Residential

 

There has never been a better time to switch to Solar Energy. The combination of technological advances and government rebates has made Solar Energy more affordable than ever. In most cases, Solar Strata customers will dramatically reduce their monthly utility bill and enjoy the advantage of the federal, state and utility company incentives. From the moment your system is installed, you will start saving money.

 

Depending on your household’s consumption, you can expect as high as a 70% reduction of your utility bill. As importantly, you will lock-in your energy bill for at least 30 years by using clean renewable power as your energy source.

 

Also, by switching to Solar Energy, you will add tremendous value to your home. In fact, according to the National Appraisal Institute, homeowners can experience as much as a $20 increase in home value for every $1 reduction in your annual utility bill. So if you saved $1000 over the course of a year on your utility bill, the value of your home could increase $20,000.

 

Progress Energy

 

Progress Energy offers their SunSense Program for photovoltaic installations based on net-metering and time of use rates. Net-metering means…….Time of use rates mean……..The basics of the program are as follows:

 

-PE will give you a rebate of $1000 per kilowatt A/C of Solar Energy you invest in just four weeks after the installation.

 

-A $4.50 monthly credit for every kilowatt of Solar Energy installed at your home will be applied to your monthly utility bill.

 

For the net-metering option, a new peak-demand charge will be calculated for your time of use rate. Therefore, it is important to minimize this charge to take advantage of the most potential savings. Strata Solar will assist you on the best way to use your energy for net-metering.

 

Strata Solar will provide you with all of the necessary information need to make a sound financial decision. We will conduct a thorough site assessment and obtain energy consumption data for your home specifically related to your potential peak-demand charge.

 

Click here for an overview of the SunSense program.

 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

 

PEMC Solar Loan Program

 

Piedmont Electric has introduced an Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Loan Program and is available to eligible consumers to finance the purchase and installation of an energy efficient solar hot water heater. Upon approval, customers will also receive a $500.00 rebate from Piedmont Electric. Customers may borrow up to $10,000.00 for seven (7) years at five (5) percent interest.

 

Click here for more information regarding this program. Many of Piedmont EMC customers are in areas where propane and electricity are the only options to heat water.

This program is a terrific way to offset high electric, gas, or propane costs with no out of pocket initial investment. Please call (919) 960- 6015 or email info@stratasolar.com for more information.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

　

Chapel Hill/Carrboro Energy Efficient Loan Program

From Staff Writers
Chapel Hill News
January 9, 2011

CARRBORO - Carrboro businesses and nonprofits with fewer than 50 employees can now apply for low-cost loans for energy-efficient upgrades. The Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund provides loans of $1,500 or more at 3 percent interest over 10 years for new upgrades to heating and cooling systems, lighting, insulation, roofs, appliances, water heaters, windows and motors. Solar projects qualify only as part of a larger energy improvement plan.

 

The program's goal is to help businesses cut the amount of electricity, water or gas they use - and their utility bills - by 15 percent to 20 percent. Businesses must provide one year of utility bills as part of their application. When the work is complete, it will be verified through an on-site inspection and utility bills for the next three years.

The program is being funded with a $55,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Energy through the Southeastern Energy Alliance. Chapel Hill also received part of the grant and will use $150,000 mostly for residential upgrades. Carrboro has set aside $5,000 of its grant money for residential energy audit rebates. More money may be available next year for residential upgrades, officials said.

 

The Economic Sustainability Commission - an advisory board of residents, business owners and employees - will submit qualified finalists to the Carrboro Board of Aldermen for a decision. Each qualifying business will get an energy usage audit, Dodd said.

 

The business can choose who does the work, although the town has a list of pre-qualified contractors and quality assurance providers available. Chapel Hill and Carrboro are paying Clean Energy Solutions Inc. $53,100 to manage the program.

 

For more information call Nora Barger at 918-7334 or email nbarger@cleanenergysol.com or James Harris, 918-7319 or jharris@townofcarrboro.org .

 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Get clean solar energy and reduce your monthly expenses

 

There has never been a better time to switch to solar. The combination of technological improvements and government incentives have made solar more affordable than ever. In most locations customers can dramatically reduce their monthly utility bill and take advantage of the numerous federal, state, and utility incentives.

 

Once the system is installed, customers will lock in their energy with clean renewable

power for more than 30 years and add tremendous value to their homes. According to the National Appraisal Institute, homeowners can experience a $20 increase in value for every $1 reduction in annual utility bills.

 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

A Smart Investment for You and the Environment

 

Lock in your energy bills for 30 years. In the past decade energy rates have been rising at a rate of 5% on average. In fact, Duke Energy (one of the largest utilities in the country) is currently petitioning the North Carolina public utilities commission for a 7% rate hike.

 

-Solar is a safe, long term investment with an excellent financial return. Solar energy investments commonly generate an ROI of up to 40% and a IRR of 5% - 15%. No other long term investment offers comparable returns with such low risk.

 

-Solar continues to generate value long after it is paid off. Thanks to recent legislation, many utilities are now required to pay customers for renewable energy. In many cases, utilities will pay solar system owners 2-3 times more for solar power than what they charge those customers for conventional electricity.

 

-Solar energy reduces your impact on the environment. Solar is the cleanest and most sustainable energy source available, with no fuel, no moving parts, and no emissions. The environmental impact of the average solar electric system is the equivalent to planting nearly 39 trees per year.