Since solar panels collect light and not heat, the coming cold weather will not cause your energy savings to completely freeze. However, the days are noticeably shorter and cloudier, so that means less sunlight for your panels. Add a layer of snow on top of that and you'll definitely notice a marked difference in performance.

So, what can be done? Decreased daylight hours - well, there's not much anyone can do about that.  But as long as the sun is shining, the panels will absorb energy. Even in overcast conditions, the panels will still absorb reflective light.

And what if it snows?  Snow isn't all bad - sparkling snow gives off a good deal of usable reflective light. Also, the tilt of your array and the slickness of the panels' surface should be enough that most of the snow will slide off.  Plus, the solar panels themselves warm up quickly in the sun and will help melt any snow. If the snow becomes unusually heavy, you can always use a slightly modified roof rake (sold in hardware stores) with a squeegee-type blade affixed to carefully sweep off any snow that is hampering production.

In any event, cold conditions do not mean that your solar panels are not still working hard for you. As is true for most electronics, solar panels actually perform better in colder conditions.

Case in point: NASA uses solar panels in space and at an average temperature of -455°F, those are some cold panels! Simply put: the colder the material, the better it will conduct electricity.

Solar Power International 2009 was held last week in Anaheim, CA, with record numbers of attendees and exhibitors. It was a three-day whirlwind of conferences, workshops, training sessions, and exhibits designed to showcase new solar technologies and a chance for business-to-business networking. Keynote speakers included Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis, and actor and renewable energy supporter, Ed Begley, Jr.

Last year's conference was only about half the size of this year's, showing the huge growth in this sector. Attendance has been growing at the rate of about 40 percent each year:

For the fourth year in a row, The Solar Company team was excited to attend this year's conference.

Co-owner of The Solar Company, Christina Danenhower, enjoyed listening to Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s passionate speech about renewable energy. "He was very down to earth and spoke for over an hour about the future of renewable energy."

Our partner, SunPower, also held special workshops to encourage and support their network of US dealers and ensure that the best solar installation practices are being implemented.

"It made me feel that I'm part of something important, " commented Rachelle Piekarczyk of The Solar Company. "Attending the SunPower classes was confirmation that they are a great company to work with and have superior products and customer service. I really feel good about offering our customers the best product out there."

Several companies are offering leases on solar PV systems these days. The deal goes something like this: they install a system on your roof, promise to maintain the system, and charge you a fairly low lease rate that increases by roughly 4% per year for the next 15 years. You get all the energy the system generates and if you use more than the system provides, you buy it from the utility company. Sounds pretty good, doesn’t it?

Well, it depends.

First of all, let’s consider the unique nature of your solar PV system. For most homeowners it will be the only appliance on your property that actually puts cash back in your pocket every month.  Not only that; you can bet your last fluorescent light bulb that it will actually generate more cash over time.

Why? Because increasing population and fuel prices will continue to drive your energy bill skywards. Your own solar energy will increase in value along with prevailing utility rates.

If you purchase today, you will reach a point in the not-so-distant future where the CSI Rebate (currently $1,100 per installed kW), the Federal Tax Credit (30% of system cost, paid as a tax credit) and the cash value of the energy you generate will pay for your system.

However, if you lease the system, the rebate and tax credit will be claimed by the leasing company, not you. You are also locked into a 15 year contract with a company that may or may not still exist that far down the road. Maintenance is minimal and can be done by the homeowner with very little effort.

On the average, the payback period for a solar PV system is between 5 and 7 years. It can also depend on your average energy bill. The higher the bill, the faster the payback.

Why is that? Because if you are like most energy customers, you are on the basic E1 rate schedule. Your utility company sells you a certain amount of cheap energy every month and from there the rates rise steeply.  The lowest rates (Tiers 1and 2) have not gone up in the last 10 years. As a matter of fact, they have gone down slightly. These rates do rise periodically but it is uncertain by how much since they are kept low to benefit low-income households and to reward frugal users. The higher rates (Tiers 3, 4, and 5) have doubled in the last four years, and are set to increase significantly in the coming years. A solar PV system is great for cutting those top three tiers out of your bill. Own the system and you own the whole cost benefit.

So, buy or lease?

Here’s how it plays out in rough terms:

• If you expect to pay taxes for the next 5 to 7 years and your electricity bill is $100 per month or higher, you are likely to be much better off owning your system.
• If you don’t pay taxes (say you are retired) and your energy bill is below $100 per month, you will probably do OK with a lease. You will see an approximate 4% increase in your monthly charge each year, but this will hopefully not be much more than the real increases in energy rates.

Bottom line: the real benefits for a homeowner are most likely found in outright ownership. After all, immediate savings for 5 to 7 years followed by 30–35 years of largely free electricity is pretty hard to beat.

- article contributed by Torgeir Hansson

Great news regarding net metering! In case you hadn't heard yet, Governor Swarzenegger is committed "to introduce legislation that will permanently eliminate all caps on net metering in California so there are no arbitrary limits on the amount of solar we can install, the number of jobs we can create and the amount of energy we can save.”

The big announcement was just in time for Solar Power International 2009 in Anaheim, a solar conference and trade show that annually gathers the latest and greatest names in solar.

More information will be announced by the Governor soon! http://twurl.nl/nh8twu

Gov. Schwarzenegger signed two major solar initiatives that will go a long way in helping more Californians go solar.

AB 920 will require utility companies to reimburse their solar customers for any extra electricity produced that goes back into the grid.

"This bill applies to individual homeowners as well as small businesses, farms, wineries, schools and even affordable housing developments," Assemblyman Jared Huffman, the bill's writer, said in a statement.

SB 32 will require utility companies to purchase solar electricity from facilities that produce up to 3 MW, up from the previously set limit of 1.5 MW.

Read more about this groundbreaking news here: LA Times

When it comes to solar, not all panels are created equal. As with any large purchase or investment, it pays to do your research. In looking for a brand that will work for your needs, here are some things to consider:

• Cost
• Efficiency
• Warranty
• Available space

Cost

How much do you plan on spending? Everyone likes to get the best price for the best product. Research panel performance on multiple brands, then set a budget and look into financing options.

Efficiency

Solar panel efficiency varies widely depending on the manufacturer. The chart below shows the top ten efficiency-rated solar panel brands currently on the market (comparable models were used in processing data):

Warranty

Solar panels should come with a warranty of 25 years minimum. And if there’s a problem? Make sure the manufacturer is established and will be there for the long haul. Don’t choose a fly-by-night installation company just to save a few extra dollars; you’ll end up paying for it in the long run.

Available space

Where is your solar array going to go? On the roof? On the ground? Most people only have a limited amount of space, so fitting the best performing panels in the space available would be the wise choice.

To really get the most out of your solar power system, it pays to develop smart energy habits. Here are the top 5 easy but important ways to save around the house:

1. Lower your thermostat – 68 degrees is generally the most comfortable during fall through spring. If you use air-conditioning for the summer months, set it around 73 - 75 degrees when you’re home and 80+ degrees when you’re not. Make your life simple by installing a programmable thermostat.
2. Open/close your curtains or blinds – in the summer, keep curtains and blinds closed to block out heat. To keep heat in on chilly winter evenings, open your curtains or blinds during the day and close them at night to keep the heat in.
3. Replace existing bulbs with CFLs (compact fluorescent light bulbs) – even if you only replace half your light bulbs, you’ll save nearly 37% in lighting costs. And they can last about 10 times longer than standard bulbs.
4. If you’re not using it, turn it off or unplug it – do you know how many energy vampires are in your home? Computers, TVs, battery chargers – they suck energy all day and all night, as well as drain your wallet! Even if they are not turned on, appliances drain and store energy just by being plugged in. Look around your house and assess what items really need to be plugged in continuously. Computers can be set to sleep mode when not in use. Use power strips for items such as lamps to making it quicker to unplug multiple appliances.
5. Adjust when and how you wash – washing machines and dishwashers should be full when washing a load. And cold water washes clothes just as efficiently as warm water; 85% of the energy washing machines use goes directly to heating.

With just a few adjustments, you’ll really start to see your savings add up!

I came across a really great entry on a Bay Area resident's website/blog describing his experience with his solar pv system over the past year. Very well-written, honest, and non-biased. He discusses the pros and cons of going solar and whether he made the right economic choice.

If you're thinking about solar and aren't sure if it's worth it, you definitely need to read this:

John Powers - Powers Unlimited: One Year On Solar Power

Solar power technology is relatively new but it has already become clear that it is the wave of the future. Compared to other types of energy sources, traditional and renewable, the advantages of solar power are very persuasive:

• Solar power is a renewable resource – we’ll never run out of sunlight!
• Solar power is clean. Unlike fossil-fuels, solar power is a non-pollutant source of energy and does not contribute to global warming.
• Solar panels are typically guaranteed for 25 years but have a life expectancy closer to 40 years.
• Solar power is dependable. For remote areas that make it difficult to rely on grid-connected power sources, solar power generators can be utilized.
• Solar panel systems can add value to your home.
• Solar panels produce power quietly and require very little maintenance.
• Sunlight is free. After the initial investment for the solar power system installation, you needn’t worry about fluctuating/rising energy costs. Most systems have a pay-back time of 7 – 10 years.
• Tax credits and rebates are available to help cut the cost of installation.

Solar is the world's fastest growing energy technology, bringing with it increasing economic benefits and thousands of green jobs.

What kind of solar growth can we expect in the coming years in California, as well as the rest of the United States?

Google, along with the Solar Energy Research and Education Foundation and Navigant Consulting, Inc., have developed an interactive, 3-D map, detailing the projected solar growth over the next 7 years.

Click on the image to see it (Google plugin required - can be safely downloaded through site):