Business Matters: Solar PV that makes Cents

by | Feb 29, 2012 | architecture, Harrisonburg Architect, Leadership

Does Solar PV makes sense for business? YES.

Check out my slides here: CAAV – Solar Business

solar panels

Active solar PV is not new. The popularity of Solar PV is growing and becoming mainstream. As we all painfully have experienced energy prices are going up for traditional sourced options it seems daily. On the other side, Solar PV technology is getting more advanced and competition is increasing which is bringing prices down. These factors coupled with the incredible demand for energy in the coming years is going to have a dramatic impact on the Solar PV industry. Industry experts are predicting now that Electricity demand in the U.S. will grow by at least 40% by 2032. This will result in the need for 300 power plants by the year 2030. Solar parity with coal is predicted to happen by the year 2014-2017. I predict many of these power plants being built will be solar and wind powered.

The advantages for solar today are straight forward. There is no power drop over long transmission lines, set energy prices for 50+ years, it does not risk the lives of people to harvest the needed resources needed to provide other types of energy sources. PV energy is also clean, renewable, and reliable while not increasing the burden on existing infrastructure.

solar power

What are your energy expectations?

by | Feb 29, 2012 | architecture, Harrisonburg Architect

I know when we were looking for our first home we never talked about the monthly electric bills. We were pre-approved at the bank for our mortgage, we had our cars paid off, we both had steady income. I thought we were set and understood how it all works. However, nobody ever asked us about our utility expectations. When the monthly mortgage payment comes in the mail, it is always followed by the electric bill and water bill. Why are these not as important as how much you can afford when you buy a home. If your electric bill is 65% (or even 100%) less, why can’t you afford more house. When looking at the cost of a home, spend the extra on your insulation, efficient heat pump, and water efficient fixtures – they will all make it easier to pay the mortgage each month. Even if the mortgage payment is $50 higher, your electric bills and water bills will offset that expense and you will have money in your pocket to spare.

Net-Zero House

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