Hassle free PV generation

Installing solar panels (photovoltaics or PV) on your roof is too complicated and too costly, right? That’s what your best friend, your neighbors and coworkers say and it’s like slam! The kabbash is on!  When you ask them how they know it’s too costly or too complicated, they bring up no real facts; just make unsupported claims, because they didn’t have the patience to do research for more than ten minutes. You might however agree that it’s complicated to figure out what your roof’s solar potential is, because it seems like there’s no one easy place to go. So maybe, they’re partially right, because when anyone searches aimlessly it feels complicated. However, several up-and-coming companies and reliable websites suggest that determining when solar panels pay for themselves can depend on a few factors.

To simplify the search, you could start with some excellent sources that have the most cutting edge technology available to you so that you as a homeowner stay feeling empowered, rather than overwhelmed in finding answers.  In an attempt to take the hassle out of the process, for instance, MIT’s Sustainable Design Lab, and a new start-up Mapdwell, created a new app Mapdwell.[1] The developers are unbiased since they are not affiliated with any solar companies promoting their own business, which is what differentiates them. That removes one complication for you. Although they are relatively new, contact them to see if they can start mapping in your area so you can take advantage of their app for your home. The developers really believe that once you use Mapdwell, as a homeowner you’ll see that solar pays for itself within a small amount of time.[2] Still, one of the leading authorities in solar, the Solar Energy Industries Association considers that the answer to how quickly the system pays for itself depends on where you live and supports that claim with a study performed by Clean Power Research. The results of that study were published in Wall Street Journal.[3] 

Visit Dsireusa to find the most current map for pointing out the solar energy tax credits and cost-savings programs available in your area.[4]   

There are certainly some important considerations before putting solar panels on your roof. Let’s make this a little less of a hassle. Click on the following questions for answers to some nagging questions. (1) How much roof space do I need to dedicate to the panels?[5] (2) Should I buy or lease panels?[6]  (3) Do they increase the value of my house?[7] (4) Should I use a professional installer?[8] (5) Are there alternatives to rooftop solar?[9] (6) What is net metering?[10] (7) Is it easy to finance?[11] (8) Are costs coming down?[12]

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[1] http://en.mapdwell.com/solarsystem/cambridge

[2] http://news.thomasnet.com/green_clean/2013/07/17/new-software-could-help-increase-solar-technology-implementation/

[3] http://www.seia.org/news/economics-installing-solar

[4] http://www.dsireusa.org/solar/

[5] http://www.getsolar.com/blog/how-big-a-roof-is-needed-for-solar-pv-hot-water-or-both/10252/

[6] http://www.seia.org/news/how-homeowners-are-getting-solar-panels-without-lot-upfront-cash

[7] http://www.seia.org/research-resources/residential-photovoltaic-installations-increase-home-value-california%20%20http:/www.resilientcommunities.com/how-much-does-a-solar-panel-system-increase-your-homes-value/

[8] http://ussolarinstitute.com/you-dont-need-to-live-in-a-solar-hotspot-to-benefit-from-pv-training/

[9] http://inhabitat.com/nrg-energys-new-solar-canopy-offers-a-grid-free-alternative-to-rooftop-solar/

[10] http://www.getsolar.com/why_solar_what-is-net-metering.php

[11] http://www.getsolar.com/cost_solar-financing.php

[12] http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=im-getting-my-roof-redone-and-heard-about-solar-shingles