|
|
| Customer
Tips! |
| Question
1-5 |
| Home |
|
|
| Question 1: Ask yourself why
you are interested in buying Solar Energy? |
People buy solar
energy systems for many different reasons. Here are some of
them:
- They want
to contribute to a cleaner environment
- They want
independence from the Utility Electricity Grid
- Its the cheapest
source of energy
- You want
power when the electricity grid goes down
Depending on what
your reason is, this section helps you through your decision
making.
|
| Question 2: If you want to
contribute to a cleaner environment, what are your energy choices? |
The simplest way is to buy "green power". However,
this is only an option for those connected to the electricity
grid and who have access to a "green power" provider.
Ask the green power provider, where they source their energy
from. Decide whether you like their energy mix. You may find
that most of their energy is sourced from hydroelectric, biomass
and wind, with little or no solar energy. |
|
|
Have you
got time for
ten questions?
|
If you have made it to this page, you might just be interested
in buying a solar energy system. If you are not, you are in
the wrong place!
This section is dedicated
to you, the prospective solar energy customer.
Our goal is to answer some of the questions you might have
before investing in a Solar Energy System. We'll point you
in the right direction, if you have further questions.
Solarbuzz does not sell Solar Systems, so the most important
aspect of this section is that it's totally impartial. We
are so impartial, we'll even advise when solar energy doesn't
make sense. How about that for being straightforward!
|
|
| Question 3: What can purchasing
solar energy accomplish that buying green power does not? |
You know you have
made a direct contribution to cleaner air. No ifs, ands, or
buts about it.
You actually see what energy you are generating, you are in
control and you have created options for self sufficiency.
|
| Question 4: When does solar
energy make economic sense? |
Are you connected
to the electricity grid?
If, no, solar energy
can already be the best economic solution.
If, yes, solar energy is unlikely to be the best economic
solution, without consideration of several other factors.
Against average electricity retail tariffs, solar costs about
three to five times regular electricity prices.
But, wait, there are a lot of other factors and opportunities
awaiting you...
|
|
| Question 5: What circumstances
can enhance the economic equation? |
Check your electricity rates: Depending upon where
you live, they vary dramatically from one region to another. Are you
exposed to peak rate tariff structures? The higher your rates, the
better the economics of solar energy.
Can you access
a local solar energy promotion campaign: Ask your local
utility or government energy agency. There are now many Utility
and regional programs that subsidize the cost of solar by anything
from 10% to 60% of the total cost.
Will your utility
take your surplus power?: Many State, Federal
and Utility solar energy programs set up a mechanism where you can
export "surplus power" (the power in excess of your needs)
back into the electricity grid during the day. This means that your
electricity meter literally goes backwards. When your power needs
exceed the solar generated (at night), you draw from the electricity
grid in the normal way.
What region do
you live in? Solar conditions
will help the economics. High solar conditions in Central Africa,
Southern Europe, Sunbelt of United States, India can double the
electricity output over more cloudy locations. However, some of
the largest and most successful solar programs are in Germany and
Japan, neither of which have ideal solar conditions.
Other sources
of value: Solar panels offer
value in their insolation qualities, potential to integrate with
other building materials and can offer shading. In the case of commercial
entities, companies are using solar to enhance their corporate brand.
|
© 2008 Solarbuzz,
LLC. All rights reserved
|
