Tennessee to use Stimulus Money for Solar

Tennessee is moving forward with using $62 million of federal stimulus money to fund solar projects. These projects include a solar generation plant and a solar research lab at the University of Tennessee. This will help Tennessee to push solar development through marketing for renewable energy.

The solar plant will cover 20 acres and will power 700 homes. The plant will feature a an educational section which will teach homeowners the benefits of solar. The plant sits next to a 1,700 ache site owned by Tennessee. By installing solar on the 20 acre site, the state is attempting to make it easier for private investors to install solar on the 1,700 acre site.

Once again, we see the federal and state governments stepping up to educate the public about the benefits of solar.

Rich Hessler
pvsolarsalestraining.com
(949) 208-0221
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Federal Government's Continued Solar Support

Energy Secretary Steven Chu expressed the federal governments support of renewable energy. As a Nobel Prize winning scientist, Chu strongly supports the deployment of renewable energy, which is great for the solar industry.

According to Chu, the federal government wants to double renewable energy electricity production over the next three years. To achieve this, "we need to accelerate renewable project development by ensuring access to capital for advanced technology projects." <Green Chip Stocks>

For this to happen, the federal government will push this technology forward. Whether this means capital or tax incentive, the solar industry should continue to see federal support and capital.

Rich Hessler
pvsolarsalestraining.com
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Virginia Homeowner Discovers the Value of Solar

From placement on our cars to power fans while we are away to our homes to provide relief from rising energy prices, photovoltaic solar panels are becoming trendy.

Ben Cuker, a homeowner in Virginia, discovered the value of a solar system this summer. In June 2008, his electricity bill was $340. This summer, he has spent $131 total (June, July, and August).

The intial investment of $19,000 was not cheap, but with the 30% federal solar rebate, which saved Ben nearly $6,000, the system should pay for itself in 10 years. The photovoltaic solar panel system also increases the home value. According to "Real Estate Appraisal Association", for ever $1 of electricity saved, the home value increases by $20. To recover the $13,000 Ben spent on his photovoltaic solar system, Ben needs to save $675/year in electricity.

But this does not account for all of the additional benefits of the photovoltaic solar system. He is protected from blackouts and rising energy prices (which will increase his return on investment). In addition, he can sleep easy knowing that he is doing his part to curb global warming.

Rich Hessler
Clean Family Energy
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New Solar Panel Integration

Researchers have developed solar panels that are "soft as cloth". This new generation of solar panels are soft and flexible, so they can easily integrate into tents, backpacks, and clothing. The solar panels are made out of plastic sheet 0.4 mm thick. Although these solar panels are only 4% efficient, it is a great source of energy while on the road.

The idea: integrate a plastic solar panel into a backpack with adapters for a laptop, cell phone, MP3 player, or any other device using batteries. The solar panel charges the electronic device while the owner walks around. Imagine no longer needing to find a power outlet. Simple pull a charging adapter out of your backpack and hook up the computer. <read more>

Rich Hessler
pvsolarsalestraining.com
(949) 208-0221

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California Solar Initiative

In 2007, Calfornia started a solar project to push the state green through 3 gigawatts of photovoltaic solar installations by 2017. Last year (2008), the solar capacity of California more than doubled. 156 mW were added (compared to 81 mW in 2007). Even with the economy, it is projected that over 150 mW of solar systems will be added this year.

California has committed $3.3 billion toward the photovoltaic installation. $2.2 billion of the budget is used by the California Solar Initiative program, which gives individuals and businesses rebates for installing photovoltaic solar systems. As of right now, 13% of the goal of photovoltaic installations has been reached.

The goal of the program in to push solar panel development and make them affordable for every family. With all of the solar panel development, the price of solar panels is decreasing. But with the rebates available through programs such as the California Solar Initiative, the cost of a solar system is reduced by 50%.

It will take a while for the price of a solar system to drop 50%. Well before the price drops 50%, the rebates will be gone, forcing homeowners to pay for a solar system on his/her own. A homeowner who takes advantage of the rebates now has an advantage over a homeowner who waits for the price of solar to drop: the homeowner is years closer to paying off his solar system and producing free electricity for his home. <read more>

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MONO-CRYSTALLINE VS. POLY CRYSTALLINE

MONO-CRYSTALLINE VS. POLY CRYSTALLINE

Photovoltaic solar panels are created in two forms: mono-crystalline and polycrystalline. 

Mono-crystalline, or single crystal solar panels, are manufactured primarily through the Czochralski process. The silicon crystal ignots created for the photovoltaic solar panels through this process are cut into thin slices using a wire saw. On these silicon crystal ignots, conductive wires and screened onto the surface. This comprises a photovoltaic solar panel. Mono-crystalline cells, although more expensive, are much more efficient than poly-crystalline photovotlaic solar panels.

Poly-crystalline, or a solar panels with multiple crystals, start with molten silicon. The silicon is cut from a buole. The shapes that are cut are grown and connected with conductive wires. Poly-crystalline photovoltaic solar panels offer a lower efficiency than mono-crystalline solar panels.

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True Cost of Electricity

Like clockwork, the last week of every month strikes our pocketbook. We live three (somewhat) carefree weeks until, without fail, the electric bill arrives. 

Do you know how much Americans spend a year on electricity?

The average American uses just over 10,000 kWh of electricity per year. At an average of 11 cents/kWh, this is $1,100/year (less than $100/month). Think about this expense over 40 years, it's $44,000.

If this $1,100/year is invested over the same 40 years, one would have $535,000 (assuming a 10% return on investment).** Click here to download speadsheet.

By purchasing electricity at $92/month, every American is missing out on $535,000. Electric companies know this, but they do not want you to. With this amount of residual income, how can you afford to keep paying an electric company? 

Invest the money in yourself by generating your own electricity. Photovoltaic solar panels are one of the most effective ways to do this. WIth no moving parts and a 25 year warrenty, solar panels will produce electricity beyond the life of your home. 

With the government subsidizing 50% of the cost of a solar system and an 8-10 year payback period, solar has never been a better investment. Learn how you can be free from a monthly utility bill through a free solar system estimate.

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