American Solar

 

Earth Day

Posted on May 2, 2013 by American Solar

                Last week included Earth Day and for a us a reminder of why we do what we do here at American Solar. Do we want to save you money on your power bills and help you keep that money in your pocket? Absolutely. However, we want to do our part and help you do your part to preserve this beautiful planet that we all share and call home.

                With renewable energy sources like solar, we can relieve some of the ongoing damage to the Earth that is done every day by the coal, oil and nuclear industries. Those antiquated forms of producing power have served us in the past, but not without a high cost to our environment. It is time now for us to fundamentally shift our ideas and efforts to the future of our planet by harnessing the power found naturally in our world. We can collectively clean up our old energy habits and our world by making the conscious decision to be a part of the new solutions to our energy needs. Contact us today to see how we can help you live the greener life, both environmentally and financially.

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Energy Choices

Posted on March 29, 2013 by American Solar

This morning when you woke up you made a few choices. What will I have for breakfast, do I want orange juice or coffee? What should I wear to work today, the blue shirt or the white one? What route will I take to work this morning, surface streets or the freeway?

Did you ask yourself this morning, who do I want as my power provider? Did you know you had a choice? The reality is you do. You can choose to be ruled by the power company that has the monopoly in your area, or you can choose yourself as your primary power source. By choosing to go solar you put the power of choice in your hands. Why pay the power company when you can pay yourself. You no longer have to have the pockets of domineering power companies being lined with the hard earned money that you have worked for. You can make your money work for you.

On today’s pre-paid leases you can, on average, expect about a 3 to 1 return on your money. So for each dollar you spend today, you are looking at paying yourself back three-fold or more. Your savings could be greater than that, but you will not know until you receive a quote from us. We love saving our customer’s money and preserving our environment and we’d love to help you help yourself.

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American Solar Gives Back

Posted on March 20, 2013 by American Solar

Are you familiar with the wonderful organization known as Soles 4 Souls? If not, they are a non-profit group who is doing their part to change the world and protect our environment. They provide second-hand shoes and other articles to citizens of the world, who otherwise would not have protection from the elements or that have less than adequate shielding for their environments.

Well, recently American Solar underwent a rebranding that created a surplus of over 200 hats with our retired logo. In keeping with our earth-friendly beliefs, we weren’t about to let those hats goes to waste or worse yet, end up in a land fill.

Enter Soles 4 Souls. We donated those hundreds of hats to this worthwhile organization and they will now help guard against the sun’s skin damaging effects for those in need in impoverished countries. Now, while the sun does have its detrimental repercussions on the human body, it is great for the collection and utilization of renewable power which offers a different form of protection. We are excited to know that we are extending the life of our planet locally and at the same time extending the life of our fellow citizens worldwide with Soles 4 Souls. Be a part of the environmental solution, go solar locally and donate your outgrown or gently worn shoes to a worthy cause.

Find them on the web at www.soles4souls.org

Call us at 480-994-1440 to schedule a free home evaluation!

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Why Go with Residential Solar Panels?

Posted on August 30, 2012 by American Solar

The interest in residential solar panels is greater than ever.  The reason is that energy costs just keep going up.  It is hard for people to keep shelling out hundreds of dollars each month to pay for heating and cooling.  Even basic electrical services can cost you an arm and a leg.  Putting solar panels on your home may seem like a big expense, but the payback is significant, especially when you look long term.

Feeling Good, Looking Good

Unless you have the property to create your own little solar farm, chances are you won’t have enough room on your roof to power all of your appliances; especially if you have an air conditioner.  Never the less, you will be able to put a significant dent in your monthly utility bill.  Additionally, once people own solar panels and enjoy their benefits, they tend to find ways to decrease their power usage even more.  It’s a win/win situation.

Rebates Change All the Time

One of the incentives people cite when considering solar panels is the potential to qualify for one of many government sponsored rebates.  It is important to note that these programs change all the time and that the size of the rebate may or may not be significant.

Choosing to go solar at your home is a move you make with your eye to the future.  It will take four to ten years to pay off your investment, depending on how large your installation is, how much sunlight you receive, and other factors.  While you will see a decrease in your monthly utility bills right away, it isn’t until your investment has been paid off that you are “ahead of the game.”  The real winner, from day one, is the environment.

Residential solar panels are easy to apply, are reliable, and are particularly valuable for people who live in very sunny climes; Phoenix, for example, or elsewhere in the Southwestern dessert.  Take a look at what is available in your area and start saving the planet and money today.

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Why Choose Solar Power for Your Home

Posted on August 23, 2012 by American Solar

Unless you have the land to put up your own wind turbine and live somewhere that allows you to place one in a residential area, your best source for clean energy is going to be solar power.  While the initial outlay for your own wind turbine may be similar to that of solar paneling, the panels are much more discrete.

Installation is Easy

Installing solar panels is a relatively simple process.  Your roof is inspected for condition, angle, and direction.  Hardware is mounted so that the panels are placed in a fashion that faces them towards the sun for as much of the day as possible.  Once the hardware is in, the panels are mounted.  They are then connected to the inverter, a control system, and possibly a battery system.  That’s it.

Payback Is Relatively Quick

Most people see their initial investment paid off in a few years.  The sweet spot depends on several factors; initial costs, power generated, and so forth.  While you wouldn’t necessarily want to install a solar system in a home you will leave in two to three years, if you plan to stay around for five or more, it is worth checking into pricing and the advantages.

Picking the Right Professionals

One of the most important things you should do when considering a solar power system for your home is finding the right people to do the job.  Find a company that is well known and respected locally.  They will be most familiar with the conditions in your region and be able to offer the greatest expertise when it comes to planning and installing your panels.  A clean record with the BBB is another good sign, and word of mouth recommendations are always a plus.

Solar power is just one of the many clean energy alternatives we are turning to as fossil fuels are being phased out.  It is the only one that is reasonably available to all home owners.  It is time you joined the revolution and enjoyed the benefits, too.

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Can Solar Electric Systems Save you Money?

Posted on August 16, 2012 by American Solar

The increased interest in alternate energy sources is no surprise when you consider how much people are spending to heat and cool their homes.  Residential solar electric systems have played a very small part in the ‘clean energy’ movement until now. However, with improved technology and equipment, it is time to take a second look.

Long Term Investment

One of the key concerns homeowners express is that they want to recoup their initial investment. Residential systems can be expected to function for over 30 years, all the while providing electricity which can be used for anything in the home.  In areas like Arizona where the sun shines most of the year, solar power is one of the best ways to decrease your monthly utility bill.

How long it takes to pay off your initial investment will depend upon several factors.  The number of panels you install, the price of energy in your location, how much sun you get directly hitting the panels daily, and other issues will all play a part in the equation.  For most homeowners, the pay off period runs between five and 10 years.  One caveat though; this is only the case if you buy the solar system, not if you lease one.

Environmentally Sound

Another reason people opt for solar electrical systems is a desire to have a positive impact on their environment.  While it isn’t practical to install a wind turbine in your back yard, solar installations are discrete as well as effective, making them an ideal option for eco-friendly homes.

Pick Professionals

With solar panel installation increasing in popularity, it is no surprise that many newbies want in on the industry.  Unfortunately, it takes skill and knowledge to properly set up and connect a solar system.  Amateurs can ruin your system before it even gets going, reducing the power output, damaging the roof, and selecting the wrong panels or installation site.

Part of the advantage offered by solar panels is that in many cases, you can sell back excess power to the utility company.  That would be after you fill your batteries for use when the sun is concealed or at night.  A poorly mounted system can’t generate the maximum power.  Only professionals with considerable experience can make this process quick, efficient, and reliable.

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How are Solar Panels Installed?

Posted on August 6, 2012 by American Solar

You might be interested in how solar panels are installed if you are considering a residential solar system.  Standardized equipment developed in the last few years has made the installation faster and safer, and the panels last longer.  Here are the basics of home installation.

Your Roof is Assessed

Before anything as involved as solar panel installation goes forward, your roof must be inspected.  The pitch, age, and condition of your roof will be critical factors in the installation.  Old shingles may need to be replaced first, any leaks must be corrected, and so forth.

Solar panels are not a substitute for a good roof.  Furthermore, if you don’t deal with these issues before you install your new solar array, you will have the additional costs of removing and reinstalling solar panels when you have the needed work done later on.

Panel Hardware is Mounted

The type of hardware used to hold your panels in place will depend upon the type of roof you have.  Panels can be mounted flush to the roof if it is appropriately angled, or they can be placed on stands.  The goal is to position the panels in the best place to catch the maximum amount of sunlight every day possible.

Some systems involved quick mounting tracks, making installation speedy after the hardware is in place.  Others require a bit more fidgeting, but the goal is always the same; a solid installation that can withstand all weather conditions.

Panels are Placed

With the hardware in place, it is time to mount the panels.  Panels are placed upon the appropriate mount points.  At this point the panels are connected to their inverter which converts the power produced in the cells to something you can use in your home. If you chose to include batteries in your system, they are connected as well and the control panel is programmed.

As you can see, the process isn’t particularly difficult on the surface, but knowing how to do the whole job properly does take training.  Once your solar panels are installed and functional, you can expect to see a significant savings in your monthly utility bill.

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Arizona Solar: How Leasing Handles Incentives

Posted on July 28, 2012 by American Solar

Arizona solar electric systems have grown in popularity over the years and the trend is most likely to continue. Leasing offers many advantages, primarily when it comes to cost savings. But, how do you apply the many financial incentives offered by government agencies and utilities when you lease a solar electric system? We answer these questions in more in the below video on how leasing incentives are used with solar energy in Arizona.

Still have questions on leasing incentives with Arizona Solar? Contact us at American Solar today for more information and a free consultation.

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Solar Panels Cost: Factors Affecting Your Investment

Posted on July 28, 2012 by American Solar

What solar panels cost is a question every homeowner will ask when first considering solar energy. Given the different variables affecting cost, the answer to this question depends on a number of things. For example, the size of roof you have, the amount of energy your family consumes and the financial incentives available in your area will affect your solar investment. Learn more about the financial side of going solar and how to recoup your costs by watching this video.

For additional information on what solar panels cost, contact American Solar for a free consultation.

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How Solar Works: A Guide for Residential, Grid-Connected PV Systems

Posted on July 9, 2012 by American Solar

How solar works is fairly easy to understand. Basically, the solar panels in a solar array turn sunlight into electricity. When the sun shines, particles of light, or photons, hit your solar panels and are converted to DC power. An inverter takes the DC power and converts it to AC power that you use in your home. A bi-directional meter is installed to track power generated from your system. To continue learning about how solar works for residential, grid-connected PV systems, watch our video below.

To continue learning about solar power, keep browsing our blog or contact American Solar today for any question on how residential solar power can be added to your home.

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