Grants and Incentives for Solar Panels
1
7
0
0
Perhaps the biggest myth about solar energy is that it is too expensive. The reality is that solar energy is more affordable than ever. In fact, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), the cost of solar panels is down 70% since 2009. But it is more than just low cost that makes the investment of solar energy affordable. Federal, state and local grants and incentives help to reduce the upfront cost of installation as well. Maryland solar incentives are considered to be among the top of the table.
On the Federal level, incentives for solar energy were introduced as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act 2009. Customers who go solar receive a tax credit equal to 30% of the cost of installation for renewable energy systems, including solar electric, solar hot water, and photovoltaic solar panel systems. The best part? There is no cap to the credit, so residents receive the full 30% credit no matter how large or small the installation.
While everyone is eligible for Federal tax incentives, states and local incentives vary a great deal. In fact, incentives don’t just come from the government. Local utilities offer rebates and incentives for switching to renewable energy. Incentives also vary in form, whether they be tax deductions, rebates or grants.
Solar incentives and grants change regularly and are different for every location. If you want a comprehensive look at what benefits might be available to you, then you might consider scheduling a free solar analysis, where one of Solar Energy World’s representatives can go over all your options in specific detail.
The Solar Installation Process
0
2
0
1
We know that normally installing a solar panel system is a pretty controlled and straightforward process, but we wanted to make this a little fun. This presentation includes videos and introductions of key people in the process. We hope you enjoy!
But…if you really want to read about the process – here is the detailed version of the solar installation process.
International Solar: Lighthouse Tower in Dubai
1
5
0
1
The lighthouse tower is set to open in 2012. This amazing piece of architecture is set to be 1,319 feet high and contain 66 floors. The tower will be deemed a “green building” and have great emphasis on conserving energy and reducing its carbon footprint.
The building will also be clad in 4,000 photovoltaic solar panels to generate additional electricity. The tower will reduce its overall energy consumption by 65%, and its water consumption by 40% in comparison to an equivalent 
building. At the building’s base, a four story glass lobby will house an environmental visitor center. There will also be three large 225 kW wind turbines, on the building’s south facing side in order to generate electricity.
Dynamic Rotating Tower in Dubai
This will be the world’s first pre-fabricated tower that will sit 1,378 feet high and contain 80 floors. Ninety percent of the tower will be built in factories. Each of the floors will have the capability to rotate independently 20ft per minute, and complete a full rotation in 90 minutes. The tower was supposed to be finished in 2011, however due to financial crisis has not been started yet.
The entire tower will be powered from wind turbines and solar panels. Enough surplus electricity should be produced to power five other similar sized buildings in the vicinity. The turbines will be located between each of the rotating floors. Each turbine could generate up to 1,200,000 kilowatt-hours of energy. The solar panels will be located on the roof and the top of each floor.
Post written by: David Zamostny, Solar Energy World Intern
Solar Glossary: Grid-tied/Connected
0
0
0
1
When a solar energy system is tied to a grid or connected to the grid it is capable of sending electricity to the grid that can be used at a later time when the system is not producing electricity. This system is a semi-autonomous electrical generation system linked to the mains feeding electricity back to the grid. The mains being the general-purpose AC electric power supply.
The tied inverter can take the DC energy and convert it into electricity that is phased matched. The local solar energy system is also phase matched allowing for electricity to be interchanged when needed.
A grid tied system works in conjunction with the existing grid. In the most simplest terms pulling energy from the grid when needed and supplying energy to the grid when energy is not being used at the solar site.
Post written by: David Zamostny, Solar Energy World Intern
Solar History: National Renewable Energy Laboratory
0
13
0
2
Located in Golden, Colorado, NREL is the United States primary laboratory for renewable energy and energy efficiency research and development. Currently NREL is funded through the Department of Energy and receives the majority of funding from the DOEs Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE).
NREL’s mission and strategy are focused on advancing the U.S. Department of Energy’s and our nation’s energy goals. The laboratory’s scientists and researchers support critical market objectives to accelerate research from scientific innovations, such as advancements to the photovoltaic cell solar panels, to market-viable alternative energy solutions.
Established in 1974, NREL began operating in 1977 as the Solar Energy Research Institute. NREL found early success under the Jimmy Carter Administration, receiving large amounts of funding, using the research to expand the populations knowledge concerning solar power. However, during the Ronald Reagan Administration, funding was cut by 90%. Since then funding has fluctuated.
In 1991, the name was changed to NREL and was designated a national laboratory of the Department of Energy. Currently, NREL is managed for the Department of Energy under the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC.
NREL’s R&D areas of expertise are:
- Renewable electricity
- Renewable fuels
- Integrated energy system engineering and testing
- Strategic energy analysis
Learn more about NREL:
Post written by: David Zamostny, Solar Energy World Intern
Solar Glossary: Inverter
1
3
0
2
A solar energy inverter, also known as a photovoltaic inverter, is an essential component to any solar energy system. This device converts the variable DC output of the solar array into AC current which your home uses. This current can be used in a local off-grid network or interchangeably with a grid connection.
Grid tie inverters – are used to convert DC energy into alternating energy used to power businesses and homes. Once 
loss of utility supply occurs, grid tie inverters shut down automatically for safety reasons and do not provide backup during power outages.
Battery back-up inverters – special inverters designed to draw energy from a battery and export excess energy to the utility grid. These inverters can supply AC energy during a utility outage, and are required to have anti-islanding protection.
Solar micro inverters – convert DC energy from a single panel the AC energy. The energy from all of these panels can be combined and sent to the specific consuming devices. This allows for each inverter to separately monitor its own panel. This makes it easier to add components to the system rather than add one panel and changing the characteristics of the whole system.
Stand-alone inverters – normally used in isolated systems, stand-alone inverters draw DC energy from batteries that are powered by a solar array. Typically, these inverters are not tied into a system and don’t require anti-islanding protection.
Anti-islanding – the process that prevents circuits from remaining powered after all power is cut off from the grid source.
How do I know I am getting maximum production from my system?
Maximum power point tracking is a technique that is used by inverters to get the maximum output from the photovoltaic array. The inverters will sample the output of the photovoltaic array and apply a resistance load to obtain the maximum power for any specific environmental conditions in order to achieve maximum possible power.
Post written by: David Zamostny, Solar Energy World Intern
A Journey From Colonial to Contemporary
2
5
0
3
It’s that time of year again! The 27th annual Decorators Show House in historic Ellicott City is set to be revealed to the public this weekend.
This years Show House just happens to be a Solar Energy World client, at a residence called Holly Manor, showcasing all that is right about the Maryland solar industry. The theme, perfectly named: A Journey From Colonial to Contemporary. Designers from Baltimore and the Washington DC area have paid homage to the home’s 18th century historic roots as well as its 21st century possibilities.
The home is open for touring from September 24th to October 23rd. While you’re touring, don’t forget to check out the solar panels on the barn!
Solar Energy World project and client:
Fulton, MD homeowners turned a newly built barn into a revenue generating rooftop. Once the tech-savvy homeowners compared solar energy to other financial investments, they found it to be a solid investment with the shortest ROI.
Connecting with Solar Energy World at a home show in 2009, the homeowner and Solar Energy World stayed in contact. When Solar Energy World learned that the Howard County Property Tax Credit was coming to an end – this Fulton homeowner was on the top of the list to contact.
Immediately he was ready to go and chose Solar Energy World because of the relationship built over the 2 years.
Installed in September 2011, the photovoltaic solar panel system includes 57 – 190-watt panels with Enphase microinverters – making this one powerful system. Each solar panel is linked to a microinverter to maximize the energy harvest of the panel. A traditional configuration would link several panels together in a series connected to one inverter located usually in the home near the electrical box.
Enphase Microinverters allow each solar panel to operate independently and control the power from each with 99.6% accuracy. This results in a significant increase in the performance of the entire system.
Choosing a trustworthy supplier was essential.
“Solar Energy World did a fantastic job,” this Maryland homeowner says. “They really knew what they were doing, they were responsive, and were very helpful. I have very high praise for everyone we dealt with. Now I just watch my electric meter run backwards.”
This 10.83kW system will reduce harmful CO2 emissions by 10.3 tons, which is equivalent to not consuming 1,050 gallons of gasoline.
Project Overview
Location: Fulton, Maryland
Completed: September 2011
Number of Panels: 57
Products: Schuco® 190-watt solar panels with 57 Enphase Microinverters
Benefits:
- Eliminates $1,950 per year in energy costs
- Earns $3,750 per year from Solar Renewable Energy Credits
- Saved $27,054 in government incentives
- Will realize ROI in 5 years and 5 months
- Reduce CO2 emissions by 20,647 pounds per year
Solar Renewable Energy Credit (SRECs)
1
3
0
3
Solar Renewable Energy Credits, or SRECs, are an extra financial benefit to generating solar energy. In Maryland, and other states, electricity suppliers must produce a part of their electricity from solar generators. The Maryland solar industry is attempting to model itself after solar energy leaders, such as California and New Jersey. In order to meet this Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) – discussed in an earlier blog post, companies either produce enough solar energy themselves, or they must buy credits made by other systems.
This requirement is what benefits both commercial and residential consumers who install a solar energy system. For every 1,000kWh of electricity generated from photovoltaic solar panel systems, one credit is earned. These credits are sold on an open market to utility companies that fell short of meeting their RPS. The price of the SRECs is entirely based on the supply and demand of the SREC market, making the credits work almost like a stock.
So, what does this really mean for a homeowner who wants to install a solar energy system? Let’s say the a homeowner installs a 3 kW system, an average-sized solar array. This system, depending on factors such as peak sunlight time and shading, could easily generate over 5000 kWh per year. At that production, the homeowner would have 5 SRECs they could sell. At the going rate in August of 2011 of $199.99 per credit, this system would essentially generate $999.95 in passive income– in addition to energy savings.
SRECs provide incentives for energy companies to use solar energy. But they also add benefits for homeowners and business owners alike. The value of SRECs helps savvy investors see a return on their investment even quicker than through energy savings alone.
Montgomery County homeowners get paid for improvements
0
0
0
1
Interested in upgrading your home to improve comfort, reduce energy costs and even boost long term home value? Montgomery County, using a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, will be offering a one time program to help you pay for the costs of these improvements.
The Montgomery County Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program offers incentives to homeowners for energy efficiency improvements such as insulation, heating and cooling systems, and appliances. Owners of single family properties and 
condominiums can apply for up to $3,000 of funding per applicant. The minimum rebate size is $500 (typically a $2,000 to $3,000 project). The program is another example of how local governments are supporting the Maryland solar industry.
In order to be eligible, each applicant must have an energy audit from an auditor participating in the Maryland Home Performance with ENERGY STAR or a utility (e.g., Pepco, BG&E, Potomac Edison) audit program.
Homeowners are also encouraged to use these funds in concert with other incentives available from utilities, the Maryland Energy Administration and others.
Detailed information on the program, audit requirements, as well as links to other sources of funding is located on the website www.mcenergyfunding.com. Interested homeowners will also apply to the program online via the website. Real time information on the funding availability is posted on the program website.
Saving Energy with Daylighting
0
2
0
1
Daylighting is the practice of using natural light to provide effective internal lighting. This method can be practiced through the use of strategically placed windows and reflective surfaces that would allow natural light to illuminate internally. Traditionally houses have more windows facing equatorial side rather than polar since sunlight occurrence is greater throughout the autumnal to spring equinox.
Some of the most popular types of daylighting include:
- Windows: you can improve lighting in a room by placing windows close to a light colored wall, slanting the sides of window openings so the inner opening
is larger than the outer opening, and by using a large light colored window sill to project light into the room. - Clerestory windows: high-vertically placed windows that are effective at reducing directionality of light to make it softer and more diffused, and to reduce shadows.
- Skylights: horizontal window, roof lantern, or oculus that is placed on the roof of a building.
- Light reflectors
- Light shelves: A white or reflective metal light shelf is placed outside the window. Usually the windows will be protected from direct summer season sun by a projecting eave. The light shelf projects beyond the shadow and reflects sunlight upward, inside, to illuminate the ceiling.
- Light tubes (solar tube): emits light to a focused area of the interior.
- Saw-tooth roof: vertical roof-angled glass that faces away from the equatorial side of a building and captures diffused light.
- Heliostats: mirrors that move automatically to continuously redirect sunlight in a constant direction as the sun moves across the sky.
- Smart glass: Glass that can be switched between a transparent state and a state which is opaque, translucent, reflective, or retro-reflective.
- Fiber-optic concrete wall: structural concrete walls that are embedded with optical fibers that allow daylight and shadow images to pass directly through the wall.
- Hybrid solar lighting: this design uses a roof-mounted light collector, large-diameter optical fiber, and modified efficient fluorescent lighting fixtures that have transparent rods connected to the optical fiber cables.
- Solarium, sunroom, greenhouse: normally large amounts of glass on the equatorial side of the building to let in maximum light during peak hours.
Daylighting is a cost effective alternative or great addition to installing a solar energy system in your home. And just like daylighting and windows, the placement of solar panels is important. Maryland solar energy is effected by the climate and positioning relative to the sun. Feel free to schedule an energy audit to see how solar energy installation team designs each system specifically for the homeowner.
Post written by: David Zamostny, Solar Energy World Intern