How affordable is solar power in your state?

The price of solar energy is not the same across the United States.  Among other things, state incentives for solar, localized costs, and marketplace competition varies.  The amount you can save by switching to solar power also depends on the price of grid-based electricity, in terms of kilowatt hours.  States with expensive electricity – New York and California – may indirectly encourage homeowners to go solar to slash utility bills.

Top 20 States for Cheap Solar Power

By installing residential solar panels, you can expect to cut energy bills by 50% or more.

If you are wondering which are the states with the cheapest solar power, take a look at the list of the top 20, based on the Q3 2010 report from U.S. Solar Market Insight (published by the Solar Energy Industries Association and GTM Research), shown to the left.

Colorado tops the list of states for cheap solar power with an average installed price of $5.90 per watt.  In last place is Wisconsin, with solar PV installations costing $7.55 per watt.

In the middle of the list are solar powerhouse states, including California and New Jersey, with $6.71 and $6.75 per watt.  In New York, homeowners pay an average of $7.10 per watt for solar power.

If your state does not show up on the list of the top 20 states with the cheapest solar power, don’t take that as an indication solar is an unwise investment.  In fact, its just the opposite!

Prices for solar panels are continuing to fall, while efficiencies increase.  Grid parity – the point at which solar power is no more expensive than fossil-fuel based electricity has already arrived in Hawaii and is on the near horizon in other states, too.

By installing solar panels, you can immediately start saving on your utility bills and guard against future utility rate hikes.  This is the case in these top 20 states, and the remaining 30 in the nation!

Spray on solar cells

Spray on solar cells are one of the more exciting solar technologies that can be employed as building integrated photovoltaics.

Thin film solar is incorporated into solar inks that can literally be painted onto walls and windows of structures allowing the sides of buildings to function as solar collectors to generate enough electricity to power interior uses.

Unlike bulky photovoltaic (PV) solar panels, spray on solar cells use thin film nano particles instead of silicon as solar conductors.

Applied to the sides of structures that face the sun, the thin solar cells invisibly generate clean, green power.

Spray on solar is not limited to buildings, either.  Thin film solar technology is also used in clothing, and may one day be incorporated into automobile paint.

Advantages of Spray on Solar Cells

• More efficient than conventional solar panels
• Capable of generating ample electricity
• Hassle-free installation of solar technology
• Able to harness even infrared rays from the sun, allowing generation of solar power even on cloudy days

Third World regions benefit from solar power

This means that distributed generation solar power (produced and consumed on the same site) is key to bringing inhabitants of Third World regions the necessary advancements they need for health, safety and quality of life.   In other words, power plants likely will never serve these people.  They need solar panels installed in their villages so that the renewable energy resources can be tapped locally.

Why is it Important to Bring Solar to Third World Regions?

1.  Cost of Lighting

Kerosene and candles are often the only means of lighting living spaces in certain areas of the world.  Yet, they are disproportionately expensive for the impoverished people that rely on them.  One statistic states that the poorest fifth of the world pays one-fifth of the world’s lighting bill — but receives only .1 percent of the lighting benefits.  The cost of this energy is about $180/year, adding up to nearly $2000 over a decade.  The cost of kerosene depletes 25-30% of a poor family’s income.

Instead of kerosene and candles, a 40 watt home solar power system can be purchased for only $300 and will provide not only lighting, but also electricity to charge cell phones, run fans and power other electronic devices like computers and TVs.

2.  Environmental Safety

Use of kerosene is unhealthy and unsafe.  Lighting a room with a kerosene lamp can result in an increase in indoor pollution by ten-fold.  Each year about 1.5 million people die from this exposure.  When the lamps tip over, fires often start, harming or killing even more people each year.

3.  Health Reasons

Living off-grid, without traditional power sources, people in Third World countries often lack the ability to keep medications sufficiently chilled or food maintained at a safe temperature.  Electric refrigerators run on solar power can be a significant improvement in the quality of life.

How can we Bring Solar Power and Electricity to Third World Regions?

While the use of solar power by people in developing regions can vastly improve their lives, they do not have the funds up front to invest in the renewable energy resource.  In order to help bring distributed solar energy to the approximately 1.2 billion people who live off grid, experts agree that we need: (1) up front investment capital for the cost of solar panels and installation; (2) a way to recoup the annual cost of solar electricity generated by the installed systems (much less than the cost of kerosene); and (3) networks/partnerships to actually bring the solar panel systems to Third World regions.

With the cost of solar panels having dropped dramatically over the past few years, the resource is much more affordable for everyone.  Not only does that improve the prospects of bringing solar power to developing regions, but the overall health of the planet stands to benefit.  The annual carbon emissions from kerosene lighting is the equivalent of the greenhouse gases put out each year by the entire British economy!

In short, helping to bring solar to Third World countries will be life-changing for the people that live there, and the entire world.

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!

Solar power benefits Third World Countries

For developing regions in Third World countries, many of life’s basic necessities are difficult to achieve due to poverty and/or living far from the electrical grid.  Keeping medical supplies at cool temperatures via refrigeration, making emergency telephone calls, lighting living spaces in a safe manner, and even purifying water and cooking food can be challenging, if not impossible.

Using solar power benefits Third World countries because the resource is ample and inexpensive.  Consider this startling fact: Africa has 9 times the solar energy potential of Europe—an annual equivalent of 100 million tons of oil.  If even a fraction of this solar power was tapped into, impoverished countries could even boost their economies by selling excess solar electricity to European countries.

In recognition of the value of solar power to developing countries, Sunbelt International recently announced an initiative to aggressively develop and deploy solar energy technologies and systems in third world countries. According to Sunbelt International President Fang Soo Lui:

“It is the strategic objective of Sunbelt International to approach emerging markets with sustainable energy alternatives.”

Sunbelt will work with a number of developing nations to install the solar power units.

In addition to Sunbelt’s new initiative, the World Bank announced last year that a $5.5 billion package would be invested in utility scale solar power plants in Africa.  One of its goals was to encourage additional private investments and entrepreneurs.

With solar power projects in Africa, CO2 emissions can be reduced by 740 million tons annually.  And that is a benefit that can be enjoyed by the entire world!

Illustration of net metering

While it is possible to go entirely off-grid with solar panels, most people considering residential solar want grid-tied solar power systems.

Summarized briefly, net metering benefits both the property owner and the utility company.  If you have solar panels installed and generate more electricity than you require, the excess is fed back into the grid for use by other consumers.  The utility will give you a credit against any power you need to draw from the grid at other times, at a specific, agreed rate per kilowatt-hour (kWh).  Some people even get a refund if they end up producing more power with their solar panels than they use any given month.

Net metering for grid-tied solar power systems also benefits the power company because they are provided with additional electricity that they can sell, often at peak demand periods.  Perhaps not surprisingly, a net metering arrangement usually involves the utility paying you slightly less for the power than the rate at which they will charge other consumers.

Net metering is regulated on a state-by-state and/or local basis – there are not any national standards yet.

Its easy to use net metering with home solar power systems, but be sure to check with your utility provider regarding rates and details of the arrangement.  All you need is a net metering monitor to be installed with a grid-tied solar power system.  The device will track your use of grid-tied power, which is compared to the amount of energy produced by your residential solar array.  You can also review data regarding the dates and times of peak or low power usage.

The US Energy Policy Act of 2006 requires utilities to provide each residential and commercial energy user with net metering. With a solar power system, you can save substantial amounts of money by generating power during the day (peak demand times) and only drawing on the grid overnight when energy demands are lower.  Overall, you can end up with inexpensive, affordable power with tiny, if not nonexistent, electricity bills!

SolarCity providing green jobs

The SJF Institute handed out its 2011 Green Jobs Awards recently, honoring the San Mateo, California company SolarCity.

Green jobs have experienced a tremendous growth during the recession, with solar power one of the leading industries providing such employment opportunities.  SolarCity currently employs 1,350 people full time and provides a full health package and retirement plan.  Not only that, but entry level photovoltaic (PV) solar panel installers have the opportunity to move quickly up the ranks into supervisory and management positions within 1-2 years of hire.

Linda Keala, SolarCity’s VP of human resources commented on its receipt of the 2011 Green Jobs Award:

“Our more than 1,300 employees make it possible for many homeowners and businesses to switch to clean, solar power for less than they pay for utility power.  Every SolarCity employee supports and plays a key role in increasing the use of clean power or using power more efficiently to make our country less dependent on energy sources that pollute our environment.”

Despite recent economic conditions, SolarCity has more than 20,000 clean power projects completed or underway in 11 states.

Regarding the 2011 Green Jobs Award, Bonny Moellenbrock, SJF Institute Executive Director, stated:

“By acknowledging the tremendous work these companies are doing, we hope to both support their efforts and inspire other businesses to follow their lead.”

What do you think about solar power and green jobs?

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.

Solar panels provide clean solar electricity for Purdy Farms Christmas tree lots

So, after considering whether to go with a real or fake Christmas tree, its time to head to the tree lot.  Did you know that in San Diego, the lights and chainsaws used at the Purdy Farms Christmas Tree lots are solar powered?  Stellar Solar has provided a mobile solar station that includes giant photovoltaic (PV) solar panels to generate clean, green solar electricity to light up the Christmas tree lots and keep things going throughout the holiday season.

Last year was the first season that Stellar Solar helped create the solar powered Christmas tree lots.  The hope is that more tree farms and retailers will consider solar power for their holiday lighting needs this year and in the future.

Kent Harle, founder and President of Stellar Solar, commented:

“We are always looking for innovative ways to utilize our Mobile Solar Station. Powering the Purdy Christmas tree lots is a great way to do that in a unique location and expose a whole new audience to the practical use of solar power. It makes sense given that they used solar power to grow these trees in the first place.”

Portable solar power such as Stellar Solar’s mobile solar station is increasingly used for operations such as home construction and military operations.  How perfect that it is also well suited for short term commercial requirements like Christmas tree lots?

If you have visited a solar powered Christmas tree lot, or have a great idea for a location of another lot, please share in the comments below!