatest megawatts of solar electricity capacity installed.

The State of California boasted nearly 128 MW of capacity from residential solar panel installations in 2010.  The remaining states on the top 5 list had a range of 14-28 MW of installed solar power that year.

So what were the driving forces that encouraged so many people in these states to install residential solar panels?

First, homeowners are able to go solar without the upfront costs with a solar panel lease – where the system is owned and maintained by a solar manufacturer – or a solar power purchase agreement (PPA), in which a homeowner contracts to buy solar power at a competitive fixed rate over for 10-20 years.

These financing options are provided by companies including, but not limited to Sungevity, SolarCity, SunRun and SunPower. In 2010, as many as 30% or more of residential solar systems were installed with a lease or PPA in states where these financing options were readily available.

Second, these states offered generous, aggressive incentives to install residential solar panels.  Investment in solar by homeowners is encouraged with rebates, tax incentives and SREC programs. Each of the top five states provides at least one of these options.

Bottom line, the top 5 states for residential solar panel installations have programs and incentives that reduce (or eliminate) the upfront cost of switching to solar power.  Over time, homeowners save significant money in utility bills and gain security against rising utility costs.  Of course, solar power is cleaner than fossil-fuel based electricity.

Hopefully, more states will join these five in increasing solar capacity in 2012.

How to remove snow from solar panels

While it may not seem like winter yet across much of North America, you should still know how to remove snow from solar panels when Old Man Winter finally arrives.

Snow-covered solar panels are less efficient because they are obscured from sunlight. Removing snow from solar panels must be done carefully so as to avoid damaging your investment.

Here are 8 ways to do so:

1. Sweep or Rake Snow from Solar Panels. This method works best with dry, powdery snow.  Heavy, wet snow is more difficult to remove.  With a ladder to reach your rooftop, use a push broom to carefully move snow from the panels.  You can also invest in a roof rake at RoofRake.Com.

2. Install your Solar Panels on racks at a 35-degree angle. Angling the position of your solar panels will not only help you maximize efficiency, but can also help keep snow off your solar array.  With a greater tilt, snow will more easily slide off, instead of accumulating.

3. Melt snow with blowing air. Some creative homeowners remove snow from solar panels using a leaf blower with PVC pipes or plastic air hoses.  Warm air directed at or under the solar panels can melt the snow, or simply blow the snow away (again, this works best if it is dry, light snow) with such a system.

A broom or rake can be used to remove snow from solar panels

4. Use a soft ball to break up accumulations. Have your kids help you remove snow from your solar panels!  By tossing a Nerf ball, or other soft non-damaging ball at the panels, you can break up accumulations and speed up the melting process.

5. Try an ice melt sock. This is a DIY snow removal system tat requires using calcium chloride in a sock, which is placed at the top of your solar panels.  The chemicals accelerate snow melt.

6. Use Heat tape. Some homeowners have had success removing snow from solar panels using heat tape applied to the sides and top of the rooftop array.

7. Spray off Snow with a Garden Hose.  If the temps are above freezing, one of the simplest solutions is to spray the snow off your solar panels with a garden hose.  Quick, safe and effective!

8.  Set up a tarp before the storm. With advance forecasting, you can set up your solar panels to allow for easy snow removal by covering them with a tarp.  With a pulley system, you can then simply pull the tarp down, removing all the snow in one easy step.

Oregon solar panels

Here in my home state of Oregon, the number of home solar power systems have tripled in the past 3 years. In fact, more than 2/3 of all existing solar installations in Oregon have taken place since 2008.  If you haven’t already done so, isn’t it time to resolve to go solar in 2012?

The massive growth in the number of operating solar panels in Oregon is due in large part to lowering solar prices, rising energy costs and generous incentives from the Energy Trust of Oregon which, in addition to state and federal tax credits, can lower the cost of residential solar power systems by 80%!

If you resolve to go solar in 2012, what should you consider?

1.  Does your property have ample sunlight exposure?

2.  What are your monthly and annual electricity costs?

3.  What tax credits and incentives are you eligible for?

4.  Does your utility offer net metering for grid-tied solar panel systems?

5.  Are you interested in solar electricity, solar hot water, or both?

6.  Do you wish to purchase or lease solar panels?

Even if you are not eligible for certain solar incentives, many people find that government tax credits can save them thousands of dollars in the cost of solar panels, in addition to significantly reduced (if not eliminated) utility bills.  Not to mention the fact that utility rates rise each year, while the price of solar electricity stays the same -FREE!

The average cost of solar panels for a residential Oregonian home is $16,000-20,000 before incentives.  Such a solar panel system will cover about 300 square feet of rooftop space and generate 25% or more of a property’s electricity needs, depending on energy efficiency measures.

Oregonians can find out more about solar power options for their home or business by contacting the Energy Trust at 866-368-7878 or visiting its website: www.energytrust.org.

Solar Panels installed on a Bainbridge Island, WA Habitat for Humanity house

One of the things on my bucket list is to help build Habitat for Humanity homes.  Now, these community-built, free structures can be even cheaper to live in when they include solar panels.

In Dallas, Texas and Phoenix, Arizona (among other cities), solar panels on Habitat for Humanity homes are available via donation and installation of solar arrays from a number of companies.

Solar panel companies often donate arrays for installation on Habitat for Humanity homes.  Not only will the solar panels help save cash-strapped homeowners money, but they also reduce the carbon footprint of the home’s occupants as a result of using clean, free solar power, rather than coal or natural gas for electricity.

Over a 12-month period, the owner of a Habitat for Humanity house with solar panels can save nearly $1000 and watch their power bills drop to only $30 per month!

Electronic devices like cell phones, cameras, mP3 players and computers require a lot of power to recharge.  Using solar panels is becoming a more mainstream way to keep charged up without the need for an electrical outlet.

Portable Solar Power to Recharge Devices

Today, you can find portable solar panel devices to recharge electrical gadgets using ultraviolet light.  And the newest version of portable solar panels is flexible solar power using thin film solar technology.

Here are two new products for portable solar panels that use flexible solar power:

1.  SolarRoll is comprised of PV (photovoltaic) cells and can be rolled and carried in a small backpack. It produces up to 14W of electricity for recharging small devices like cell phones and digital cameras.  SolarRoll is useful for people who spend a lot of time outside, including fishers, hunters, hikers and more. The device is also weather proof, and UV transparent. It costs in a range of $199-$479.

2.  Suntrica is another flexible device that uses solar energy for recharging gadgets.   It is so convenient, you can fit it into your pocket.  The thin film solar technology absorbs UV light and converts it into solar energy to recharge portable devices.

Do you use portable solar panels and/or flexible solar power to recharge mobile devices?  Let us know in the comments below!

Solar panels on apartment buildings

Solar panels on low-income housing provide a win-win for residents and other people in the local economy.

Here in the Central Oregon region in which I live, $900,000 in federal stimulus funds is helping fund solar power systems for several low-income housing apartment complexes.  The Energy Trust of Oregon is also committing funds toward the projects.

The Oregon Housing and Community Services Department is the agency through which federal funding is passed to local agencies to fund experimental solar panels, energy monitoring systems and high efficiency HVAC systems.

Not only will the solar panels help people save on their monthly electricity bill, but the project will provide much needed jobs for installers.  In Madras, Oregon – a community near the Warm Springs Indian Reservation, solar panels will be installed at Madras Townhomes.  In addition, residents at Healy Heights apartments in Bend, Oregon will soon enjoy free solar electricity generated by nine solar arrays installed on the complex’s rooftop.  The solar panels will generate approximately 170,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) annually, saving each resident about $250 per year.

It goes without saying that the residents of low-income housing would not otherwise be able to afford residential solar panels for themselves. By funding solar panels for low-income housing residents, the money saved on energy bills can be put toward food or warm clothing, instead.

The solar panels in low-income housing in Central Oregon are being installed by E2 Solar.

Smartbox Solar from Clarian is a plug in solar panel

Let’s face it – two considerations usually stop people from seriously considering a switch to home solar: (1) the price; and (2) the hassle of installation.

That’s why plug in solar power from Clarian, known as Smartbox Solar is an excellent alternative.  Within minutes, you can start generating solar power with plug in solar.  No need for wiring or expensive installations.  Simply plug in the 200W solar module into an existing outlet, just as you would any other home appliance.

The only question you’ll have to ask concerns placement of the Smart box Solar  – whether on a shed, window overhang or porch cover.  Placement near an existing outlet is required, as well.

One of the other benefits of plug in solar power is that you don’t need to purchase a solar inverter.  If you wish to generate more solar energy, you can purchase additional modules.

While Clarian has not yet released Smartbox Solar for retail sales, the website states that the cost will be about the same as a refrigerator or other appliance.  Savings can add up to repay the cost within 5 to 8 years, including renewable energy rebates or tax credits.  A single 200W plug in solar power module can generate enough energy to offset costs of lighting your home each year.