Elon Musk unveils solar rooftop shingles

solar

Elon Musk late Friday debuted glass roofing shingles that generate electricity from the sun, a critical step toward merging Tesla Motors with his solar energy firm, SolarCity.

shingles

Musk showed off four houses ― which looked to be from the set of the ABC’s “Desperate Housewives” ― with different styles of glass shingles. The first, using a laminate coating, replicated a Tuscan terra cotta tile. The second mirrored the design of French slate. The third modeled a gray, textured look commonly seen on suburban homes. The fourth sported a sleek, modern look.

read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/tesla-solar-roof_us_5814025ae4b0390e69d07c6e

What you should know before going solar

How do home solar systems work?

Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels are made from silicon cells that join together to form a circuit. The panel collects the sun’s energy and makes direct current (DC) electricity. An inverter changes the DC electricity into alternating current (AC) electricity, which is what most homes use. The inverter is a metal box connected to a meter, which in turn is connected to the utility’s electric grid.

How can I pay for a solar system?

You can get a solar or home improvement loan from a bank or go through a private solar financing company. The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority has low-rate loans and financing options available, some of which can be paid through your monthly utility bill. The return on investment for most home solar systems is five to seven years.

Should I lease or buy?

About a decade ago, leasing was the way to go, since the price of a home solar system was high. Now that prices have come down by 70 percent, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association, it is better to pay for something you will eventually own.

Will solar add value to your home?  Contact the appraisers at www.scappraisals.com   They have been appraising solar and energy efficient properties for over 8 years.

read more at: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/02/realestate/what-you-should-know-before-going-solar.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Frealestate&action=click&contentCollection=realestate&region=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=14&pgtype=sectionfront&_r=0

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Thinking of buying solar – Free Tools

If you’re beginning to educate yourself about the using solar energy in your home, it’s easy to become overloaded with information. Even veterans of the industry have to actively keep up with a variety of topics like state and federal regulations, utility policies, and changing technologies. If you’re excited about having solar panels installed on your roof, don’t be intimidated by the process.

Adopting solar power is a great way to invest funds, increase your property’s value, lower your electricity bill, and reduce your personal carbon footprint. Plus, with the recent and continued drop in solar panel costs, the return on investment is the most profitable it’s ever been. In other words, it’s definitely worth your time and research!

Depending on what state you live in, the type of property you own, whether you want to lease or own your solar panels, and other specifications, there are many aspects to consider during your purchasing process. Thankfully, there are several free tools available to make this process as easy as possible. Whether you’re looking to avoid energy cost fluctuations, make a financial investment, or to live a greener lifestyle, these resources will help clarify some frequently asked solar power questions you may have.

Solar savings calculator

One of the main advantages that you’re probably familiar with in regards to using solar power is that it will greatly reduce your electricity bill, saving you thousands of dollars at the end of each year. But how is this calculation made and how much can you be saving? There’s a solar savings calculator for that!

When you start generating your own electricity, the amount of power that you need to draw from the utility company will obviously decrease dramatically. However, the exact amount that you will save depends on the cost of utility power in your area, the size of your home, your region’s net-metering policy, and your energy needs.

It can be a headache to calculate all of this yourself. That’s why 123SolarPower created a free solar savings calculator that provides an instant estimate of your potential savings. Simply input a few criteria based on your household, and you’ll get an online savings estimate, which can give you a jumping off point on what to expect.

read more at: http://www.motherearthnews.com/renewable-energy/buying-solar-panels-check-out-these-free-tools-zbcz1609?newsletter=1&spot=headline&utm_source=WhatCountsEmail&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=MEN%20GEGH%20eNews%2010-7-16&utm_term=MEN_GEGH_eNews&_wcsid=B549F6DA891AFF5B50CA5E770352302159162DF386D03291

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