Many people are under the impression that solar (PV) panels are inefficient and expensive. When PV panels were first developed, these concerns were valid. However, now due to the increasing popularity and demand for solar power, the technology is continually improving and the prices are declining. Refer to the projection below for trends in solar panels over the past 30 years.
This graphic, produced by 1366 Technologies, shows the steady historic and projected continued cost decline of PVs. By creating a strong solar market in Tennessee, we can create green jobs and make it more affordable for everyone to go solar.
Links to websites offering solar costing resources:
- SolarBuzz: Solar Electricity Global Benchmark Price Indices. Shows the current costs of installations for home, commercial, and industrial applications.
- Find Solar. Research the solar power potential of your home or business, Find rebates and incentives for solar energy.
- Solar Estimate. Estimate solar, wind and renewable energy system costs and perform financial analysis. Find contractors, installers, manufacturers, distributors, and other professionals in the renewable energy and energy efficiency fields.
Links to articles posted on other websites:
- Getting SREC Policy Right, by Aaron Chew, Renewable Energy World.com, June 15, 2010. There is an ongoing debate among solar renewable energy credit (SREC) policymakers about how long solar energy generators should be able to collect money for SRECS. Does it really matter?
- CPS Energy (San Antonio, TX) Solartricity Producer Program. Similar to TVA's Generation Partners program, Solartricity producers will be responsible for the cost involved in purchasing, installing and maintaining their own solar-energy systems. Preliminary plans call for Solartricity producers to sign 20-year agreements to sell solar energy at a rate of 27 cents per kilowatt-hour to CPS Energy.
Articles available as downloadable PDF files:
- TN Energy Efficiency Project Funding Assistance, April 28, 2010. Over $9M in energy efficiency grants, project funding and assistance announced through the Tennessee Renewable Energy and Economic Development Council.
- US DOE to invest $200M over 5 years in solar and water, April 23, 2010.
- The Arithmetic of Solar Royalty Trusts, by Ken Zweibel, renewableenergyworld.com, April 21, 2010.
- Solar Panels Tax Incentives and Your House, by Jeffrey D. Moss, mondaq.com, March 24, 2010. This is a very interesting article on what other states are doing in helping offset the high cost of solar installations. It also defines quite clearly was the Federal Government allows for tax credits and how it works.
- US Treasury Revises Cash Grant Program Guidance, by Jeffrey G. Davis, Mayer Brown LLP, mayerbrown.com, 23 March 2010.
- Limited Cap-and-Trade Program, cen-online.org, February 1, 2010. This article is important as both renewable energy credits and cap-and-trade are being considered by many states and regions.
- Philadelphia-Based PECO Purchases 6MW of SRECs, PECO, March 4, 2010. This should be a wake up call to TVA that renewable energy credits (RECs) are coming and the price will be substantial. Utility sized installations will be profitable taking into account the value of REC now and in the future.
- Key Energy-Related Tax Provisions in 2011 Budget Proposal, McDermott Will & Emery, March 1, 2010
- Obama Adds $108M for Renewable Energy, The White House, February 14, 2010