Hey, Baby. Would You Like to See My Solar Panels? 5 Reasons Why Solar Could Be Sexy for Women

Published on January 21, 2010 by Tor a.k.a. "Solar Fred".
Categories: Solar Trends.

Photo:Flickr/ Tiago Ribeiro

A few months back, President Obama visited a Home Depot to promote energy efficiency and said that insulation was sexy. Actually, he said and I quote, “I get really excited about it … Insulation is sexy stuff. … Here’s what’s sexy about it — saving money!”

I’m all for insulation, but that struck me as being a bit artificial.  But then I started thinking about a female solar installer friend who insists that solar really is sexy. While I don’t pretend to know the mind of any woman let alone this (married) friend, I do know that scientists have often said that women tend to seek the best mate that will protect her and her children.

With that premise in mind, here are 5 reasons why I think solar may be unconsciously sexy to women wanting to settle down.

Reason #1: A guy who has solar means you have a home and a stable income. As much as a women may be attracted to six-pack boy toys for a fling, if you’ve got solar, she knows you not only have a house, but a premium house and that you’re actually employed. Always a good start.

Reason #2: A guy who has solar is a guy who’s thinking about the future. When you’re making your moves on the dance floor and mention that you’ve got solar, you’re also telling her that you care about the environment and the future of your children and grandchildren.

Reason #3: Having solar means that you’re a smart investor. If you’ve taken the time to get a solar quote, then you’ve looked at the numbers to see whether solar has a return on your investment (It does in many states.) That may indicate to her that you’re a person who’s smart with money and can plan for retirement.

Reason #4: A guy who has solar means you can explain things and communicate. Telling her you have solar always leads to questions. How much does it cost? Does it need batteries? How long do they last?  If you can coherently explain solar, then 1) you come off smart, and 2) she may be thinking that you’ll be able to explain other complicated things in your marriage…like why were you late coming home and who you were texting at 3 am last night.

Reason #5: A guy who has solar means he can commit. Just like marriage, solar is a long term commitment. In fact, most solar systems last 25 years or longer. Again, this indicates that you can commit to a long term relationship with solar panels, so perhaps you two will last 25 years or longer too.

Now, I’m not saying “Would you like to come over and see my solar panels” is going to work at a bar, but solar does make a lot of financial sense if you live in a state with good subsidies. So, maybe Obama is right that saving money is sexy enough.

Don't just Shake Your Head about this Coal Video. Do Something. Please.

Published on January 17, 2010 by Tor a.k.a. "Solar Fred".
Categories: Solar Trends.

I’m not going to say much about this video below, except to say that we need to have less of these types of power plants. Coal proponents will point out that much of the steam you see in the video is in fact mostly H20. What’s frightening is all of the arsenic, lead, mercury, nitrogen, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, and coal ash that you don’t see being released into the air and into underground water supplies. I’m not even talking about carbon dioxide or the environmental devastation of mountain top removal that decimates pristine habitats and leaves the world that much uglier. Reminds me of that Joni Mitchell song, “They paved paradise and put up a parking lot.”

It’s been a little over a year since the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Kingston Fossil Plant coal ash spill in December of 2008, but please don’t forget it. Sadly, that spill was just the tip of the iceberg.  According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), there are 584 more hazardous coal ash dump sites located in 35 states.

http://www.vimeo.com/8756755 

Coal Power Plant Timelapse from Jeff Grewe on Vimeo.

I know the above video and related news sucks, but don’t just stick your head in the sand! You’re not powerless. You can do something. At the very least, you can reduce your energy needs with quick, cheap, energy efficiency measures. That’s number one.

Second, you can consider solar and get a free estimate of your costs. Depending on your state and utility, you could be cash positive the first month.  But you can’t know that unless you get a quote. And it’s free, so what can it hurt but a little bit of time?

Finally, you can share this post with friends by email, Face Book, Digg or any other social networking site. That will help others to think about steps they can take too. Just take one step!

Thanks.

Detroit Rocks for Solar Power Incentives Too

Published on by Tor a.k.a. "Solar Fred".
Categories: Solar Trends.

Photo:Flickr/ karpov the wrecked train

It’s really nice that we’re SolarPowerRocks.com and that we have the opportunity to praise the Rock ‘n’ Roll City of Detroit and its utility, DTE Energy, for launching a solar incentive program.

Contrary to popular belief, solar works great in cold weather. In fact, solar panels work better in cold temperatures. What matters with solar is the amount of light that hits the panels, not heat. That’s why it’s great that customers in Detroit, Ann Arbor, Flint, Livonia, and pretty much any city in the thumb of Michigan can benefit from some awesome solar incentives from DTE Energy.

The incentives come in 3 parts:

• First, you get an upfront cash rebate of $2.40/watt. How much that works out to for you depends on the size (the number of watts) of your solar power system. If you have an average 5kW (5000 watt) system, that multiplies out to $12,000 off the top of your up front costs. Again, you might get a lower rebate if you need fewer solar panels to cover your energy needs. Of course, your costs are lower as well.
• Second, you get a production incentive. This is similar to a feed in tariff. Essentially, DTE pays you 11 cents for every kilowatt-hour (kWh) of solar power that your system produces. For the same 5kW example above, that adds up to an extra $610 in your pocket every year, give or take. (We’re assuming average Detroit rain, snow, good roof orientation, etc.)
• Third, like all Americans, you qualify for the 30% Federal tax credit. On a 5kW system, that could mean reducing your net cost another $6,900.
• Bottom line, with the production incentive, the upfront rebate, and the Federal Tax credit,  your net cost for an average 5kW system is around $6,000 when it’s all added up.

Of course, I haven’t added in net metering and the electric savings over the next 25 years, which will more than make up that $6,000 cost.  To find out how much specifically for you, you really need to get a free estimate from a local installer.

The Profit of Climate Deniers and a Solar Power Experiment

Published on January 7, 2010 by Tor a.k.a. "Solar Fred".
Categories: Solar Trends.

Here at SolarPowerRocks.com, we’ve never claimed to be scientists or to have done research on global warming.  We’re just solar geeks, so we leave “science” up to these science guys and these other science guys, and these CIA smarty-pants who all seem to agree that there is real science and a national security threat from global warming.

Then there are those who just don’t want to believe anything that the majority of scientists say. In fact, we came across this list of the most egregious climate deniers, and we thought we’d share.  Interestingly, all of these Climate Deniers have a financial reason to deny that global warming is a serious issue. Go figure.

But even if you agree with the above Climate Deniers about global warming, always remember that there are other reasons to go solar for your home or business, including saving money and breathing.

Not sure you can afford solar power, even with all of the rebates and incentives these days? Tell you what. Why not do your own science experiment: Get a free solar quote from someone in your area and prove that solar isn’t affordable. You might be surprised. Or not. Either way, you’ll know for sure, and it’s free, so what’s to lose but a little time.  Thanks.

You ask, we answer: How Do I Complain about a Solar Installer? Yelp!

Published on by Tor a.k.a. "Solar Fred".
Categories: Solar Trends.

Yvan writes:

Dear Solar Fred,

I’ve had a very bad experience with my contractor re: a passive solar pool heating system – is there a way to “broadcast” this to the wider public so as to save other people from being caught?

ANSWER:

Dear Yvan,

Absolutely. I would put a post on Yelp.com or Angie’s list. But be specific. Explain the whole situation, why you think you got bad service. If you just insult without backing up why you were unhappy, it may appear like sour grapes because you found out you could have gotten a better deal somewhere else. Plus, it also helps the contractor to realize that he’d better give the best service all the time, or get a bad reputation.

Hope that helps.

Solar Fred.

You ask, we answer: Are Home Built Solar Panels Worth it? No.

Published on January 3, 2010 by Tor a.k.a. "Solar Fred".
Categories: solar questions.

Gina from New York writes:

I was wondering what you thought of homemade solar panels.  I have been told by a few people that it is fairly easy to make your own panels.  Is it worth looking into in your opinion?
Thank you,
Gina

ANSWER: Hey, Gina. I’ve already written about this before in my post Energy4-Earth Scam. Within that post, there’s a link to this explanation that really breaks down the scam, how it works, and why it’s bogus.

Honestly, for most people except extreme hobbyists who happen live next to a solar manufacturing dumpster for easy access to discarded (broken) photovoltaic cells, these “Do-it-Yourself” (DIY) solar kits are a waste of time and money.

• Even if the materials were readily available at your local hardware store, as claimed (false), it will take hundreds of hours to build enough cells to power your home.
• Second, your DIY home built solar panels will not meet any electrical codes. In other words, they’re potentially a fire hazard.
• Third, you’ll have to hook it up to your own electric panel, so you’ll have to hire an electrician.
• Fourth, because DIY solar panels are not approved by the state, you don’t get the benefit of net metering, which many states provide to consumers.
• Fifth, because DIY solar panels are “home made” from spare parts, they end up looking pretty gnarly and ugly on your roof, decreasing your home value. Conventional panels look much better and actually increase your home value.
• Sixth, Say goodbye to any State of Federal rebates or incentives. These are applicable only to solar panels that are UL listed (deemed safe by the Feds) and/or registered with your State (deemed safe by your State). I could go on….

Bottom line, even if the materials were free, I wouldn’t put DIY solar panels on my roof.

Hope that helps,

Solar Fred

You ask, we answer: Any penalty for selling my solar house after getting tax credits?

Published on January 2, 2010 by Dan Hahn.
Categories: solar questions.

Rollin from North Carolina contacted us just a while ago to ask:

If you install a solar panel system, receive the applicable tax credits and then sell the house in two years, do you have to refund the tax credits? If not, is there any penalty? … I have a 20 year shingle roof…should I consider re-roofing prior to installing solar panels and, as a NC Outer Banks resident (Ocracoke), what is the hurricane experience? Corrosion experience? Average sunlight here in Ocracoke?Thanks, Rollin

ANSWER: Rollin, the tax credit issue is complicated and you should definitely double check our advice here with your local tax geek. We’re solar geeks, so the IRS doesn’t really count us as tax authorities.  Nevertheless, it is our understanding that you will not have to refund any of the portion of the tax credits that you’ve received thus far. Why do I say “thus far?” Because your 30% Federal Tax Credit vests over 5 years…. Therefore, you will only get 40% (2 years worth) of the full 30% Federal Tax credit. Again, please double check with your tax person, but that’s our understanding of the law from another solar financial guru, Andy Black.  (Of course, Andy is a solar guru, not a tax guru.) Please see below from someone who knows better for commercial and residential tax consequences.

Now to the easier answers:

If your roof is older than 8-10 years, you should definitely re-roof before installing the panels. That way, you won’t have to go through the added headache of snapping the panels off later and having to deal with re-installing the racking system. Also, if you coordinate your roof replacement with your solar installer, both warranties will stay intact. If you take your panels off later, re-roof, then reinstall, you may be voiding the original installation warranty of either the roof or the solar installation.

Regarding winds, solar racking systems have gotten so good over the years that you don’t have to worry so much about them blowing off your house in a hurricane as much as you may have to worry about your entire roof being blown off. That said, after going solar, you should cover the panels with your homeowners insurance to prevent any ill feelings down the road.

Corrosion can happen when installations are done by amateurs. The equation looks like: wet + electric current + salt water + exposed conduit = big problem. This is why it’s important to go with an experienced, licensed crew, who aren’t going to cut any corners. Most solid solar installation outfits will warranty all their work for at least 5 years, though some of the best out there will warranty their work for 10 or more. (Btw, solar panels nowadays are warrantied to be producing at at least 80% of their original capacity at year 25, so you know they’ll still be kicking out significantly more than that then because the solar panel manufacturers don’t want to be shelling out new panels all over the country.)

We’re not Ocracoke meteorologists, but we know North Carolina gets significantly more sunshine than say, Germany, which has more solar installed per capita than anywhere else in the world. What makes solar make financial sense isn’t the sunlight, insomuch as the combination of available state rebates, financing, and tax credits (which NC has in spades).

Cheers,

- Dan

Our New Years Resolution: More Solar Power (and Pop Tarts)

Published on January 1, 2010 by Tor a.k.a. "Solar Fred".
Categories: Solar Trends.

At SolarPowerRocks.com, we were going to resolve to lose weight, exercise, and eat more healthily, but considering we spent most of 2009 consuming beer and Pop Tarts snacks and refreshments, we wanted to be a little more realistic.

Instead, for 2010 and beyond, we’re going to resolve to do what we do best: Explain solar rebates, incentives, policy, and technology and to connect you with a local trusted installer for your homes and businesses.

Our reason for this resolution is very simple: We believe that getting people to go solar will help the world lose weight, exercise, and eat more healthily. So, whether you want to go solar for your kid’s future, for energy independence, or because you’re tired of seeing your electric bill eat into your Beer and Pop Tart money retirement savings, Dave, Dan and Solar Fred are going to be here for you in 2010 assuming we don’t have massive heart attacks and croak.

Therefore, SolarPowerRocks.com now resolves to:

• Continue to simplify and explain solar technology, rebates, and incentives.
• Alert you when solar advocates and solar friendly legislators need your support
• Dazzle and entertain you with solar powered mind control thoughts and perspectives.
• Answer your FAQs and infrequently asked questions, so long as they’re relevant and we’re not watching American Idol, playing Wii Bowling, or writing anonymous love letters to Oprah; Damn you, Steadman .
• Make fun of coal companies, oil companies, and their PR lobbyist lackeys until they bribe us into telling you that coal emissions, mercury poisoning, and the smell of exhaust fumes will help you lose weight and exercise.
• Pet puppy dogs, play with kittens, and pick up after their messes unless somebody’s not looking.

Thank you for supporting solar and Solarpowerrocks.com. We wish everyone reading this a prosperous and healthy New Year as long as they post this to Face Book and tell all their friends to go solar in 2010. Kidding! (Not really).