Lori Singleton
Jan. 5, 2008 12:00 AM
Is the solar boom of the 1980s repeating itself today? If you lived in the Valley during this time, you may remember seeing solar water-heating systems popping up on rooftops. The rising fuel costs of the 1980s, combined with federal tax incentives, spurred a frenzy of solar investments. Seemingly overnight, solar design and installation companies who knew very little about the industry set up shop and began calling on customers. Yet within a very short time, the federal government pulled the plug on incentives and the boom ended. Solar companies faded back into the night, and many homeowners were left with poorly designed systems that they knew little about when it came to maintenance and performance.
Fast-forward to today and again we are experiencing another rise in the solar industry. So, what's different? A lot. While we are once again experiencing rising fuel costs and tax incentives have been reinstated, the major difference is technology. A new generation of solar water-heating systems and photovoltaic systems to offset your electricity usage has been developed. Today, the solar water-heating systems must be certified by the Solar Rating and Certification Corporation to ensure the highest quality of design and manufacturing. Today's systems are better equipped to withstand extreme cold, preventing the leaking issues of their early predecessors.
Another difference: a heightened awareness that reducing dependence on fossil fuels, decreasing greenhouse gas emissions and conserving energy will help protect and preserve the environment for future generations. Using solar power to heat water for your home is an efficient, emissions-free, renewable source of energy that can save you money on monthly electric bills. According to the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, heating water accounts for one-fifth to one-quarter of an average U.S. household's energy use. |
