GetStarted_1_76.indd 1 9/1/10 2:44:03 PM What makes a PV module exceptional? It has to outperform its competition. It has to generate high yields, generate them reliably and continue to generate them for years. Conergy’s PowerPlus does just that. The Conergy PowerPlus series of PV modules ensures you get maximum return on your investment. Across the globe, one in every ten modules is manufactured, sold or installed by Conergy. We hold ourselves and our products to the highest standards. That is why Conergy is the global leader in PV systems. Discover Conergy PowerPlus www.conergy.us | [email protected] | 888.396.6611 National Solar Tour Platinum Sponsor NERG O Y C QUALITY M Y A D N A E M I N G E R GetStarted_1_76.indd 2 9/1/10 2:44:03 PM ANNUAL ISSUE VOLUME 24, NO. 8 FALL/WINTER 2010 SOLARTODAY.ORG A supplement of SOLARTODAY GET STARTED 2011 Solar BUYERS’ GUIDE A National List of Local Solar Businesses pages 34-65 BASICS 8 Getting the Most for Your Energy Dollar By Seth Masia 10 Home Systems Keep Track of Energy Use ROGER GAVAN ROGER By Scotte Elliott taste OF the Tour Jerry and Lucy Fischetti of Warwick, N.Y., 12 Heat Your Water With the Sun put in a solar water-heating system to cut their gas bill by $135 each Edited by Diana Young, Liz Merry and Barry Butler month. Here, Jerry poses with installer Patrick Gallagher. 16 All About Photovoltaic Systems By Joseph McCabe, P.E. 20 All About Wind By Mick Sagrillo 24 Energy-Saving HVAC Options By Mike Koshmrl ON THE COVER: Bill and Linda Hopkins, in the Los LEARN MORE Angeles area, produce all of their electrical power needs 26 Does It Pay? from their grid-tied 9-kilowatt photovoltaic system, installed By Andy Black in 2003 by Solar Electrical Systems of Westlake Village, 28 Books on Renewable Energy for the Home Calif. Utility rebates covered 70 percent of the cost, before Compiled by Seth Masia tax credits. A battery bank maintains power during utility outages to run lights, appliances and computers. An electric 30 Working With an Installer water heater, installed in 2008, cut the gas bill by 50 percent. By Seth Masia The solar system also charges their two Toyota RAV4 EV 32 Get Trained for a Career in the Solar Industry electric cars, which they use for commuting and local errands. By Mike Koshmrl They drive a Toyota Prius for longer trips. PHOTOGRAPHY: BRYONY SHEARMUR Copyright © 2010 by the American Solar Energy Society Inc. All rights reserved. solartoday.org GET STARTED SOLAR TODAY 3 GetStarted_1_76.indd 3 9/1/10 2:44:05 PM Hagman Ad - Solar Today get started Sept 2010 copy.pdf 1 7/28/2010 3:13:11 PM Good for the planet Good for your wallet “There’s always a better alternative. Shine, baby, shine!” - Larry Hagman C M Y CM MY CY CMY K Putting a solar electric system on your roof is like getting paid to reduce your carbon footprint. And with Sunkits® from SolarWorld, America’s largest solar panel manufacturer, it’s never been easier or more affordable. Call SolarWorld at 1-800-94-SOLAR or visit our website today to schedule a free estimate. www.solarworld-usa.com GetStarted_1_76.indd 4 9/1/10 2:44:05 PM GET STARTED A supplement of SOLARTODAY GET STARTED and SOLAR TODAY are published by the American Solar Energy Society, ases.org, the U.S. Section of the International Solar Energy Society. Join Us on the Solar Tour! On Saturday, Oct. 2, the American Solar Energy Society presents the 15th annual National Solar Tour in communities across the country. It’s your chance to see how your neighbors make use of home energy improvements in your climate. To find a tour near you, go to nationalsolartour.org and click on Find A Tour. A SI ETH MA ETH S Solar into the Mainstream 6 Welcome to the By RICHARD BURNS ASES National Solar Tour By Brad Collins ON BEHALF OF THE MORE THAN 10,000 vol- unteers, thousands of homeowners and hundreds of 66 New Products tour organizers, welcome to the American Solar Energy for Energy Efficiency Society’s 15th annual National Solar Tour! The tour 70 Inside ASES is all about neighbors talking to neighbors, and people talking to people, about all things solar. 72 Advertiser Index Richard Burns is Be prepared to see real-world examples of how 74 Chair’s Corner: The Joys of Solar the ASES National your neighbors are reducing their energy bills and By Margot McDonald, AIA, LEED AP Solar Tour Manager doing their part to mitigate climate change. Now it is ([email protected]). your turn to ask questions, take pictures and learn how to join more than 165,000 tour attendees in moving solar energy into the mainstream. I often tell tour organizers that they are planting “solar seeds.” Your atten- dance and participation in this year’s tour is proof that their efforts are reaping huge results. Take the next step by putting into action what you learn from this fun and educational event: Go solar in whatever way you can! And please be sure to thank all the homeowners and volunteers for opening up their homes for you to view. Almost every one of them began the solar journey by attending a previous tour. Enjoy, and pass it on! Don’t miss the next SOLAR TODAY In the November/December issue, get the inside story on solar build- GET STARTED environmental statement X ings, from California apartment buildings with solar water heating to GET STARTED is printed with vegetable ink Trees Energy Water Greenhouse Solid a Minnesota college that’s using its 400-kilowatt photovoltaic system on paper containing 100 percent post- Gases Waste consumer waste. The paper is produced at a 327 247 47,670 15 tons 14.5 tons as a hands-on teaching tool. And learn how to evaluate backup water- biomass-powered mill. This issue saves: million Btu gallons CO equivalent 2 heating options for your solar thermal system. Copyright © 2010 by the American Solar Energy Society Inc. All rights reserved. solartoday.org GET STARTED SOLAR TODAY 5 GetStarted_1_76.indd 5 9/1/10 2:44:06 PM perspective SOLAR TODAY® LEADING THE RenewaBLE Energy Revolution SOLartOdaY.Org Brad Collins: Executive Director/Publisher [email protected] Editorial Gina R. Johnson: Editor/Associate Publisher [email protected] Seth Masia: Deputy Editor Corey Dahl: Managing Editor Mike Koshmrl: Editorial Intern Solartoday.org Brooke Simmons: Manager of Online Publishing Design Allison J. Gray: Art Director Peggy Doyle: Designer Dan Bihn: Photojournalist Contributors Richard Crume, Rona Fried, Chuck Kutscher, Joseph McCabe, Liz Merry, Mick Sagrillo, Robert Ukeiley Advertising Sales A Annette Delagrange: Director of Sales, Colorado Territory SI [email protected] P: 630.234.9187 ETH MA ETH S Bonnie D. Hunt: Eastern Sales Manager [email protected] P: 215.750.7692 P: 800.598.7947 Welcome to the ASES National Solar Tour F: 215.741.4698 Rob Simonelli: Western Sales Manager [email protected] he American Solar Energy Society’s (ASES) National Solar Tour, now in its 15th P: 562.431.1630 F: 562.431.1530 year, is an opportunity to see how your neighbors use solar energy and live in climate- Shari Heinlein: National Sales Assistant [email protected] sensitive, efficient buildings. Year after year, the tour brings neighbors together to P: 303.443.3130 T F: 303.443.3212 learn about local smart building practices, solar installations and solar installers. We see real people in real buildings in our own neighborhoods. Magazine Advisory Council The ASES National Solar Tour is possible through the volun- Gabriela Martin, Chair Dan Bihn Paul Notari By BRAD COLLINS teer efforts of more than 5,000 building owners across the country. Richard Crume Alejandro Palomino Frank Kreith Mick Sagrillo They generously open their doors to show the community what Chuck Kutscher Ken Sheinkopf Joseph McCabe Robert Ukeiley they have done to become more sustainable. These building own- Dona McClain Jane M. Weissman ers are recruited by hundreds of volunteers who want to share their knowledge. More than 10,000 volunteer hours are spent ASES Operations Irene Pérez Law: Chief Operating Officer to organize each year’s tour. We owe special thanks to all who Becky Campbell-Howe: Director of Professional Education Neshama Abraham: Director of Marketing and Communications give of their free time to make this experience happen. Also, we Christy Honigman: Director of Development Chris Stimpson: Executive Campaigner offer special thanks to the tour’s sponsors, whose financial support Solar Nation, a program of ASES Carolyn Beach: Membership Manager makes this national effort possible: Conergy, Trina Solar, Sanyo Richard Burns: National Solar Tour Manager/ and Sun Crystals. Chapters Liaison Kristin Conrad: Web Development Manager This magazine, Get Started, is produced as an annual bonus Kate Hotchkiss: Program Manager/Chapters Liaison Dona McClain: Program Coordinator Brad Collins is the issue of SOLAR TODAY magazine. It’s an educational resource Elena Hoffrichter: Bookkeeper Christine Howard: Executive Assistant executive director of combined with a list of local installers, meant to help newcom- Ann Huggins: Member Services the American Solar ers to solar technologies shop intelligently. Get Started offers ASES Board of Directors Energy Society (ases. basic information on solar technology and efficient buildings, as Margot McDonald, Chair org). a supplement to what tour-goers learn from neighbors who have Jeff Lyng, Chair-elect Bill Poulin, Treasurer opened their solar-powered homes. Our goal with this magazine Paulette Middleton, Secretary John Reynolds, Immediate Past Chair is to provide a ready resource to encourage more solar deployment.