Solar Panel Facts

I think it’s interesting to look at how far we’ve come when it comes to solar– and yet how much things have stayed the same.

In 1979, the developer of a condominium village in New Hampshire decided to bring an environmentally responsive alternative to the market. He designed the building to used solar energy. The solar panels are made of glass, offering a beautify view of the scenery. Buyers responded very well, leading the developer to design several more similar buildings.

Construction began in 2006 in Boulder Colorado on a project called Solar Row. The project consists of nine homes using only solar power. This was the first solar home development project in the Boulder area. The design of each home has been carefully set up to allow the home to use and creates its own energy. Around the country, communities like this continue to grow.

Some states are pushing for solar powered housing. Several years ago California officials proposed half of all new homes built run on solar energy within ten years. In 2004, they created the California Solar Initiative, which encourages builders and homeowners to embrace solar. A recent report showed the annual rate for new installed capacity in California nearly doubled in 2008 over 2007, and early numbers indicate that 2009 will have at least as many installations.

Currently, the federal government has many initiatives and incentives either in play or in the works. Recently, legislators extended the 30 percent solar investment tax credit, which was set to expire. Parts of the recent Recovery Act include funding for solar projects.

In spite of this, solar remains out of reach for many. Obstacles, from financial impediments to homeowners associations, still stand in the way of people who long to embrace solar power as a part of their lives. But if we continue to work, then hopefully in the future solar will be a more common part of people’s lives.

I’ll get back to my series on solar powered water heaters soon, but before I do, I really felt that I needed to post this. I think a lot more of us would get on the solar power bandwagon if it were cheaper. If your utility company made it easier and cheaper to make the change, how many of you would jump at the chance? I know I would.

The government (local and otherwise) is involved in a lot of things they probably shouldn’t be, but this is an area where they could actually be helpful. So, what is your city or state doing to encourage the use of solar energy? What is your power company doing?

Think it’s impossible for your area to have affordable solar? And certainly impossible for the power company to help? Companies like Austin Energy prove it is possible. They offer rebates that pay 40-60% of the cost of installation. I’m not sure whether you can combine that with federal tax credits, but even if you can’t that’s a significant savings. They also offer affordable loans.

Cities and states can get involved in making solar cheaper, as well. When cities start using more solar, the savings will eventually trickle down to the rest of us. Las Vegas has plans to add millions of dollars in solar panels to save the city money on electricity. Ten cities have been recognized for using the highest percentage of solar power.

1. Oakland, CA 17%
2. Sacramento/San Francisco/San Jose, CA 12%
3. Portland, OR 10%
4. Boston, MA 8.6%
5. San Diego, CA 8%
6. Austin, TX 6%
7. Los Angeles, CA 5%
8. Minneapolis, MN 4.5%
9. Seattle, WA 3.5%
10. Chicago, IL 2.5%

So, if you want to find out more about solar supply or solar energy sources in your area, you should talk to a representative from your city council or state representatives to see what their plans are. This will give you the details you need about urban planning in your city or state, and will let you know how much money is being spent on electrical energy and new construction.

Energysavers.gov tells me that these are also called solar domestic hot water systems. Really? I’ve never heard them called that. Solar water heater, solar powered water heater, passive solar water heater, yes. But solar domestic hot water systems? No.

But I digress. Whatever you call them, solar powered water heaters are one of the growing ways that residential consumers are using solar power in their homes. They can be either passive or active, depending on whether the water just sits there passively or circulates via a pump actively.

In some cases, the solar water heater preheats the water, which still circulates through a secondary water heater. There are several different kinds of collectors and a few types of systems (both active and passive) available for residential use.

In some cases, a solar powered water heater will save you money. In others, the savings are so long-term that you’re better off choosing an alternative, if economics is your primary motivation for choosing solar. Of course, if you’re planning a home that is completely off the grid, money isn’t the biggest concern.

This article is just an introduction, and I’ll cover more of the details about solar water heaters, including things to consider in choosing a solar powered water heater, how much should you plan to spend and non-solar alternatives.