HOME SOLAR POWER

Home Solar Power and the Challenge of Change

Home Solar Power and the Challenge of Change

Imagine it’s 100 years ago. 1908. You’re starting an ice cream business. You plan to illuminate your new factory with gas lamps; store the ice cream in ice boxes, and deliver it to stores with a fleet of sparkling new horse-drawn buggies.

To process orders faster than the competition, you will employ a flock of carrier pigeons to speed messages from stores to your factory and back. Your young plant manager says, “Let’s use this new thing - - electricity - - to light the factory and to power this other new technology called “refrigeration”. Let’s buy horseless carriages powered by gasoline to deliver the goods. Let’s get one of these “telephone” things - - soon everyone will have them - - and take orders at the speed of sound.”

Home solar power and alternative energy offers us new clean ways to power our world.

Feds Halt New Solar Power Plant Construction

FEDS HALT NEW SOLAR POWER PLANT CONSTRUCTION FOR TWO YEARS

The Feds have put a moratorium on new solar power plants being built on public lands according to this New York Times article. They claim they need to assess any "environmental impact" a new solar energy plant might cause. Their estimate is that they will need two years for their studies.

HOME SOLAR POWER PRICES SET TO PLUMMET

HOME SOLAR POWER PRICES CONTINUE TO FALL

Solar photovoltaics have their challenges, from shortages of silicon to the sheer cost of purchasing and installing solar panels, but a new report from the Prometheus Institute says that both these problems will be addressed over the next few years, leading to cheaper solar and an abundance of capacity to produce.

Any news that solar is becoming more affordable is great as it will encourage more individuals to install them at home, and businesses to do likewise, either to offset their electricity consumption or installing them in a for-profit initiative.

The report, however, also highlights an interesting figure - and companies who are currently building silicon-producing facilities that will come online in the next couple of years, should pay attention:

The current global production capacity for silicon and thin-film panels is around 3.14 gigawatts, but will hit 12.36 gigawatts in 2010. That's an increase of just under 400%, an enormous amount that is sure to be welcomed by the environmental community.

The demand, however, is only expected to be 6.76 gigawatts, up from 2.94 gigawatts in 2007, leaving over 5 gigawatts of unused capacity. Hopefully this will drive prices further down, resulting in greater demand, but this may have already been reflected in the statistics.

HOME SOLAR POWER TO BECOME LESS EXPENSIVE

HOME SOLAR POWER TO BECOME LESS EXPENSIVE IN CALIFORNIA

California residents may soon benefit from lower-cost solar power, according to state Assemblyman Mark Leno. Leno, D-San Francisco, has authored a law designed to offer solar power to property owners and tenants at prices currently reserved for businesses, through power purchase agreements.

Leno said the power purchase agreements would “deliver clean, renewable solar power at a price that is lower than the electric utility” to residents that “have largely been left out of this innovative solar financing mechanism.”

The agreements, whereby a company would own, install and maintain the solar installations, have been responsible for more than 70 percent of commercial solar installations in California, according to Leno’s office.

SOLAR POWER COSTS ARE DROPPING

SOLAR POWER COSTS ARE DROPPING

Silicon photovoltaic panels are the most expensive solar installations at the moment but things are about to change because IBM claimed they have the technology to reduce the cost of harnessing the Sun’s energy for electricity, down to $2 / W.

HOME SOLAR POWER HELP

Home Solar Power Help

States eager to promote renewable energy are increasingly passing laws that allow homeowners to overcome local opposition to home solar panels and wind turbines.

Since 2005, eight states — including four last year — have enacted laws to abolish stringent rules imposed by some homeowners associations and local agencies on residents who want to power their homes with the sun or wind. Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley signed such a bill two weeks ago.

Final action is near in Virginia and Florida. Some new laws say homeowners groups can't ban such technology. Others say local governments can't enforce rules that significantly raise the cost of installing eco-friendly energy systems.

"If you're going to have local governments and condo associations saying, 'Solar panels are ugly,' that's a real stumbling block," says state Democratic Rep. Karen May, a sponsor of a "solar rights bill" pending in Illinois.

In Arizona, homeowner Matt Burdick and others successfully lobbied lawmakers to prevent homeowners associations from interfering with solar-panel installation.

The day the law took effect, Burdick's association gave him the approval he had long sought for panels to heat his swimming pool.

SOLAR CITY OFFERING HOME SOLAR POWER FREE TO SAN JOSE RESIDENTS

SOLAR CITY OFFERING HOME SOLAR POWER WITH NO UPFRONT COSTS TO SAN JOSE HOMEOWNERS

Homeowners in San Jose, CA are being offered home solar power installations with no upfront costs till July 31.

One of the barriers to residential solar power is the upfront costs. This plan removes the hurdle that most homeowners face when trying to outfit their home with solar panels.

California home solar power is growing in popularity, this program will help even more homeowners go solar.

HOME SOLAR POWER FINANCING JUST GOT EASIER

MORGAN STANLEY TO BACK HOME SOLAR POWER FINANCING

Solar City announced today that Morgan Stanley will provide the financial resources to allow them to offer Home Solar Panels to customers at greatly reduced costs.

The upfront costs are reduced to around $2,000 with monthly bills thereafter less than current utility costs. Currently the upfront costs are around $25,000 for a four bedroom home.

The deal will allow homeowners to get financing directly from the home solar panel installers.

BOOST HOME VALUE AND LOWER YOUR ELECTRIC BILL

BOOST HOME VALUE AND LOWER YOUR ELECTRIC BILLS WITH SOLAR POWER

Not only is Home Solar Power good for the environment it is also very good for your wallet.

GREEN ENERGY INDUSTRY IS TAKING OFF IN CALIFORNIA

GREEN ENERGY INDUSTRY IS TAKING OFF IN CALIFORNIA

Alternative energy and home solar power are starting to really take off in California.

The sun is starting to grow jobs.