Who hasn’t been at a wedding where no one is dancing and then suddenly, because one brave soul got up and got out on the dance floor, an entire party erupted? There’s a lot of truth to the age old adage that it only takes one person to get the ball rolling. Continue reading
No one wants to make a major purchase, only to find out that if they waited just a little while longer to buy, they would have been better off. Unfortunately, the fear of jumping in too soon is keeping some people from maximizing the benefits they could be receiving from a solar power system. It’s true that the price of solar panel systems is declining 5-10% each year. That’s gre
at news and one of the main reasons some people are waiting, but system price isn’t the only variable that drives the financial returns you will receive. Other factors such as the price of electricity, available tax incentives and rebates, and the availability of Solar Renewable Energy Credit (SREC) programs also play key roles. Your decision should also factor in the opportunity cost of waiting—how much you would have saved during the “waiting” period; how much you might have earned in SRECs; and the interest you would have earned on each.
Some things to keep in mind when you are evaluating the timing of your purchase:
Using the points above, you should evaluate a number of different scenarios to determine when would be the best time for you to buy your solar panels system.
A recent Gallup poll determined that 2 out of 3 Americans want the U.S to put more emphasis on generating domestic energy through renewable sources—And that desire was reflected across political parties. We weren’t really surprised by these findings. When you think about it, clean energy has its perks for almost everyone regardless of their political leanings.
For conservatives who tend to be concerned about fiscal outcomes, clean energy systems are a sound investment. Take solar photovoltaic (PV) systems (also referred to as solar panel systems or solar power systems) for instance. Increases in property value, decreases or elimination of electricity bills, and the financial rewards of Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs) are just a few ways that solar panels can deliver sound economic benefits. In many instances, the returns on investment rival those of traditional investments such as stocks and bonds. It’s an attractive option for folks who are focused on the bottom line.
For the more liberal, environmentalism is a pulling factor. Renewable energy is a viable solution to the increasingly palpable problem of climate change. By reducing greenhouse emissions and the harmful practices associated with extracting energy from other sources, clean energy represents an important pathway to a healthier planet.
For those focused on the economy, renewables make significant contributions to the financial health of our country. The clean energy sector represents a strong source of job growth. Clean energy is also a way for businesses to save money, better manage operating expenses, and become more competitive which contributes to job retention across multiple industry sectors. The environmental aspects of renewables also contribute economically, preserving the well being of many industries such as farming, fishing, and tourism that require a healthy environment in order to thrive.
Finally, those who crave less governmental interference in their day-to-day lives connect with the independence that clean energy provides. Property owners who adopt clean energy from renewable sources are far less dependent on traditional energy sources and no longer at the mercy of volatile and increasing energy prices. They become empowered as they make the move from energy consumers to independent energy producers. Likewise, people who support energy independence on the national level understand the global value of adopting renewables locally.
The wide variety of benefits that clean energy provides, whether economic, environmental, or personal, all contribute to the mass appeal of these systems. In a political environment that is often extremely polarized, we love the idea that clean energy could be a pathway to reaching common ground.
When shopping for airline tickets or other big-ticket items, people generally shop around. For airline tickets you might compare: How much will it cost? When are the flights? What are the baggage charges? What’s the airline’s safety record? What’s their “on-time” percentage? How much leg-room will there be? Etc. People use a comparison shopping approach because it gives them all the information needed to make the right choice. The same is true when shopping for solar power systems for your home or business. If you take the first offer that comes your way, how will you ever know if you got the right system or the best price or terms for your property?
Like every other purchase, comparison shopping for solar will yield the best results. EnergySage recommends that you engage 3-4 solar installation and financing providers to get quotes and system design plans to ensure that you maximize your investment. Take the time to review each option, ask questions about key differences between the proposals, and tease out the differentiators. 
Here are some key points of comparison when reviewing solar power proposals:
Comparing multiple quotes provides you with multiple options so you can find the option that’s best suited to your needs. In addition to more choices, it also introduces competition into the process which always helps if you want to make sure you are getting a fair price and the best terms for your project! Having choice is important to many people and making a decision to go solar is one that you will enjoy for many years to come. It’s worth it to take the time to connect with multiple high quality providers and to evaluate the various options they provide so you can be confident that you are choosing the right option for your project. EnergySage makes this process very easy. (To get started, click here).]
When shopping for solar photovoltaic (also known as solar panel, solar electric) systems, many businesses and homeowners focus mainly on price. To that end, dollars per watt is a key metric when comparing quotes because it allows the consumer to adjust for differences in system size. While price is certainly an important factor, maximizing the value of your investment both financially and environmentally, involves consideration of several other, equally important factors. Here are some that we think are vital to making the right decision.
Going solar is an important financial decision and price isn’t the only factor in determining the success of your investment. In fact, a more expensive system often can deliver better financial returns for your family or business. As you can see, there are a lot of factors to consider. By automating this process and providing information that is key to the decision-making process, our EnergySage Solar Marketplace makes shopping for solar easy for the consumer. If you’re ready to start the shopping process, you can access the Solar Marketplace here.
Are there other things you think should be considered that we didn’t include? Feel free to chime in below in the comments section.
As people begin the process of researching a potential solar PV system, one of the first questions they ask is “Is my roof even suitable for solar?” Here are a few key considerations that can help you to answer that question. Continue reading
EnergySage (www.energysage.com) is pleased to announce the development of a formal relationship with the Massachusetts Sierra Club (www.sierraclubmass.org) to accelerate the adoption of clean energy technologies, such as solar photovoltaic (electric), solar thermal (hot water) and geothermal-heat pump (space cooling and heating) systems. The joint effort will focus on proactive outreach, education and free advocacy services for owners and decision-makers at commercial properties, including businesses, religious institutions, government buildings, schools and non-profits. The details of this partnership will be announced in February.
Historically, clean energy technologies were perceived as an option only for diehard environmentalists as it would take decades to recoup these costs, if ever. Today, the rapid decline in technology prices, increased government incentives and the high cost of grid-produced electricity have transformed the financial rationale for these technologies with near-term paybacks and long-term financial returns. In addition, the positive environmental impact of these systems and efficiencies in clean energy production offset more fossil fuel produced electricity than ever before.
Although many property owners and decision-makers have strong interest in clean energy technologies, the process of evaluating these options can be quite daunting. Where do you turn? Who can be trusted to provide you with objective advice? Certainly, anyone selling a particular technology will have some bias toward the type of technology they offer (e.g., solar PV) and the specific brands of panels or other related technologies that they carry. The partnership between EnergySage and the Sierra Club Massachusetts is focused on helping these property owners and decision-makers navigate this complex and confusing process with objective education and advocacy services.
EnergySage has chosen to join with the Sierra Club because it is the oldest and most effective grass roots-oriented environmental group in the world. The organization has a loyal base of members who trust the Club as a partner in promoting environmental initiatives throughout the world. EnergySage believes firmly that this trusted relationship will bring more parties to the table to consider these financially and environmentally attractive clean energy investments and help to accelerate adoption of these technologies with the right resources and tools.
For more information about this program, please contact EnergySage at John@EnergySage.com or call 617-453-8924.
EnergySage, the authoritative resource on solar panel systems and other clean energy solutions for residential and commercial properties is hosting a Free local event for residential property owners. The event, located at EnergySage Headquarters in Cambridge MA, will be lead by Chris Williams, a veteran installer in a broad range of clean energy technologies and thought leader in clean energy technology installation quality and public policy development. Mr. Williams will provide homeowners with practical insight into several common clean energy technologies, including Solar Photovoltaic PV systems, Solar Hot Water and Geothermal Ground Source Heat Pump technologies used to heat and cool your home. For more information about this October 25th event and to register, Continue reading
10:30 AM – the doorbell rings on Martin Luther King day. It’s 12 degrees out and the guy at the door – in blue coveralls with the NStar logo – is from the electric utility company. Carmine – that’s his name – is here to install two “net-meters” to prep for our upcoming PhotoVoltaic installation. He explains that normal electric meters go only one direction, but net-meters go forwards and backwards as well. Continue reading
Hello to new EnergySagers -
I’m located in Massachusetts and I thought my recent experiences looking into solar PV for my house might be helpful for folks.
First off, I should say that I’m pretty lucky to have an unobstructed south-facing roof. I’ve been thinking about solar for a while, and watching prices go down, so a couple of months ago I started asking people who had installed solar PV panels Continue reading