Solar Education and Energy Savings

The Hawaii Department of Education plans to install solar photovoltaic panels (solar PV) on each public school in the state over the next five years. Electricity costs will decrease while helping the state meet its renewable energy goal of 90 percent clean energy by 2040. Little or no upfront costs from the state would be necessary to fund the proposed improvements. In fact schools should end up making money when extra power is generated and sold. Yearly electrical cost savings might be close to $5 million.

Saving Money with Solar

In the course of five years, The Department of Education believes it may reduce its yearly $47 million power bill by 50%. Solar power would end up being Hawaii’s schools primary energy source. Installed rooftop solar arrays will also be a means to teach students about renewable energy. Ray L’Heureux, DOE assistant superintendent for facilities and support services, researched alternative energy projects all over the country (primarily solar) and says the Hawaii plan works, even if it has never been done before. “Nobody has done this yet to this size and scale,” he said. Hawaii’s school system is among many US-based school systems who are investigating solar panel installation. Indeed, more than two hundred elementary and secondary schools and university campuses in the United States have invested money into newly-installed photovoltaic systems with the hope of reducing electricity costs. Money saved (from electricity costs) would be put toward other expenses at a time when education funding is shrinking.

Schools Nationwide Going Solar

As of November 2012, 123 schools in California have solar power, and 40 more are installing the technology. 259 public and private schools in New Jersey are equipped with solar power. Arizona follows with 40 “on-line” schools. Earlier this year schools on Kauai and Oahu became the beneficiaries of solar power. Solar panels will be installed or have already been installed at nearly 40 schools.

No upfront costs were required by the DOE — the pilots were developed under power purchase agreements. Under these agreements, a third-party financing company owns the solar power systems and sells the electricity to the department over the 20-year life of the agreement. The results show dramatically lower electric rates — the DOE is paying 19 cents per kilowatt-hour on Oahu for power under the agreement, well below the 33.6 cents per kilowatt-hour Oahu residents paid this month. Schools in Kauai are paying 17 cents per kilowatt-hour, compared with a residential rate of 44.9 cents a kilowatt-hour this month.

Hawaii is also home to one of the fastest growing residential solar panel installation markets due to the inexpensive cost.

A New Jersey solar farm is growing on farmland that was originally destined to become a field of McMansions. Work on one of the nation’s largest solar farms began last month in Pilesgrove, in the southern flatlands west of the Pine Barrens and east of Wilmington, Delaware.

When it’s finished next spring, the 100-acre farm will have sprouted 71,000 solar panels. The stationary panels, which absorb more than 95 percent of available sunlight, will produce 20 MW of electricity—a bumper crop that will power more than 5,100 homes, according to NJBIZ.

Incentives promoting NJ solar panel installations made it all possible. In 2008, New Jersey launched a solar renewable energy credit (SREC) program to help move toward its goal of generating 22.5 percent of energy from renewable sources by 2021.

You can find out more about New Jersey’s energy tax credits, rebates and incentives or talk to a New Jersey solar installer about solar for your home, business or farm—and start harvesting the benefits of solar power.

Solar power has caught fire in Pennsylvania, thanks to declining costs for solar equipment and generous state incentives, according to John Hanger, Secretary of the state’s Department of Environmental Protection.

In a recent article, FarmAndDairy.com reported that median costs for installing small business and residential solar power had fallen 33 percent, from $9 per watt in 2008 to $6 per watt in August 2010—and the lowest-cost projects are near $5 a watt.

The website quoted Hanger as saying, “The cost of solar power is plummeting, making solar power increasingly a sound alternative for businesses and families that seek to stabilize and control their electricity costs.”

Pennsylvania has seen 2,000 projects built under the PA Sunshine Solar Rebate Program since May 2009 and 2,300 more are in the pipeline. A fair number are solar farms, such as this one recently approved in Hubley Township, this one at Pocono Raceway, and a few others we mentioned in an earlier blog post.

There are solar farms with hundreds, or thousands, of solar panels—and then there are actual working farms that go solar by putting solar panels on their barns and other farm buildings, or converting a field to rows of solar panels to harvest sunlight.

DASolar can plan and install a solar farm or solar power on your farm. Fill out our online form to register for a free solar evaluation from one of our local certified solar installers. We also do commercial solar panel installations for large and small businesses.

It’s a great time to consider solar power because large Pennsylvania energy tax credits, coupled with federal energy tax credits, can reduce solar installation costs by more than 50 percent! These tax credits won’t last forever. By going solar, you can essentially lock in your electricity costs for the next 20 to 30 years and reduce the uncertainty caused by fluctuating energy market prices.

So whether you want to install solar for your small business, your farm—or build a solar farm—DASolar can create the best solution for your needs. Contact us today!

(Photo from Nicholas_T’s photostream)

A group of pro-solar people are returning a solar panel to the White House tomorrow, September 10, and hope to convince President Obama to Put Solar on the White House roof.

Author and 350.org founder Bill McKibben and some students and staff from Unity College in Maine organized the Put Solar On the White House road trip, and have spent the last 3 days driving the panel from Maine to Washington, D.C. This solar panel was one of a group of panels President Jimmy Carter put on the White House back in 1979. Seven years later, the Reagan administration removed the panels. Unity College rescued them from government storage and installed them on its cafeteria roof, where they’ve been working fine.

Here at DASolar, we urge the president to put this solar panel—and many more—on to the White House roof. Doing so would send a clear message of support for renewable energy and would be an act of leading by example. Solar power is on the rise in America, but there’s a lot more room for growth.

We have come quite a ways with solar. In 2009, U.S. residential solar photovoltaic capacity doubled and total U.S. solar electric capacity–including the concentrating solar power plants–passed 2,000 megawatts, enough to power more than 350,000 homes . Solar thermal capacity in America is more than 24,000 megawatts (thermal). (Solar Energy Industries Association, ’2009 Solar Industry Year in Review’)

As we’ve documented in this blog, companies and farmers have started to install more “solar farms”—huge groups of hundreds or thousands of solar panels, because solar panels are an excellent investment and power companies are willing to pay people to generate solar power.

The federal government has already given American property owners and corporations a huge signal to embrace renewable energy, including solar: The largest energy tax credits ever. You can install solar and small-scale wind now for a lot less than in recent years.

If you’re thinking about putting a solar farm on your property, or want to investigate a commercial solar panel installation or home wind power installation, contact us by filling out the online form for a free estimate. One of our local, certified pro installers will contact you to determine your needs and options. We can guide you through the cost analysis and energy tax credit paperwork.

Watch and see if the White House accepts the solar panel on September 10, but even if they don’t, you can make a difference by adding solar power or solar hot water to one of your properties. DASolar can help you make it happen; ask us about it!

(Photo from dcJohn’s photostream)

The Maple View Farm in Hillsborough, North Carolina, recently added an acre of solar panels.

The solar farm, consisting of 780 solar panels, went live September 1. It’s part of a Duke Energy distributed generation project in the state; this solar farm will power 235 homes, according to the Daily Tar Heel.

Because state law requires energy companies to have at least 7.5 percent renewable energy by 2014 and 12.5 percent by 2021, these companies are looking for sources of solar power.

If you’re considering putting a solar farm on your property, contact the pros at DASolar.com. Fill out our online form to get a free solar evaluation of your site. Our local North Carolina solar installers will assess the solar viability of your property and explain North Carolina energy tax credits.

Solar investments are attractive in North Carolina, because Governor Perdue just extended generous solar tax credits last month.

More farmers and businesspeople are learning that solar can be an excellent investment. DASolar is an expert in solar farms and commercial solar panel installation. Find out if harvesting sunlight with a solar farm is an option for you!

(Photo from G123E123E123K123′s photostream)

Earlier this month, North Carolina Governor Beverly Perdue signed a bill that extended a generous tax credit for investments in renewable energy and increased the tax credit for investment in facilities that manufacture renewable energy equipment.

The important aspect for homeowners and businesses, however, is the first one: A 35% tax credit for investments in renewable energy. Eligible renewable technologies include solar – either photovoltaic or thermal – and wind energy.

North Carolina is famous for its blue skies and ample sunshine. Why not take advantage of these circumstances and the big tax credits available now? The North Carolina energy tax credit and federal tax credit of 30% add up to 65% savings on a solar or wind power system. In addition, you may be eligible for a power production incentive and net metering.

Want to learn more? Contact us at DASolar or fill out our online form to get a free solar or wind power estimate for your site. One of our local, certified installers will contact you. We do commercial solar panel installations and North Carolina wind power installations (both commercial and residential). We also perform residential North Carolina solar panel installations.

While some states are reducing their solar and wind energy incentives, North Carolina has shown its commitment to renewable energy by continuing to offer a big tax credit. Take advantage of the opportunity while it lasts!

(Photo from Beau B’s photostream)

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signed a law August 17 requiring power utilities to get 6 percent of their energy from solar in 2015 and every year thereafter.

The law takes effect immediately. It strengthens Illinois’ Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), because electric utilities in Illinois will now have to add more solar power sources to their mix sooner. The old RPS required electric utilities to get 0.5 percent of their power from solar by 2015; the new law moves that benchmark up to 2012, followed by 1.5 percent in 2013, and then doubles the percentage every year after that, ending with 6 percent solar by 2015.

As a result, the state’s two utilities–Commonwealth Edison and Ameren—will be looking to purchase lots of solar power from now on. The solar ramp-up could create about 5,000 solar power jobs, Quinn said.

ReChargeNews noted that Quinn also announced a $4 million federal grant had been awarded to Rockford Solar Partners to build an initial 28 megawatts of capacity at a planned 62 megawatt solar electric generating plant in Rockford.

The Rockford Solar Project will generate enough electricity to power more than 10,000 homes and reduce carbon dioxide emissions at a rate of 113,000 tons annually, equivalent to the emissions from nearly 20,000 cars. The Project will significantly help electricity suppliers achieve the required 0.5% solar target by 2012.

With the state’s new emphasis on solar, now is the time to explore an Illinois commercial solar panel installation. Whether you want to build a solar farm or something smaller, give DASolar a call or submit our online form to get a free solar evaluation from a local, certified Illinois solar installer. Generous federal and Illinois energy tax credits exist to help defray the cost.

Most states have RPS laws and about 11 specify requirements for electricity generated from solar. In general, Renewable Portfolio Standards require a certain percentage of a state’s energy mix come from renewable  sources (including wind, solar, biomass, etc).

Quinn also signed another law giving people living in homeowners’ associations the right to install solar panels if they follow certain guidelines. Now Illinois homeowners have more choices. We can help you with any type of Illinois solar panel installation. Contact us to see how!

(Photo from Mr. T in DC’s photostream)

A few weeks ago I wrote about the new solar farm at NASCAR’s Pocono Raceway. Now I’m going to highlight another Pennsylvania company turning to solar power, as well as two farms that have gone solar.

Crayon maker Crayola put its 15-acre solar farm into service August 5 at its Forks Township factory in eastern Pennsylvania. The solar farm contains 26,200 solar panels and will provide about 33 percent of the company’s energy needs. The two companies that installed the solar farm will sell the solar-generated electricity to Crayola at a fixed price for 25 years.

Meanwhile, in Franklin County near the state’s southern border, two actual farms have gone solar: The Burkholder dairy farm in St. Thomas Township, and the Shank poultry farm in Guilford Township. In both cases, solar electric panels were installed on the roofs of farm buildings.

Farmers often have huge electric bills; Roy Shank’s is $40,000 per year, but his 300-foot solar array should pay for itself in six years. Mark Burkholder’s 24.1 kilowatt system could pay for itself in five years.

In the article on PublicOpinionOnline.com, both farmers noted that federal and state solar tax credits and grants played an essential role in making the solar panels affordable.

If you have a Pennsylvania business or a farm and you’re thinking about going solar, contact the solar experts at DASolar.com today. Our local, certified solar installers can provide a free solar estimate for a commercial solar installation. We handle various types of commercial jobs, from helping to offset the everyday energy requirements of a business, to a for-profit commercial solar farm covering many acres of land.

There seems to be a small trend in Pennsylvania, with Pocono Raceway, Crayola and some small farmers all going solar. Find out if solar is right for your business or farm!

(Photo from abardwell’s photostream)

When you think about NASCAR, you think power, speed, noise and lots of left turns. Now when you think about the sport’s Pocono Raceway, you’ll think about solar power.

That’s because the race track has built its own power station, a solar farm with 40,000 solar photovoltaic panels. Built in one of Pocono Raceway’s old parking lots, the solar farm will provide all of the power for the track and its facilities—and generate enough electricity to power 1,000 nearby homes.

As one NASCAR official told NASCAR.com, “Token efforts have nothing to do with this. This is about making a meaningful contribution to the local community’s power needs.”

The solar farm is economical because the panels will last for 40 years. The raceway considered building a solar farm after Pennsylvania deregulated its electric industry, a development that threatened to increase the track’s power rates by 40 percent per year.

Officials will dedicate the solar farm on July 30 and it will be fully operational a few weeks later. Pocono Raceway will be the largest solar-powered sports stadium in the world. The solar farm will pay for itself in four to five years.

This solar farm is gigantic, but solar farms can be economical on a much smaller scale. If you’re considering building a solar farm on your property, contact us to speak to a solar installer or arrange for a free solar estimate. We handle commercial solar panel installations of all sizes; let us help you go solar.

(Photo from Nicholas_T’s photostream)

The Lone Star State may be best known for its oil industry, but it also leads the nation in one renewable energy and has the potential to do a lot more.

Texas is the largest wind-power state, with a capacity of 9,410 megawatts. It also gets tons of sunshine and could be a huge solar-power generator, too.

In recent years, Texans have filled up utility-run solar incentive programs as quickly as cattle on a stampede; many languish on solar waiting lists. Some folks are urging the state to set up its own solar incentives to tap this unfulfilled demand.

If you want to install renewable energy systems, such as solar or wind, on your residential or business property, there are some Texas energy tax incentives to help you pay for it.

Plus there are myriad incentives offered by local Texas power companies.

DASolar can navigate the energy-incentive landscape for you and help you get the best deal on a renewable energy system. So if you’re considering a Texas solar panel installation or a Texas home wind power installation, fill out the online form at DASolar.com to set up a free estimate from a local, certified installer.

If you’re more concerned about energy efficiency, we can analyze your home’s energy use, insulation, air seal—the works. We provide Texas home energy audits to help you save money and energy.

Texas is big and it has big renewable energy and energy efficiency potential. Don’t wait for the legislators—start greening your energy use today.

(Photo from Amarillo Chuck’s photostream)