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Where are the Gaps in the Solar Marketplace?

October 20, 2009 By 2 Comments
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Cutting the Cost for Solar Technology

Addressing the cost, another recent news report showed that there are huge government rebates for solar technology across the US right now. These are the biggest rebates ever seen in the US and sure proof that if you want to switch over to solar, governments are willing to help you.

According to Global Solar Center, in New York, New Jersey, Delaware, and Colorado, both homes and businesses can get all of their money back from solar installations wthin 3 years. Incentives in Pennsylvania, the rising star for solar rebates, now cover 60% of installation costs. Within one year, you can get your money back from investments in solar hot water in Florida and southern Texas.

There is also the federal solar tax credit at the national level, providing support from the federal government for residents anywhere in the US.

In addition to tax credits, organizations like 1BOG (One Block Off the Grid) are popping up to help people get discounts for buying solar technology in combination with their neighbors. If 92% of the population thinks solar power is important and 70% think they will install solar within the next five years, there’s a good chance that your neighbors will buy solar if it is cheaper. 1BOG helps neighbors or groups to connect with each other and organizes a deal with solar providers. It wouldn’t be surprising if other organizations like this start popping up to help fill in this gap as well.

Of course, research and development of solar technology is a high priority since that will also make solar cheaper and cheaper in the coming years. Clean tech is now leading the world as the top venture capital investment category and solar is the leading sector within the clean tech category. So, there is plenty of money going into making solar more efficient and more affordable as well.

Nonetheless, just with the government rebates available today and the discounts you can get through organizations like 1BOG, getting solar now might save you money before you even have time to show off your new solar roof to your friends.

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Filed Under: Clean Energy, Consumer Technology, Solar Energy Tagged With: , , , , , ,
About Zachary Shahan

If you couldn't guess, I spend most of my time on CleanTechnica and Planetsave. I'm the director/editor of both sites and am a little obsessed with them. I'm also Publishing Services Manager at Important Media, which means that I do everything I can to support other Important Media writers, editors, and directors (as well as the network as a whole) in the good work they are engaged in. You can also find my written work on Scientific American, Reuters, Change.org, and most of the sites in the Important Media network. For a full list of my author pages on sites around the internet, or to connect with me on common social networks, go to zacharyshahan.com

  • http://pvinsights.com pvinsights

    The most important factor is the cost of solar component cost. Silicon manufacturing cost should be $20 to $25/Kg. The cell technology will have more room to improve conversion efficiency for reducing cost. When the cell technolgy become more mature, solar component cost can reach grid parity to conventional electricity. According to PVinsights, http://www.pvinsights.com , solar panel price is still around $1.9 to $2.1 and still have some difference from conventional electricity.

  • http://pvinsights.com pvinsights

    The most important factor is the cost of solar component cost. Silicon manufacturing cost should be $20 to $25/Kg. The cell technology will have more room to improve conversion efficiency for reducing cost. When the cell technolgy become more mature, solar component cost can reach grid parity to conventional electricity. According to PVinsights, http://www.pvinsights.com , solar panel price is still around $1.9 to $2.1 and still have some difference from conventional electricity.

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