Should You Lease Solar Panels?

Leasing Solar Panels

For people that want to switch to solar power, the cost is probably one of the biggest hurdles to cross.  Purchasing a solar panel array is expensive, and then you also have to worry about maintenance.  However, if you have wondered if you should lease solar panels, that might be your answer.

Leasing solar panels is one of several ways that can help homeowners and small business owners finance solar power. When you enter into a solar power lease, you don’t own the system, but the terms of the lease agreement could save you significant funds that can help you with your monthly budget.

Consider this list before deciding whether you should lease solar panels

What are your monthly electricity bills?What would the monthly payments be (under a lease or a loan)?Make sure that the payments are less than your average electricity billsDo you have equity in your home?Are you planning on staying in your home for at least the next 12-24 months?Would you prefer maintenance or repair of the solar panels to be done by professionals, or yourself?How much liquidity do you have (available cash?)What is your credit score? (should be at least 640)

Before you enter into a solar lease, check with the Better Business Bureau to make sure that the company with which you are dealing is reputable. Review the official website and make a call to your local Chamber of Commerce to gather information.

Remember that, when you enter a solar panel lease, it is a binding contract. Both sides to the agreement must fulfill their promises, or risk facing the other side in court. Be sure to review every provision in the agreement carefully. Given the value of solar panels, you may want to consider retaining a lawyer to help you make sure that all potential concerns are addressed and there are no overly restrictive terms.

Consider these terms for a solar panel lease:

Lease term: How long will you be leasing the panels (usually at least 5 years)Lease payments: How much will you pay, how often? Is there an escalation clause that gives the solar company the right to raise the rent?Early termination: Do you have the right to terminate the lease before the end of the term without penalty? If there is a penalty, how much?Lease renewal: Can you renew the lease? How? Under what terms?Maintenance of the solar panels: This should be the solar company’s responsibility. Contact information should be spelled out specifically. Ideally, there should be a time stated within which a response must be made in case of damage or failure.Insurance: This should be the solar company’s responsibility – to insure the solar panels.End of lease: What happens when the term is over? Removal of the panels, or will you as a consumer have the right to purchase the panels at a reduced cost? How will that cost be determined?

Tags: install solar panels, lease solar panels, residential solar panels, solar panel lease

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Solar Panels for Boats

Solar panels for boats

Love the outdoors?  Want to keep the air clean and clear?

Instead of using a fuel combustion engine and/or grid-based electricity, how about solar panels for boats?  That’s right!  You can use solar power while you are out on the water, or even dock-side to charge the battery and power boat lifts.

Solar panels for boats are categorized in two main groups:  those that help move the boat, and those that help power electrical needs while you’re on the water.  Some PV panels accomplish both purposes.

Sailboats using solar power

All types of boats can use solar power.  Sailboats, yachts, motor boats and more.

In order to generate solar power, you don’t need bright sunlight.  Any UV light (filtered through clouds) will work.  Chances are that your boating excursion will include enough solar exposure to charge the battery and keep electrical appliances running.

Even if you don’t expect to run a boat motor on solar power, you can at least rely on solar panels to power on-board devices.  Your GPS, cell phone, mP3 player and more can all be recharged with portable solar power from any solar panels on your boat.

Do you use solar panels for your boat?  If so, why?  If not, why not?

Tags: boats solar, solar boats, solar panels boats, solar panels for boats, solar power boats

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Solar Panels Frequently Asked Questions

In an article published at HubPages, I reviewed questions and answers that many people have about solar power generally, and solar panels in particular.

Q: Is it expensive to install solar panels?

A: Not necessarily! Depending on where you live and your energy needs, you could install a home-based solar panel system for as little as $7,500. Many states offer incentives to off-set the cost of solar panels, as well. Don’t forget energy tax credits!

Q: How long will it take to recoup my investment in solar panels?

A: The answer to that question depends on a number of factors, including the size of the solar panel system (number of panels), your overall energy use, tax rebates and other incentives. Estimates range between 10-15 years. As solar technology leads to more efficient solar cells, and grid-payback systems are implemented by energy companies, expect the ROI to drop to 5-10 years.  Thinking beyond just monetary investment, your contribution to help slow global warming and reduce your carbon footprint will lead to an immediate payback.

Q: Does the process of manufacturing solar panels result in pollution?

A: Yes, there is some environmental impact from producing solar panels, as there is with any other manufactured good. But, the environmental costs of manufacturing are outweighed by the environmental benefits of reduced fossil fuel consumption. Even the smallest solar panel system can cut household greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 50 trees!  And remember that 100% of the electricity produced by solar panels is emissions-free!

Q: Solar power has always been a clean renewable resource – why has it taken so long for people to get interested in solar panels?

A: Since the earliest civilizations, people have been using solar power to warm their shelters and cook their food.  But modern solar panels have only been around for about 50 years.  Solar research and development is leading to more and more efficient solar cells, with higher conversion rates.  Prices are dropping, as well, as materials become more abundant and processes more streamlined.  Still, less than 3% of our nation’s electricity is generated by solar power.  Experts expect that to change over time, with solar energy generation growing at a rate of 20-30% annually. With added tax incentives, concerns about global warming and a strong desire to become energy independent, more and more people are willing to invest in solar panels.

Q: What about excess energy generated by solar panels?

A: If your solar panels create more power than you can use immediately, excess energy can be used to charge batteries on which you can draw later (if you are “off-grid”).  With grid-tied systems, the extra power is fed into the grid. Some utilities credit customers based on the amount of energy put into the grid. This helps defray costs of power drawn on overnight or during less efficient solar energy periods.

What questions do you have about solar panels or solar power in general?

Tags: solar frequently asked questions, solar panel questions, solar panels, solar power

View the original article here

Solar Panels Frequently Asked Questions

In an article published at HubPages, I reviewed questions and answers that many people have about solar power generally, and solar panels in particular.

Q: Is it expensive to install solar panels?

A: Not necessarily! Depending on where you live and your energy needs, you could install a home-based solar panel system for as little as $7,500. Many states offer incentives to off-set the cost of solar panels, as well. Don’t forget energy tax credits!

Q: How long will it take to recoup my investment in solar panels?

A: The answer to that question depends on a number of factors, including the size of the solar panel system (number of panels), your overall energy use, tax rebates and other incentives. Estimates range between 10-15 years. As solar technology leads to more efficient solar cells, and grid-payback systems are implemented by energy companies, expect the ROI to drop to 5-10 years.  Thinking beyond just monetary investment, your contribution to help slow global warming and reduce your carbon footprint will lead to an immediate payback.

Q: Does the process of manufacturing solar panels result in pollution?

A: Yes, there is some environmental impact from producing solar panels, as there is with any other manufactured good. But, the environmental costs of manufacturing are outweighed by the environmental benefits of reduced fossil fuel consumption. Even the smallest solar panel system can cut household greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 50 trees!  And remember that 100% of the electricity produced by solar panels is emissions-free!

Q: Solar power has always been a clean renewable resource – why has it taken so long for people to get interested in solar panels?

A: Since the earliest civilizations, people have been using solar power to warm their shelters and cook their food.  But modern solar panels have only been around for about 50 years.  Solar research and development is leading to more and more efficient solar cells, with higher conversion rates.  Prices are dropping, as well, as materials become more abundant and processes more streamlined.  Still, less than 3% of our nation’s electricity is generated by solar power.  Experts expect that to change over time, with solar energy generation growing at a rate of 20-30% annually. With added tax incentives, concerns about global warming and a strong desire to become energy independent, more and more people are willing to invest in solar panels.

Q: What about excess energy generated by solar panels?

A: If your solar panels create more power than you can use immediately, excess energy can be used to charge batteries on which you can draw later (if you are “off-grid”).  With grid-tied systems, the extra power is fed into the grid. Some utilities credit customers based on the amount of energy put into the grid. This helps defray costs of power drawn on overnight or during less efficient solar energy periods.

What questions do you have about solar panels or solar power in general?

Tags: solar frequently asked questions, solar panel questions, solar panels, solar power

View the original article here