Tag:

infographics

Who Likes Solar Power? Everyone. (Infographic)

by Zach July 17, 2013

written by Zach

Getting sick of solar infographics yet? Nope? Good! Here’s one more:

Here’s some useful commentary from the Cost of Solar article where this was recently shared:

So, yes, we love solar power. But that leaves most of us with an important question: if we haven’t yet gone solar, why haven’t we? One very likely answer is that we think solar power is 2–100 times more expensive than it actually is. Are you in that boat? Maybe it’s time to get a solar quote in order to see if you could save some mad cash (and get a bit of praise from your friends and family) by finally putting your money where your heart is and going solar?

By the way, think this is fun and useful information? Be sure to share this post with your friends!

For more commentary, check out the full article: You Love Solar Power, And So Do Your Neighbors, Friends, & Enemies (Infographic).

July 17, 2013 1 comment

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Solar Energy Myths Debunked

by Zach July 16, 2013

written by Zach

Here’s another fun infographic Cost of Solar recently shared. This one’s on 5 big solar myths, and quick debunkings of them. For more commentary, check out the full Cost of Solar article: Disadvantages Of Solar Energy Debunked.

July 16, 2013 0 comment

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Solar Panels In Hawaii = $60,000 In Savings (Infographic)

by Zach July 16, 2013

written by Zach

Reposted from Cost of Solar:

Are solar panels worth it in Hawaii? In all seriousness, we just showed yesterday (when looking at how much solar power costs) that solar power is basically “worth it” for people all across the country. In some places, the average 20-year savings from going solar are $10,000, while in other places, the average savings are over $40,000. Solar panels are worth it for Americans all across the country.

But let’s look at the situation in Hawaii, one of the hottest solar markets in the world right now. If you’re a Hawaiian noticing that some of your neighbors are going solar, but not all of them, you might really be wondering if solar panels are worth it in Hawaii. Take a look at this infographic and see what you find out:

As you can see, due to Hawaii’s relatively high electricity prices, the recent fall in the cost of solar power, and solar power incentives in Hawaii and the US as a whole, if you buy solar panels in Hawaii, within 3–5 years, you’re likely to get the money you spent on them back. After that, you are essentially making money on your investment… for decades! Tens of thousands of dollars.

Not only that, but that money you “make” is essentially from electricity bill savings that aren’t taxed. So, those are tax-free earnings! Try beating that on the stock market or anywhere else — more likely than not, you wouldn’t come close.

So, are solar panels worth it in Hawaii? Heck yeah! 😀

July 16, 2013 0 comment

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How Much Does Solar Power Cost? How Much Does Solar Power Save? (Infographic)

by Zach July 16, 2013

written by Zach

Reposted from Cost of Solar:

As I noted on Monday, the cost of solar power is insanely lower than you probably think. But, in that post, I focused on the average cost of solar panels, not specific all-in costs of going solar in your specific location. So, you might be wondering, how much does solar power cost in total?

Naturally, the huge fall in the cost of solar panels has resulted in much lower all-in costs, but those costs vary tremendously across the US due to differences in solar power incentives, solar permitting requirements, other solar power regulations, and the maturity of the solar market in different places.

Really, there’s no substitute to simply getting a solar quote. Your situation will be unique. But some research has been conducted to determine average savings and payback times in various places. Actually, as this infographic below shows, research has been done for all 50 states. (Important Note: this research was based on data from 2011 — as I noted on Monday, solar power costs have dropped considerably since then.)

As you can see in the infographic, according to this research, it cost about $10,000 on average for a homeowner to go solar in California in 2011, while at the same time it cost about $25,000 on average for a homeowner to go solar in Florida, the Sunshine State! Again, this is because California has much better solar policies. Nonetheless, even the average Floridian would save $30,000–$39,000 over the course of 20 years by going solar. In California, New York, Nevada, New Mexico, and Arizona, those savings would actually reach beyond $40,000 (on average), but in almost every state in the country, the savings would at least be over $10,000, and would more often than not be over $20,000. Who wouldn’t want to cash in on such savings?

Anyway, check out this full infographic for more:

So, how much does solar power cost? I think the more important question is, how much does solar power save you?!

July 16, 2013 1 comment

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Solar Energy History (Infographic)

by Zach July 15, 2013

written by Zach

Below is another fun infographic from CostofSolar.com, this one on solar energy history. Solar breakthroughs from Alexandre Becquerel to Albert Einstein are noted, as well as early solar power applications. Beyond solar energy history in terms of science, the short infographic also touches on solar power’s recent growth as a source of electricity around the world, as well as a bit of solar policy. From CostofSolar.com: “As the infographic below notes, in 1983, the world had over 20 megawatts (MW) of solar power installed, and in 1999, we reached 1,000 MW. Now, the world has about 100,000 MW of solar power installed. Imagine where we’ll be in 10 years….”

For more up-to-date installation and solar scientific breakthough facts, check our Solar Energy & Solar Power Facts page.

For more commentary on the infographic below, check out the full CostofSolar.com post. Here’s the infographic.

July 15, 2013 0 comment

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Solar Panel Prices Down Due To Solar Panel Technological Advancements

by Zach July 15, 2013

written by Zach

Check out this interesting infographic CostofSolar.com recently shared. Just note that, in the first quarter of 2013, the average price of a solar panel was already down to $0.64/watt, so this infographic was actually pessimistic with its projections for solar panel prices! For more commentary, check out the full CostofSolar.com post.

July 15, 2013 0 comment

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Solar Energy Problems? Solar Energy Spills?

by Zach July 14, 2013

written by Zach

Reposted from Cost of Solar:

Everyone knows that solar power is better for the environment. It doesn’t take much thinking to realize that electricity produced from capturing sunlight is cleaner and better for our air, water, and climate than electricity produced from burning coal or gas. (But wait, what if we capture all the sunlight and don’t have any left over for the beach?!… Oh yeah, never mind.) Luckily, in-depth studies have confirmed the logical hunch we all have — solar power is much, much greener than those electricity-producing people-killers of past.

Now, people are also starting to pick up on the idea that they can cut their electric bill so much with the advanced solar panels of today that they can also save a ton of green in their wallet. Heck, some people may have even heard that the cost of solar power has dropped off a steep freakin’ cliff in the past few years. If they get a quote (you can do so on our site) they’ve probably also found out that they can save tens of thousands of dollars (yes, real US dollars, not monopoly money) by going solar.

However, for those with sun-collecting roofs that are still for some reason panel-free, you might be asking, “Where’s the hitch anyway? What’s the catch? Why haven’t I gone solar yet?”

It’s a good question. There’s actually no hitch, so why haven’t you gone solar? No need to be afraid of extra money in your bank account or the inevitable solar energy spill.

solar energy problems solar energy spill billboard

“When there’s a huge solar energy spill, it’s just called a ‘nice day'” — classic. Credit: the awesome folks over at Vote Solar

Check out the advantages of solar energy and “disadvantages” of solar energy to continue learning about the “catch” of going solar.

July 14, 2013 0 comment

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How Much Are Solar Panels?… Or, How Much Are Solar Panels Gonna Save Me?

by Zach July 14, 2013

written by Zach

Reposted from Cost of Solar:

OK, it’s true, How Much Are Solar Panels? can be a useful question. But, really, this question is largely of minimal importance today. Either through loans or 3rd-party-ownership models that let you lease a solar power system instead of buying one, most residents and businesses with a decent roof or ground space for solar panels should have an opportunity to go solar without buying the entire solar panel systems up front.

The real questions — the real ways in which going solar affects your finances — is in how much it saves you and how soon or when it starts to save you money.

I recently created the short infographic below to highlight the 20-year savings from going solar in some of the most populous states in the country, as well as in Hawaii, which has the greatest average savings per project.

Notably, those savings are based on 2011 research. The cost of solar has dropped tremendously since then, so the savings should be even greater (on average). Unfortunately, I haven’t seen more recent research on this matter. The specific data points — average 20-year savings from going solar — for those states are as follows:

California: $34,260
New York: $31,166
Florida: $33,284
Texas: $20,960
Hawaii: $64,769

These numbers were included in a cool solar power infographic I shared last week. However, the map displaying these numbers was number 3 of 4. I’ve gone ahead and pulled out this key map and will insert it below so that you can see savings in your specific state if you don’t live in one of the four most populous states or Hawaii.

how much are solar panels savings state by state

Infographic Credit: One Block Off The Grid

July 14, 2013 0 comment

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Utilities Aren’t Telling You About Solar Because…

by Zach July 14, 2013

written by Zach

Reposted from Cost of Solar:

Electric companies are fine and dandy — they deliver us electricity, and because they have monopolies or semi-monopolies over this critical need, governmental bodies regulate them a bit to make sure they aren’t robbing us too much. But they are companies, and their blood is aimed at making money. While they may be required to implement energy efficiency programs that encourage and help customers to save electricity, that doesn’t mean that they like doing so. And, while they have to keep a good image and good conscience (as much as a company can) and agree that we need to address global warming by switching to renewable energy, they know that this means a massive shift in their business model, how they operate, and who benefits most from the electricity that is produced.

July 14, 2013 0 comment

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People Who Go Solar — 9 Things That Will Surprise You (Infographic)

by Zach July 14, 2013

written by Zach

CostofSolar.com recently shared this fun infographic featuring 9 surprising things about people who go solar. Do the facts below surprise you? (For more commentary, check out the full CostofSolar.com post.)

July 14, 2013 0 comment

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