All over the world, more homes, businesses and official buildings are using solar panels to produce electricity. Rather surprisingly, since they are a northern country with serious winters, Germany is the country with the most solar installations. The Solar Energy Industries Association reported that the foremost corporate user of solar power is Walmart. What do Germany and Walmart have in common? Both are well-known for wanting things to be accomplished in the most efficient and cost-effective way possible. They do their homework before they spend their money.
In the past, many homeowners briefly considered solar panels for their homes, but didn’t pursue it because they thought that the panels were ‘too ugly’ and would lower the value of their homes. Today’s solar panels are not the ‘clunky-looking’ panels of the past. They are sleek, attractive and durable. Even more important, a solar house sells for more than houses without solar panels. Electricity costs have doubled in the past 10 years (no surprise there to anyone!). Solar panels allow people to ‘lock in’ electric costs at the current rate, guaranteeing big savings in the future. This is undoubtedly one of the primary reasons Germany and Walmart use solar energy.
Depending on where they live, homeowners may be able to install solar at no cost. There are many programs and rebates etc. available; an experienced solar contractor will know the details. Using clean, renewable energy and making a positive impact on the environment is also very important to solar power users. Combined with the future cost savings, many people decide, “Why wouldn’t I?”.
Roof Diagnostics Inc was voted the Contractor of the Year in 2010. Since the father and son team of Kelcy Pegler Sr. and Jr. started RDI in 1994, the company has become one of the largest solar roofing companies on the East Coast. They estimate that over the next 20 years, their solar customers will save over $300,000,000. In addition, electricity produced by the sun instead of by a power plant prevents over 2,600,000 pounds of smog emission from going into the atmosphere. This also means that over 1,400,000 barrels of oil are not needed. Any who has been considering solar power in Massachusetts should contact this company. They might even learn that they could get solar power for free!
