Making the Switch to Solar Energy

From laptops and TV’s to can openers and pencil sharpeners, it seems that everything that we use today requires electricity. With rates rising, however, homeowners are starting to go green and turning to solar energy.

To encourage the use of alternative energy, the government has been offering tax credits to help pay for the installation of the solar energy systems. A family in Plymouth Township, Tom and Mary Lou Readinger, recently had Solar Pro install a full solar energy system on their roof. The system ran $50,000, but with grant and tax monies, $30,000 will be returned to them. Mary Lou explained her motivations switch to solar energy, “One of the biggest reasons we decided to put up the solar panels was because of PECO’s up-and-coming regulations, where rates may go up 10 to 15 percent.” Her husband, Tom, also wanted to be independent from foreign fuels.

The system that they installed takes energy generated from the panels and sends it to inverters, which converts the energy into AC power. It then goes to an electrical panel and meter before being sent to PECO.

While initially the system is quite expensive, over time consumers will see a high return on the investment.

Hardware stores now sell the solar panel kits at a fraction of the price of professionals ones, and claim to be “easy to install.” However, the electrical work involved is complicated and dangerous and these do-it-yourself kits do not qualify for any tax rebates. Therefore, it is recommended homeowners leave this job to the professionals.

Solar energy seems to be the solution to rising energy rates. If you would like more information on having panels installed in your house, feel free to visit the following sites:

Solar Pro in Avondale
http://www.solarpropa.com/

Aztec Solar Power in King of Prussia
http://www.aztec-solarpower.com/

Quantus Energy in West Chester
http://www.quantusenergy.com/Home_Page.html

Information from The Times Herald, “The Heat is On”, Sunday, February 28, 2010

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