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Tag: California

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15 Oct 2016
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Enough Solar Energy To Power 1 Million Homes

A California company is planning on building the largest solar power plant in the world. The power plant, which is planned to be built in Nevada, will cost $5 billion and will be able to generate between 1,500 and 2,000 MW of power. That is enough energy to power 1 million homes.

This project should create about 3,000 jobs for almost a decade! With demand growing for clean, renewable energy, this is a perfect outlet for California’s job market. Along with creating thousands of jobs, the plant that is planned to be built is completely emission free.

For more information on this project, please visit: ecowatch.com

01 Feb 2016
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Solar Power Popularity And Frequency

Amazingly, but not surprisingly 85% of all solar power systems installed in homes are in California. California is often a leader in new technologies including those that make energy production and usage more efficient and those that are environmentally friendly. With the cost of solar power having come down considerably over the last few years thanks in large part to the technology having advanced rapidly in the same time frame there’s never been a better time to have solar panels installed in your home.

SOLAR SERVICE WITH A SMILE
When you contact us here at SolarGem you’ll be greeted by an experienced and courteous individual who will go over all of the benefits that solar power brings with it. He/she will also field any questions and concerns you may have and help put your mind at ease with regards to the technology and even the initial cost of installation. Once you commit to having a new solar power system installed your property will be inspected in order to determine the best location for your new solar panels. We will also go over with you just how much your energy bills will decrease and assist you with tax credits and even state rebates. Once all these things have been completed we will install your new solar panels and let you begin saving energy!

SOLAR POWER PROS AND CONS
With regards to the pros and cons of utilizing solar power there are far more pros than there are cons though in an effort to be objective and fair to our customers we will cover both. In the pro department’s solar energy does not produce any pollution which means there’s less carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide filling our atmosphere. Additionally solar power systems operate very quietly decreasing noise pollution dramatically. One of the most impressive benefits of having solar panels installed is that the tax breaks and state rebates mentioned previously often pay for up to as much as 40% of the cost of the system itself. The only real con associated with installing new solar panels is the initial costs associated with doing so though this can be offset by tax breaks and rebates. Additionally those who live in volatile climates and those whose homes don’t see much sun won’t benefit as much from solar power as those who live in say Orange County.

11 Oct 2015
Leading By Example Solar Power
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Leading By Example: Solar Power

Reliance on fossil fuels is slowly becoming a thing of the past. While in years past the move away from fossil fuels was much slower modern technologies such as solar power are making that move easier and faster for all involved. While the technology and benefits surrounding solar power are certainly attractive many of its adopters utilize it in order to lead by example. Solar power is no longer something that only the wealthy can afford nor is it something that only “hippies” want to use. The truth of the matter is that solar power is being adopted by homeowners who want to demonstrate that solar power can not only save homeowners money but allow them to do something good for the environment as well. Utilizing solar power also helps preserve natural resources.

Homeowners who elect to have a modern solar power installed at their home will enjoy a multitude of benefits. These benefits include going green, reduction of their monthly energy costs, and immediate and often very valuable rebates. In fact there are very substantial financial rebates for any California homeowner who has a solar power system installed at their home. While there is certainly some paperwork for homeowners to complete prior to receiving the state rebates, many solar power contractors get that process started and/or help homeowners fill out the paperwork quickly. In some cases the state will front a portion or the cost of installation in order to put solar power in the hands of homeowners. Stored and unused solar power can often be sold back to local power companies as well.

Of course the most popular reason for adopting solar power, at least amongst homeowners, is the reduction of their monthly energy costs and consumption. The amount of money a homeowner and his/her family saves by utilizing solar power depends largely on the type of system they have installed. Obviously the more expensive and elaborate a system is the more energy it can collect, convert, and store for use but even the most modest of modern solar power systems will help homeowners reduce their monthly electric bills dramatically. Modern families utilize a large variety of different electrical appliances ranging from old standards like a washer and dryer to more modern ones such as computers, large television sets, and mobile devices. Solar power allows homeowners and their families to utilize these appliances regularly without the fear of having to pay an exorbitant sum for doing so at the end of the month.

If there’s any downside to having a solar power system installed at a home it has to be the initial purchasing and installation costs. While the rapid advancements in and rising popularity of the technology have helped drive costs way down in recent years these initial costs can often disuade some homeowners, even those with deep pockets. Homeowners need to keep in mind however that despite its sometimes high initial costs, solar power systems begin paying for themselves immediately. Not only by reducing energy costs but by way of rebates and tax breaks as well. Homeowners should also remember to find out if they qualify for financing that will cover the initial costs of set up. The initial costs associated with producing and installing a solar power system may seem steep to homeowners but keeping in mind all of the aforementioned things the purchase of a solar power system should be more than justified.

20 Sep 2015
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Solar Power: What to Expect

Solar Power: What to ExpectIt is interesting to note that eighty five percent of all solar power systems in the United States are installed within the borders of California. There were many reasons California has seen such tremendous interest and growth with regards solar power though perhaps none are more prevalent than the many benefits that come along with having a solar power system installed there. More so than any other state, California offers both home and business owners a number of tax benefits and rebates to those who elect to have solar power installed at their home or place of business. Furthermore and in many cases the state of California can assist in covering as much as 40% of the initial costs associated with solar power installation.

In addition to being one of the largest pro-solar power states in the entire Union, California has one of the largest environmentally friendly and conscious populations. More so than any other state a large portion of California’s residents and business owners want to take advantage of solar power not so much for the financial benefits associated with it but rather to help reduce their carbon footprint and to do something friendly for the planet. This fact alone is thought by some to be the primary driving force behind the sharp rise in solar power popularity within the state.

Home and business owners in California who elect to move forward with a solar power purchase will begin the process by searching for a reliable and trusted solar power vendor as well as installation experts. In many cases those that make solar power systems available are also installation experts and can address all of an individuals solar power needs. After a consultation with a solar power expert an individual can expect to receive a visit from a representative of the company they been speaking with. This representative will carefully inspect their home or place of business to determine exactly where solar panels need to be placed for maximum efficiency and aesthetic purposes. Individuals can also expect the professionals they are dealing with to go over their current energy bills and compare them with their forecasted bills in order to help them understand exactly how much they will be saving. Once the consultation, bill review, and visit have all been completed the solar power experts an individual has selected will help them obtain and submit building permits as well as the paperwork necessary for tax credits and rebates. They will also likely go over any warranties that are included in a solar power system that they’ve either sold and/or are installing.

As with anything in life there are pros and cons to solar power, though the pros far outweigh the cons especially when you consider how rapid the technology surrounding solar power has advanced. Home and business owners that utilize solar panels will consume far less fuel than they ever have, will receive state tax breaks and rebates, may receive financial assistance to help them cover the cost of installation, and will be doing something fantastic for the environment. The only real cons attached to solar power these days are the initial cost of installation and just how effective solar panels are for homes and commercial structures that reside in climates that don’t see the sun very often. The decision to have solar panels installed at home or place of business usually isn’t a difficult one to make though the aforementioned things need to be considered and evaluated before any final decision is made.

22 Jul 2015
Keep Solar Panels Clean
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3 Reasons To Keep Solar Panels Clean

So excited are individuals who have solar power systems installed at their homes and places of business that they often forget to consider the cleaning of their solar panels. Not right away mind you but over time and rather quickly solar panels become dirty and when the cleanliness of solar panels is neglected there are a number of detrimental side effects that homeowners will see. Homeowners need to have their solar panels cleaned regularly by professionals in order to keep them functioning at optimum levels and to ensure their longevity.

The first and perhaps most important reason home and business owner should have their solar panels cleaned is to ensure that those panels and the systems they are attached to continue producing usable energy efficiently. Though the effects may not be noticeable right off the bat, the moment solar panels are installed they begin collecting dust and dirt. As dirt, dust, calcium, and debris all collect on top of solar panels their ability to collect and convert sunlight into usable electricity diminishes at a slow but steady rate. Homes and businesses that exist in environments/climates where debris is plentiful and sunshine is minimal are affected even more by dirty solar panels.

Modern solar panels aren’t as gaudy nor as bulky as their cousins of yesteryear but they still take up considerable real estate on and around homes and places of business. As such home and business owners often keep their solar panels clean in order to keep them looking good, professional, and tended to. Solar panels that are left neglected can easily become an eyesore and distract from more important parts of a home and/or place of business.

The third reason people have for cleaning their solar panels is the avoidance of damage and/or the need for repair and replacement solar panels. While it may not seem that precipitation, dust, and dirt can damage solar panels, over time these things can actually erode the protective coatings and film on top of solar panels and can be conducive to mold growth, bird nests, and even collections of insects and bugs. All of these things can have negative long-term effects on solar panels. The cost associated with cleaning solar panels are far more affordable than are replacement solar panels and repair services.

Whatever reason and individual may have for wanting to clean their solar panels it’s important to move forward with regularly scheduled cleanings. After paying an exorbitant amount of money for their solar power systems it would only make sense that such persons would want to keep the solar panels looking good and in good working order.