
Boulder, CO (PRWEB) September 30, 2011
Thousands of home and enterprise owners from 43 states are taking it to the streets to discover the ways solar-savvy Americans are recouping their tax dollars, improving property values, slashing utility bills and producing jobs for the duration of the American Solar Energy Society?s (ASES) 16th Annual National Solar Tour, the world?s largest grassroots solar event.
The event capabilities open house tours of power-efficient homes and companies that are bringing their owners ample economic and environmental rewards. With higher panel efficiencies, lower cost tags, versatile new merchandise and a treasure trove of domestic industry incentives, these days?s solar solutions are as a lot an economic play as an environmental one.
?From Alaska to Florida and another 41 states in between, this cascade of solar tours leaves little doubt that with 100,000 workers employed by practically 5,000 firms, the spirit and job-developing prowess of solar is alive and nicely in America,? said ASES National Solar Tour Manager Joel Moore.
?Sure, there are market disappointments like recent solar headliner Solyndra,? continued Moore, ?but as 1 of the fastest growing business sectors in America, solar is bringing substantial economic advantages to properties, companies and public agencies across the nation. Truth is, in 2010, America was a $ 2 billion net exporter of solar merchandise. That?s the type of headline we?re operating to see far more of.?
The tours ? made probable by Enphase Power, Trina Solar and Delta Energy Systems — give customers a glimpse at the assortment of solar solutions available in these days?s marketplace, from conventional roof-mount, vertical solar and developing-integrated PV to solar water heating, gazebos — even solar trees that fuel electric vehicles.
?We?re in the business of solar, but we?re also in the organization of educating. That?s what this tour is about,? said Mississippi Solar?s Carolyn Hegman, whose Down on the Farm solar tour is becoming a perennial favorite. ?There are so numerous myths we?re battling, like there?s not sufficient sunshine to make solar viable ? or that solar is just a fad. But solar can genuinely adjust the life of a poultry farmer, who has astronomical electric bills, particularly during hot Mississippi summers,? she stated. ?So far, production has exceeded our projections.?
Not only do most solar solutions qualify for a 30% federal tax credit, many states supply cash incentives to decrease the costs of solar for houses and companies.
Further contributing to the solar ROI illustrated throughout the tour is a current study out of the University of California San Diego that finds roof-best solar panels don?t just supply clean power, they shelter household rooftops, keeping them five degrees cooler in summer and warmer in the winter. This cuts down on year-round cooling *and* heating expenses.
And the U.S. EPA reports in the Appraisal Journal that a residence?s value increases by $ 20 for each and every $ 1 reduce in annual electricity bills. Homeowners who install solar on existing houses get almost three times the premium of homeowners whose new home came adorned with solar.
“These tours are an powerful way for folks interested in solar to see very first-hand how solar works, even though speaking with licensed, qualified specialists who can educate them on installation processes and the several incentives today’s solar PV, solar water heating and energy efficiency solutions deliver,? stated tour host and San Diego Renewable Energy Society Chair Steve Johnston.
?Numerous of the solar-equipped properties on this year?s tour are seeing electric bills decreased by 80 to 100 percent,? Johnston added. ?It?s a prudent investment that brings homeowners, schools and businesses economic and environmental returns for decades. It?s also a win for our contractors and installers. You can?t, after all, export a solar installation job.?
ABOUT THE AMERICAN SOLAR Energy SOCIETY: Established in 1954, the non-profit American Solar Energy Society (ASES) is the nation?s 1st association of solar professionals and grassroots advocates. Supported by far more than 10,000 members, ASES advances investigation, education, and policy. ASES publishes the award-winning SOLAR Nowadays magazine, presents the National Solar Conference and leads the National Solar Tour ? the globe?s largest grassroots solar event. http://www.ases.org.
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