Ready to Go Solar?

For many of us, solar power is most commonly associated with the installation of large solar panels on your roof or in your garden. But solar power has come a long way in the last few years, and we’re now seeing a significant increase in the number of solar appliances available to consumers. A growing number of products including refrigerators, cookers and air-conditioning systems are coming onto the market, giving us more reasons than ever before to consider going solar.

Solar power enables your household to harness the natural heat and energy of the sun, and transform it into a renewable and inexhaustible energy source which will help you run your home. The cost savings associated with solar energy are also impressive, with potential savings of over 75% on your electricity bills. What’s more, solar power doesn’t just help to reduce your household utility bills – it can also help you make a profit by selling the surplus solar energy you generate back to your local grid.

Getting started
Switching to solar energy is a great way to reduce your household energy costs, giving you the opportunity to go ‘off-grid’ and generate a sustainable energy source to power your home. However, if you’re keen to make the switch, it’s important to recognize the upfront investment that’s required. Purchasing solar panels for your home can be expensive – and depending on the size of your home and your energy needs, they could cost anywhere between $10,000 and $100,000.

The good news is that there are cheaper alternatives. As well as ready-made solar panels, you can also build your own solar panels at home, reducing the costs significantly. Many states also offer tax credit incentives for individuals who decide to improve the green credentials of their homes – so you could attract additional funding to help you make the switch.

Check out the neighborhood
Being the first person in your neighborhood to switch to solar energy can be daunting, so if you’ve spotted solar panels in your local area, why not drop in and have a chat with your neighbors about their experiences? They’ll probably be able to give you some top tips and suggestions which will help you make the right choice about switching to solar. And if you really are the first, then it probably won’t be long before your neighbors start calling on you to find out more about the benefits of switching!

Although the upfront costs to install solar power are considerable, it won’t be long before you start to reap the benefits of generating your own energy supply. Alongside cheaper utility bills, you can also make a tidy profit by selling excess energy back to local electricity companies, so that eventually your solar panels will pay for themselves not just once, but several times over.

Ready to switch?
Switching to solar is a big decision – and you may feel the need to learn a bit more about solar powering your home before you dive in. And of course there are other ways to introduce solar power to your daily life, including trying out some of the many solar powered products and appliances that are now available to consumers. From garden lighting to digital radios, from pool heaters to cell phone chargers, there’s sure to be a solar product to meet your every day needs. Why not start with one product – it might inspire you to join the solar powered revolution!

Source: Life Goggles

South Africa: Eskom’s solar water heater (SWH) rebates are due to be reduced at the end of April 2011 but there will still be worthwhile savings via rebates after this date.  As competition amongst solar energy businesses increases, so does the price tend to be lowered.  Another effect of this competition is that poor quality solar water geysers soon lose their market share; beware of solar power products that seem very cheap.  It’s always a good policy to ascertain whether the solar panels or solar geysers are SABS-approved- if they are then you can be certain that the products have been rigorously tested for South African conditions.

Water Rhapsody Water Conservation Systems and Yes Solar Mpumalanga offer eco-friendly rainwater collection systems, rainwater tanks, grey water recycling, swimming pool backwash recycling, water-saving toilet flush mechanisms and high quality Solsquare solar water geysers.

Contact us for a FREE QUOTE on a solar water heater, rainwater harvesting system (see rainwater FAQ), gray water recycling system or water tank (we are authorized South African JoJo Water Tanks dealers and supply the full range of JoJo water tanks and JoJo tank stands).  Our water tank prices are hard to beat in the Mpumalanga & Limpopo Lowveld.

Water conservation and renewable energy such as solar energy are two issues that affect the global community; make a difference and start conserving water and switch to renewable energy today.  Another way of reducing your carbon footprint is to switch to green insurance, now available in South Africa.