The Growing Interest in Solar Projects
Before a homeowner contacts Hawaii solar installers to schedule service, it is important to consider the costs and benefits associated with solar Hawaii projects. The cost of solar panel installation can be expensive, but the state has offered rebates and other tax incentives to encourage residents to take advantage of the services of Hawaii solar installers. The government’s interest in promoting solar power projects has worked, and the number of individuals who are pursuing the installation of home solar projects has soared.

The Current State of Affairs
In fact, the government incentives were so successful that the state government has had to cut down on the incentives it is offering to local residents. In 2012, the solar Hawaii tax credits cost the state about $173.8 million in lost revenue. This is substantially higher than the figure of $34.7 million in lost revenue just two years before. Because of this huge increase in interest, the state has halted some of its credits and rebate offers for 2013, and Hawaii solar installers are now backlogged. In fact, some individuals have stated that the entire process for obtaining permits and waiting for installers to provide service is taking up to or more than a year. Some have stated that there is now currently too much solar energy in Hawaii. However, with how high the energy rates are for electricity in Hawaii, interest in Hawaii and Oahu solar energy is likely to continue.

Hawaii solar installers are now busier than ever, and the state has been forced to reduce its rebates and tax incentives on solar energy system installations due to the incredible popularity of solar energy in the state. However, the fact is that rising energy rates in the state coupled with the desire for homeowners to save money on their personal expenses may help to buoy demand for the installation of new solar energy projects in Hawaii despite the decreased financial incentives offered by the state.

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Use More Sunlight

Every saving decision is actually the combination of a number of small – perhaps taken for granted – choices. For example, you recognize that every load of clothes needs a dryer running on 220 volts for 45 minutes that accounts for a big chunk of the electric bill. Then maybe it’s time for you to switch to natural dryer – the sunlight. For people who haven’t yet realized the usefulness of warm weather, drying clothes outside make them fresh, odor-free and clean.

Turn the Lights Off

Unless you are running a business from your home that needs ample lighting for decoration purpose, you will probably need to turn the lights off after you are done using them. This task isn’t necessarily a slogan, but it can be a concise and functional explanation for why the electric bills can be eventually low. Also, considering the beautiful weather on Oahu, it makes sense to keep your lights off as much as possible and just enjoy natural lighting throughout your home.

Ventilation

Most homes are designed with good ventilation in mind, so unless you are in Alaska or in a vacation home in the Antarctic region (which, fortunately, you are not – yeah Hawaii!), there is no need of electric appliances to keep the room warm or cold. Old homes with drafty windows, doors and non-insulated walls should be replaced with newer ones, in case you experience the needed heat dissipating out of the house. Even if the electric furnaces are being used, having proper ventilation can reduce utility bill and headache.

Replace Electric Range with Propane Stove

At your favorite fast food joint, you are not only offered a delicious meal, but the one that has charcoal or bbq flavor on it. Kitchens at homes can be turned into a creative place by using propane gas stoves or bbq ovens instead of electric stoves. By making use of low cost gas appliances, you and your family can have a great time besides saving money on the electric bill. One other point to keep in mind is that this concept works well for homeowners who have large backyard and want to get the best bang for their bucks.

Energy Star Appliances Can Reduce Your Utility Bill

All the major appliances on your home add up to the cost of electricity in your final bill. And if you are an antique collector with lots of old appliances still running around the house, you are making the electric company rich and popular. Over the years, federal authority has come up with new rules and regulations regarding the use of such appliances, such as mandatory use of minimum efficiency standards, to bring down the cost of energy and conserve it across businesses and residences in the country. So, in that respect, today’s appliances are more energy-efficient and use half the amount of energy used in the earlier versions. The less energy we use, the less the impact on the environment which means more energy in the future and less pollution.

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Average costs for Hawaii solar energy can range between $15,000 and $25,000 after rebates and other incentives are applied. While this may seem like a high cost to pay for solar energy, the savings you can realize in electrical bills make this a small price to pay. The ginal costs for a Hawaii solar power system usually depends on which rebates and utility incentives are applicable to your situation. With a choice of qualified Hawaii solar installers, you can expect to receive the best return on your investment.

For some households, installing a solar power system is an expensive ticket item even with the incentives and rebates. Financing options are available to provide additional assistance for lowering energy costs and consumption. These options can help to offset the initial costs of installing the system. Generally, there are two ways to finance a solar power system. With enough equity, you could apply for a home equity loan to cover installation costs. In this instance, you can simply pull equity out of your home to finance your new solar system anticipating that your new home solar system will increase the value of your home. In fact, studies have shown that solar can increase the value of your home between $20-40,000.

Another popular option is to lease the usage of solar panels. A solar lease has little to no upfront installation costs. You only pay a monthly fee that includes use of the solar system and the energy bill. This option protects you from fluctuating energy rates. One downside to having a solar lease is that you may not qualify for the rebates and tax credits.

Currently, Hawaii has several different types of rebates and incentives to encourage homeowners to move towards solar energy. The type of rebate or tax credit is based on whether you select either a solar panel or thermal system. For example, as a homeowner of a single family residence, you can receive a 35 percent tax credit or $5,000 for the costs to install a solar panel system. You can also receive a 35 percent tax credit or $2,250 for a solar thermal system.

The Hawaii solar power tax credit can also be used with the tax credit available from the federal government. This offers further reduction in your tax liability to make solar installation more affordable. Additionally, you have the option of claiming a refund rather than a tax credit. There are several other rebates available to residents for solar thermal systems. A $750 rebate is available from the Hawaii Energy Efficiency Fund. The Hawaii Electric Company pays a $1,000 rebate through its Energy Solutions Program.

In addition, Hawaii is also one of the few states in the U.S. that has adopted a feed-in-tariff system for solar energy. A feed-in-tariff is essentially where your utility company has to pay you cash for the amount of energy your system produces above the amount you consume. Currently in Hawaii, participating utility companies (HECO, MECO and HELCO) are paying $0.218/kWh for solar panel systems that are less than or equal to 20 kW; and $0.189/kWh for solar panel systems that are greater than 20 kW and less than or equal to 500 kW.In fact, you can see how solar in Hawaii might work below if you were to purchase solar a system:

Now that you can see that solar makes some sense, what is the process of going solar? Generally, the installation process for Hawaii solar energy involves several major steps: selection, assessment, financing options, securing permits and installing the system.

First, you need to find a local HI solar installer which can be a daunting process. If you want a simple way to find a Hawaii solar installer and see if they service your area, Solar Hawaii can put you directly in touch with these and other reputable and professional Hawaii solar installers who can help you go solar easily and economically.

Once you have selected an installer, they will then perform a complete an assessment of your home. Generally, the installer you choose will examine the roof of your home and ask questions about your energy usage. This assessment helps to determine which solar system is appropriate for your home.

A professional HI solar installer can also offer guidance on the best way to finance a new system. He or she will discuss the various rebates and financing options available. Typically they request the prior 12 months of your electric bills and then they can put together a comprehensive financial package that can tell you how much you can save depending on whether you finance a system or lease one.

Next, certain areas require permits before solar panels are installed. The professional installer can secure the permits on your behalf. Finally, the installer begins installation that is usually complete within 72 hours. Inspections and approvals are completed after the system is installed. Now you can begin to enjoy your new life of steady, predictable, low energy bills with solar!

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In Hawaii solar energy has been somewhat under utilized by residents. This is partly to do with the costs associated with solar power equipment, and also the lack of education about how solar energy can help residents. Photovoltaic solar panels use the sun’s energy to produce electricity. These panels can be placed on homes to harness the sun’s power and eliminate the need for fossil fuel energy.

Hawaii solar installers can provide the photovoltaic panels to meet your energy needs, and then some. With a process called net metering, any excess power your panels produce are placed back on the grid, and you are given credits for these. If you find a time when your panels have not produced enough power for your needs, you simply use your credits. This could completely eliminate your electric bill, saving you thousands every year.

One reason Hawaii solar power is not utilized more often is that people see the initial costs as being too high. With advances in the production of solar panels, the cost is coming down. Federal and state tax exemptions have been put in place to help offset the cost of solar panel installation. These exemptions could mean that you would get thousands of dollars back in tax refunds for the purchase and installation of solar panels. For example, the federal Investment Tax Credit allows individuals to deduct 30% of the cost of a solar system from individual federal income taxes and Hawaii offers a a tax credit of 35% of project costs or $5,000 (whichever is less) for single family residences to install solar power.

Hawaii solar installers will assess each resident’s individual needs and offer the most efficient, cost saving solutions for the home. Many companies even make payment arrangements to suit each individual’s situation. They are willing to work with customers because they want to see an end to Hawaii’s dependence on expensive, dangerous fossil fuels. Ending this dependence is a real possibility, but only if more people switch to alternative fuels such as solar power.

Once the panels are installed, they will do all the work for you. Gathering the energy of the sun by day, utilizing the extra credits at night, working to save you money. It is an easy way to help end the need for fossil fuels, and still have enough power for your daily needs.

With Hawaii’s sunny weather, this is the most obvious place to utilize solar energy. Hawaii solar energy is abundant and sustainable without causing further damage to the planet. It is time for a change to solar power, and with today’s photovoltaic technology, it has never been easier to go green in the Aloha state!

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Sunrun will buy and install the solar power system for their customer’s homes. Before any installation, an evaluation is performed by a Sunrun solar specialist. The evaluation determines whether the location of the home is not covered with a lot of shade, is facing the wrong direction, or if the amount of electricity used is very low. If the customer’s site passes the evaluation, a Sunrun representative calls the potential customer and makes an appointment for the installation of the solar power system. For the installation, the customer little or no money down. As for the maintenance of the system, Sunrun will typically monitor the panels, provide panel maintenance and make any panel repairs when needed. The customer will pay a monthly fee for the electricity that the Sunrun solar power system produces. Sunrun charges as little as $0 down for switching to solar power. The customer pays a fixed monthly rate for 20 years and saves thousands of dollars in electrical bills.

Sunetric helps their customers with information on any state and federal incentives for solar power system installation. Sunetric offers free solar evaluations to potential customer’s homes and/or businesses. A trained Sunetric representative will go to the customer’s site to evaluate it and the electricity usage rate. The Sunetric rep will then go over a few solar system installation and financing options, at the same time consider the needs and financial situation of the customer. Sunetric works with several financial institutions that provide customers with residential and commercial solar financing options to help with the cost of solar power systems.

Island Pacific Energy offers customers a no-money-down, pay-as-you-save program for their solar systems. Island Pacific Energy financing options helps customers immediately benefit from the state and federal solar tax credits while reducing the amount of the monthly energy bill. According Island Pacific Energy, this means the customer begins to save money as soon as their home solar power system is installed.

These are but a few Big Island solar companies. There are many more available. If you want a simple way to see if any of the above Big Island solar installers service your area, Solar Hawaii can put you directly in touch with these and other reputable and professional Big Island solar installers who can help you go solar easily and economically.

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Using solar energy is a means of using a renewable resource to power your home in an environmentally friendly way. The energy that the sun creates has limitless potential, and we have the technology to harness it. It does not have the same harmful effects as using non-renewable and pollutant resources to power your home, and it is much cheaper than excessively high electric bills. Solar energy is collected through solar cells and converted into the same electricity that a power company sends to your home. This energy is also stored during the day to be used at night, so solar power can be used even if the sun has set for the day.

We have all dealt with the unpleasantness of tearing open the latest in a series of ridiculously high electric bills. Following cost cutting suggestions that can become a huge inconvenience to your family, such as turning off the air conditioning in the dead of summer, still wind up saving a negligible amount of money. It hardly feels worth it to go to all that trouble when your bill is still so high. You have probably heard of solar energy before, and perhaps even heard of how to harness it, but have not realized just how simple and possible it is.

Solar cells, the collectors of solar energy, are made from silicon. Silicon comes from sand, one of the most abundant renewable resources on the planet. Because of this, with the right knowledge, it is very possible to cheaply build your own solar grid either on your own or with the help of a professional. The cost that you expend on converting your home to solar energy will be recouped many times over as months pass and there are no more of those pesky electric bills.

If your solar grid is large enough that you are generating an excess of power into your local power grid, the electric company may wind up being forced to cut you a check. That is quite a change of pace from those excessive bills. Much like in Hawaii, it is also possible that using solar power in your area will qualify you for tax breaks. There are many possible reasons to consider using solar power, from the financial to the environmental.

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A state initiative to curb the use of fossil fuel to create electricity for the islands is in place. Hawaii solar power is one main resolve to the ever increasing costs for energy. Hawaii solar energy has been in use for decades on the islands. Existing, predominantly, in the outlying areas and, too, with prudent residents where they enjoy their savings. In some cases, these solar users are making money back from HELCO.

When you contact any on the list of Hawaii solar installers for additional information to go green and cut, or eliminate, your electric bill, ask about getting paid monthly by HELCO. The electric meter will turn in both directions. This is called “net metering.” During the day, as your solar panels create power and you leave the house to work, setting your A/C to a conservative level will diminish electric consumption. Your “net meter” will, in many cases, turn backwards. This power produced in excess is sent through your lines for other HELCO customers’ usages. Later, when you turn on more appliances and use more power, the meter will turn forward. The “net meter” determines if you provide more electricity than you consume. Over time your solar energy could pay you a profit. Often times you’ll get a credit on any future bills or it just stops at zero. Hawaii solar installers have information regarding the current rates where HELCO will pay for the extra power your Hawaii solar power generates and you don’t use.

Hawaii solar energy is a choice to save you money and, in turn, aid in the state of Hawaii’s “Hawaii Global Warning Solutions Act.” The goal is, by the year 2020, return to electrical production equaling the state’s power levels measured in 1990. The long term desire of Hawaii is for all islands to be 70% self-reliant ten years later (2030).

Residents and businesses throughout the state wishing to obtain more information should visit Solar Hawaii. We are here to aid in your getting legitimate answers and quotes for Hawaii solar energy. Whether you have a business in Pearl City or live in Pahoa and everywhere in between, there are Hawaii solar installers ready to give you all the facts. This is part of an effort to coordinate and simplify Hawaiians’ search for answers and aid you in understanding the costs/savings ratios, as well. They can also explain what incentives are current for Hawaii solar power installation and usage. HELCO has various types of rebates and other financial benefits when a business or resident installs solar power in their buildings and homes.

The next time you go walking a trail, swimming a beach or visiting the market, think of how much can improve in only a few years. As your neighbors, shop keepers, cafes and grocers convert to Hawaii’s “green” initiative, this paradise will be even more beautiful.

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The sunny island state of Hawaii offers a solar lease that works much like any other lease, except that the upfront cost is very affordable. Median sized houses will cost you $15,000 to $25,000 to install. Leasing these panels will cost you nothing upfront. Instead of being out that huge chunk of money you can allow your energy savings to more than pay you for the price of the lease over time. Consider that in Hawaii you spend 36 cents per kilowatt of power consumed. For an average use household that’s over $75,000 dollars for the next 25 years. Leasing is an obvious way to save a vast sum of money without the upfront costs making it impossible to install. Hawaii solar power is installed in your home by the owners of the panel at no cost. When the solar lease is completed you start saving instantly!

Hawaii solar energy includes very durable panels that won’t disrupt the flow of your life in the slightest. They are built to last and carefully installed. Maintenance will never be a concern because there simply won’t be any. Once the Hawaii solar energy panels are installed there is little else to do. There is no reason to use energy any differently than you normally would.

Most state and local governments offer tax rebates and credits for using Hawaiian solar power. While users need to look into whether or not the owner of the panels is planning on claiming this credit for themselves, the majority of those leasing will be eligible to save even more. Should you not use all of the electricity that you produce, energy credits can be sold back to the power company because you are producing electricity with every moment of sunshine. Perhaps the most substantial benefit of Hawaii solar power is that when a storm or downed power line knocks your grid offline you will still be fully powered from the energy your panels will produce. This is an invaluable tool in protecting your property and ensuring that you will be able to stay safe in a world where electric power is the difference between darkness and light.

If you want a simple way to talk to different Hawaii solar companies that offer a solar lease, Solar Hawaii can put you directly in touch with these providers to help you go solar easily and economically.

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Rising Sun Solar is one of the best Maui solar companies for a number of reasons. Since they have a reputation for only the best quality and service, this company has striven to be the number one choice to hire from the list of Maui solar companies. They have been operating for over nine years, and during this time they have been constantly been in the headlines, including etting their name into Inc Magazine’s top 500 companies.

If you are looking for a company that has been around in the industry for a very long time, you might want to look at Haleakala Solar. This company has been around for decades, and to top things off they are now merging with another leading brand, Solar Wave, to control close to around two thirds of the market in Maui. This really makes them the biggest and most well-known brands among Maui solar companies. You can be ensured that your solar panel installation will not have any problems for years to come.

Maui Solar Energy Systems is another company that you can look into, if you are looking for both design and functionality. They have been installing solar panels for high end homes for close to three decades. They are known to use solar panels that are smaller, lighter, and more efficient. This makes the panels they are using value for money, and by being more efficient your energy requirements will be taken care off. The best thing about using their panels is the fact that they look beautiful on any roof; this is something that not many other Maui solar companies will be able to achieve.

Sunrun is also a company that is making headlines in the local papers for being the best value for money. They are certainly one of the top solar companies in terms of service and the solar packages that they are offering. If you are on a budget, but you are thinking of getting solar power, this really is the company you want to get in contact with as they offer very attractive leasing packages. Paying a small monthly fee to have a solar panel installed is one of the best deals on the market.

There really is no shortage of companies that you can choose from. Maui solar installers are easy to find and you can always compare all their rates before hiring them. Before you decide on hiring the Maui solar installers you are interested in, look at all the special deals, which they are offering. You will also want to check if they offer any warranties that come along with the solar panels. Most Maui solar installers will offer these warranties for a very long time, and this gives you the ease of mind that you will be able to enjoy clean energy for a long time.

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