Solar installation for schools

Many institutional building designers are incorporating the benefits of solar installation into the design of these facilities. Solar installations can help reduce the cost of power used significantly, generating more savings for everyone affected. Because of the amount of electricity needed to power a school building, going solar has tremendous benefits for these institutions.

In nearly every state, there are schools which have gone solar and are now generating electricity for their own use. Solar installations and equipment prices have dropped over the last few years, making them more affordable for school systems to utilize. Solar installations provide numerous benefits for schools which use them.

These systems reduce the amount of utility power required to light, heat, and cool a school, as well as power used for other needs. This ability to generate a large portion of the necessary power reduces a school’s expenses and greatly lowers utility bills. Generating their own power through solar installation also helps schools reduce their overall carbon footprint. By utilizing solar power in their facility, a school can also gain the opportunity to teach students first-hand about the power of solar energy and its benefits.

Schools are not only great candidates for solar photovoltaic systems, but also solar thermal systems. A solar thermal system can provide energy savings for the school’s water and space heating needs. Schools may choose to start with small scale solar systems which generate a smaller amount of energy, or a larger system.

Regardless of the type of solar installation, safety and quality are of the utmost importance for schools. A qualified contractor can perform a site survey in order to assess the structure of buildings and the suitability of the location for solar installation. Smith Sustainable Design performs solar installations across New Jersey and Pennsylvania for commercial, institutional, and residential buildings.

Buy electric solar energy in bulk, too!

For many homeowners, the price tag associated with the equipment and installation of electric solar energy systems can be overwhelming. Options such as power purchase agreements and solar leases have become a popular way to avoid daunting upfront expenses while still harnessing solar energy at home. But, there is another option available which allows groups of homeowners to gain the advantage of buying electric solar energy in bulk, lessening the sticker shock of installation. Solar group purchasing is a great way for homeowners to save on electric solar energy by purchasing in bulk quantities.

Just like the bulk savings you can achieve by purchasing goods from a warehouse store that sells in large quantities, solar group purchasing offers the same benefits for the purchase of electric solar energy. By joining with a group of neighbors or an organization, the group purchases their electric solar energy systems together. While you still own your own system that generates power for just your home, multiple systems are effectively purchased together.

Combining forces and purchasing electric solar energy systems in bulk can save you money. When bulk system purchases are made in these scenarios, Smith Sustainable Design can pass on significant savings to group participants. You’ll save more on the equipment and installation of your electric solar energy system in this situation, compared to purchasing individually.

Another advantage of solar group purchasing is convenience. As with any major home improvement, there are many steps to deal with which can be very time consuming. When partnering with other customers, you can save time, energy, and hassles in the bidding process, selecting a reliable contractor, obtaining permits, and coordinating with the utility company. Solar group purchasing can make the process easier for all involved.

Solar photovoltaic panel installation for carports

Your roof isn’t the only location available for solar photovoltaic panel installation. Many homeowners and businesses are choosing to utilize carports and awnings as a prime location for panel installation. Not only do these parking structures keep vehicles cooler on hot days, but they provide a way to utilize open spaces for solar energy collection.

Solar photovoltaic panel installation cannot always be performed on a roof space for a variety of reasons. For instance, many commercial buildings simply do not have the roof space because other vital equipment is installed there, such as HVAC systems. Using a carport for solar photovoltaic panel installation is a flexible solution. This method can be used for homes and businesses alike.

Panels for a single-family home can be situated above a 1-car structure, while businesses can choose to install multiple carport structures throughout their parking area to capture solar energy for business operations. With solar photovoltaic panels installed via carport, energy captured and converted by the panels can easily be used to charge electric vehicles while parked! At home, this option helps cut back on utility expenses for charging. Businesses can use solar carports and charging stations to provide added convenience for customers and employees.

In addition to carports, solar photovoltaic panels can be installed over a space to create an awning or solar canopy for a patio. Not only can solar panels be used to offset electricity use, but the panels themselves can be used to create comfort and convenience in new ways outdoors.

Don’t be discouraged if you think your roof isn’t ideal for solar photovoltaic panel installation. There are many other options that are functional and convenience, which may also enhance your outdoor spaces. Smith Sustainable Design installs solar carports and canopies in New Jersey and Pennsylvania- contact us today to learn more. 

Roofing & Solar System Panels

There are many styles of residential and commercial roofing, and a variety of building materials which can be used in the process. In a majority of applications, solar system panels are installed in the roof space of a home or business. There are many qualities a roof has that can affect installation, and certain precautions will be taken by solar system panel installers to protect the roof itself as well as the panels.

Older roofs

When installing solar system panels on an older roof, we encourage you to consider the life of your current roof beforehand. Take into account how old your roof is, how many more years you expect to get out of it, and its current condition. If your home is due for a new roof in under five years, it may be more practical to go ahead and install a new roof before solar system panel installation. This will avoid the need to have the panels removed and reinstalled when your new roof is installed, and the panels will also help protect your new roof, possibly making it last longer than expected.

Roof pitch

The pitch, or angle, of a roof plays a part in determining how solar system panels are installed. Very steep roofs can add to installation time and may require special mounting equipment to secure the panels. Installing solar system panels on a flat roof will likely need ballast rack mounted to hold the equipment.

Roofing materials

Some roofing materials are more sensitive than others when it comes to solar system panel installation. Tile and shake shingles are fragile, and extra care must be taken when installing the solar system panels to avoid damaging the roof. Asphalt shingles are durable, and solar system panels can usually be installed easily with mounts that attach to the roof via the rafters. Regardless of your roofing material, any gaps around mounting equipment must be properly sealed to avoid weather damage to your roof.

When undergoing a solar system panel installation, it’s best to trust a company with experience and expertise in order to protect your roof and your home. Smith Sustainable Design is a highly qualified solar system panel installer who can protect the integrity of your roofing system throughout the life of your solar collection system.

Lower electricity bills when you install solar panels

You probably know that solar power is a low-cost way to power your home or business, but do you know why? When you install solar panels, you can drastically cut your monthly electricity bills. Here are a few of the ways that solar panels help you achieve lower electricity costs.

1. Reduced utility power use

When you install solar panels for your home or business, we design your system with a number of factors in mind, including your home or facility’s typical electricity usage. We use your usage to determine the optimal amount of power your solar panels should generate. While you will likely still need to use some utility power, your demand will be much less, which may qualify you for lower rates. Lower energy rates and less utility power used will cut your electricity bills significantly.

2. Sell your excess power

If your solar power system generates more electricity than you need, the excess electricity flows back to the utility grid. Depending on the agreement you will have with your local utility provider, you may be able to sell the excess electricity your solar panels generate. This results in credits for future power use or even payments from your utility company.

3. Avoid rising energy prices

Your local utility company likely uses fossil fuels to produce the electricity you use in your home or business. When fossil fuels are used, electricity prices are affected by the fluctuating prices of these fuels. When you install solar panels, you generate most of your home or facility’s electricity need, so you don’t experience these price fluctuations as much as others. If you have a solar lease or power purchase agreement, you can lock in low rates for long periods, avoiding rising utility prices altogether.

Installing solar panels isn’t just good for the environment; it’s also a smart move for your wallet. Smith Sustainable Design installs solar panels in New Jersey and Pennsylvania for homes and businesses who are looking for a way to lower electricity bills. Contact us today to learn more about the benefits you’ll get when you install solar panels.

Electric solar energy systems benefit the economy

Electric solar energy systems do more than just produce affordable, efficient power for your home or business. The solar energy industry has a major impact on our economy. Let’s take a look at some of the many ways electric solar energy systems help everyone.

Obviously, an electric solar energy system saves you money. With a system installed at your home, you’ll save hundreds of dollars every year on energy expenses. With more money in your pocket, you will be able to spend less on utility power and more on other goods and services, boosting the economy. When you take advantage of solar power to provide electricity for your home, you can drastically reduce or eliminate your electric utility bills each month.

With solar power gaining popularity, more new jobs are created in the industry. Electric solar energy installer job opportunities are growing. Also, more workers are needed to manufacture system components, skilled employees are needed to design solar energy systems, and electric solar energy contractors need to add new employees to keep up with demand and keep customers satisfied. The growing solar energy industry creates new jobs for your neighbors, and others across the world.

One last important way electric solar energy helps the economy is by reducing energy dependence. The United States is largely dependent on oil sources abroad, but the sun is not owned by any one country. By harnessing solar power for our energy needs, we can reduce our dependence on foreign oil and lower energy prices by eliminating taxes and tariffs. Once your electric solar energy system is installed, you don’t have to worry about fluctuating energy prices. Solar energy is a smart move towards energy independence.

Gain the personal advantages and boost the economy when you choose an electric solar energy system to provide for your home’s power needs. Smith Sustainable Design has a skilled team of electric solar energy installers to design and install your new system- call us today to learn more.

Solar panels for homes can help you save, and make money!

You may have heard a lot of different information about the efficiency of solar panels, and how solar panels for homes can help you use less energy. Well, lower energy use has benefits to the environment along with your wallet. Installing solar panels for your home can help you save money, and even make money. Here are just a few ways your solar energy system will help lower your bills.

When installing solar panels for homes, the federal government currently provides tax credits to offset your installation costs. These credits effectively lower equipment and labor costs, so your system pays for itself sooner, with a shorter payback period.

Obviously, your solar panels will produce a portion, if not all, of the electricity you need each month. For every unit your system produces, it is one less that you have to purchase from a utility provider. With solar panels for homes producing a significant portion of the power consumed by a home each month, your utility bills will be much lower, if not zero.

Depending on the arrangement with your utility provider, you may be able to sell back the excess electricity produced by your home’s solar panels. This can happen when your system produces more energy than you need each month. Selling back your excess electricity can earn you a credit on your next utility bill.

Residential and commercial solar installations in New Jersey and Pennsylvania produce Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs). Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) are energy commodities that represent proof that 1 megawatt-hour (MWh) or 1,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity was generated from an eligible renewable energy resource (renewable electricity). In conjunction with state and federal incentives, solar system owners can recover their investment in solar by selling their SRECs through spot market sales or long-term sales.

So you see, solar panels for your home can really help you save money, and in some cases, make money. Use your solar panels to your advantage to lower your utility bills, and provide cheaper, more efficient power for your home. Contact Smith Sustainable Design to learn more about solar panels for homes and all the advantages they provide.