Solar Panels Los Angeles-Why Solar Installation is a Great Home Improvement

2012-03-14T04:21:00.000Z

1. Solar panel installation adds a higher percentage of resale value

As a homeowner, you know that any type of remodeling is a great way to improve its resale value. Installing solar panels on your roof is also a great investment that can increase the value of your home by 80%-150%. Keep in mind that a solar thermal or electric system will rise in value as energy rates continue to rise while other home improvements will decrease in value.

A residential solar system compares very well with other improvements in percentage of cost covered. It is not uncommon for homeowners to recover 100% of the installation cost. This percentage will only increase with time even as electricity rates continue to increase. Large solar panel systems are able to recover over 150% of their cost in value. It is important to get an experienced solar company Los Angeles so that your solar panels are properly installed and energy production is maximized .

2. Banks and mortgage companies say residential solar systems increase property value

A residential solar electric system can increase your property value by decreasing utility operating costs. According to the Appraisal Journal," a home's value is increased by $20,000 for every $1,000 reduction in annual operation costs from energy efficiency." This study shows the standard that is used by banks, real estate appraisers, and mortgage companies. With the help of a solar company Los Angeles you will be able to take advantage of federal tax incentives while simultaneously increasing the value of your property.

3. Home buyers are willing to pay more for a home with solar panels- and they sell faster

According to a recent survey, 50% of home buyers said that they would be willing to pay up to 10% more for a home with solar power. With increasing energy costs, homeowners are looking for a way to reduce high utility bills as much as possible. Now more than ever, there is a demand for green-home design features and products such as solar panels, geothermal heating and cooling, and water reclamation systems. Aside from the monetary incentives, there are many other reasons why homeowners decide to install solar panels on their home. Solar panels are a good way of reducing your household's carbon footprint. To learn more about solar benefits contact a leading solar panel installer in Los Angeles.

For references please visit:
http://www.switchrenewableenergy.com/why-solar-great-home-improvement

Solar Power Los Angeles- Take a Stand Against Rising Electric Bills

2012-02-11T00:39:00.000Z

Many homeowners in California and across the United States are taking a stand against rising electricity prices by installing solar panels on their home. Homeowners that invest in residential solar systems Los Angeles are able to save money since the panels don't rely on coal or any other fuel source to produce power. The only cost of operating a solar energy system is the initial installation price. The price that you pay for solar panels will cover its electricity generation for the lifetime of the panel. Since solar panels do not have any moving parts, the maintenance on the panels is limitless.

In the last five years, electric bills have skyrocketed, a reversal from a quarter century when homeowners enjoyed stable power bills as they consumed more electricity. An analysis of government data done by USA Today found that, on average, homeowners paid a record of $1419 for electricity in 2010 for electricity. This is a $300 increase a year for what homeowners typically pay for electricity.

This is the largest sustained increase in electricity prices since the 1970s. An analysis done on the Bureau of Economic Analysis indicates that Electricity has been consuming a greater share of Americans' after tax income since 1996. This higher cost is driven by greater electricity usage and higher prices per kilowatt hour. Although residential demand for power had been decreasing, it made a strong comeback in 2010 to a record high. Although household appliances and air conditioners consume less power than before, homes are now bigger meaning more air-conditioning and more electronics than before. Residential Solar Panels Los Angeles are becoming more popular as a global search for clean and renewable energy sources expands.

According to the reports of the Energy Information Administration, residential electricity prices have been climbing steadily hitting a record high price of 11.8 cents per kilowatt hour. This increase directly reflects the higher fuel prices and the expense of replacing old power plants. Higher electricity bills are a major problem for low income families. Duke Energy proposes that a rate increase saying that it is needed to replace the old power plants and make the transmission system more reliable.

An agreement was reached with North Carolina to raise utility rates for 7.2% instead of the 17% proposed request. However, Duke Energy is planning to ask for another rate hike next year to cover the costs of new natural gas-fired plants. Although the industry as a whole is facing higher costs, the exact electricity costs vary widely depending on where you live. "High taxes, limits on air-polluting fuels and the expense of maintaining an underground transmission system keep consumer costs high", says Chris Olert, ConEd spokesman.

For references please visit: http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/energy/story/2011-12-13/electric-bills/51840042/1

Los Angeles Solar Installers- Los Angeles Residents Encouraged to go Solar after Electricity Increases

2012-02-11T00:36:00.000Z

With more than 300 days of sun a year and a number of environmentalists, Los Angeles seems like the perfect city for solar panel installation. Surprisingly, this isn't the case and experts blame it on the cost. Recently, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power announced that it would increase the cost of electricity by 5%. The proceeds from this increase would go towards renewable energy purchases and programs- an equivalent to a carbon tax since all consumers will see rates fall as the city becomes less reliant on other energy.

With high unemployment rates, flat wages, and a sluggish economy California is still facing tax increases that are supported by Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Mayor Villaraigosa argues that this increase will ultimately stimulate the economy by creating jobs to the city. Although Los Angeles has never fully embraced the idea of solar power due to its high cost, there are many solar installation Los Angeles companies that are now offering lower prices to make solar energy affordable. "A well-crafted carbon surcharge achieves two goals," Los Angeles's chief deputy mayor, Jay Carson, said. "The first is a drastic reduction in fossil fuel usage for energy, but the second, and more important for Los Angeles, is the creation of thousands of green-collar jobs."

Under this program, Los Angeles would take a step toward Gov. Arnold Schwarzeneggar's larger goal of one million solar panels Los Angeles on roofs in California by 2018, through state incentive programs. About $150 million will be set aside to use in energy alternatives to use in the city. This money would also be used to pay a feed-in-tariff, where the utility will pay a set rate for electricity from customers who install solar systems. But "feed-in tariffs for solar power is not good use of money," Professor Borenstein from University of California "Solar power at the residential level is not close to economical. There are many things you should do before you subsidize it."

The city also plans on offering more incentives to users who get solar panel manufacturers in Los Angeles giving companies an incentive to open their business here. The city will adopt a popular program in which homes undergo an energy audit and the owners borrow money from the government to make their business more efficient. Californians have been squeezed by high unemployment rates, but Los Angeles residents may not give in to a rate increase so easily.

For references please visit: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/11/science/earth/11solar.html

Solar Installation Los Angeles-Solar Panels more Popular after Increase in Electricity Bills

2012-02-11T00:34:00.000Z

Solar panel installation in Los Angeles has become more popular after the 4.8% increase in electricity proposed by the Board of Water and Power Commissioners. Although this increase is much smaller than the initial one proposed, Los Angeles homeowners are taking a stand against rising electricity prices by installing solar panels on their roofs.

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said, "With the approval of a compromise plan today by the Board of Water and Power Commissioners, the city now has a reasonable rate plan that safeguards the financial health of the Department of Water and Power while protecting ratepayers." Mayor Villaraigosa also added that the rate hike "addresses the concerns of ratepayers, commits the DWP to clean, renewable energy, and maintains the fiscal well-being of the DWP." The smaller increase will make it harder for the Department of Water and Power (DWP) to reach the goal set by Mayor Villaraigoza to have renewable energy to make up 20% of the DWP portfolio.

Solar panels have become a popular choice after the electricity increases were proposed in California. Solar panels can be designed and installed to help convert your home or business into one that efficiently uses solar power. A common question when it comes to residential solar electric systems is if investment is worth it.

Initially, the solar installation Los Angeles may seem expensive depending on the size of the project. However, it is guaranteed that by switching to solar, you will immediately begin saving on your electricity bill. For some homeowners, being able to reduce your carbon footprint on the planet is sufficient to install solar panels on their home. California provides several rebates and tax rebates to homeowners and business owners as an incentive to switch to solar.

A solar energy system offers homeowners a clean supply of renewable energy for heat and power. A lot of research goes into determining the best design for your home solar panels. One of the biggest factors that go in determining whether solar panels will work efficiently for your home is their placement. The best placement for your panels will maximize sun exposure, this is determined by Solar installers Los Angeles. Although there may be certain times of the day where your solar system aren't in direct sunlight, you will have stored energy to provide energy for your household appliances.

For references, please visit: http://www.myfoxla.com/dpp/money/dwp-electricity-rate-hike-20100415

Residential Solar Los Angeels-Rising Edison Bills Serve as Incentive for Homeowners to Install Residential Solar Panels

2012-02-11T00:31:00.000Z

Many homeowners in California were surprised to see that their electricity bills have doubled in the summer of 2006. Southern California Edison, which serves 4.4 million households across the greater Los Angeles region said that customers use about 31% more electricity in the summer and that many of them had doubled their usage in that year.

"Consumers could find that their July bills have actually doubled or even tripled because of previously planned rate hikes and the utility's sliding rate structure", said Lynda Ziegler, senior vice president for customer service at Edison. In 2006, Edison had a 15% increase which was charged to consumers who used more than a modest baseline set by the California Public Utilities Commission.

This means that homeowners who were accustomed to paying lower rates because they don't use much will be charged as if they do. A typical household that pays around $80 a month saw a jump in their July bill of over $260. This tiered pricing was designed to encourage conservation because the lower electricity usage, the lower rate per-kilowatt-hour is applied.

Edison's residential customers will continue to see a jump in their electricity bills which is why many have turned to residential solar Los Angeles. Although the increases won't be quite as dramatic for DWP customers, officials say that the increases are on their way. DWP saw increases of about 30% in July of 2006 but some households saw that their bills almost tripled for running their air conditioners around the clock. Unlike Edison, which uses tiered pricing, the DWP charges the same amount across the board.

The electricity bills will continue to shock customers who are already suffering for the charges they racked up during in previous months. Many consumers also saw their power disrupted when transformers with a high electricity demand burned out. These are problems that can easily be avoided with the help of expert residential solar installers. Consumers that depend on a utility company can expect to pay more in the next years sure to the big jumps we have recently seen in the electricity bills.

A better way to encourage electricity is by installing residential solar panels Los Angeles. By utilizing sunlight appropriately, the solar panels are able to generate enough energy for your household appliances. The panels are made of photovoltaic cells which converts natural sunlight into direct current electricity. The electricity then flows into an inverter where the DC Power is converted to alternative current. This AC power supplies electricity for all of your household electrical needs.

For references, please visit http://articles.latimes.com/2006/aug/05/local/me-bills5

Residential Solar Los Angeles-New Addendum Could help Appraisers give Credit for Energy Improvements

2012-02-11T00:22:00.000Z

A new addendum from the Appraisal Institute could guarantee that an appraiser will take notice of your home's energy improvements and adjust the value of your home accordingly. These are great news for homeowners who have installed solar panels Los Angeles or other energy-saving features. Appraisers hadn't given these homeowners credit but thanks to a new industry-issued appraisal addendum, the odds of them getting credit have improved dramatically.

The Appraisal Institute has published the long waited 3-page addendum in the last month. The addendum is designed to be attached to any current appraisal report that covers property with significant green features. The addendum is available to download online at no cost and can be made part of the appraisal submitted to the lender.

The new addendum does not guarantee that the appraiser will raise the property by the entire amount of what you spent on the solar system Los Angeles, high-efficiency windows, or geothermal systems. It does, however, guarantee that the appraisal will take notice of the energy improvements you have made to your home and come up with a value adjustment based on the local market conditions. This has encouraged many homeowners in California to install solar panels on their roofs.

Any LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certifications need to first be attached to the report along with the information on any recent changes made by the owners. If the home has a solar panels installed, the addendum requires homeowners to give details on the panels such as age, energy production in kilowatt hour, and other important information that affects the energy savings.

Appraisers that are using the new addendum should now be better equipped to identify accurate sales in the area. An appraiser will now be looking for prices of homes that recently sold with and without energy-efficiency features similar to yours for indications of your home's true market value. It is common to gain a higher home value from solar panels and other energy-saving installations. The value increment from the same improvements might be double in many states.

For references, please visit: http://articles.latimes.com/2011/oct/09/business/la-fi-harney-20111009

Solar Installers Los Angeles- Contractor Makes Solar Panels Standard Feature

2012-02-03T05:23:00.000Z

In an effort to reduce carbon footprint in the world and produce clean renewable energy, KB Homes has become the first production builder in Florida to include solar panels as a standard feature in new home construction. The Los Angeles-based company began using solar panels as a standard feature in Southern California communities in 2011 and recently began installing them on its model home at the Apopka-area Fisher Plantation Community. Solar Installation Los Angeles has been a success since it doesn't require homeowners to pay anything and they take advantage of savings.

Stephen Barkaszi, a Florida Solar Energy Center program director for solar systems says that although including solar panels in when constructing a new home, it is still a great way to reduce any obstacles that homeowners may encounter when they want to install a residential solar system. The annual utility savings will ultimately depend on the utility costs and other energy-efficient features in the home. Barkaszi said "Something as small as 1.4 kilowatts is at least something, it's a whole lot better than nothing. It's been tough for people to go out of their way to get it added on as an option."

Solar installers Los Angeles will attach solar panels on your rooftop and are expected to generate 1.4 kilowatts of power and reduce utility costs by 30%. Residential solar panels are expected to help homeowners save an annual $1,200 compared to a typical resale home. In addition to enjoying monthly savings from energy generated in solar panels, there are several tax credits available depending on the area that you are located. In addition to solar panels, there are tax rebates that target solar thermal, small wind, and geothermal heat pumps.

Many other companies have followed the same steps as KB Homes by offering, offering solar water heaters and solar power as an option for several years. Many mid- to large-size builders have added solar panels as a standard feature to new home construction. This initiative is expected to benefit both homeowners and the planet alike. By generating residential solar panels, home owners are able to contribute to the environment by reducing green house gases. The renewable energy sources generated through solar panel systems are non-pollutant and draw on sunlight. Solar installers can help complete all necessary paperwork for rebates, building permits, and net metering so that you can easily become part of the solution with residential solar.

For references please visit:
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/os-solar-homes-kb-20120119,0,3153723.story

Solar Installation Los Angeles- Energy Efficient Homes are Selling Faster and at Higher Prices in Los Angeles

2012-02-03T05:13:00.000Z

Research projects in California show that energy efficiency and sustainability certifications for homes may result in faster sales at higher prices. Home energy efficiency and sustainability have become major policy priorities for the Obama administration. Although some of the benefits of solar panel installation are clear, there are still several questions that homeowners ask: do Residential solar panels Los Angeles add to the resale value of the home? Does it make it easier and faster to sell your home?

In a study performed on new and existing homes sold from May 2010 through April 2011, the Earth Advantage Institute found that the newly constructed homes with certifications for sustainability and energy efficiency sold for 8% more than the average noncertified homes while existing homes with certifications sold for 30% more. This data was provided by the Portland regional Multiple Listing Service. Certified homes were defined as those carrying Energy Star. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) for Homes, or Earth Advantage home certifications.

Officials note that using average sale prices for homes without comparing the homes directly with one another may not be conclusive. For example, some of the newly constructed certified homes may be more expensive to begin, and existing certified homes may be larger and more likely to be in higher-cost neighborhoods where energy-efficiency adoption rates are also higher. A study conducted by the institute of Seattle and Portland shows that the Homes marketed with energy-efficiency certifications sell faster than those without. The study found that in Portland, certified homes spent 18 less days on the market than noncertified homes.

The National Bureau of Economic Research took a different approach in a recent study on homes in San Diego and Sacramento: After solar panel installation Los Angeles, how much do you get back in market resale terms, in addition to the monthly savings? Researchers examined home sales in both metropolitan areas between 2003 and 2010 and found that solar panel installations for homes in the $500,000 range cost homeowners about $35,967. With federal and state credits this net average cost lowered to about $20,892. This investment yielded an increase in the appraised value by $20,194-a 97% recovery. Although the rate is under 100%, it is still higher than most home improvements such as kitchen and bathroom remodeling.

Although newly constructed homes come with energy and sustainability certifications, banks don't always recognize their value when providing mortgage money. Bank underwrites don't always include the reduced monthly utility costs in the household income/ household expense ratios that affect the maximum mortgage amounts available to potential home buyers. Appraisers often don't have the training to recognize and give credit to houses that have money-saving solar installations, geothermal heating and cooling, water conservation features and other green improvements. The appraisal institute says that it was done its part to sponsor "green" appraisal courses for 2,300 appraisers during the last two years. It says it strongly supports efforts to better incorporate energy efficiency and environmental factors into home evaluations and mortgage underwriting.

For references please visit: http://articles.latimes.com/2011/aug/28/business/la-fi-harney-20110828

Residential Solar Panels Los Angeles- Increase Value of Your Home While Lowering Utility Bills

2012-02-03T05:07:00.000Z

The biggest investment that Florida homeowners John Hammerstorm and Diane Marshall have made toward energy efficiency in their home is the 2.8-kilowatt solar panel system they installed on their rooftop. The photovoltaic panels efficiently convert sunlight into enough electrical current to provide for half of their household's power needs. The couple says that their electric bills has reduced to an affordable price of $50 during the summer id the AC is used on a regular basis and only $15 when the AC isn't in use.

If you have considered Residential Solar Installation Los Angeles there are a few things to consider such as the type of equipment that you will need. You should work with your contractor to determine what type of solar panels will work best with your home. One general guideline suggests 1 kilowatt per 1,000 square feet of your house. In addition to solar panels, the solar installation process requires a device called an inverter to convert the sun's DC voltage into AC power. The price of such a system will vary from $15,000 to $35,000 depending on the location of your home. This cost can be significantly reduced with federal and local rebates and discounts.

Many states such as Texas have a rebate program that reimburses customers $4.50 per watt, enough to cover 45-75% of the total solar system Los Angeles cost. Arizona takes it a step further by offering a program that lets homeowners install solar energy devices without any increase to their property taxes. California offers several solar initiative rebates to those who install a qualifying solar system. These solar rebates vary according to location, system size, customer class, system performance and installation factors. The incentives are paid either as an upfront payment or a monthly payment based on performance over five years. Performance is calculated based on the design characteristics of the solar system such as panel type, tilt, orientation, shading, and more.

Going solar doesn't mean you need to cut ties to your local supply grid if your utility company offers net metering. If this is offered, you can simply plug your existing power lines which are back in service after sundown and on rainy days. If your solar power system produces more power than you need, you may be able to sell the unused watts back to the local utility for a credit, making your electric meter spin backward. If there aren't any local incentives available yet in your area, there are still ways to change that. John and Diane didn't have any incentives available when they installed their solar system and so they put together a presentation for the utility's board of directors and convinced them to adopt a net metering policy.

For reference please visit:
http://articles.cnn.com/2008-03-04/living/solar.power_1_solar-energy-devices-rebate-program-solarpanel?_s=PM:LIVING

Residential Solar Panels Los Angeles provides clean renewable energy

2012-01-28T03:18:00.000Z

With energy costs continually rising and the widespread effects of fossil fuels on the planet, many people are seeking alternative energy sources. One of the best proven and cleanest energy sources today is solar energy. The increasingly popular residential solar panels allows homeowners to help save the planet while cutting down on their monthly energy bills. The climate for the solar panel installation in California is perfect. Los Angeles has over 300 days of sunshine a year, so solar panels are highly effective. In addition, there are currently tax credits and incentives offered by major power companies that reduce the actual cost of installing the solar panels significantly.

The residential solar panels Los Angeles residents use are called photovoltaic cells. These panels use silicon inside to capture the energy in sunlight. The rays of sunlight are made up of many tiny photons. The crystal silicon in the panels breaks up the electrons in the photons to produce direct current electricity. This DC electricity is fed into an inverter which translates it in to alternating current, or AC, electricity .. The AC electricity powers your home and then excess electricity is directed through the meter to help power the other homes in your neighborhood. This turns your meter back, reducing your power bills.

When there is no sunlight, such as during a rainy season, your home is powered by the electric company in the traditional way, so there is no lapse in electricity. A large scale solar panel installation in the Los Angeles metropolitan area wide would dramatically decrease fossil fuel usage and energy costs. In fact, the Scientific American magazine has unveiled a solar grand plan that would effectively put an end to dependence on other countries for fossil fuels and drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This "Solar Grand Plan" essentially advocates the installation of residential solar panels Los Angeles homes have all across the nation.

If you are interested in solar panel installation Los Angeles solar power companies offer, getting a quote is the next step toward a cleaner, greener power source. With green energy for homes and businesses, the infrastructure would pay for itself in ten to fifteen years or less. Energy costs would spiral downward and the country would be a cleaner and healthier place in which future children could grow up. California residents can take advantage of several current tax benefits and incentives from the power companies reduce the cost.