TOTAL GREEN - RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS

Solar Panels -Photovoltaic
From the Cradle of Humankind, the sun was valued as a major source of life. It gives us light, heat, and hope. No wonder many civilizations placed it at the center of their worship.

The sun (sol in Latin) is the source of Photovoltaic, also known as PV or solar energy. Photovoltaic technology uses solar cells/panels, or solar photovoltaic arrays to convert light from the sun directly into electricity.

Solar Panels are most effective in countries rich in sun exposure and poor in energy resources. Over time the technology gained popularity with the growing concerns about global warming. More countries in Europe started using PV and over the past few years PV gained traction in the USA as well, mostly due to rising costs of oil and electricity.

The best application for PV is on commercial structures. Government incentives are geared to commercial installations, paying up to 70% of the cost and providing a 7 year payback. In residential, a good portion of the cost may be offset in many states by government grants that cover over 50% of the system cost. However, residential payback is generally over 12 years or more.

PV technology is still very expensive but it is a technology expected to grow quickly over the foreseeable future. With greater mass production, cost is likely to drop while efficiency and longevity of the solar cells rise. We are certified PV designers and installers and strong proponents of the technology in the right application.

Total Green does not recommend PV at any cost or for any application:

Property position is a critical factor for a cost-effective installation.
Proper sun exposure - address potential shading from neighboring properties and trees.
Nights and cloudy days impact the efficiency.
Roof-top installation is not always available or efficient. Subsequently, the array is positioned on the ground, taking space from the property.
Currently solar cell life span is 20-25 years with gradual degradation over time - a consideration when establishing cost and payoff time of the system.
Grants vary from state to state, influencing the actual cost of the system.
For many people aesthetics of the panels is a concern.
Panel safety issues warrant attention.
Solar cells produce DC which are converted to AC (using a grid tie inverter) when used in currently existing distribution grids. This incurs an energy loss of 4 -12%.
Limited power density: Average daily sunlight in the contiguous U.S. is 3-7 kW•h/m² and on average lower in Europe.
And last but not least, there is a myth about net-metering. It’s true if connected to the grid unused electricity is sent back and credited by the local utility company. But it ‘s rarely enough to offset the use at night, cloudy days and other times when the usage is above what the PV system produces.

Photovoltaic is a great renewable energy in the right application. A property inspection by a qualified PV professional is judicious in determining if PV is a viable solution for your property. Following the inspection, Total Green conducts a full survey and establishes the best placement and size for the system. Total Green provides a complete proposal to guide you through the bureaucracy of receiving all the available grants to minimize the cost for the best PV system guaranteed, Environmentally Responsible and Economically Compelling.

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Total Green LLC
845.774.8484
EnergyProfessionals@totalgreenus.com
Serving NY, NJ, CT and PA