What makes Pennsylvania a prime place for PV Systems?

PA is sunnier than you think it is

Pennsylvania gets 90 percent as much sunshine as Florida (a.k.a. “The Sunshine State”). And the sun in PA shines nearly twice as much as in Germany, the country that’s the current world leader in PV system installations. Besides, solar panels don’t need direct sunlight to generate electricity. They can make 50 – 70 percent of their energy on cloudy days.

PA doesn’t go to extremes

Pennsylvania’s moderate climate also makes it more conducive to solar energy. Solar panels work more efficiently in lower temperatures than they do in high heat. Solar cells generate electricity from light, not heat. And the components of PV systems don’t function as well when the mercury rises above their optimal operating temperatures. When installed in cooler climates like PA as opposed to Arizona or Texas, solar panels and other parts of solar electric systems tend to last longer.

PA offers incentives to go solar

Besides Pennsylvania’s accessibility to sunlight and its mild temperatures, there’s another plus to installing a solar electric system in PA. The state and local utilities offer attractive incentives to homeowners who choose to install PV systems. With that help to maximize the return on investment on solar energy, more and more property owners in PA are installing solar panels on their homes. According to research data by SEIA/GTM, PA ranked 6th nationally in the number of PV system installations by major market in 2011. *

Of course, the basic reasons for installing a solar electric system in Pennsylvania are comparable to why you would invest in one in any other state:

• Reduce your electric utility costs – Energy produced by the sun is energy you don’t have to buy from your utility company.
• Help the environment – Using a clean, renewable energy source conserves other earth resources nearing depletion and will help preserve the environment for future generations.
• Provide a back-up in emergency situations – If connected with battery banks, your solar energy system will supply you with much-needed electricity in the case of a power outage.

The cost savings and environmental impact of PV systems combined with the state’s climate and economic conditions make Pennsylvania an ideal place for solar panel installations. If misconceptions have prevented you from installing solar panels on your PA home, we recommend that you reconsider. Pennsylvania is prime for solar energy. It will be well worth your time to take the time to talk with a solar energy system installation expert who can determine if a Photovoltaic system is right for your property.

*SEIA Slideshare: Photovoltaic Solar Technology. January 26, 2012

The Really Big Solar Energy Timeline tells a story that involves countries, universities, governments, satellites, circumnavigation of the globe, and even bacteria. We think that it’s a fascinating tale, and hope you do too.

We also hope that it proves to be a useful resource, and to that end we’ll be updating it regularly.

We could use your help. Is there something that you think should be on here? Anything that could be improved? If so, let us know in the comments below.

Think something needs to be added? Let us know in the comments below

In addition to providing ongoing energy expense savings, solar panels can add equity to a home. And unlike granite countertops, designer flooring and custom cabinets, they don’t go out of style to become a negative rather than a positive when you’re looking to sell a property.

Certainly there are some costs associated with installing solar renewable energy systems, but homeowners start to save on energy costs from day one and could realistically save $100K or more over the life of the system. Adding to the value proposition is that as soon as you purchase a solar electric system, it’s likely that your home equity will increase. Assuming we can apply the results nationally, evidence from a Berkeley Lab study done in California supports that homes with solar energy systems sell for a premium over comparable homes without solar panels. And industry professionals calculate that a home that shows $1,000 in annual savings on electric costs might sell by as much as $20,000 more (based on a 20-year mortgage by a new buyer) than it would if it doesn’t have a renewable energy system in place.

According to solar energy industry data provided by the SEIA (Solar Energy Industries Association), the residential photovoltaic (solar electric) market has shown steady, incremental growth. Residential installations were up by 42 percent in the second quarter of 2012 over the second quarter of 2011. So it’s becoming more apparent that homeowners are beginning to recognize the investment value of adding solar energy systems.

As you explore the many options available for increasing your home equity, you might want to seriously consider the return on investment that a renewable energy system could bring. Weighing the initial expenditure against the ongoing savings on electric energy costs and the boost in home value, installing a solar electric system could be one of the best – and most financially beneficial – home improvement choices you could make.

Design trends making a difference for consumers

With consumer demand for solutions that won’t detract from a home’s curb appeal, manufacturers have focused on producing solar panels that preserve beauty while delivering cost savings.

• Frameless solar panels, with no unattractive aluminum framing surrounding them, offer more natural integration into the existing architecture – or into the new design – of a home. Their sleek design enables installers to incorporate them more seamlessly into the look and feel of structures. And they generally take less time to install.

• Colored solar panels also provide more versatility to consumers looking for ways to go solar without disrupting the look of their houses. Available in hues such as forest green, red, emerald green, and polished marble, the panels more easily blend in and give a more sophisticated look than do silver, metallic-looking products.

• Thinking beyond the panels, homeowners are getting creative with ways to incorporate solar onto their properties. Rather than installing solar panels on the roofs of their houses, they’re building carports, awnings and other canopy-type structures to accommodate solar energy systems. This trend continues to grow as homeowners benefit from not only the cost-efficiency of solar power, but also from the attractiveness and functionality of the property enhancements.

Consumers are finding and implementing solar solutions that make it wholly possible to preserve the beauty of their homes while reaping the cost savings of going green. With the advances in solar technology and new design trends, the fear of making a property “ugly” shouldn’t drive anyone away from an investment that can save significantly on energy costs.