solar power meter

solar power meter

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When solar power was first introduced to the residential market, the equipment costs were so high that it could not compete with the traditional manner of buying electricity off the grid. But now, thanks to technological advances and rising demands that have lowered costs and government stimulus that also offsets the initial installation expense, affordable solar power is now a reality.

Early adopters of solar technology did so because they wanted to do something good for the environment. They were willing to pay a higher price for their electricity to know that it did not require fossil fuels to generate the power for their home. Others turned to solar technology in places where traditional power off the grid was not available.

Reduced Equipment Costs

Over the past ten years, the cost of the solar panels has been cut in half. The panels themselves are also smaller and more efficient making installations cleaner and better looking. There have also been exciting advances like the flat, flexible panels which can be adhered right to the surface of metal roofs with an adhesive. This eliminates the needs for bulky frames to hold the panels and fasteners going through the roof where they could potentially cause leaks. More testing is being done on products that will replace traditional roofing materials, like shingles, and incorporate the solar cells right into the building materials. This means more affordable solar power because you are not buying a roof, then covering it up with a second layer. Less materials to buy equals more savings.

Incentives, Rebates and Tax Deductions

Federal, state and local governments are now offering incentives and tax deductions for people who install solar panels on their homes, making affordable solar power possible. These incentives come in the form of direct rebates or tax deductions for the initial cost of the equipment and installation. Any maintenance or upgrades to the system would also be eligible for further incentives.

In some locations, government also pays based on the amount of power you are able to generate. This money is added to the money paid by the utility company for the power you create. It may seem strange that the utility company would pay you to generate a product that they are in the business of selling, but they are required to use a certain percentage of alternative power and having customers using solar energy is cheaper for them than having to build large solar facilities themselves. Depending on where you live, the power company will either install a separate meter which allows you to sell back to them or they will change your meter to a special one that can run backwards at times when you are generating more power than you are using.

Costs

Based on current costs and incentives, installing a complete affordable solar power system will cost between twenty and forty thousand dollars depending on the size of your home and where you live. The good news is that you can expect a ten percent return annual return on your money, which is far better than what you would get from the bank or the stock market today. And after the system is paid off, you will continue to make money in addition to never paying an electric bill again!

Discover the advantages of home solar power systems and the amount of money they can save you. Home Solar Power Ideas has all the details you need to make a solar panel in just one weekend!

Solar Grid-tie Turning Power Meter Backwards