There are two types of solar energy commonly used in North Carolina

Solar hot water

This system was popular in the 1980’s and has survived today, however, it will slowly disappear as more and more people install instant tankless water heaters. If you heat your water with electricity then you can get a solar hot water system for approximately $10,000 installed. This includes two solar collectors on the roof and an 80 gallon storage tank that typically stores the water at 100⁰F to 160⁰F. When you turn on your hot water tap the pre-heated water enters your electric water heater already pre-heated-thus your savings are approximately $30-$400 per month. The tax credits are generous, 30% IRS and 35% NC; payback is 5-7 years. However, the cost to heat your water with a gas tankless is approximately $5-$7 per month. Some customers have reported a gas bill of only $1. So if you can heat your water that inexpensively then there is no point in getting a solar hot water system to try and reduce that monthly $5 expense. Thomas Edison killed the music box business with his phonograph. Tankless water heaters are going to kill the solar hot water business.

Solar photovoltaic systems

When most people mention “solar” this is usually what they are referring to. Everyone envisions cutting the “cord” so to speak from the electric company. However it would take a lot of panel approximately 30-50 panels depending on the size of your house. Most roofs don’t have room for that many, but most homes can hold 10 panels the size of our system. For a fee of $100 Progress Energy will install a solar meter on your house that will run backward and credit you for what you are producing over what you are consuming.

If the power grid fails will I have electricity? No, you need a back-up generator with a transfer switch for that (we install them). Why not? Because if the power fails (a tree falls on the lines miles from your house) and the utility man shows up to make the repair, we don’t need to be electrocuting him, now do we? There are of course ways to cut your house from the “grid” automatically but they are fairly expensive. We recommend the automatic standby generator for times the utility grid is down.

Can I get a check from the electric utility company? Yes, definitely yes! If you produce more kilowatts than you consume then the electric utility will gladly send you a check. NC is a “net” metering state which means they will credit you the same amount they charge. It wasn’t always that way, that’s why it’s such a great time to install a solar electric system today!

Stop paying electric bills!

$30,000 solar electric system installed on your house for only $4,780 after credits and rebates.

PLUS A FREE 21 SEER HEAT PUMP!
$11,000 value!

This system will reduce your electric bill by $100 per month or more! ($60 per month on electric generated by you and $40-$60 per month in energy savings on the FREE 21 SEER heat pump!)

WHAT A DEAL! Call now! Supplies are limited. The photovoltaic panels are being shipped out as fast as they come in-expect 2-4 week delay and systems must be installed by 12/31/11 to get your tax credits by tax time next year.

Call Expert Express for free appraisal on your house.

If you have gas heat, no problem. We can handle that for the same price, see details below.

$30,000 -$9,000 IRS solar credit $21,000 balance -$10,500 NC solar credit $10,500 balance -$4800 Progress Energy $2 per installed watt rebate $8,100 balance -$500 Federal energy credit for 21 SEER heat pump $7,600 balance -$420 Progress Energy credit for heat pump over 15 SEER & duct work sealing.

$4,780 Your total price

*actual SEER varies, 15 SEER or higher qualifies as “Energy Star” 21 SEER is the highest available now in “air to air” heat pump. We use Lennox Sun-Source products.