5 Common Misconceptions about Solar Energy Related to Weather and Equipment

May 22, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Solar EnergyAll the folks at North American Solar Stores (NASS) know first-hand the many benefits of solar.  From Springdale, Arkansas, to White River Junction, Vermont, and all NASS locations in between, we know that solar power is affordable, saves money on energy costs, and makes a huge contribution to a cleaner world.  In our Wisconsin, New York, Pennsylvania, and other NASS stores, we frequently encounter consumers who have a lot of wrong ideas about solar photovoltaic (PV) systems.  The more facts homeowners and business owners know about solar, the more they share our excitement about the greenest source of energy there is.  The following are some common weather and equipment-related misconceptions about solar that we frequently help to dispel:

Misconception #1:  Solar PV Panels Aren’t Effective in Harsh Winter Climates. 

Solar panels, in fact, work very well in cold climates, including in snowy weather.  The effectiveness of the PV system can be hindered if too much snow covers the panels, but it’s usually easy to remove the snow buildup with a squeegee.  (Always follow manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning and removing debris from the solar system.)  The dark solar panels help speed the snow melting process, particularly when the panels face south.  Tests have shown that snow sometimes helps to increase the amount of electricity generated by solar systems, in a way comparable to snow skiers getting sunburned on bright winter days.  Solar panels conduct electricity best in cold weather.

Misconception #2:  Solar PV Panels Aren’t Effective in Cloudy Environments. 

For solar PV systems to work effectively, UV light is all that’s required.  Even the cloudiest places on earth have proven to be excellent for producing solar power.  In fact, Germany ranks low on the number of sunny days they have every year, and Germany is the world’s solar energy capital.

Misconception #3:  Solar PV Panels Aren’t Effective Without Southern Roof Exposure. 

While south-facing solar panels are typically the most efficient, solar systems with east-west roof exposure are also effective.  Ground-mounted systems are another workable option; all that is needed is an unshaded area that is relatively flat.

Misconception #4:  Solar PV Panels Require Extensive Maintenance. 

Once a solar PV system is installed, maintenance and cleaning are rarely required; and there are no moving parts.  The average warranty on a solar system is 25 years, which is proof in itself that solar systems are incredibly durable.  We recommend that the panels be inspected several times a year, to look for debris or dirt that may have collected on them.  You can also schedule professional solar panel cleaners to periodically clean your solar panels.Small Solar Panels

Misconception #5:  Solar PV Panels are Large, Bulky, and Unattractive.

Technological advancements in solar have contributed to the overall effectiveness of solar PV panels and to their appearance.  Solar shingles are even available.  Solar panels can be combined with roofing materials such as metal, asphalt, slate, and fiber-cement and look aesthetically pleasing.

Check back on our website for five solar misconceptions that involve costs, expenses, and efficiency of solar PV systems.  Contact any of our NASS stores with questions about the benefits of solar power or for solar installation.

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The Solar Energy Industry Shines in New Report

April 17, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Solar Energy GrowthIt’s been a great few years for the solar energy industry, and the good news keeps on coming. According to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC’s) Energy Infrastructure Update, solar energy has accounted for all new utility electricity generation capacity added to the U.S. grid in March. In just the month of March 2013, more than 44 megawatts of new solar electric capacity was introduced from a total of seven projects across the U.S.

For the first quarter of 2013, solar energy added 537 megawatts of installed capacity which is up from 264 megawatts of installed capacity in the first quarter of 2012. Even better, coal, nuclear power, and oil did not provide any new generating capacity so far this year. In total, 1,886 megawatts of new domestic electrical generating capacity was installed in the first quart of this year, and 82% of it was from renewable energy sources. Solar accounted for 28% of all new installed generating capacity, giving the solar energy industry a glimmer of excitement.

There have been great strides in the solar energy industry since 2008 in both the affordability of solar energy systems and in new initiatives and legislations which help make solar a great choice for many residents and businesses. The amount of solar energy powering U.S. homes and businesses has grown by over 600% in the past 5 years, and the new FERC update suggests that solar can grow to be the nation’s largest new source of energy over the course of the next four years.

In just the past year alone, the U.S. solar market grew by 76% according to the Solar Energy Industries Association. Solar InstallationsNew research from Stanford University also suggests that the amount of energy produced by solar power around the world has finally surpassed the energy required to make more solar power modules. Due to better design and manufacturing methods, less energy is required to produce and install solar PV systems and residents and business owners are getting more energy efficiency from their solar energy systems, making solar a viable and affordable energy option.

Because of the nation’s desire to address climate change, the inefficient cost of traditional energy for our residents, and state and federal initiatives and incentives for utilizing renewable energy sources, the solar industry has grown by leaps and bounds. It’s not hard to foresee that clean energy sources like solar, wind, hydro, and biomass will provide the bulk of U.S’s electrical needs in the next decade.

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Investing in Solar Energy: A Smart Business Choice

March 27, 2013 By Leave a Comment

 

Business Solar Energy Systems

Major corporations like Wal-Mart install solar energy systems to help offset costs. This can also be a great option for small and medium-sized businesses.

As a small business owner, you may enjoy the thought of “going solar” to save on energy cost and reduce your store’s carbon footprint. You may also feel that installing a solar power system is a luxury reserved for well-funded corporations like Wal-Mart, Kohl’s, or Google. While this used to be true, the declining cost of solar PV equipment and major cash and credit incentives make choosing solar energy an excellent (and wise) business decision for even small and medium-sized business owners.

Thanks to better technological advances in the solar industry during the past decade, the price of creating and installing a commercial solar energy system has lowered allowing many small firms to “see the light”. With a number of federal and state rebates and incentives sweetening the pot, many small business owners are seeing their solar energy system pay for itself within as little as 5 years.

So, what exactly is the cost of “going solar”? While it seems like a simple question, it is not about comparing “apples-to-apples”.  Upfront costs will depend on your power needs, the size of the system you choose, the weather in your local area, and what government incentives are available to immediately defray the costs of purchasing a solar power system. In order to get an idea of how state rebates and deductions can save massive amounts of upfront capital, we can take a look at a case study.

The owners of the Shelter Island Ace Hardware store in Shelter Island, N.Y. bought and installed a system for $58,500. The owners immediately got a utility-company rebate of $21,840, approximately $11,000 in federal tax credit, and a one-time $18,550 accelerated depreciation charge that lowers the store’s taxable income This brought their out-of-pocket expenses to about $7,000. With a cost of about $.18 per kw for electricity, the store’s system would pay for itself in about 3 to 5 years. For David Gurney and Meredith Page, the owners of the store, it only made sense to go solar.

If profits aren’t the only thing that drive your company, reducing your carbon footprint without squeezing your margins makes solar energy a wise business decision. Some companies, like SunRidge Farms in Pajaro, CA, have installed solar energy systems for ecofriendly reasons, and have been able to avoid carbon dioxide emissions that would be the ecological equivalent of planting 1,800 acres of trees. Many customers appreciate environmentally-friendly products & companies, and will build brand loyalty based on this fact alone.

If your small business doesn’t have thousands in free capital available to outright purchase a solar energy system, there is no reason to think you’ll never be able to go solar. Many financiers are realizing the value of solar energy and are giving out financing and loans for the initial investment. Stephen Nicholls, of Mueller Nicholls Builders in CA, has financed his solar energy system but says that the amount he spends on his monthly loan payment is equal to what he saves on his electricity bill every month. Nicholls was able to go solar without increasing his monthly expenses, and in 5 years when his loan is paid off, he will be saving a great deal of money thanks to his solar energy system.

It’s a great time to start investing in solar energy as most of the incentives, rebates, and tax credits will be available through 2016. Check with your state and local government to see what programs are available and start crunching numbers to see how much your business could save by making the switch to solar. The important thing to focus on is the return on investment and learning what the savings could bring you in the coming years. Once you realize the impact that solar energy has on the environment along with your wallet, you’ll see that it is a great business decision.

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New Duties on Chinese Solar Products Boost the U.S. Solar Manufacturing Industry

November 29, 2012 By 1 Comment
solar battle

The battle over imported solar panels has finally been decided in favor of the US solar industry.

Earlier this month the United States International Trade Commission gave final approval on duties of billions in solar-energy products from China.  U.S. solar producers will be protected against unreasonably low priced Chinese imports for the next five years.  The inexpensive solar panels which have poured in from China have literally put solar manufacturing companies out of business.  The new duties that will now be imposed on solar imports give US solar energy companies such as Helios in Wisconsin a nice boost.

Not only U.S. producers but also European solar producers make the point that the rapid expansion of Chinese solar panel manufacturing destroyed profits and crippled share prices due to massive oversupply.  The case against China which was filed by a group of solar manufacturers in the U.S. has had the desired outcome.  Double and triple-digit duties on Chinese imports are now being imposed.  For example, the world’s largest solar panel producer, Suntech of China, now has combined duties of approximately 36 percent.

China clearly cheated not only where solar panel manufacturing is concerned but also in other industries in past decades, costing millions of U.S. jobs.  And they aren’t happy with these new duties, which penalize their actions.  An area of possible retaliation is that China is investigating U.S. imports of solar-grade polysilicon, threatening the possibility of imposing crippling duties.

Whatever retaliations may occur, the solar manufacturing industry in the United States is likely going to come out a big winner.

U.S. imports of China’s illegally subsidized and dumped solar panels are now rapidly decreasing.  In September of 2011, solar panels imported from China totaled $249.7 million as opposed to $112.7 million in September of 2012. This is a 55% drop in imported Chinese solar panels in just one year.

chinese solar

With less foreign competition saturating the US solar market, American solar is back on track.

Obviously, with fewer Chinese solar products saturating the market, U.S. solar manufacturers are placed in a better position to stay in the black.  In fact, many are of the opinion that the unfair practices of China are the cause of the massive failure of such companies as Solyndra.  There have been at least 12 solar American solar manufacturers which have either been downsized with significant job losses or have been forced to shut down altogether.

Helios USA LLC of Wisconsin is one manufacturing company which will no doubt benefit now that the playing field has been leveled.  Helios is the first manufacturer of high-performance solar modules in Wisconsin; the modules are used in residential, industrial, commercial, and utility-based solar electric systems.

At Helios, robotics is used along with skilled workers to complete the complex process of building solar modules.  The company’s goal is to create 50 additional permanent quality jobs, and that goal is more a possibility today than ever.  Helios produces products which can be expected to last for decades after installation, which is typical of solar systems produced in the U.S.

With the unfair trade practices of the Chinese in check, solar manufacturers in America can enjoy industry stability as they work to aid homeowners and businesses in their switch to clean energy.

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