News Stories

Severna Park Voice Solar Ad

SOLAR $AVES IN A.A. CO

Severna Park Voice Home & Garden Magazine
October 6th, 2011

The cost of the residential solar system has come down dramatically in the past five years. With 4 separate grants and incentives, Anne Arundel County residents are catching on...

LET THE SUNSHINE IN - Residential solar energy systems are being installed every day in Anne Arundel County where local business owners Roger Perry and Rick Peters are working hard to keep up with rising deman. Their rapidly growing 18 person firm, Solar Energy Services, Inc. (SES) installs and services solar electric, solar water heating, and solar pool heating systems in Maryland and DC, with the majority of their residential customers located within AA County. When asked why he thinks solar has taken off even in these tough times, SES president Rick Peters said there are many drivers, but economics lead the way. "Rising utility bills, decreasing cost of solar panels and generous financial incentives all combine to give homeowners the opportunity to pay off 25yrs worth of BGE energy in about 6 years, not to mention the environmental and societal benefits."

Pictured Right: Matt, Jessica and family in front of their newly installed solar hot water and solar electric systems.

One House - two solar systems:

Most solar shoppers are unaware that there are two types of solar energy for the home. Whole house solar electric, commonly referred to as PV (Photovoltaic), is what most people think of as solar energy. However, a solar water heater can offset 75% of your annual hot water energy. Roger Perry quickly points out that if you have a large sunny roof, there is plenty of room for both systems. He and Peters both have solar water heating and solar electric on their homes.

The clock is ticking...

Each of the 4 different substantial incentives for a residential property owner in Anne Arundel County currently has a limited life-span, with the idea that solar can be competitive without them in the future. Peters notes that the current average payback on a solar electric system is about 6 years, for a system that lasts 25 - 30 years. With solar hot water, a 4 year average payback with a similar system lifespan. The payback is even faster if you have a large family (lots of hot water use) or if you need to replace your water heater anyway. Rick Peters leaves us with some food for thought, "You can invest your money in a lot of different places these days, but most are very uncertain, or producing a very low return. On an annual basis, the return on solar energy is quite predictable, and the economic return is hard to beat with any financial investment strategy."

TYPICAL 5kW SOLAR ELECTRIC (PV) SYSTEM

Estimated System Cost		$27,500
Federal Tax Credit	$8250
MD State Grant	$2500
AA County Property Tax Credit @ 75%	$1875
SREC Payments	$10,000
Total Incentives	$22,625
Net Cost to Homeowner		$4,875
Payback in Years	6.09 yrs
25 yr Annual Energy Savings		+800 per year
25 yr Lifetime Return on Investment		>250%

Press Release: Solar Bill Signed!

GovBillPic
By Rick Peters
On Behalf of MDV-SEIA

MARYLAND GOVERNOR SIGNS BILL TO INCLUDE SOLAR WATER HEATING IN ITS RENEWABLE ENERGY DIVERSITY REQUIREMENTS

Annapolis, MD - May 20, 2011. Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley signed into law yesterday a bill that makes solar water heating systems eligible to produce Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs), making the proven technology more affordable to homeowners, businesses, nonprofits, and government agencies.

Under the new provision, owners of solar water heating (SWH) systems will now be able to sell the SRECs or "green attributes" of the energy they produce, just like solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. The new law will reduce system owners' utility bills, improve the environment by reducing pollution from power plants, diversify our energy supply, and create additional green jobs in Maryland. Several other states and the District of Columbia already include solar water heating as a means to meet their renewable energy requirements.

"The passage and signing of the solar hot water bill brings great opportunity to the solar industry and to the residents of Maryland, " said Delegate Sally Jameson, D-Charles County, who sponsored the bill. "Jobs will be created while helping to meet our energy needs and Maryland's solar requirements under the Renewable Portfolio Standard. It's a good thing for families and it's a good thing for Maryland!"

Maryland utilities are required to buy an increasing amount of SRECs to meet their requirements under the state's Renewable Portfolio Standard. Businesses and homeowners with solar PV and solar water heaters generate SRECs that are sold to utilities, ultimately making solar technology more affordable. Maryland taxpayers do not fund SRECs, but utilities pay for these through very small surcharges in electric rates. The new law will substantially boost markets for solar water heating while creating much-needed jobs across the state.

The first patent for a device using solar energy to heat water was issued to a Baltimore inventor in 1891, and solar water heating is used extensively across Europe and China.

"By including solar water heating in the RPS, Maryland will increase access to this proven technology," remarked Maryland Senator Rob Garagiola, D-Montgomery Co., another bill sponsor. "This law will help homeowners, small businesses, non-profits and government agencies alike finance solar water heating systems and in turn allow many more Marylanders to participate in the benefits of solar energy."

Mike Healy, partner at Skyline Innovations and the head of MDV-SEIA's solar thermal division commented: "This is an exciting time for the solar water heating industry. The Maryland legislation is already creating new solar installation jobs among firms in our membership. We are very grateful to Maryland legislators for acting on this enormous opportunity."

Gov. O'Malley signed another solar energy bill into law, making changes to the state's "net metering" rules allowing owners of photovoltaic systems to sell electricity back to their electric utility.

The Capital: Solar Power Expo 2011

Solar Power, wind energy shine at expo

By TIM PRATT, Staff Writer
Published 5/14/11 expo

TIMONIUM - The exhibition hall at the Timonium Fairgrounds has been transformed into an energy saver's paradise.

Rows of solar panels and wind turbines line the 38,000-square-foot building. There are electric cars and segways, along with car-charging stations and free seminars on sustainable living.

It's all a part of the second Solar and Wind Expo, which began Friday morning and continues through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The event is the brainchild of George Lopez of Pasadena, who spent 25 years as a contractor, but started looking for a new line of work when the recession sent his construction business into a dive. What he found was a wind and solar energy market that was growing, but was still largely untapped.

"When things are bad, it's the best time to reinvent yourself," Lopez said. "What better way to reinvent myself than to promote these resources that are already out there, and growing?"

Lopez appears to have found a new calling. Nearly 5,000 people and approximately 40 vendors attended the inaugural Solar and Wind Expo in 2010. This year, 55 to 60 vendors showed up and Lopez is expecting even bigger crowds. More than 500 people were on hand yesterday morning to kick off the event.

Gov. Martin O'Malley decided to use this year's expo as the venue for the Maryland Energy Summit, which brought politicians, industry representatives and conscientious citizens to the sprawling fairgrounds off York Road.