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The rate of a barrel of oil has never been so extreme. Some hold that this is a short-term spike, but an increasing number of analysts are in accord that this kind of pricing is going to remain. World consumption is at an all time high and given the new thirst for oil in China and India it is doubtful to diminish. According to International energy Outlook, large-scale need is expected to carry on to multiply by as much as 59% in the next decade.

Already, customer utility bills have been ever-increasing on average 6.5% every year for the last thirty years in the United States. Given the tremendous increase in the charge of developing power using customary non-renewable resources, this rate is bound to be overtaken by unheard of cost increases in the very nearby future. And for clients who are getting increasingly more environmentally aware, the thought of the hundreds of thousands and many of tons of Carbon dioxide and other side-effects being emitted into the atmosphere yearly owing to the use of fossil fuels in generating energy is very terrifying.

It is a no-brainer that our dependence on oil to create power leaves us very susceptible. There are renewable technologies that turn out energy, but the obstruction has been one of charge effectiveness. It has always been less costly to source power using fossil fuels, and therefore, renewable sources such as solar power or wind power have not taken off. But the condition now seems to be changing. More and more, our consumption of energy is outstripping supply. The utility grid can barely maintain with requirement and rolling blackouts are no longer just a notion. No wonder governments are needing for options. And there’s no question why every person is talking about solar power once again.

In 1985 yearly international solar power system installation accounted for 21 megawatts of energy. By 2004, this had enlarged to an astounding 927 megawatts in new installation energy creation alone. The call for solar produced power over the last numerous years has amplified each year about 25 percent, while in 2004 revenue were ahead a monstrous 67 percent from the prior year.

There are several reasons for this proliferation in attraction for all things solar powered. Beyond the understandable environmental considerations and the privilege of not needing to depend on power from a power grid that is growing older and stretched to ability, solar is becoming asking price helpful. While usual energy creation will get more steeply priced, technological advancements are making solar energy less costly.

In 1980 the fee of garnering energy from the sun stood at about one hundred dollars per watt. Literally a hundred times more high-priced than the going figure of electricity, these techniques were not economically reasonable. By 1999 however, technology had condensed this to about $4 per watt and overheads have sustained to reduce by about 5% per year since. The Return on Investment is becoming very desirable for many industrial institutes and consumers.

Efficiencies have been achieved in quite a few technologies. The inverters that change the gathered DC power into usable AC energy used to send only about 65 percent efficiency. 35% of the collected energy was lost in the conversion process. Today’s transformers are so proficient they deliver up to 96% of collected power into usable AC current.

Green technology has also made solar gathering far more efficient. Twenty years ago, only 5 percent of the sun’s power hitting a solar charging panel was gathered. This sum is nowadays more than15 percent and will continue to increase as more capable compounds are designed and presented in the fabrication of these wind and solar panels.

All levels of government are increasingly investigating solar to provide stable, charge effective and environmentally friendly power. 35 states now have some particular repayment series for property owners that establish solar energy systems. And this is not just the southern “sunny states”. While California is the apparent leader in promoting solar energy solutions (a program announced in 2003 is promoting the launch of solar powered energy systems into millions of residences over the next some years) New Jersey and New York are next in order for solar investment.

At the municipal level, many jurisdictions have announced solar options for traffic and streetlights. 50 percent of the energy used to operate Sacremento’s area water sanitization plant is solar. NASA uses solar power systems in many of its structures. Governments are not incorporating solar merely because it is sound for the environment and establishes a case in point for trade entities and clients (even though these benefits cannot be lost on them!). They have concluded that choosing solar systems will conserve tens of thousands of dollars.

With so many refund programs today the homeowners are approaching the invariable conclusions. Once the preliminary gain on investment is recouped (as early on as 4-6 years with the reimbursement programs in California for example), solar clients don’t have any extra energy bills, almost no maintenance to be anxious about and are not attached to a utility company that is becoming increasingly fragile as pressure outstrips supply. There’s no question why solar energy is getting interest!

Solar power is still more steep than long-established power production methods, but the inequality is tightening each year. Solar power functions are also growing at an surprising charge. House heating system, solar pool light and heating, hot water tank heating system, calculators, flashlights, solar garden light and on and on. Solar is untainted, it’s capable and it is here to continue.

Whether intended for establishment or for back at the ranch – renewable energy translates to more income. Discover how you can benefit regarding saving money and even gaining a spare revenue source. Learn more about your wind and solar energy choices, visit: AlternatePowerDIY.com

Find out important knowledge about the topic of rewrite article – please go through this web site. The time has come when concise information is truly at your fingertips, use this possibility.

If you are keenly interested in how to change your home to solar energy system and also curious in a grid(network of lines tied photovoltaic) system you need to calculate system size according to you energy needs. Also get knowledge of yours state as well as federal tax concessions and know how to source components.

Instructions and Information

Step 1

First look out how much your electric consumption annually; take average of your electric consumption in KWH. After that you will get the result and then divide it with 150 (monthly hours) if you live near the coastal area, it can be 155, if you live in a mountains area then it can be 160. It will provide you a rough size of solar energy system. lets say for example if your monthly average monthly use was 450kWh per month and you were living near the coastal area then you will need a 3KW PV system to offset 100% of your consumption.

Step 2

Establish and settle your incentive level. The New York Solar Initiatives provides incentives on state level. The incentives and concession level OR survey are different depending upon the use such as residential, commercial nonprofit or government entity (qualities and relations). The other states California and Texas are also having great discount in tax incentives. federal Government provide a 30% federal tax credit for you can get information from your accountant to check if you are eligible for the tax credit or not.

In many cases deductions in sum and tax credit both offset roughly 40 to 70 percent of the cost of the solar energy system installation, it will be more cost if you do the installation yourself in other words it will take more expenditure in the installation of this useful system. Commercial system are eligible for MACRS (Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System), it’s also known as accelerated depreciation (allowance made in estimation). utility rates are different by location so there can not be any exact information for the payback . Anyhow it’s usually about 8 to 15 years if installed by the a contractor, it is a monthly finance and then compared this to your monthly electric bill.

For commercial user’s the payback can be from 3 to 6 years. There is another thing need to know is that when calculating payback is the estimation value of the system to your home/building, `insulation from future electric rate hikes, and when you to paid off the system installation, you have free electricity. In majority of cases the system will be worthily after the payment of all depreciations or tax credit. And today almost all modules are warranted for 20 to 25 years. There is necessary value of energy being produced from the sun heat instead of coal or natural gas and you will get fruitful return from your investment. For more information about that contact your local utility provider.

Step 3

If your electric need is 3 KW, then it is required to find out the amount of modules and the right size of inverter. There are much places available on internet so can find all these information on internet before buying this requires system. Buy branded modules for example Sharp, Sun power and many other because these companies have been working since many years. And they have also warranties on their products.

You will pay a premium (sum additional to interest) If you need cheap modules for installation then you will search for companies who provided these utilities the companies are Sun tech and Canadian Solar they have best quality products. Most of manufacturers in the industry make modules it is a same product’s which are produced many other’s There is less different among their products. But you will search a good quality products because these companies provide less warranty you must take a clear step about to buy these products.

Grid tied inverter will be needed also for that SMA Unites States, SEIA and FSLR inventers are the standard industries. If you want to install all these by yourself then you will need an AC disconnect and DC disconnect properly sized according to the National Electric Code.Then you will also need to know about the size wire, conduits and connectors you will need to run from the modules to the DC disconnect , to the inverter, to the AC disconnect and to your main electrical service. You will also need racking and Standoff for that try Prosolar or Uniarc. prosolar is cheap than Uniarc. You will need an extra breaker also for your electrical panel.

Step 4

After to collect all your materials which are used in the preparation of solar energy panels, then you will need to calculate your result then decide what type of modules and inverter you will need for, for this reason you will also need PV Watts V2 calculator using different quantities of the modules you are selecting until you obtain a KWh output which is roughly 90 to 100 % of your current consumption. Modules are rated in DC watts, so you will need to expect less result as subjected by the manufacturers because power is being change to AC before it reached your main service panel. A 210-watt modules will provide 198 watts after conversion and losses also.

Step 5

There are local codes regarding to this installation. Which is enforced and proposed by the inspectors so should consult with an electrician. There are different locality so you will need all of these materials according to your needs. because some require fire borders around the modules while other may need extra double, triple grounding for your system. Talk to an inspector if possible at your city or country development department. May be he concerned department provide your a clear cut details and guidelines for your area. You will also need to know and should consult with your local utility provider “interconnection” or “net metering” department.

Department like these will provide you a great details and other useful information or guidelines about the entire process, and also forms online on the internet. You must meet these three entities such as local permitting agency second local utility and third your local rebate administrator. All will be having paperwork and guidelines that, if not stick with all of them, if not vigorous slow any building momentum. You must be prepared before meeting with all of them, review all your needs and have all question answers regarding to installation instead of that you will waste countless hours making corrections, paying for additional reviews and possibly get a less rebate (tax) than expected.

Step 6

Taking all of these there ate so many differences to go over all the steps of how to size every different kinds of system for that to get a solar design book. For that “Solar Energy Magazine” is good source in which you will learn about all the concerned design and source of people who had installed their own system are published. And other related issues. here is a quick review of the things you should know: building permit requirements, inverter string size, wire and conduit sizing, building permit requirements, interconnection requirements, fire department requirements and building code requirements.

Step 7

You should have to take first the rebate paperwork because is is a multi step process than other requirements. You should first reserve the rebate after that install the solar energy system and then claim the rebate. The rebate reservation will expire and become void if the system is not installed within a reasonable and moderate amount of time. Always make follow up call to ensure that the rebate paperwork arrived.

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PlanetSolar, the solar-powered boat that will circumnavigate the globe, was officially unveiled last week in the German port town of Kiel. After extensive testing in the meantime, PlanetSolar will set out this April to become the first boat in the world propelled only by solar power. An international team of scientists, engineers, boat builders and renowned adventurers helped design, build and support the project.

The solar-powered catamaran is 6 meters high by 31 meters long by 15 meters wide, weighing in at a hefty 60 tons. Yet the boat requires no diesel engine and no conventional backup system. It needs nothing but the 38,000 high-efficiency solar cells covering its surface. The solar cells were provided by San Jose-based SunPower Corporation, one of the world’s premier solar cell manufacturers and a leader in efficiency at converting sunlight to electricity.

SunPower solar cells will power four electric engines that quietly drive two propellers, reaching a maximum speed of 14 knots. PlanetSolar will spend four months on its voyage, traveling an expected average speed of 8 knots and moving west from Europe in order to maximize solar exposure. In fact, everything about PlanetSolar is intricately designed to ensure the most efficient use of its power source, from a Maximum Power Point Tracker (MMPT) built by Drivetek AG to the 700 GAIA lithium ion batteries on board to guarantee uninterrupted power.

Between now and April 2010, PlanetSolar will test its moxie in the Mediterranean. On the maiden voyage, the boat will stop at a number of cities worldwide, including New York, Marseilles, Monaco, Acapulco, San Francisco, Cairns and Darwin in Australia, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai (although all are subject to change). Miami has been added as an alternate stopoff.

PlanetSolar will house only two occupants during the adventure, but will hold up to 50 persons on demonstration runs during its promotional visits.

Via The Examiner

Photo Credit: Green Diary & Horozima

More »

Tidal energy is a great source of clean renewable energy, but most of us don’t know about how it works? Every day, the tide moves a huge amount of water twice, and harnessing it could provide a great deal of energy, which can make up around 20% of Britain’s needs.

The energy generated through this process is reliable and plentiful, but converting it into useful electrical power is not easy. Some time back, “tidal power” meant “tidal barrage”,but nowadays there are other options as well.

The working of a tidal barrage is similar to a hydro-electric scheme, except that the dam is much bigger. A huge dam called a “barrage”, is built across a river estuary. When the tide goes in and out, the water flows through tunnels in the dam.

This ebb and flow of the tides can be used to turn a turbine, or it can be used to push air through a pipe, which then turns a turbine. Large lock gates are also built to allow ships to pass.

The largest tidal power station in the world was built in 1966, and is situated in the Rance estuary in northern France, near St. Malo.

However, the biggest drawback of tidal power stations is that they can only generate when the tide is flowing in or out. This means that power can be generated practically only for 10 hours each day. However, as tides are totally predictable, so we can plan to have other power stations generating at those times when the tidal station is out of action, enabling us to get the required amount of electricity for 24 hours.

Technorati Tags: Tidal,Power,Energy,tide,barrage,river,tides,turbine

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Alteris Renewables received the ‘Green/Environmental’ Deal of the year award at the 8th annual M&A Advisor Awards Gala in New York last week. In October, 2008, Riverside Partners structured and invested in the successful merger of Solar Works and Solarwrights, two renewable energy integration companies, to create Alteris Renewables, now the leading renewable energy integrator in the Northeast.

If you are interested to convert your home to solar power and you are interested in a grid tied photovoltaic system then you need to calculate system size. Also find information about your state’s as well as federal tax incentives and know how to source components, for starters.

Instructions

Step 1

First look at that how much is your 12 months electrical consumption; take average of those 12 months electrical consumption in kWh. After that what figure you get divide it with 150 (hours of sun per month) if you live near the coast, it can be 155 if you live in a mountains area or 160 if you live in a sunny area. That will give you a rough size of system, which you will need to size a gird tied system. Lets say if your average monthly use was 450kWh per month and you were living near the coast then you would need a 3kW (3,000W) PV system to offset 100% of your consumption.

Step 2

Settle your incentive level. The California Solar Initiative provides incentives on state level in California. The incentive levels are different depending upon the use such as residential, commercial nonprofit or governmental entity. The other states New York and New Jersey are also having great rebate incentives. Federal Government provide a 30% federal tax credit for you can consult your accountant to check if you are eligible for the tax credit or not.

In many cases rebate and tax credit both can offset roughly 40 to 70 percent of the cost of the system installed, it will be more if you do the installation yourself. Commercial systems are eligible for MACRS (Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System), it’s also known as accelerated depreciation. Utility rates vary by location so there cant be a any exact answer for payback question. Anyhow it’s usually between 8 and 15 years if installed by a contractor, financed monthly and compared only to your actual electric bill. For commercial customers paybacks can be from three to six years.

Other thing to remember is that when calculating payback is the appreciation value of the system to your home/building, insulation from future electric rate hikes, and the fact that after the system is paid off, you have free electricity. In majority of cases the system will be worth more than what you have paid for after rebates and tax credits, and today almost all modules are warranted for 20 to 25 years. There is essential value of power being produced by clean energy from the sun instead of coal or natural gas, and aside from that you are also practically guaranteed a positive return on your investment.

To make it even more complicated, some utility rate structures penalize you the

more electricity you use by increasing the prices at different consumption levels, or add in a demand charge that is not based off your actual electrical consumption. For more information about that contact your local utility provider.

Step 3

If your electric need is 3 kW (3,000 W), for that you will need to find that amount of modules and the right size inverter. There are many places to get those components online so do your homework before buying. Buy branded modules such as Sharp, Kyocera, Sunpower and Unisloar because these companies are serving from years and can back up the warranties on their products. You will pay a premium for these modules. If you want less expensive modules then search for companies such as Suntech and Canadian Solar these companies are generally known as producing quality products. Most of manufacturers in the industry make modules on same machines so product’s quality most likely won’t vary much from manufacturer to manufacturer. But you will be having a risk with these companies because there are not around long enough to serve their warranty. 20 to 25 years warranty is an industry standard, so steer clear of any module offering a lesser warranty period.

Grid tied inverter will be needed also for that SMA American, Fronius and Xantrex inverters are the industry standard. These inverters convert the Dc current to AC so that your home appliances can use electricity also. These inverters usually haves 10 years warranty.

If you are doing the installation yourself then you will also need an AC disconnect and DC disconnect properly sized according to the National Electric Code. This also goes for the size wire, conduits and connectors you will need to run from the modules to the DC disconnect, to the inverter, to the AC disconnect and to your main electrical service.

You will also need racking and standoffs for that try Prosolar or Uniarc. Prosolar is less expensive than Uniarc. You will need an extra breaker also for your electrical panel.

Step 4

After sourcing your materials calculate your output then decide what type of module and inverter you will need, play around with the PV Watts v2 calculator using different quantities of the modules you’re choosing until you get a kWh output which is roughly 90 to 100 % of your current consumption. Modules are rated in DC watts, so expect less output as subjected by manufacturer because the power is being converted to AC before it reached your main service panel. A 210-watt module will provide 198 watts after conversions and losses.

Step 5

There are local codes that enforced by inspectors for that consult an electrician. Every locale is different some may require fire borders around the modules while other may require extra double triple grounding for your system. Talk to an inspector if possible at your local city or county development department. May be he will provide you a fairly detailed guideline for your area, although don’t count on it.

You will also need to consult with your local utility provider” interconnection” or “net metering” department. These people can guide you through the interconnection process or many providers have detailed information and forms online. You will make three bureaucratic meetings, first with your local permitting agency, second with your local utility and third with your local rebate administrator. All will be having paperwork and guidelines that, if not adhered to, can drastically slow any building momentum.

Bottom line is that you should be prepared beforehand, review all requirements and have all questions answered otherwise you will waste countless hours making corrections, paying for additional reviews and possibly receiving a lower rebate than expected.

Step 6

There are too many variables to go over all the steps of how to size every different type of system for that get a solar design book. For that “Home Power Magazine” is a good source in which schematics and diagrams and source of people who had installed their own system are published. You can also order its previous issues. Here is a quick review of the things you should be aware of: type of modules, inverters and racking; inverter string sizing; wire and conduit sizing; building permit requirements; interconnection requirements; rebate requirements; fire department requirements and building code requirements.

Step 7

You would have to stay on top of your rebate paperwork because it is a multi step process. Usually you will first reserve the rebate after that install the system then claim the rebate. The rebate reservation will expire if the system is not installed within a reasonable amount of time. Always make follow up call to ensure that the rebate paperwork arrived.

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New York-based Prism Solar Technologies has developed a unique solar panel that addresses some major concerns for solar technology. Material and module costs coupled with a lack of prime solar irradiance are major barriers for solar power in cloudy climates like New York. In Germany, the solution was lucrative solar rebates, and while those are [...]

Solar energy is extremely important for us to survive. Besides helping us to stay warm, and enabling other organisms to survive, it is used in the commercial power production as well.

Solar energy is also essential for plant life as it is necessary for photosynthesis, the process through which plants generate energy and process nutrients for their growth by converting solar light for their own use by utilizing chloroplasts within their leaves and bodies.

Through this process, food is produced for other herbivores together with oxygen for us to breath and removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, allowing creatures such as ourselves to survive while maintaining a balanced world temperature.

Hybrid solar lighting used for interior lighting is also a type of solar energy. This is most commonly used to give off light inside buildings. You will find that individual solar lights will marinate in the sun all day and stay lit at night to light up walkways and gardens.

A lot of people do not realize that solar energy is used for cooking. Solar power ovens as well as other kitchen appliances are becoming more and more popular. Something as simple as a greenhouse uses solar power. Power from the sun will help the plants to grow and thrive. Greenhouses also take in the rays of the sun to heat up the inside of the greenhouse. This is very beneficial to the plants during the winter time when they would normally die.

Many of us are unaware of the fact that solar energy is also responsible for generating wind currents, which help the spreading of spores and gametes in plants and fungi to allow their propagation over a wide area.

Herbivores or omnivores also require solar energy to gain energy, which help them to produce various B vitamins such as B-12 to energize and stimulate several processes.

Solar energy even affects our daily moods, as our bodies adapt and adjust throughout the different seasons as the amount of sunlight changes. For example, many people feel more depressed or less energetic in the winter or during rainy seasons, while the summer tends to see more positive feelings and productive work styles.

This is commonly known as “Seasonal Affective Disorder” and is common among not only people but many animals as well.

Solar energy is also partly responsible for the generation of oceanic waves and currents as well as regulating the salt/fresh water mix through the melting and re-freezing of the polar ice caps.

This supports a conducive living environment for ocean creatures as the oceanic currents circle and deposit shared nutrients across the globe. The melting of the ice by solar energy makes sure that new fresh water is made available for countless ecosystems around the world that are dependent upon this cycle for survival.

Lastly, the commercial use of solar energy has helped to provide an alternative, renewable power source through the usage of photovoltaic energy cells for harvesting direct energy from the sun’s rays as well as through harvesting wind and hydro power, both byproducts generated from solar energy.

Many people have utilized effective renewable energy in a number of different ways, helping to reduce energy consumption in many countries, thus providing a cleaner, safer environment for people to live in. This is especially important now as the oil reserves deplete increasingly each year, paving the way for alternative energy.

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The general idea we all have about installing solar panels is that they are very expensive and due to that, unaffordable although they do offer long term benefits, but putting in $20,000 to $30,000 in cash upfront to install a solar system on the roof of your home is not an easy thing to do.

However, the good news is that many Bay Area solar companies that include Akeena Solar, SolarCity, Sungevity and SunRun, are in the process of starting new business models through creative financing mechanisms to make rooftop solar more affordable.

Most of the local and state governments, including Washington, are willing to help. The White House is already busy promoting a new form of financing generically known as PACE, or Property Assessed Clean Energy, which allows private property owners to pay for renewable projects like solar and energy efficiency upgrades through an addition to their property tax bill.

SolarCity, a company based in Foster City, offers solar power system design, financing and installation. The company has become famous by being the first one to offer a "SolarLease" , i.e. solar for no money down.

This way, , consumers lease the solar system for 15 years, instead of buying it and pay SolarCity a monthly bill. In many parts of California, they save 10 to 15 percent a month on their combined electric and lease-payment bills. When the 15-year lease expires, homeowners are given the choice to upgrade the system, extend the lease or have the panels removed for free.

Currently, SolarCity has about 5,000 customers, out of which almost half chose to buy their system, but the rest have leased it.

SolarCity operates in Arizona, California, Colorado and Oregon.

Some of the other companies helping people to incorporate solar energy into their homes include:

1. Sungevity, based in Berkeley, offers solar services completely online. You can go to the company’s Web site, type in your address, and immediately see a satellite image of your roof.

Sungevity then measures the size and pitch of your roof, together with the direction and possible shade obstacles, giving the potential customers an idea about the expected price within 24 hours. This way, the company says it saves consumers time and money by bringing the sales process online. It is possible to get systems for as low as $7,000 after a federal tax credit and state rebate.

2. SunRun, a San Francisco based company, helps consumers to use solar energy for as low as a $1,000 installation fee. Bay Area consumers then do a solar power purchase agreement, or solar PPA, paying SunRun a fixed rate for the solar electricity, which is much less than their previous electric bill.

3. Lowe’s, the home improvement store, has also joined the movement to make solar more affordable. It has begun stocking solar panels from Los Gatos-based Akeena Solar, hoping that ambitious do-it-yourself users will make going solar a weekend project.

Sixteen states, including California, Colorado, Texas and New York, have passed legislation enabling these types of program, promoting the use of personal solar energy.

PACE programs are already up and running in certain cities including Berkeley, Palm Desert, Sonoma County and Boulder County in Colorado.

Several Bay Area counties, including Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, San Mateo, and Alameda, also have plans to issue PACE bonds and plan to launch programs next summer.

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The general idea we all have about installing solar panels is that they are very expensive and due to that, unaffordable although they do offer long term benefits, but putting in $20,000 to $30,000 in cash upfront to install a solar system on the roof of your home is not an easy thing to do.

However, the good news is that many Bay Area solar companies that include Akeena Solar, SolarCity, Sungevity and SunRun, are in the process of starting new business models through creative financing mechanisms to make rooftop solar more affordable.

Most of the local and state governments, including Washington, are willing to help. The White House is already busy promoting a new form of financing generically known as PACE, or Property Assessed Clean Energy, which allows private property owners to pay for renewable projects like solar and energy efficiency upgrades through an addition to their property tax bill.

SolarCity, a company based in Foster City, offers solar power system design, financing and installation. The company has become famous by being the first one to offer a “SolarLease” , i.e. solar for no money down.

This way, , consumers lease the solar system for 15 years, instead of buying it and pay SolarCity a monthly bill. In many parts of California, they save 10 to 15 percent a month on their combined electric and lease-payment bills. When the 15-year lease expires, homeowners are given the choice to upgrade the system, extend the lease or have the panels removed for free.

Currently, SolarCity has about 5,000 customers, out of which almost half chose to buy their system, but the rest have leased it.

SolarCity operates in Arizona, California, Colorado and Oregon.

Some of the other companies helping people to incorporate solar energy into their homes include:

1. Sungevity, based in Berkeley, offers solar services completely online. You can go to the company’s Web site, type in your address, and immediately see a satellite image of your roof.

Sungevity then measures the size and pitch of your roof, together with the direction and possible shade obstacles, giving the potential customers an idea about the expected price within 24 hours. This way, the company says it saves consumers time and money by bringing the sales process online. It is possible to get systems for as low as $7,000 after a federal tax credit and state rebate.

2. SunRun, a San Francisco based company, helps consumers to use solar energy for as low as a $1,000 installation fee. Bay Area consumers then do a solar power purchase agreement, or solar PPA, paying SunRun a fixed rate for the solar electricity, which is much less than their previous electric bill.

3. Lowe’s, the home improvement store, has also joined the movement to make solar more affordable. It has begun stocking solar panels from Los Gatos-based Akeena Solar, hoping that ambitious do-it-yourself users will make going solar a weekend project.

Sixteen states, including California, Colorado, Texas and New York, have passed legislation enabling these types of program, promoting the use of personal solar energy.

PACE programs are already up and running in certain cities including Berkeley, Palm Desert, Sonoma County and Boulder County in Colorado.

Several Bay Area counties, including Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, San Mateo, and Alameda, also have plans to issue PACE bonds and plan to launch programs next summer.

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