| While going solar steadily grows in popularity, | | | | days. Panels do produce proportionately less |
| myths about using solar energy for the home | | | | energy on cloudy days but they still work. |
| persist. Dispelling these myths and learning the | | | | Obviously, solar panels produce more energy |
| facts frees you to embrace a clean, abundant, | | | | from direct sunlight during sunny days. It is true |
| and efficient energy source. | | | | that atmosphere, sun angle, and distance affect |
| Now let's deal with the three myths. | | | | the amount of sunlight a solar panel receives. |
| 1. Residential solar power systems are too | | | | Weather patterns like clouds, fog, rain, and falling |
| expensive. Let's address the expense of a home | | | | snow diminish the amount of solar energy that |
| solar power system. The truth is a home solar | | | | can be captured. |
| energy system could be expensive. Without doing | | | | Latitude, time of day, and time of year also |
| your homework first, buying and installing a | | | | affect the amount of sunlight. Logically, the |
| photovoltaic (PV) system to replace current | | | | Northeastern US needs more panels to produce |
| home energy consumption stretches the budget | | | | the same energy as those same panels placed in |
| of the average American | | | | California where there are more direct sunlight |
| However, you have complete control of the initial | | | | days. Geographic location also comes into play |
| cost of a solar energy system. You have no | | | | when incorporating solar power. |
| control over the rapidly increasing cost of oil and | | | | Yet, consider this cloudy climate. Germany has |
| natural gas. | | | | half the average sun hours as the USA. |
| The good news is there are ways to make solar | | | | Two-thirds of all daylight hours in Germany are |
| energy available to every budget. A few simple | | | | cloud covered. It rains there year round. Yet |
| steps can bring solar energy in line with your | | | | Germany managed to become the world's leader |
| budget. | | | | in solar power generation. Last year almost half |
| - Reduce energy consumption, | | | | the solar electricity produced in the world was |
| - Improve home energy efficiency, | | | | produced in Germany. |
| - Take advantage of renewable energy tax | | | | No matter where you live, solar power can be |
| incentives and rebates that apply in your area. | | | | part of your energy source. Work with a local |
| Thoughtless energy consumption habits are a | | | | solar professional to determine the best solar |
| thing of the past. It is neither environmentally safe | | | | options for your home, in your location. |
| nor economical feasible to continue our caviler | | | | 3. Solar energy is inefficient. How efficient is solar |
| attitude of energy consumption. It benefits all of | | | | energy? Energy efficiency is a delicate balance |
| us to acquire and practice new energy | | | | between economic costs, benefit for the |
| consumption habits. | | | | environment, and available supplies. It must be |
| Begin with some easy habits. Turn your | | | | financially affordable, good for our planet and its |
| thermostat up in summer and down in winter. | | | | inhabitants, and in abundant supply. |
| Switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). | | | | Seen from a strictly financial point of view, coal is |
| Lower the thermostat on your hot water heater | | | | the least expensive electrical energy source. On |
| to 120 degrees. Take short showers instead of | | | | an energy-per-Btu basis, coal is also the least |
| baths. Wash clothes in cold water. | | | | expensive fossil fuel. But adding the environment |
| Increasing your home's energy efficiency is an | | | | to the equation, coal is a major source of air |
| extremely cost effective step to going solar. Get | | | | pollution and greenhouse gases. Then consider |
| a professional home energy audit. An energy | | | | that at current rates of production only 155 years |
| professional can tell you where you home loses | | | | of coal supplies remain. |
| energy and what efficiency improvements you | | | | Efficiency of photovoltaic (PV) power increases |
| can make. Depending on your home, | | | | dramatically with gains in PV technology. Still, |
| improvements could mean more insulation, | | | | commonly available solar PV panels produce |
| upgrading to energy efficient windows, or sealing | | | | electric energy at a 15% efficiency rate. That |
| air leaks around doors and soffits. | | | | sounds low, right? |
| Next, investigate the renewable energy tax | | | | But consider there are no harmful air pollutants |
| incentives and rebates. Congress just passed into | | | | released into the air. Neither can we run out of |
| law Incentives Tax Credits (ITC) for residential | | | | solar energy. Technological advances as well as |
| and business solar systems. The price of a solar | | | | incentive tax credits continue to reduce the price |
| energy system could be reduced by as much as | | | | of solar energy systems. |
| 30 percent. Each state has its own rebate plans | | | | Now that three major barriers to a home solar |
| as well. | | | | energy system are demystified, you can pursue a |
| Remember: the least expensive steps make the | | | | clean, abundant, and efficient energy source for |
| biggest impact on the final cost of a solar system. | | | | your home. You know it is possible to reduce the |
| 2. Solar energy does not work on cloudy days. | | | | expense of solar energy, that solar panels do |
| What about solar energy systems on cloudy | | | | work on cloudy days, and that the most efficient |
| days? As long as there is some light, solar panels | | | | energy source is one that will never run out. |
| produce electricity. That means even on cloudy | | | | |