Fri, 3 Feb 2012

5:07 AM - Residential Solar Panels Los Angeles- Increase Value of Your Home While Lowering Utility Bills

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

tags: residential solar angeles installation los

()

5:23 AM - Solar Installers Los Angeles- Contractor Makes Solar Panels Standard Feature

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

tags: installation solar angeles los

()

Sat, 11 Feb 2012

12:34 AM - Solar Installation Los Angeles-Solar Panels more Popular after Increase in Electricity Bills

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

tags: los angeles installation solar

()

12:36 AM - Los Angeles Solar Installers- Los Angeles Residents Encouraged to go Solar after Electricity Increases

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

tags: solar los installation angeles

()