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The truth about solar panels

Posted: 4/23/2009 3:08:37 PM By Angie | 7 comments


In the April edition of the Angie's List Magazine, we asked experts to weigh in on solar panels: What solar panels require, how they're installed, how durable they are and how long they last.

We've gotten some great feedback on the article and I thought I should bring the dialogue over here. What do you think about solar energy--or alternative energy in general?



Comments
richard good
To Carl and other skeptics. I have been in the Solar Industry for 26 years, have a degree in engineering, have studied solar engineering and have boat loads of certifications. I can show you the paybacks and economic justifications all day long. I dont try and blow smoke at anyone. Your return (basically guaranteed by God who controls the sun) in most cases is substantially better than the average you will get from the stock market. Your principal(the solar system) actually appreciates with time as the value of the system is a multiple of the energy savings(energy prices only rise in my experience). The American Appraisal Institute even has classes to teach appraisers how to calculate the value of a system. So if you want a great Investment, buy solar!
6/1/2010 11:13:12 AM
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Bill
Thank you, Angie's List, for not allowing politics to decide what services you review.
5/21/2009 8:35:24 AM
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Biil
Dear Carl,
Your tax money is taken by the government regardless of what its used for. In this case your upset not because the money goes back to citizens , but because Angie's List "have drunk the Al Gore Kool Aid" . As far as I can tell Angie's List wasn't politically motivated in what they wrote. So please remember that everyone who uses this list does not necessarily share your political views or care to hear them. We come here for reviews of companies and their services.
5/21/2009 8:33:47 AM
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Carl
It appears that you have drunk the Al Gore Kool Aid. You cite your sources as "experts." You don't mention the basis for that nomenclature, engineering degrees etc. They are trying to sell us something so they can make money. Period. No mention of the economics of installing systems. They are not good. Justification comes from government money incentive programs. And where does that money come from? US!

Please, just stick to your primary mission.
4/23/2009 5:16:48 PM
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Sharon
My husband and I liked the solar article very much. We have just recently had a solar conversion to our home, and what was said in the article is exactly our experience. Of course, since we live in Arizona, the payback is probably better than in some other parts of the country! The solar company we used was very reliable, professional and easy to work with (American Solar Electric in Scottsdale). The rebates and tax credits and the loan designed for this purpose made it very easy for two retirees on a fixed income to do what we thought was the right thing for us and for the future. Thanks for the article spreading the word.
4/23/2009 3:52:43 PM
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Brigitte
My name is Brigitte, and I am a proud member of Angie's List.
You failed to mention in your story that solar panels can be had just for heating hot water. I've had solar panels to heat my hot water for two years from Solar Service, Inc. of Niles, IL. Three large panels were installed on a south-facing slanted roof area not obstructed by trees or neighbors' houses.
They cost about $12,000., with state grants available to help with part of the cost in some states. By submitting an application before an April 30, 2007, deadline, I received a $3,777. outright grant from the state of IL. I also got a federal income tax credit of $3,000. for that year, which I was unable to use. I do not have information about current grant/tax credit availability.
But please note: they generate power for my building's hot water only. I own a Chicago 2-flat; my building tenants and I use hot water in sinks, for baths and showers, two electric dishwashers, and also two electric clothes washers located in the basement.
My hot water was previously heated only by a gas water heater, and this is the portion of my hot water which is affected by the panels. My building heat was and still is heated by a gas-fueled boiler with radiators in both units of my Chicago two-flat; this is not tied into the solar panel system. However, all of this is metered together, so it is difficult to document exact savings, except to compare current gas costs with that from previous years. (My electric bill is totally unaffected.)
The solar panels initially produced a saving of about 40% from my previous gas bill. Sadly, since then the cost of gas went up by almost 40% with frequent fluctuations that make my savings hard to track. Still, I would be paying more if I did not have the panels.
A larger water heater was installed by Solar Service, Inc. which stores the solar-heated water, and this is connected to my old gas-only-powered hot water heater for back-up. There is always plenty of hot water no matter what the season or amount of sunshine.
If you want any more information about this sort of system, I suggest you contact Solar Service, Inc. directly at (847) 677-0950.
I just wanted to give you a few details about my system, so that people will know that there are less expensive solar solutions for energy use that do not always involve such a large expeniture for the homeowner, and which do realize savings over time.
Also, for the portion of energy produced by the solar panels, no greenhouse gases are generated, and I get a great feeling of satisfaction from knowing that.
4/23/2009 3:49:13 PM
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Cmisles
People seem to forget that solar panels can also heat hot water, generating huge heating and hot water savings. They're also great for heating pools!
4/23/2009 3:45:13 PM
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