Investing in a PV system

Why should you buy a PV system?

People decide to buy PV systems for a variety of reasons. Some people want to help preserve the Earth's finite fossil-fuel resources and reduce air pollution. Others want to invest in an energy-producing improvement to their property. Some people like the security of reducing the amount of electricity they buy from their utility because it makes them less vulnerable to future price increases. And some people just appreciate the independence that a PV system provides. If you plan to build a home away from an established utility service, inquire about the cost of installing a utility line. Often, the cost of extending conventional power to

your residence is higher than the cost of a solar option.

Whatever your reason, solar energy is widely thought to be the energy

source of choice for the future, and you may be able to take advantage

of a state-sponsored program to help make it your energy choice for today

and tomorrow.

Is your home or business a good place for a PV system? Can you locate your system so it works well?

A well-designed PV system needs clear and unobstructed access to the

sun's rays for most or all of the day, throughout the year. You can make

an initial assessment yourself. If the location looks promising, your PV

provider can determine whether your home or business can effectively use a PV system.

The orientation of your PV system (the compass direction that your system faces) affects its performance. In the United States, the sun is always in the southern half of the sky but is higher in the summer and lower in the winter. Usually, the best location

for a PV system is a south-facing roof, but roofs that face east or west

may also be acceptable. Flat roofs also work well for solar electric systems, because PV modules can be mounted flat on the roof facing the

sky or bolted on frames tilted toward the south at an optimal angle. They

can also be attached directly to the roof as "PV shingles."

If a rooftop can't be used, your solar modules can also be placed on the

ground, either on a fixed mount or a "tracking" mount that follows the

sun to orient the PV modules. Other options (often used in multifamily

or commercial applications) include mounting structures that create covered parking, or that provide shade as window awnings.

Is your site free from shading by trees, nearby buildings, or other

obstructions?

To make the best use of your PV system, the PV modules must have a

clear "view" of the sun for most or all of the day—unobstructed by trees,

roof gables, chimneys, buildings, and other features of your home and the

surrounding landscape. Some potential sites for your PV system may

be bright and sunny during certain times of the day, but shaded during

other times. Such shading may substantially reduce the amount of electricity that your system will produce.

To be eligible for some rebates, your system must be unshaded between

certain hours during certain times of the year. Some states have laws that

establish your right to protect your solar access through the creation of

a "solar easement." Your PV provider can help you determine whether

your site is suitable for a solar electric system.