Would you take investment advice from a random stranger?

Installing a solar home energy system is a big investment. But, unlike your 401K, this investment involves penetrating your roof, wiring and a bevy of other fun stuff. To get the most out of your investment, it’s important to make sure the person walking on your roof and running conduit to your electrical panel has the expertise to do the job right the first time. Whether you’ve decided to free yourself from high electric bills, or you just want to produce your own power, getting competitive bids from QUALIFIED solar installers is the first step in safeguarding your investment.

So, where do you start?

While we all love having choices, finding a solar installer that’s right for you can feel a bit like looking for a needle in a haystack. If you sign up for a free solar home energy evaluation with GetSolar, you can rest easy knowing that our local solar installation partners have demonstrated a strong track record of success. Specifically, we weigh the following before selecting a partner for your solar energy project:

10. Does the solar installer have any certification? Look for NABCEP Certification (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners), by many measures the industry gold standard for solar photovoltaic (PV) installation.

9. Do they have active liability insurance and bonding? GetSolar requests proof of insurance from its partners and we use a third-party to verify this information.

8. How long have they been installing solar power systems? GetSolar requires a minimum of two years’ experience, but most of our partners have been at this for much longer.

7. Is the solar installer familiar with roofing practices? A qualified installer understands proper roof practices and will take care to not void your roof’s warranty.

6. Will the installer design and install a solar energy system that is code compliant?

5. Will they file all permitting and rebate paperwork (if applicable)?

4. Are the PV panels they recommend approved by the California Energy Commission (CEC)? And do the panels qualify for incentives?

3. Is the deposit and payment schedule clearly defined?

2. Will the bid indicate the PV systems capacity in both DC and AC watts? Unless your system uses microinverters, be sure that your solar quote includes both. (The AC number will be lower than the DC number.)

And our number one question is (drum roll please)…. REFERENCES!

We recommend you request THREE references – and yes, follow through on making those calls. That’s what we do here at GetSolar. So if you sign up for a solar evaluation with one of our partners, know that we’ve already asked them the important questions. I should know, since I frequently talk to the customer references provided by installers seeking to join our network. Lucky for me, most people can’t rave enough about their solar energy systems. PV system owners love to describe the joys of running the meter backwards, and the excitement about their vanishing electric bill can be quite infectious!

We know installing solar panels can be a time-consuming and rigorous process, which is why GetSolar is your trusted partner in getting qualified bids from installer. Our network of certified installers meet the highest industry standard so we take the guessing game out of who to call by saving you time and providing peace of mind.

Ready to get started? Then give me a call at 1-800-265-3646 ext 706 and, if we’ve got partners in your area, we’ll do our best to match you with up to three highly qualified installers that have gone through this rigorous process already! We’ve done the homework, so you don’t have to.

Hi, everyone! My name is Miriam and I am a member of our customer service team here at GetSolar.

Each day, I speak with individuals from across the country who are interested in learning more about solar power for their home. Thanks to the modern marvel called Google Maps, I get to cruise around our beautiful country in search of roofs that have yet to reach their full potential, like this one:

From the halls of New York to the sunny shores of California, I review aerial images of properties and help answer homeowners’ solar-related questions. We thought it might be fun — and hopefully helpful — to share some of the questions we hear most frequently.

This week’s question: Where would the solar panels be installed? Read here for a helpful blog post explaining good roofs for solar.

The short answer is on the south-facing portion of the roof, as that’s the direction offering the most sunlight. When it comes to maximizing the output of solar panels, generally speaking the more sunlight the better.

But let’s dig in a bit further. Let’s assume that our homeowners live in a state with a good solar rebate or other incentive, and can take advantage of the 30 percent federal tax credit. Let’s also assume that their home’s roof faces south and that shading — from trees or nearby buildings — is not an issue.

So great candidate for solar, right? Well, that all depends on how our homeowner feels about solar panels displayed on the front of the home!

Occasionally, I’ll talk to homeowners that have a south-facing roof that — unlike the roof in the image above — is in the front of the home. This fact brings with it some important aesthetic considerations.

For some, installing solar panels on the front of their home isn’t a big deal at all — in fact, some homeowners like how the panels look. For others, the idea of adorning their dream home with solar panels that are visible from the street is enough to make them seriously reconsider their solar pursuits.

If you want to go solar but are afraid to put the panels on the front, no need to abandon your solar power dreams just yet. Solar panels may not be as ugly as you think! Just check out these images. Not bad, right?

If you’re still uneasy, what’s about a ground-mounted solar array or solar fence? (Read here for more on solar roofs vs. ground-mounted systems) Provided that you have sufficient shade free property, a ground-mounted system may strike that perfect balance between function and form, all while maintaining the architectural integrity of your greek-revival home.

Usually we find that where there’s a will, there is a way. In the end, discussing your wants and needs with professional solar installers is the best way to find a solar home energy solution that’s right for you.

So, that’s it! I hope you’ll drop me a line at mmaguran@getsolar.com or call me at 1-800-265-3646 ext 706 to discuss your project. I may not be able to explain quantum physics, but I’m confident I can help answer a more relevant question — can solar power work for you?

This week brings good news for both homeowners and business owners in Massachusetts looking to install solar panels. Washington, D.C.-based Sol Systems announced a trio trio of finance options designed to make solar energy even more affordable throughout the state.

How do the finance options work?

In a growing number of states, utilities are required to get a percentage of their electricity from renewable energy sources. To meet these requirements, utilities in some states are buying the credits associated with the output of clean energy systems, like solar panels. As a result, these credits have real value: a homeowner in New Jersey, for example, could have sold their credits for about $615 a piece.

Because these credits have value, aggregators, like Sol Systems, are willing to buy them — either upfront or over time. Here’s more on the three solar finance options Sol Systems is now offering Massachusetts buyers:

Sol Upfront

First off, Sol Upfront now lets both commercial and residential solar customers pre-sell up to 10 years worth of Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs). Those who do so will receive a lump-sum payment which will definitely help alleviate a large part of the cost of installation.

Sol Brokerage

Sol Brokerage goes hand-in-hand with Sol Upfront as it allows customers who pre-sell their SRECs to receive the highest spot market prices in exchange for their credits. In other words, those who choose the brokerage options will reduce their exposure to fluctuation in the market price for SRECs. They will receive the same dollar value for all of their pre-sold SRECs no matter the credits’ future value. And if you’re installing a system of 20 kilowatts (KW) or larger, Sol System will waive the brokerage fee.

Sol Annuity

If you’re not interested in pre-selling your SRECs because you think they may hop up in value down the road, the company has a third option designed just for you. Sol Annuity gives Massachusetts solar customers a choice between a three and five year option to receive a fixed price over the agreement of each term. The three-year term offers customers $400/SREC and the five year term offers a lower $275/SREC.

In general, Massachusetts has been a bit behind other states like New Jersey and Pennsylvania when it comes to developing a robust SREC market. So Sol Systems opening its finance options in Massachusetts is great sign, as it means the SREC market is likely expanding within the state.

Talk about an ambitious energy goal — and true community effort.

Four years after now outgoing Colorado Governor Bill Ritter helped announce a new report suggesting that a homegrown renewable energy industry could add $1.9 billion to the state’s economy, a Colorado city is taking aim at setting a world energy record.

Fort Collins, Colorado in the northern portion of the Centennial State — just 57 miles from Denver — has embarked on a project called FortZED with the goal of becoming the world’s largest active net-zero energy district in the world. The project, which began back in 2007, and consists of community awareness campaigns about energy use and smart grid development within the city. Most recently, the state’s Renewable and Distributed Systems Integration (RDSI) program has given the city’s effort an extra jolt, as it’s meant to trim overall energy consumption and gain more energy from renewable sources.

“Net-zero energy” means the area would produce as much energy as it consumes. The key phrase in the state’s goal is largest active net-zero district in the world. Its goal, while difficult to achieve in any part of the country, would be much easier to reach in a rural, underpopulated area. But Fort Collins is the fifth-most populated city in Colorado. It’s also a large college town, as it houses Colorado State University (CSU). Overall, the district holds 7,200 home and business electric utility customers combined.

But so far, the city’s economy is proving to be a major contributor in reaching the net-zero energy goal. CSU, for example, has its own net-zero energy goal. To that end, CSU has installed four separate solar energy systems on its campus, with its most recent coming in July 2010 in the form of a 132-kilowatt (KW) solar array atop a parking garage.

Even breweries in the area have joined the cause. New Belgium Brewery, in addition to its 200-kW solar energy system, has installed smart-grid technology that will reduce the brewery’s energy consumption when the local electric grid is being heavily used. Another energy campaign, called “take it to zero,” challenges homeowners to reduce their energy consumption in a number of ways — and also promotes the purchase of shares in a nearby community solar energy garden.

Achieving net-zero status won’t be easy, but it can be done if the entire community continues to strive toward the goal. To see what else Fort Collins is doing to achieve net-zero status, visit the FortZED website.

A military authorization law recently signed by President Obama could lead to a solar standoff between the U.S. and China — now the world’s largest producer of solar panels.

On the surface, the bill appears to have nothing to do with solar energy. But dig deeper and you will find a  ”Buy American” provision within the bill that requires the defense department to buy American-made solar panels. The spreading of such a “Buy American” trend throughout the United States could affect China’s solar panel manufacturers, which import a good deal of their wares into the U.S.

According to the New York Times, the bill was formed toward the end of the latest lame duck session of Congress and is likely a response to accusations that China, in an effort to become the world’s largest supplier of solar panels, has overly and unfairly subsidized its solar industry. Unlike the U.S. and many other countries, which provide subsidies to solar panel buyers, China subsidizes producers. Its panel prices have gotten so low, say critics, that it has hurt the solar panel market in the U.S. and elsewhere, where manufacturers cannot compete in price.

The trade issues between China and the U.S. go beyond this latest solar scenario. The Chinese government was heavily critical of President Obama’s 2009 economic stimulus package because it applied a government procurement of construction materials, many of which are used to install solar panels atop buildings. On the other hand, the U.S. government is still examining past clean energy subsidies implemented by the Chinese government. If any were made in violation of international trade law, the U.S. is likely to file a case with the World Trade Organization.

A complete ban of Chinese solar products is highly unlikely. In fact, it’s pretty much impossible. But it will be interesting to monitor the issue, which will undoubtedly be brought up when Chinese President Hu Jintao visits the United States next week. Will this issue have an effect on residential solar panel prices? Probably not.

Homeowners near the Massachusetts coastal town of Ipswich in Essex County will have a great opportunity tomorrow to learn about the new solar initiatives that took effect in the state following the new year.

The Friends of the Ipswich Public Library — a group of local residents dedicated to the enhancement of the Ipswich Library — are hosting a solar seminar at the library beginning at 7:30 PM. The group has invited representatives from Sunlight Solar Energy — a primarily east coast designer and installer of solar photovoltaic (PV) energy systems for over 20 years — to help homeowners seek out the best solar PV system for their needs at the best possible price, using Massachusetts rebates and state and federal tax credits. Remember, Massachusetts is one of GetSolar’s top 5 solar states of 2011, as Governor Deval Patrick has pledged to install another 250 megawatts (MW) of solar energy capacity by 2017. As some may recall, the Ispwich last year installed a solar energy system at its Town Hall.

For those just trying to learn about the basics of solar energy, the seminar will also cover the ABCs of how solar technology works to produce energy, how solar can cut consumption, and, of course, how a system can save you money from day one following an installation.

Residents who want to attend should pre-register, as space will be limited. To register or get additional information about the seminar, call 617-332-1870 or send an email to amy.levine@sunlightsolar.com.

For over four decades, tech junkies from everywhere have descended upon Las Vegas, Nevada at the beginning of the new year for the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) — the largest consumer technology trade show in the world.

The show attracts some of the top product manufacturers in the world, as it gives them a chance to showcase some hot new products for the new year. And if there’s one thing that came out of 2011′s show, it’s that energy efficiency is now the name of the game.

Several companies used the 2011 CES to unveil entire home energy management systems designed to help homeowners both cut consumption and monitor their use. Panasonic’s offering, for example, includes solar panels (of course), home fuel cells, an electric vehicle (EV) charging station and energy storage units. The company began developing the system in March 2010 in tandem with SEAS-NVE, Denmark’s largest consumer-owned utility company. In October of 2010, Panasonic’s system received the European Utility Award in Customer Service.

General Electric (GE), on the other hand, took a slightly different approach to home energy management. Its system is sort a center base that talks to your utility company and all of your home’s smart appliances and smart plugs in an effort to cut your home’s energy consumption and save you money each month on your utility bill. Appropriately, the system is called Nucleus.

Not to be outdone, LG was in the building showing off its LG Thinq, a system that the company says allows homeowners to manage all smart home appliances in a convenient way. With LG thinq, you can monitor your home’s energy use from mobile devices like smart phones and laptops. So even when you’re not home, you still know everything that’s happening between your walls… from an energy standpoint, at least, — the rest is up to you.

So which of the three energy management systems is the best? Tough to say. It most likely varies from homeowner to homeowner based on number and type of appliances, and energy needs. What is clear is that, together, all three of these systems are leading us closer to a point where efficient energy consumption is the norm.

Arizona, California, Colorado, Massachusetts, New York: residents of these states can expect prime opportunities to go solar in 2011, as these five state’s governors have made solar energy production and solar technology development a top priority for the new year and beyond.

“The Envy of the World”

We begin in Arizona, where Governor Jan Brewer plans to continue adding solar generation capacity to a state that has created the most vibrant solar manufacturing industry in the nation. Through its renewable tax incentive, Arizona has been attracting manufacturing plants of some of the biggest solar companies in the world, including First Solar, Inc. and Suntech Power. Those plants have created hundreds of clean energy jobs for Arizonans. 2011 should bring more of the same, as in her inaugural address, Governor Brewer said she wants to create a solar industry that is “the envy of the world.”

A Blast from the Past

Governor Brewer’s pledge is said to fall in line with the goals of Californians, where voters went back in time and selected Governor Jerry Brown. Brown already served two terms as the state’s governor from 1975 to 1983. While former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger was very much in favor of clean energy development, Brown also has an ambitious goal for a state that leads the nation in solar capacity. In his inaugural address, Brown said he wants to install an additional 20,000 megawatts (MW) of solar energy to the state’s electric grid by 2020.

More Solar, More Jobs

Colorado Governor Bill Ritter’s message to Coloradans is in line with Governor Brewer’s plan in Arizona: more clean energy will lead to more jobs. Governor Ritter started with this message four years ago when he joined clean energy advocates in announcing a new report suggesting that, if Colorado were to increase its renewable energy capacity by 20 percent, it would add $1.9 billion to the state’s gross domestic product. And, in an effort to appeal to the economic needs of Coloradoans, Ritter noted that using more renewable energy would create over 4,000 new state jobs with a combined yearly salary of more than $570 million.

Incentives Lead the Way

By reelecting Governor Deval Patrick, Massachusetts has shown its approval for solar energy production and legislation. Since taking office in 2007, Governor Patrick has helped along the installation of 29.8 megawatts (MW) of solar energy capacity throughout the state and created several key incentive programs that are being credited for the up-rise in clean energy: the Commonwealth Solar Program (versions I and II), the 2008 Green Communities Act and the Commonwealth Solar Stimulus. Governor Patrick’s clean energy goal for his second term? Install another 250 MW of solar capacity by 2017.

Power NY

We finish our tour in the Empire State where, en route to his recent Gubernatorial victory, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo made solar energy a top campaign priority with Power NY — a plan to stimulate New York’s solar energy industry. The plan includes a renewable energy credits program, increasing the use of solar thermal technology for water heating and replacing old power plants with modern plants that will increase clean energy capacity and reduce carbon emissions.

One of the nation’s strongest supporters of solar energy is still in critical condition today in Arizona’s University Medical Centre after being shot in the head on Saturday morning outside of a Safeway near Tucson, Arizona.

Representative Gabrielle Giffords was holding her first “Congress on Your Corner” meeting of 2011 when she and 19 others were hit during a single-shooter rampage that left six people dead and 16 wounded. Giffords was shot in the head, but doctors were able to perform emergency surgery and are now optimistic that Giffords will survive the shooting.

Giffords has been an advocate for a host of key solar energy initiatives since her election to the U.S. Congress in 2007. But she really upped her support beginning in October 2009 when by introducing the Solar Technology Roadmap Act, which, in Gifford’s words, “is aimed at charting the course for federally funded solar research, development and demonstration projects…”

The act was approved by the U.S. House of Representatives later that same month. In July 201o, Giffords fought feverishly to secure the $1.45 billion Federal Government loan guarantee needed to create Arizona’s largest solar energy plant — the Abengoa Solar Project in Gila Bend, Arizona. During her latest re-election campaign, Giffords argued in favor of creating solar energy incentives to help lower cost and increase demand. Earlier in 2010, Giffords introduced the “Solar for Schools Act” to make installing solar energy systems at schools more affordable.

More good solar news came out of New Jersey earlier this week as the North Jersey Media Group — which is comprised of several community newspapers including The Record and the Herald News — announced that it has partnered with KDC Solar to install a roughly 4.2-megawatt (MW) of solar energy system at its Rockaway, New Jersey printing facility.

KDC Solar is a Bedminster, N.J.-based builder, owner and operator of commercial solar energy systems. As such, KDC will own, install and maintain the  20,400-panel system and sell the energy back to the media group. Since the group is hosting the system, KDC will likely sell the group the solar energy at a reduced rate.

In a statement given to the PRNewswire, North Jersey Media Group President Stephen Borg called the solar energy system, “the next big step,” for a facility that has taken several other measures over the years in an effort to become more environmentally conscious. The group uses soy-based inks, prints its news on paper with the highest possible recycle content and uses a paper supplier with a zero-deforestation record, meaning no trees are chopped down in order for their newspaper to be published. Taking the next step with solar was only logical for Borg, who said every effort was made to make the system as large as possible:

“We used all the space available to install this solar facility including erecting car ports with panels on top.  The end result is almost fifty percent of our electricity needs will be met through the sun.”

Construction is expected to start early this year and be completed by late 2011. When it is completed, the system will churn out about 4.2 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of clean, solar energy each year — enough solar energy to power 600 average American homes during that same span. It will also be one of the single largest solar energy systems in all of New Jersey — quite the accomplishment when considering that New Jersey stands second among all states in terms of total installed solar energy capacity. Only California has more installed solar energy potential than the Garden State.