But there is another form of residential solar power that is both affordable and efficient:  solar thermal panels for solar hot water.  Just like PV panels, solar thermal panels require exposure to sunlight.

Solar hot water via solar thermal panels

Even at lower ambient temperatures, sunlight that falls on thermal panels can heat domestic water via a solar hot water system.  In other words, you don’t have to live in California or Florida to generate hot water with solar energy!  People throughout northern regions of the U.S. and in European countries like Germany enjoy free hot water from their solar panels.

There are several different methods for heating water with a solar thermal system, some of which are specifically designed for areas that experience frost and lower temperatures.  The savings from solar hot water can really add up, too.  By replacing a gas or electric hot water tank with a system using solar thermal panels, a household can save $500-1000 each year.

Because solar thermal panels are less expensive than PV panels, the return on investment is shorter, as well.  At current energy prices, expect an ROI of 8-10 years.  However, if utility rates further increase, a homeowner with solar hot water is protected against such spikes and may achieve payback for the system in 5-7 years, or less.

Increase in solar power installations in 2012

Since 2010, renewable energy has been growing at an impressive pace – overall about 31%, representing an increase from $188 billion in revenue to $246 billion in just 2 years.

Just by itself, solar power installations have grown to a total of more than 26.5 gigawatts of capacity worldwide.   While solar panel manufacturers are not necessarily reaping the benefits of this growth in the industry (due to falling costs), property owners have witnessed more than 50% increase in solar installations.

The United States still has progress to make in this regard, however.  Despite being a global leader, the country accounted for less than 10% of the solar work market for 2011.  Germany continues to be a leader in solar power.

Part of the reason for the increase in solar power installations recently is attributable to government incentives and tax rebates.  In addition, financing tools such as solar leases and property assessed clean energy loans are popular now, but could wane with a shift in local policies.

Notwithstanding the potentially fickle nature of solar power installations,  Clean Edge believes that global revenue for solar could reach $130.5 billion in less than 10 years, by 2021.

Solar installer jobs in Northern California

Solar installer jobs in Northern California are frequently posted on Craigslist, where prospective employees can easily locate the positions.   In fact, no matter where you live, searching Craigslist for green jobs can result in potential, higher paying jobs.

Solar installer jobs in Northern California, and other places, require the ability to complete the following responsibilities:
• Pulling inventory for installation jobs
• Pre-assembling job components in a warehouse
• Layout and assembly of solar modules/array and mounting hardware
• Mechanical/structural mounting of racking, modules and electrical equipment
• Electrical wiring of solar array/system
• Documenting completion of completed installation
• Attending mandatory training sessions on products, installation methodology and safety

Requirements for a solar installer job:

•Experience in PV installations, roof work, general construction, or carpentry
•Basic understanding/experience with electrical wiring of AC and DC systems
•Experience with hand-held and power tools
•Experience working with all types of building materials – various roof types – stucco, wood, concrete, etc.
•Ability to work in extreme environments, e.g. hot sun, crawl spaces, etc.
•Must be able to lift a minimum of 50 lbs.
•Must have a clean driving record
•Must have knowledge of OSHA compliance standards or familiarity with formal safety practices

Do you or someone you know have these qualifications for a solar installer job, or another green job?

What is the cost of solar panels?

Let’s face it.  If you are considering a residential solar panel system, two of your biggest questions are probably (1) what it will cost to purchase it, and (2) how much will maintenance cost?

For the average homeowner, the retail cost of a solar array can range from $15,000-50,000, depending on your power needs.

But with tax incentives and rebates offered by many governmental entities and some manufacturers, your out-of-pocket expenses associated with installing solar panels can be reduced by 80% or more.

You can also reduce expenses associated with switching to solar power by cutting down on energy usage, or by choosing to offset only a portion of your electricity bill with solar.  The fewer panels you purchase as part of a solar panel system, the more you can save.  If your initial solar array is not enough, you can always add more panels to it in the future.

Some homeowners choose to lease solar panels instead of purchasing them outright.  There are a variety of contractual arrangements that may be offered by solar manufacturers whereby the solar array is installed on your property, but the company continues to own and pay for maintenance of the panels.  In turn, you purchase reduced cost solar electricity at a fixed rate over the life of the lease.

Financing solar panels is another option.  Property Assessed Clean Energy Loans allow you to pay for energy efficient upgrades like panels via a property tax increase – usually with no money down.

When it comes to maintaining a solar panel system, the cost is negligible.  Components are manufactured for a lifetime of 25-35 years.  As long as the panels are kept clean, they should continue to function without issue for many years.

The bottom line is that the answers to questions related to solar panel system costs can be summarized by: “it varies.”  Yet, homeowners should not be dissuaded from solar power by potential costs. Over the long run, switching to solar electricity will save money, protect against rising energy costs and also cut carbon footprints.

This is in contrast to utility scale solar power, usually in the form of solar panel farms or solar thermal power plants at which large amounts of solar electricity is generated, then transferred to customers along the grid.

Distributed Generation Solar Power

When we use solar power at its source, this method is more efficient and less expensive.  Consider that centralized electricity generation at power plants requires large scale investment of land and money, as well as the cost of tapping into the grid to deliver the clean power to end users.  Homeowners may not even experience any reduction in their power bills when their utility generates solar power, as well as using fossil-fuel power generation.  Utilities are increasingly being required to generate a portion of their power from renewable resources, which may cost more at first, and such costs may be passed onto consumers.  Finally, there is a measure of lost solar electricity when its transported across the grid, rather than used at its source.

When you go with residential solar panels, you are in control of your system (can increase or decrease its size) and 100% of the solar electricity generated is yours.  Moreover, if you are eligible for net metering, you can even get a credit on your utility bill for excess power generated by your PV panels.  Here are some additional reasons that distributed solar is a wise choice:

• Rooftop solar reduces minimizes the losses in transmission of utility scale solar power.
• Less influence of utility company’s tier pricing for peak demands and building types
• Fewer upfront costs for construction of distributed generation solar (little or no need for bare land, permitting process is usually more streamlined, and connection to the grid (if applicable) is a simpler process

In short, using solar power at its source can reduce the costs and delay of grid-based solar energy, and increase the efficiency of a solar panel system.

Now that you know about distributed generation, perhaps its time to consider installing your own solar panels!

Solar panel leasing considerations

Market experts predict that in 2012 a wider variety of arrangements will be available.  Homeowners should consider comparing lease options before committing to a 25-35 year lease with any particular company.

Generally speaking, a solar panel lease involves installation of an array on your property, while the company itself retains ownership of the panels and equipment.  Because you are not purchasing the panels, solar panel leasing often requires no, or little, money down.  Instead of paying off the cost of a solar array, you pay a monthly fee to the company that owns, maintains and insures the panels.  Such fee is lower than the monthly cost of electricity you would otherwise be paying for.

So what should you consider in comparing solar lease options?

1.  The installers and solar panel manufacturers you will be dealing with through the leasing company

2.  System performance and maintenance guarantees provided under the lease

3.  Dependability of service and reputation of companies with which the leasing company works, based on customer reviews

4.  Degree of flexibility in lease terms – a longer lease with slightly more money down will usually result in more monthly savings than a short lease term with no money down.

5.  Whether the state in which you live has renewable portfolio standards that rewards owners for solar electricity generated by your system (create SREC markets) and, if so, whether you are entitled to ownership of the SRECs after the end of the lease (since they are usually retained by the leasing company through the duration of the lease).

Refer to this overview of factors to consider when comparing lease options for solar panels.

1.  Tap into Solar Incentives

One of my favorite resources is the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE), which lists state rebates and solar power incentive programs, as well as information on federal solar incentives.  The site is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.  There, you can find information on state, local, utility and federal incentive programs that can help you cut the cost of residential solar panel installations by as much as 60-80% off the retail cost.

Thinking of making a switch to solar power?

2.  Determine how Much Grid-Based Electricity You Can Offset with Solar

Here is another tool from the U.S. government that can help you switch to solar power.  Part of your analysis will be to determine how much electricity you use at home, and then how much you can offset with solar.  The website of the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) includes statistics about the amount of electricity the average American home demands.  In addition, check out the Energy Department‘s information about considerations to make before going solar.

3.  Find the Best Solar Panel Manufacturers

This may be surprising, but you can find the top solar manufacturers in the U.S. on Wikipedia.  The site includes a list, put together based on an annual report by Photon Magazine.  Additional information on annual solar manufacturer rankings is found at Solar Buzz.

4.  Log onto Solar Chat

These days, you can find a chat room on just about any topic!  Why not connect with other people that are thinking about going solar, or who have already made the switch?  Try the online forum at Solar Panel Talk.  You can find people to chat with on DIY solar panels, going off-grid, solar panel leases and purchasing/installing conventional residential solar systems.

5.  Use a Solar Price Calculator

Online calculators can help you determine how many solar panels you will need for your energy demands and what a system will cost.  There are a number of solar price calculators available and you can find links to many of them at CalFinder.

Net Zero Energy House with Solar Panels

This amazing house in Ann Arbor, Michigan (shown to the left) is 110 years old and yet operates without the use of any grid-based electricity.  Its owners decided to install solar panels for a net zero energy house.

While net zero homes (residences that generate all the power required for their operation on site) are becoming more popular, the home above is the oldest net zero energy home in the U.S.

Following extensive refurbishing and retrofitting, the roof is covered in solar panels that generate 12,500 kilowatt-hours (kWh) each year.  Of that, only 10,000 kWh was required to keep things running and the balance was fed back into the grid via net metering.

If you are considering installing solar panels on your home this year, keep in mind that prices are lower than ever – about 50% less than just a few years ago.  In addition, solar tax rebates and other incentives will be phased out in the near future, so act now!

This net zero energy house cost about $47,000 to renovate, saving the owners thousands each year on utility bills.  In addition to rooftop solar panels, additional insulation was installed, along with insulated glass.  Low pressure plumbing minimizes water usage, too.

To learn more about net zero energy houses and how these Michigan homeowners installed solar panels on their 110-year old home, watch this video:

Consider a DIY solar panel kit

For many homeowners, the idea of switching to solar power is daunting from a cost and hassle standpoint.  But if you want to test the waters with renewable energy, why not start with a DIY solar panel kit?

Solar panel kits include everything you need to generate and use solar electricity:  solar panels, an inverter and charge controllers.

Its all in one box, which also contains step-by-step directions to help you install solar panels without hiring and paying for a professional solar installer.  Most people can complete the project in a weekend.

The advantages to going with DIY solar panel kits include: (1) lower cost; (2) flexibility – you can add more panels in the future as needed; and (3) the satisfaction of building your own solar panel array.

On the other hand, disadvantages of solar panels kits are: (1) limited or no warranty or support; (2) may not be permitted to tie into the grid for net metering; and (3) may not be fully eligible for solar tax rebates and incentives.

Have you installed your own DIY solar panel kit?  We’d love to hear your comments about advantages and/or disadvantages of these build-your-own solar kits.

How are your solar panels performing? Find out with an energy monitor smartphone application

Once you have made the investment to install solar panels, you’ll want to maximize their efficiency and output.  If shade, snow or technical issues are reducing the amount of solar electricity generated by the system, you’ll want to know right away.

You can now monitor your residential solar panel system with a smartphone application.  Its a home energy monitor right at your fingertips!  Developed by a solar photovoltaic (PV) manufacturer, SunPower, the Android application provides instant information for customers regarding: (1) energy output of a residential solar panel system, (2) their home’s energy usage (hourly, weekly or monthly) and (3) the ability to compare and share previous data.

Any SunPower customer can access this same information via the company’s website.  But the energy monitor application allows the kind of instantly available information so many of us desire so you can make adjustments to consumption or order repairs to your system, as necessary.

Perhaps the best feature of this new application is you can show off your significant savings via your residential solar panel system to your co-workers and friends — right from the palm of your hand on your smartphone!