For much of the year the sun is out in our area producing clean renewable energy. Most homes and business owners aren't tapping into its benefits, but that's changing.
"People like to feel like they're doing something for the planet and it's starting to make more sense the prices of solar have come down quite a bit over the last couple years, this year is better than ever," said Dan Evans, President of Solar Plus Energy Pros. "Reducing the carbon foot print getting CO2's down that's a huge deal when you look at the big picture."
Mike Safa, owner of Habibi's Cafe, met with Evans today to see what his options are when it comes to using solar energy. Safa hopes installing solar panels on the roof of his business will bring down his electricity bill, "off season about 1,000 a month, in season from 1,000 to 1,500 a month so your talking about a big chunk of money."
If you're considering having solar panels installed but don't have the cash - Santee Cooper offers its customers a renewable resources loan up to $40,000 and with a 1.25% interest rate.
But that's not all.
"Solar thermal for your hot water then a solar electric to get you started its a little over 1 kilowatt and that whole system runs about $15,000 and then you get over half that back in tax credits," said Evans.
According to Evans most solar systems pay for themselves in about five years after installation.
He cautions, "You're never going to produce enough solar energy to completely cover the operation of your home. You'd have to go to an off grid system which would involve a lot of other elements."
If you're not completely sold on the idea of having solar panels installed, there are other options. "Radiant barrier up in your attic area which will basically block 75 percent of the infrared heat gain from getting into your conditioned space," Evans explained. He advises making sure your duct work is properly sealed to conserve energy.
Evans would like to see other business owners like Safa consider the use of solar panels, "Where we really need it in a big way is commercially because commercial like this business here they use the bulk of the electricity around and there's a lot of things we can do to reduce that."
In the future Evans said he would like to see a "decent net metering program here which means that people could put in a solar system that could generate power that they could sell to the utility company at the same rate that they're buying it."
"Little spark and a fire is created so that's how it starts one person and another one will follow another one will follow and maybe one day we'll find this town turn all green," said Safa.
Utility company SCE&G recently partnered with Boeing to create the largest renewable energy production site in the Southeast.
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