Buy Solar Energy Panels

If you are a homeowner thinking of buying solar energy panels because you are excited by all the rebates and incentives that are available from the federal and state government might I suggest that you first call Sustainable Spaces in San Francisco and get a home energy efficiency audit before you buy solar energy panels.

If you could save up to 40% on energy cost BEFORE buying a solar energy panel system wouldn’t you want to know what you could do? A home energy efficiency audit may not be as expensive as you think. Sustainable Spaces performs audits starting at $395.00 for homes up to 2,000 square foot house. After you have reviewed and implemented their audit recommendations you may find that you can look at properly sized renewable energy systems such as solar and wind. These systems will be smaller as the home now uses much less energy.

About Sustainable Spaces
Sustainable Spaces has been in business since 2004.Their main purpose is providing homeowners with a resource for finding and fixing the root causes of wasted energy in their homes. They are a BPI-accredited and licensed general, solar, HVAC and insulation contractor, the company’s integrated team of HERS-certified Home Performance Specialists, environmental engineers, and specially trained Home Performance Retrofitters combine customer service with building science innovations and engineering solutions to transform homes into the most efficient, healthy versions of themselves.

Sustainable Spaces excels in giving homeowners the best plan of action for reducing their carbon footprint while continually increasing the homeowners level of comfort. Their comprehensive audit reviews how each component — windows, walls, ducts, appliances, heating and ventilation — interrelates in a systemic way to measure energy efficiency, air quality and comfort.

In conclusion, why would you spend more on buying a solar energy panel system larger than what you really need without doing your due diligence up front and finding out what you can proactively do to reduce your energy cost up front.

Solar panel energy systems are not cheap and although it’s the right choice to make to reduce your carbon footprint why spend more and invest in a bigger system than you need?

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The solar energy market is much like the stock market these days. It’s fluctuating up and down as we speak but in a good way. Solar energy is in high demand in the United States and its causing the industry to grow up.

Two years ago I received a quote for buying solar panels for my house and I was extremely bummed when the ROI far exceeded my intention of going green and saving money. I basically was being penalized for wanting to do the right thing and move responsibly “off the grid” by paying for all my future electricity usage in advance.

I still hold fast to the hope that even though I am just a residential customer I can still participate in the solar energy movement in a manner that fits our family’s budget.

A few movements in this industry are causing me to hope a little more.

1) Europe’s demand for solar panels is slowing down but the United States demand is going up as we realize we have a big carbon footprint to diminish

2) There is an supply overload of silicon in the marketplace as many factories were established to produce the material needed to manufacture solar cells. Most of this increased production hails from China.

3) Solar technology is changing as we speak. One big cost prohibitive challenge pertaining to residential solar panel installations is that all the solar panels are connected to one inverter. (inverters help convert and direct the energy produced) A company called Enphase is close to developing a  inverter that can be attached to each solar panel which will maximize output and also make solar panels more affordable to residential customers as they we be able to add as they go. These panels with built inverters are predicted to be available next year and should cost under $1000.

These are just a few changes that are happening at the moment. Six months from now residential customers should have more cost effective and quality solutions when they buy solar energy panels for there home.

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I know the big craze these days is investing in solar panels for your home or business to save money on your electric bill and to jump on the bandwagon to start reducing your carbon footprint. Trust me I’m one of those people who are chomping at the bit. But I think it might be prudent to spend a little bit of money on a home energy efficiency audit prior to making a significant investment in solar panels. Let me explain……

First, you can sign up for a free on line audit with your utility company and get a very sketchy general idea of whether or not you can make any immediate low cost changes. Mostly you’ll be encouraged to replace your appliances with energy star products, change light bulbs to cfl’s and seal doors and windows. The good news is by checking out your utilities website your find appliance rebates.

If you are really adamant about buying solar energy panels, having a professional energy audit is advisable. Two years ago I received a quote for installing solar panels in my home which is 2,600 square feet. $30,000 later I choked and glumly decided to not proceed with the project as the ROI was too long.

Spending approximately $400 for a professional energy audit will generally provide specific details that may surprise you. An energy auditor will do a room-by-room examination of the residence, as well as a thorough examination of past utility bills.

A few questions to ask your auditor in advance are if they will be conducting a blower door test, and if they will include a thermographic scan. Some audit companies may also provide a PFT air filtration measurement but it is rarely offered. Some other equipment they may bring may included infared cameras, furnace efficiency meters and surface thermometers

To make the most use of the energy auditors time and experience do a little preparation in advance.

1)     Have copies of at least 12 months of your utility bills so they can look at trends and patterns in your usage.

2)     Note any existing problems you have such as condensation and uncomfortable and drafty rooms.

3)     Let them know if anyone is home during the daytime

4)     What is your average thermostat setting for summer and winter

5)     How many people live in the house

6)     Do you use every room?

Upon completion of you home energy efficiency audit your auditor may make recommendations such as a solar attic fan, foam insulation, or energy efficient windows to name a few. If you decide to make your house more energy efficient prior to installing solar energy panels you might discover the price of installation may go down as you will not need the solar panels to generate as much energy.

The following website provides a list of qualified contractors that perform energy audits throughout California. The California Building Performance Contractors Association (CBPCA) Find a qualified contractor by calling 888-352-2722 (in Northern California) or 888-357-1777 (in Southern California).

Their Green Home contractors are highly trained in advanced building techniques and building science theory. Every Green Home contractor must demonstrate a high level of competence both in the field and in their understanding of building science before qualifying for the CBPCA Green Home Energy Upgrade program.

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Visit Earth4 Energy for the Best DIY Solar Panels

Are you a responsible homeowner who is frustrated that you [cannot afford to install solar energy panels on your residence? How come even with all the rebates and government incentives that are available it still costs the average homeowner $18,000 - $30,000 to install commercial solar energy system. Homeowners are being penalized for wanting to join the green movement and businesses like Walmart are getting 10-20 rooftop solar energy panel systems installed in California by BP Solar. Furthermore Walmart has absolutely no out of pocket expense. Where is the fairness in that logic?

Well honestly the price of solar energy panels is going down gradually but in the meantime if you want to take a stab at installing solar energy panels in your home you might want to consider going on line and search for do it yourself solar energy panel kits. Amazingly enough DIY solar energy panel kits are affordable and easy to assemble even for the newbies.

Homeowners that want inexpensive solar energy panel solutions can usually find Do-It-Yourself solar panel kits that use monocrystalline solar cells or multicrystalline solar cells can cut costs up to 50% or more compared to commercial solar panels.

As people start becoming more aware of the need to find alternative ways to reduce expenses and save our precious resources you will notice that the green movement is bringing families together. Together families, neighbors and local communities are starting to make a small difference building DIY solar panel systems. There is a sense of pride developing that together everyone accomplishes a more sustainable environment utilizing solar energy.

Visit Earth4 Energy for the Best DIY Solar Panels

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1. Ask the dealer/installer, what is the warranted minimum or “peak tolerance rating” of the solar energy panels you are purchasing.

Did you know that the average consumer doesn’t know that they could be paying for 200 watt solar energy panels and only be getting 180 watt solar panels? Obviously you are going to want to purchase solar panels that have the “highest minimum warranted power rating. Remember it is irrelevant if a solar energy manufacture claims to have a high efficiency rating if the solar energy panels has a poor minimum warranted power rating.

Smart Buying Tip: Always request and analyze the specification sheet and specifically look for the minimum warranted power rating as that is the only written guarantee of the power rating you will get!

2. What is the difference in buying solar energy panels with a 20 year warranty verses a 25 year power production warranty?

Monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar panels are two types of panels that have both been on the market for over 40 years and have an established and proven track record. It is industry standard for manufacturers of these proven technologies to offer warranties of 25 years or more. The newer technology has not been on the market as long so the newer technology although could be better doesn’t have the longevity of use to back it up. Therefore newer products sometimes come with a shorter warranty

Smart Buying Tip: What type of personality are you? Are you the Tortoise or the Hare? The Tortoise takes a chance and buys the new technology and the Hare purchases what is known and proven.

3. What are solid ingots of silicon and why do I need to know about them?

Solar energy panel efficiency ratings are based upon how much power the panel will produce per square inch. The highest efficiencies come from solar cells that are cut from solid ingots of silicon. Some manufacturers have developed methods that reduce the high cost of cutting solar cells from solid ingots of silicon but the reduction in manufacturing cost is passed on to the consumer with no significant price break and more importantly a reduction in the solar energy panel efficiency.

Smart Buying Tip  Ask for the factory printed specification sheet and look for the solar module efficiency NOT THE INDIVIDUAL CELL EFFICIENCY.. If this information is not provided by the dealer/installer you should consider shopping elsewhere.!

4. Do you want more rebate money in your pocket?

Buy the highest efficiency rated inverter. All inverters that have been approved for the State’s solar energy program have been thoroughly tested and given a weighted efficiency rating by the State. Inverter efficiency ratings generally range from a low of 89% to a high of 96%. A 7% difference in a moderately sized system can mean a rebate difference of up to $700.00 to $800.00.

Smart BuyingTip ! Buying the highest efficiency rated inverter means more money in your pocket!

5. Test question for your dealer. Ask how much the transformer/inverter weighs.

There are two types of transformers, 1) High frequency transformers which are low cost inverters or 2) 60Hz copper wound transformer which are more expensive but they are  time tested to be significantly more durable and efficient. For example, a typical 3 kilowatt inverter with a heavy duty, copper transformer will weigh about 85 pounds  A copper wound transformer has less of an failure rate.

Smart Buying Tip ! Ask to see the inverter specification sheet. The weight of the inverter if it is copper wound should be around 85 lbs.

6. Don’t skimp on the mounting racks for installation. Ask the dealer/installer if they are using professionally manufactured medium to heavy duty mounting racks.

When reviewing your quotation specifically look for a list of brand engineered aluminum mounting racks. DO NOT let the installer install inexpensive galvanized steel U channels. You are looking for 20-40 year longevity and an inexpensive installation may not withstand high winds or years of erosion. Furthermore you are liable if the solar energy panels happen to become dislodged or become air born.

Smart Buying Tip: Insist on a professional grade medium to heavy duty mounting racks. This is NOT an area where you want to cut corners to in order to save money.

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So can you buy solar energy panels online? Yes! Online shopping has become  very popular these days. All the information, research and resources are available to you through the internet and as consumers are developing more internet savvy and confidence the internet is starting to replace the traditional “brick and mortar” businesses. Retailers are starting to understand that most people have many questions to ask and prefer to do their research online before making a major purchase. When buying solar energy panels you can do a lot of your research online but unless you specifically know what you need, it is advisable for you to gather your questions and research on line and talk to a sales person, technical support or installer before finalizing your buying decision.

There are three ways to get your research done online without feeling pressured into making a purchase:

So how do you choose a reliable solar energy panel company? Three criteria should give you food for thought in your decision making process.

1) Pick a local vendor. You want a company that is logistically close for cost savings on freight and installation.

2) Choose a well known company that has long term stability and can provide many local references.

3) Use word of mouth advertising. Look for neighbors or businesses that already have solar energy panels installed and get their opinion or recommendations.

4) Decide in advance what is important to you, cost, quality, appearance, time, cost savings, etc…..

Listed below are a few solar energy panel companies that should be easily recognizable branded names that you might want to research. These companies have a vested interest in the residential and commercial California market.

SunTech America has an office in San Francisco and is one of the leading global manufactures of solar energy resources in the world. Their solar panels are manufactured using only the strictest quality control measures and their panels are also UL listed.

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation has two California based offices located in Cypress and Santa Clara. Mitsubishi has over over 35 years of experience in the photovoltaic industry, They continue to lead the industry in its development of high-efficiency PV modules. Their photovolaic modules use 100% lead free solder . Mitsubishi Electric has also been honoured with an award for Good Designing by roof-integrated module.

Sharp USA hails from Huntington Beach and San Francisco. Based upon consumer demand, they just released enhancements to their “NU” line. The NU-U23oF3 and the NU-235F1 offers aesthetically pleasing “black” panels as well as major improvements to the quality and performance of their product.

Sanyo has a sales office in San Jose California. They recently developed “HIT” (Heterojunction with intrinsic thin layer) technology which boasts of a 23% conversion rate.

BP Solar – has a vested commercial interest in the California market as they are working closely with Walmart in converting 10-20 stores within California to PV solar energy panel rooftops.

Finally , it is advisable that you do not purchase solar panels from non-branded or non-publicly traded manufacturers.

Remember, solar energy is a very important source of energy if utilized properly. Solar energy utilization is one of the best ways as well as the most efficient way to overcome the problem of global warming. It is integral to our future that we diligently pursue this resource. Quite simply we can tap into a natural, renewable and sustainable resource such as solar energy by simply generating electricity with the help of solar panels.

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