<![CDATA[Solar Energy - Premier Installer - Green Blog]]>Sat, 19 May 2012 12:36:28 -0800Weebly<![CDATA[Solar panels help keep your home or business cool during hot summer months ]]>Thu, 27 Oct 2011 11:03:48 -0800http://carolina-green.com/1/post/2011/10/solar-panels-help-keep-your-home-or-business-cool-during-hot-summer-months.html
While solar panels help reduce your carbon footprint and save you money on monthly electricity bills, they also help to cool your home or business during the summer heat.  Led by Jan Kleissl, a professor at the University of California San Diego, a recent study found that solar panels reduce the amount of heat on rooftops by around 38%.  


Through the use of thermal imaging, the temperature at the ceiling of a building was 5 degrees Fahrenheit cooler under the solar panels than in the areas without panels covering the roof.  As well as keeping the building cool, solar panels work the opposite during the winter and keep in heat in the building.  This results in a decrease in your energy bill in both seasons, by reducing both the amount of air conditioning needed to cool your building in the summer and the amount heat needed to heat it back up in the winter.  


The team also found that the effect is greater when panels are tilted and there is a larger gap between the panels and the roof, because this allows more air to circulate and cool the building.  As well as the tilt, panels with a higher efficiency have a greater cooling effect.  Kleissl also believes that with additional funding and research, they could create a calculator that could be used to predict the effect for both home and  businesses.  


To read the full article, please visit the following link:http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110718151558.htm

Eliza Jones-Summer Intern  ]]><![CDATA[According to Solarbuzz, PV is on the rise in the United States! ]]>Tue, 20 Sep 2011 04:07:32 -0800http://carolina-green.com/1/post/2011/09/according-to-solarbuzz-pv-is-on-the-rise-in-the-united-states.htmlPicture
Solarbuzz, a New York based research firm, believes that leading up to 2015 the United States will see the solar market grow at a rate of 47% each year.

As of now, the US accounts for 5% of the world's total solar PV market, a small amount for a country with such great access to viable sunlight.  However, Solarbuzz predicts that by 2015 this number will be up to 12%, putting the US behind Germany and Italy at third place for solar PV.  The recent drop in prices has increased the demand to install systems both residentially and commercially.

Renewable Portfolio Standards (RFP's) are increasing in states across the US, as they surged from 17% in 2009 to 31% in some states last year.  It is these RFP's that will be the main cause behind the utility solar demand, expected to be at around 60% of on-grid PV by 2015.  This estimate is up from the 2011 forecast of 54%, as denoted by the blue section of the chart.  


In the US, California is still the leader in solar energy and is followed by New Jersey, Arizona, and Colorado.  With the drop in prices and as federal cash grants expire with the end of the year, the solar industry is expecting an increase in solar installations across the country.  


To read the fill article, please visit the following link: 
http://cleantechnica.com/2011/08/08/us-solar-pv-to-double-in-2011-grow-47-a-year-to-2015/

Eliza Jones-Summer Intern
]]><![CDATA[Overall cost of solar panels decreasing]]>Fri, 02 Sep 2011 02:58:45 -0800http://carolina-green.com/1/post/2011/09/overall-cost-of-solar-panels-decreasing.htmlFirst Solar is the world's lowest cost producer of solar panels, however due to Chinese competition prices of polycrystalline solar panels have dropped dramatically.  Because of this, the total cost to install a system is at the lowest price ever and the market is looking up for the following years.  While First Solar has seen a drop in their stocks, this change in the solar industry has resulted in an increase of solar installations.  This means that First Solar, and other solar producers, should still see an increase in the production of their panels and solar systems as the year continues.  

For the full article and more information, please visit the following link: 
http://features.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2011/08/10/first-solar-shares-a-buy-or-a-sell/?iid=HP_River

Eliza Jones-Summer Intern ]]><![CDATA[Solar vs. Stocks ]]>Mon, 15 Aug 2011 05:44:03 -0800http://carolina-green.com/1/post/2011/08/solar-vs-stocks.htmlSo, stocks are on the flats. Big time. Let's take a 10-year study on what $20k will do with solar vs. a stock option. How about Warren Buffet's touch of gold, BRK.A? 

BRK.A:
            8/15/2001               $69,200
            8/15/2011                $108,733.50
    Annualized IRR:         4.9% 

Solar:
          8/15/2001               $-20,000
          8/15/2011               $1,615 @ $6.25/W
  Annualized IRR, 10-Year:             4.9% 
 Warrantied IRR (25 Year):   14.2%


What does this mean? That your investment in solar - in 10 years - will match or exceed Warren Buffet's corporate developments. However, keep in mind that your 10 year solar investment is warrantied and insured. You won't find that in any stock investment. BRK.A and BRK.B are considered safe investments, but where will they be in 10 years? Solar will still be insured and warrantied. Have other funds you want to compare? Email us and we'll send you a custom report!


]]><![CDATA[Solar activity on the rise ]]>Tue, 09 Aug 2011 06:48:11 -0800http://carolina-green.com/1/post/2011/08/solar-activity-on-the-rise.htmlSolar flares are always occurring on the surface of the sun, however occasionally the sun releases flares that are so intense they disrupt radio communications.  According to the National Geographic, solar storms produce extra electrical currents in our magnetosphere.  This is the region around Earth that controls the magnetic field, and when altered there are changes in the way our power systems run.  Solar flares have an impact on electrical utilities and grid operators, as the currents can enter the transmission lines and cause transformers to overheat or burn out.  As far as appliances are concerned, devices that utilize Global Positioning System (GPS) technology will lose signal due to a solar flare, including cell phones, airplanes, and car navigation systems.  

We are at the peak of the sun's 11-year cycle and this past Thursday a huge solar flare was released, scientifically called a coronal mass ejection.  According to John Bogdan, the director of the national Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center, the amount of these flares will increase over the next three to five years.  Solar flares are measured on a scale of one to five and this flare is estimated to be around a two or three.  The solar cycle reaches it's peak in 2013, so bigger and more intense flares are in the near future.  To help prevent a solar flare from ruining your trip, it is important to have a back up plan to your GPS.  While they are helpful in many occasions, during a solar flare they will be useless and using a map will provide the best travel route.

To read the full article please visit the following link: 
http://articles.cnn.com/2011-08-05/tech/solar.flare.gps_1_solar-flares-coronal-mass-ejection-solar-cycle?_s=PM:TECH

Also, if you are interested in following the solar activity, the following website provides a variety of solar information: 
spaceweather.com

Don't forget your maps!  

Eliza Jones-Summer Intern ]]><![CDATA[Why buy solar?]]>Wed, 03 Aug 2011 05:32:07 -0800http://carolina-green.com/1/post/2011/08/why-buy-solar.htmlAs the price of fossil fuels increase, solar technology is cheaper than ever!  With both government and state incentives and decreasing prices of equipment, now is the perfect time to go solar.  Installing a solar system at your home or business will save you money on monthly electric bills and help reduce your carbon footprint.  If your solar system produces more energy than you use, the extra energy goes back into the grid and the tables are turned as Progress Energy writes YOU a check.  On average most customers save between $30 and $50 per month, and the cost of the system is paid off in 6 to 9 years.  Once the system is paid for,  you are generating clean and free energy from the sun to power your home or business.  Carolina Green Building is here to help with all your energy needs, including solar photovoltaics, solar hot water, weatherization, and even wind power!  If you are interested in saving money and protecting the environment, please contact us via email or telephone at your convenience.  We offer free energy assessments and are flexible to work with your schedule! 


(910) 375-WIND 
contact@carolina-green.com 


What are you waiting for?  Discover the power of the sun and go solar today!


Eliza Jones-Summer Intern ]]><![CDATA[New York City's potential with solar energy ]]>Mon, 01 Aug 2011 06:19:01 -0800http://carolina-green.com/1/post/2011/08/new-york-citys-potential-with-solar-energy.htmlOf the rooftops in New York City, around two-thirds could utilize solar panels to harness power for the grid, resulting in a decrease in the chance of blackouts and eliminating the need for generators at times of peak usage.  At the moment, solar energy provides New York City with six megawatts of electricity, however production has the potential to reach up to 13,000 megawatts.  Considering a mandate has been passed that requires 30% of New York's power to come from renewable energies by 2015, the city is informing the public about the technology in creative and interactive ways.  


Recently, a map was developed by City University of New York (CUNY) that can be used to determine the overall project and costs involved in installing a photovoltaic system.  CUNY teamed up with the Department of Energy (DOE) and used a $200,000 grant to create this detailed map of the city.  Using laser beams, they were able to develop an interactive map which contains 15 billion points of data throughout the city.  This map can be used to determine the amount of solar needed for household or business, how much the system will cost, and how long it will take the homeowner to pay of the system after incentives are factored into the project.  This program also takes into consideration obstructions to the panels, such as trees or neighboring buildings, resulting in an extremely accurate calculation of the desired project.  


Incentives are important when calculating the cost of the project, and some areas in New York are providing higher incentives to individuals interested in installing solar systems.  Three sections of the city have been labeled as "solar empowerment zones" and are eligible for tax credits that will provide coverage for another 15% of the cost of the system.  The sections were established by determining where additional power was needed most, and as more funding becomes available more home and business owners will be able to access solar energy.  


Data states that in the past year the amount of solar energy generated in New York City has doubled, and it is expected to increase five-fold by the time the mandate is reached in 2015.  It will be interesting to see growth of solar energy throughout the city in the upcoming years, and hopefully their success will lead to an increase in the use of clean and green technology across North Carolina and the rest of the United States.  


To read the full article, please use the following link: 
http://money.cnn.com/2011/07/25/technology/solar-new-york/index.htm?iid=HP_LN



Eliza Jones-Summer Intern ]]><![CDATA[Solar Technology is becoming cheaper! ]]>Tue, 26 Jul 2011 09:41:33 -0800http://carolina-green.com/1/post/2011/07/solar-technology-is-becoming-cheaper.htmlAs the price of gas increases, the overall cost of installing a solar system is decreasing because of incentives and cost of equipment.  During the first quarter of 2011, solar installations for homes across the United States rose 66% in comparison to the previous year.    One reason for this price drop is due to a decrease in the cost of solar equipment.  During the same time period in 2011, solar components dropped 15%, resulting in cheaper technology for homeowners and businesses.  

To read the the full article and learn about other various products that are becoming less expensive, use the following link: 
http://moneyland.time.com/2011/07/25/10-things-that-are-actually-getting-cheaper/photo/4/


With all the benefits and incentives of solar energy, as well as the decreasing price of the technology involved, what are you waiting for?  Go solar today! 

Eliza Jones-Summer Intern]]><![CDATA[Whole house solar helps when selling your home! ]]>Wed, 20 Jul 2011 09:25:49 -0800http://carolina-green.com/1/post/2011/07/whole-house-solar-helps-when-selling-your-home.htmlWhen it comes to selling your home, the addition of whole house solar helps to increase the overall price of the property.  According to an 8 year study by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, houses that have whole house solar on average sell for $17,000 more than houses without solar systems.  This advantage, as well as receiving incentives for both federal and state tax credit, usually allows homeowners to pay of their solar system and receive a profit when selling their home.  Because houses with solar sell for a higher price, there is a greater return on investment that benefits the homeowners selling their property.  Solar systems increase the value of a house and save homeowners money on their energy bills, as well as provide a sustainable living environment.  Even if you have not lived in the house long enough to pay of the solar system, the increase in property value will pay off the remaining equity.  On the other hand, living in the house long enough to pay of the initial price of the solar system will allow you to make a profit once the money invested in the system has been recovered.  The benefits of incentives and the increase in property value make right now the perfect time to install whole house solar, so what are you waiting for?  

If you are interested in exploring the option of solar energy, feel free to contact us at your convenience at (910) 375-WIND and discover the power of the sun!

To read the full article, please visit the following link: 
http://www.clarkhoward.com/news/clark-howard/homes-real-estate/whole-house-solar-offers-good-resale-roi/nCgd6/
]]><![CDATA[Why Go Solar?]]>Mon, 11 Jul 2011 08:18:39 -0800http://carolina-green.com/1/post/2011/07/why-go-solar.htmlPicture



Interested in switching to solar energy?


FREE LECTURE on July 21st, 2011!
Carolina Green building will be holding a free lecture on July 21st to discuss the benefits of solar energy and the facts behind the technology.  The discussion will be held at The Balcony on Dock Street, located at 33 South Front Street (Front and Dock) and will begin at 6:30 p.m.  Topics include: 
  • Solar Photovoltaic and Solar Thermal: What's the difference?
  • ROI and Financials: How long is the payback really?
  • Incentives: Tax credits, rebates, etc. 
  • New Technologies and Trends 
  • Financing 
  • Hardware/Installations 
  • Local Projects 
  • Past and Future of Solar
We are excited to share the benefits and technology involved in generating solar energy!  Solar systems can help save you money and provide a clean and sustainable energy source.  Join us with your family and friends to discover the power of the sun.  We look forward to seeing you there!  

For questions, please feel free to contact us at (910) 375-WIND. 
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