24 April 2007:
SOLAR POWER POPULAR AMONG WASHINGTON AREA HOMEOWNERS
Local Company Responds to Demand for Clean Energy
ROCKVILLE, Maryland, Apr. 24 - Responding to concern about climate change and rising energy costs, STANDARD SOLAR is installing residential solar electric systems at an ever increasing pace in the Washington metropolitan area. Launched only a year ago, with the merger of Standard Solar and LBA Renewable Energy and a small group of investors providing start up capital, the Rockville, MD-based solar energy company has installed dozens of solar electric systems and numerous solar hot water systems.
"Many people want solar but they don't know who to call," says founder and Company chairman, Neville Williams, "so we decided it was time to organize a serious, consumer-focused solar business that can deliver quality products, professional installation, and customer service."
STANDARD SOLAR's customers range from middle-income families, including school teachers, government employees, young professionals, to wealthy homeowners, all of whom want to "do the right thing" and make an investment in the future.
"Just talk to our customers in the area if you want to understand how solar energy systems can result in lower energy bills and make users happy knowing they are reducing carbon emissions by thousands of pounds a year," says Williams. "They are thrilled with their decision to 'go solar'."
Residential grid-tied photovoltaic ("PV") systems, either rooftop or ground mounted, cost between $20 and $60 thousand, fully installed; solar panels are guaranteed for 25 years, but are expected to produce electricity from the sun even longer.
"You get 30 years of power at a fixed price," says Lee Bristol, VP and general manager, "and you increase the value of your home and save money on utility bills, while reducing your family's carbon footprint." An average home getting half its power from solar electricity displaces approximately 164 tons of greenhouse gases over the PV system's lifetime.
Power produced by the homeowner is fed into the electricity grid through a process called "net metering," using an "inverter" installed as part of the solar system. The homeowner is credited for power produced during the daytime, which also helps utilities meet peak power demand.
Maryland is in a position to become a leading solar state, joining California, Colorado and New Jersey where state incentives have generated a booming residential and commercial solar business. Maryland's new state law (SB 595) requires utilities to purchase Renewable Energy Credits from homeowners beginning in 2008 (retroactive to July 1, '07), which will have the effect of reducing the cost of a solar home system to the consumer by as much as half. Maryland currently provides a $3,000 grant to purchasers of solar power.
The District of Columbia launched a solar incentive program of its own two years ago, which resulted in the installation of dozens of residential solar power systems, providing up to 50% of the cost. Many more are on the waiting list for the grants.
Virginia has no incentives, other than the $2000 Federal income tax credit available to any residential solar consumers, but STANDARD SOLAR is as busy as ever installing systems in Virginia as well. "This proves our point that the desire to do something for the planet, to hedge against rising utility rates, and to reduce reliance on foreign energy sources is huge, and people aren't waiting for the government to act," says STANDARD SOLAR's president, Anthony Clifford. (see: www.dsireusa.org) STANDARD SOLAR also has a branch in Charlotte, NC, which has excellent state tax and other solar incentives.
Solar electricity is a multi-billion dollar global business, with half of all PV produced annually being installed in Germany. Japan and California are the other leading markets, but the rest of the US is catching up. Maryland is home to BP Solar in Frederick, the nation's largest fully-integrated PV manufacturing facility which broke ground July 17th on a $97 million plant addition. STANDARD SOLAR offers BP Solar and SunPower modules in its solar home systems.
"In a year STANDARD SOLAR has gone from a start up to a ten person team with a couple of trucks and growing revenues, and without any marketing because we can't afford it yet," says Williams, who points out that most business is generated via the Internet and through the Company's Website: www.standardsolar.com.
The Company attributes its growth to increased awareness of America's energy situation as reflected in $70 a barrel oil, as well as evidence of climate change highlighted last year with the release of the movie, "An Inconvenient Truth." This summer's globally televised "Live Earth" concerts also urged people and governments to take action to slow global warming.
"Putting solar on your house or in your backyard is at least something you can do, along with conserving energy and becoming more energy efficient," says Williams. "We're happy to be able to respond locally to the rising demand for clean, independent power from the sun."