| What is it? |
| Solar power is a naturally occurring phenomenon with out end for a very long time. Wind
is the other natural energy source. Wind powered electrical generating systems are not
practical for residential or suburban use. Solar power is everywhere and readily convertible
to electrical power through the use of Solar Panels. |
| What are the panels made of? |
| The panels are made of poly-crystalline silicon wafers imbedded in a panel approximately
3 feet by 5 feet in size. The panels produce or convert sunlight into Direct Current, DC
electrical power. An inverter is used to convert DC electrical power to Alternating Current,
AC power. |
| Where are they placed? |
| The panels are installed on any south or southwesterly facing surface, typically a roof top
for best exposure to the sun for the longest time during daylight hours.
|
| How do I get electricity from the panels? |
| The generated Electrical power is fed into your home electrical connections. You use the
power generated for your use. Any extra power is fed into the electrical grid system
that ordinarily provides you with electrical power. It actually makes your electrical meter
spin backwards! Typically homeowners are not at home during most of Monday
through Friday daylight hours. This allows your system to generate excess electrical
power that is fed back into the electrical grid that provides electrical power to your
home. In the evening hours, you will use electricity from the grid but pay for it with your
credits. |
| How do I pay for the system? |
| In addition to not having to pay for electrical power, California has a rebate system managed
by the California Solar Initiative Commission . The commission pays a cash rebate
to the homeowner of $1.55 per watt of installed power generation capability. This is a
one time payment to help the homeowner buy the system. The federal government offers
a 30% Tax Credit to also help with acquisition of the system. These rebates and tax
credits can amount to approximately 50% of the installed costs of the system. |
| Any other monetary benefits? |
| Glad you asked, one reason, among many, that stand out is the utility companies rate
structure. Electric power rates have increased an average of 6% per year for the past
30 plus years! And there are already planned increases of almost 16% over the next two
years! |
| How about property taxes? |
| Oh yes, property taxes. Property taxes will not increase with the installation of the system.
Property values may increase by the costs of the system. At present there are insufficient
sales of homes or businesses with an installed solar system to accurately determine
the actual increase in value that can be attributed to the system. That will
change as more system are installed. |
| Okay, I’m interested. What’s next? |
| To see how you can benefit from the installation of a photovoltaic system, please find the
information page that will tell you how to access your electric bill and obtain yur annual
electrical usage history. Send the information to Catch the Sun Solar Co. And we will
develop a plan to meet your unique circumstances. |
