Have the Warmth of the Sun
By Richard A. Florey
Marketing Director,
EcoVantage Energy, Inc.
www.ecovantageenergy.com
“I’d put my money on the sun
and solar energy. What a source of
power! I hope we don’t have to wait
until oil and coal run out before we
tackle that. I wish I had more years
left.” — Thomas Edison
Thankfully, we are far from
running out of oil or coal anytime
soon; but it’s great that today going
solar is an option we have available
to us to power our homes. Of all the
current ways to produce electricity nothing is as cost efficient or as
environmentally clean as solar power
— in this case, rooftop or residential
PV (photo-voltaic) solar panels with
battery backup. Mr. Edison would be
proud.
Right off the bat, let’s get into
some of the basic questions people
have about solar.
Q: Is solar for everyone?
A: Unfortunately, solar ownership does have its limitations. For
instance, you need to be a homeowner with proper orientation (a southfacing roof) and low shade.
Q: What if my Home Owners
Association says no?
A: In the State of Texas an HOA
cannot deny a homeowner the right
to install solar on their home. You
may have to come to terms on ascetics, but you cannot legally be denied.
Q: What’s the return on investment?
A: On average, it takes between
five to eight years to see a monetary
return on your investment in solar.
There is however an instant ROI
once you put solar on your home,
the value of which went up by the
amount of solar you just put on it.
The good news about that is it cannot
be taxed according to that increase
in the State of Texas. Another good
reason why Texas is a great state to
own solar in.
Q: How long will they last?
A: Solar panels have a life span of
roughly fifty years. So, if you figure
that the return on investment is eight
years, then that leaves you many
more years in the black when it
comes to your energy expenses. (Our
customers have said the first time
they experienced going through a
power outage without missing a beat
to be a complete moment of Zen.
The cost of which was totally worth
the price of admission.)
APRIL 2016
PA R K E R C O U N T Y T O D AY
Remember, tax credits and
government grants are available to
offset initial costs when it comes
to adding solar, if you are eligible.
There are more lending options available today as well; so opting for a
change in the way you get electricity
is easier than ever.
In the upcoming months I will
address many more questions people
have about solar power and share
with you the latest news in solar
technology and other alternative
forms of energy as it becomes available.
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