Home solar poised to blossom (Portland Tribune)

Portlanders usually install photovoltaic solar panels atop their roofs to help the planet, not their pocketbooks. But the federal tax break for solar electric systems tripled in January for a typical homeowner, and the price of photovoltaic panels is falling. Suddenly, solar electric systems are a ...

Intalling Solar Panels

In an effort to help the environment and to reduce energy costs, the process of installing solar panels has become a common procedure for many homeowners. Also, people with very powerful photovoltaic panels actually get to sell the energy they produce to the utility agencies, thus contributing to an overall reduction of fuel combustion around the planet. Depending on the house design, installing solar panels can be relatively easy or downright challenging. For new construction it is advisable to install the solar panels on the roof during the finishing process.

Solar power mounts are generally effective when installing solar panels on an existing house, but if the mounts are installed during the roofing process, you are more certain of eliminating roof leaks. Before the roof is put on, the fasteners are much easier to secure to the sub roof structure, making it longer lasting and more weather resistant. Also, shingle roofs are considerably easier to work with than tile roofs, due to the tendency of tiles to crack when disturbed.

Though the costs necessary for installing solar panels are considerable, keep in mind the fact that you will be saving tons of money on electricity bills for the rest of your life and in time the initial investment will be completely recovered. Moreover, installing solar panels will bring a federal tax reduction of up to thirty percent in the U.S., where tax credits are granted for people who choose to go green with their electricity production.

Unfortunately, the use of alternative energy is still incipient in some parts of the world, and implementation is pretty costly. Nevertheless, environmental awareness grows stronger with every campaign and in turn more and more products using alternative energy are created and the costs slowly come down. So, if you are cost sensitive, installing solar panels a few at a time can first complement the regular energy system, but over time, more panels can be added until an entire household is fully supported. This feature of being able to expand the system is powerful, as you can always add a new structure to increase the electricity and heat generation according to your increasing needs.