Solar Energy: The Details You Want to Know

The simple fact is that the sun does not stay out twenty-four hours a day every day.  Your appliances need a constant power source, not power that can drop for a few minutes then come back, or worse, disappear at night  Batteries can store the power, and batteries that have converters that change direct current to alternating current do exist, but the number of such batteries you would need to get through a prolonged period of lack of sunlight is costly.

The method that is used for periods when the sun is not available is to use a special meter for a process called net metering.  These meters allow you to sell your excess power to the power company by using the transformer that allows power to be sent to your home.  Transformers can work in reverse.  So, when you are making more power than you are using you are selling power to the power company.  This is great for the environment, since the power company then uses your clean energy to serve someone else.

Unfortunately, you cannot get rich doing this.  First, do not attempt this until your net meter is installed.  Some meters simply add to what energy you are charged for regardless of the direction of the electric flow direction.  So, wait until the power company changes out your meter.  After that you can earn credits.  Credits can offset your power bill, and may possibly be carried for future use, but you cannot be “paid” for them.  They can only be used to buy power.

The solar panels cost, and you may not be able to install enough to eliminate your power bill.  This depends on your energy consumption, and how much you are willing to pay for your system.  Another consideration is the amount of space you have for adding solar panels.

Tax credits make buying a solar energy system possible.  The United States Government had a thirty percent tax credit available.  The State of Louisiana had a fifty percent tax break available, capped at a twelve thousand five hundred dollar addition to your tax return.  I am certain this is not uniform country by country, nor state by state.  And can change over time.

The result is for the first twenty-five dollars spent on solar power in Louisiana, I could get twenty thousand dollars back, and thirty percent of the expense over that, since the United States Government had not capped their refund where the State of Louisiana did.

So, a typical system could cost about twenty-five thousand dollars, but that cost can be reduced.

If there is concern over how to fund such a project before the tax rebates come, there was a bridge loan with zero interest for twelve months available.  So, if you do not have your unit installed too early in the year the money might get to you in time.  But, unlike the state money, which simply came as a check, the United States simply allows reducing your taxes, and you would carry over any unused credit for future tax years.  So, the money might not all come in the first year.

Renting at first looked attractive.  You would sign over your tax credits to a company that would continue to own the solar panels, but lease them to you.  This makes you need to not pay up front money for the units, just the money for the net meter.  So, what is wrong with this plan?  Well, the lease is for about twenty years, and if you sell your property the lease would have to be taken over by the buyer.  There would be a lien placed on the property should the lease payments stop.  Buyers may not like this, and a sale could easily be lost. 

On the positive side, one company assured me that they would insure their solar panels since they would continue to own them.

There is always something that sales people leave out.  Solar panels add to the value of the home, so property taxes go up.  Also, because you own the solar panels, you are responsible for insuring them.  This can cause a small increase in your homeowner’s insurance cost.

Yes.  My power bill is down significantly, and the part of the power usage my panels cover are not subject to rate hikes the power company might obtain in the future.  As for helping the environment, that is definitely a yes.  So, they are worth having if you can get the tax breaks.

We have one special switch that enables one particular outlet.  During the day the sun will help.  But, we also bought a battery that converts direct current to alternating current that can be recharged during the day, and run the refrigerator through the night.  I suppose a few lights or a fan could also be run.  But, there is a warning against using the battery on devices that also have their own batteries.  

Yes, you can add outdoor lighting.  These units are not as complex.  The sunlight falls on a small solar device, and batteries are charged.  Since lights can work with direct current, the system is less complex, does not have to interface with the commercial power, and can be bought for much less than solar panels.  Every little bit helps the ecology, and your personal finances.

Another device you can install is a solar water heater.  For this you may have commercial power or gas as a backup for when the sun is not out.  And care must be taken with outdoor units in freezing weather.

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