SPECIAL SECTION: HOME IMPROVEMENT
H
SUN-LIGHT
YOUR HOME
ave you been wondering if there’s a way you can cut your energy
bills while helping to contribute to a greener environment? Though
Pennsylvania may not immediately spring to mind as a sunny
destination, solar power is readily available and already being used in
hundreds of area homes successfully.
Think of it like this: If there were a river flowing by your house and you
only had a five‑gallon bucket to collect the water, you would only be able
to use five gallons. But if you had 20 five-gallon buckets, you could have all
the water you needed. Solar energy functions in a similar way. If you live in
an area that does not get much sun, by adding more solar panels you can
collect more sun.
According to lead designer Ian Smith of Energy Independent Solutions, the
Pittsburgh area is able to produce about 80% of the solar power that Miami,
Florida, does! There are also attractive options for installing the panels,
such as all-black panels and solar shingle products that blend the panels in
with your roof. Solar awnings can also be installed on a pergola or carport.
And with flat roofs, the panels are generally not visible at all. There are also
ground-mounted systems which are separate from your home.
Smith adds that the initial cost for an average‑size home of 2,000 sq. ft.
might range from about $15,000 to $25,000, which is recouped over a few
years. Homeowners switching to solar will also receive a 30% income tax
break until the end of 2016. ■
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