Why should you build your own solar power collector?

2009-06-30T17:02:00.000-07:00

In response to one of my blogs

Bmac said,
on June 30, 2009 on 12:16 pm
“True! The German Federal Association of the Solar Industry reported that there were 1,300,000 solar plants in Germany in 2006. 220,000 new plants were erected in 2006 alone. In Germany, solar thermal plants are predominantly used to generate hot water and to augment the heating system in private households, but they are also increasingly being used in larger community facilities and open air swimming pools. So solar is really going to be a pull for the most part …”
This absolutely got me excited. I decided to do some more research. If you are following me at all you know that I am serious about getting the information across about the benefits of geothermal, solar and wind power production at home. Here are some interesting facts and figures that may drive this point home. I hope you understand why all the urgency in my articles. I want to save you money. In fact, I want you more comfortable. Why set the thermostat at 78 to save money when you can set it at 75 or lower and be more comfortable and still save money, while protecting the Earth and your environment.

The sad part of all this we Americans seem to be lagging behind at least Europe in solar energy production all the way down to the personal level. Hmmm! currently, the two major regions at the forefront of solar technology are Australia and Western Europe. The abundance of sunlight in New Zealand places us on an even par with the levels found in Melbourne and above that of the levels found in Europe. Currently, the legislation is so broad that it includes energy efficiency upgrades for non-profits such as churches, and small businesses. However, the legislation favors large-scale grid-tied projects over small-scale residential renewable energy producers.

Did you get that? Legislation prefers large projects. I cannot stress enough; if we want to break free we need to do it ourselves. In this country as we will see later we are already leaning toward Big Government and Big business in control of how much more we may end up spending on a personal level for free sources of energy after installation costs of course. Here are more facts I pieced together. Read on!

Acciona and Heliosolar of Navarra, Spain, are among a group of developers that switched to solar thermal after doing photovoltaic projects. In two years, so many photovoltaic plants were rushed online that the Spanish government tightened rules for eligibility. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association , existing utility-scale renewable energy projects currently offer over 400 megawatts of energy to the grid; enough renewable energy to power 2.8 million homes.

WOW! There it is again. Solar energy is surely a solution to our energy woes. 2.8 million Homes in Spain! They are already getting non-polluting power from solar energy. I will never tire of saying we need to get involved. In fact, it is probably a great thing we are lagging behind. We will end up with the best of solar energy technology and at lower costs and we will do it better because we may wise up and put in individual efforts. We will if we are smart ad windmill technology to our solar energy for continuous uninterruptible energy. Of course there is more. Now lets start bring this closer o home.

Increasingly, however, the sun's energy is emerging as a major contender in market niches ranging from cellular phones to Third World power plants. During the summer Olympics in Atlanta, to cite a timely example, the swimming and diving events were held under the world's largest solar rooftop, providing power for a 10,000-seat arena.

Finally, great news right here from Atlanta, GA. We here in Hotlanta should pay attention. At least some big business is involved in getting things done. “Increasingly, solar industry watchers say, it is how you sell, and not what you sell, that makes the difference.” People please wake up! If we allow businesses be the only one to get their
Hands on this solar energy, they will try to put everyone on their grid and get PAID! There is more and forgive me about the length of this article but I am trying o drive this point home.

I need you to pay close attention to this. By the time the man in the street hears about it, in the past, meant it was time to do the opposite. Great wisdom if you are J. Paul Getty trading stock. True here as well. Listen and see if you hear what I did. “Tax incentives directed toward solar generation originated with the Energy Tax Act of 1978 (Public Law 95-618), which established a business energy tax credit of 10 percent of investment in solar technologies.” Excuse me! This isn’t new?

The business tax credit was extended periodically until passage of the Energy Policy Act of 1992. There is that dreaded duo. Government and business will end up making us pay. The news isn’t all bad. I will bring up later what is in it for us a bit later. First, let’s look at the states. Yes more big government but we are getting closer to home. States, the traditional hot-spots of solar progress, are not waiting for the federal government to solve our energy challenges. In fact, while all signs indicate that the federal energy bill will set a floor for solar energy deployment, we expect to see pioneering work from states and cities as they continue to raise the ceiling. I ask you again, why not us? We should get on this from a personal level. If we do not get grand fathered in now, government will rule. Listen to the following facts. California was the leader among state grid-tied PV installations with 178.6 MW, New Jersey followed with 22.5 MW installed, Colorado was next at 21.6 MW, Nevada installed 13.9 MW and Hawaii with 11.3 MW.

The reason I keep driving the nail into the coffin. In a land of the people, by the people and for the people, as many of us that can should get on the grid with our own backyard power producing stations. That way we will be grandfathered in when the ordinances begin taking our rights away to protect the profits of the big guys. Now listen to the current good news. The news before the ordinances that will make us feel home again. We really can install these systems at no costs. Local, State and national rules will eliminate the costs. In addition to some of you getting rebates from your power companies. Listen! “Installing two to three panels will make you eligible for a $1000 rebate, four to five panels will get you $1500, and six panels or more will cap out at $2000. Rebates for solar photovoltaic systems are $2 per watt AC, up to $6,000. Installing solar-thermal water heaters and rooftop photovoltaic cells is a relatively high-paying job--$15 to $35 an hour--for those with construction skills. And opportunities are available all over the United States, wherever the sun shines.” I left the reference to jobs in there for a reason. DID I HEAR THAT CORRECTLY? DID YOU?

That drives it home for me and I hope for you as well. System installed can cost from $2000.00 to $6,000.00. The costs in energy savings over the next few years will more than pay for itself. This is super! I want to reason with you at this point. You cannot afford not to build these renewable energy stations for yourselves. However, if you are at the point that you are concerned about how full you refrigerator is. I understand. If you are struggling to pay your light bill right now! I have been there. There is something you can do. Start a community project. Get others involved and excited about saving money and it will cost each of you absolutely nothing if you do it your self. It cost around $200.00 with stuff lying around your garage and a trip to your local hardware store. That means for your instructions and material you could cover your whole roof at no cost. Thanks to the up $2000.00 tax rebate from the federal government alone, you could help 10 homes put up panels and it will cost you nothing. In addition, if the state also gives a tax break, and the city gives you a tax break and the power company may give you a rebate. You will actually come out ahead.

If the budget is tight, my advice would be to wait on those more expensive upgrades like tankless hot water heaters, energy efficient washer and dryers, and other energy efficient upgrades to your home. Purchase a kit and install your own solar panel and turn down or up your thermostat as low or as high as your comfort allows. Then with the savings from producing your own electricity purchase the tankless hot water heater, purchase the most expensive energy efficient washer and dryer and do the best energy efficient upgrades and save even more. Remember we still need to save water and never forget the electric company has to buy back your surplus. That is what I mean by driving the nail into the coffin. Here is your chance to put new meaning to, “Of the People, By the People and For the People.”

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Why should you build your own solar power collector?