Comments on: Solar Companies Ripe To Add Energy Efficiency Focus?

By: DanielPerlaky

DanielPerlaky — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 17:07:00 +0000

Energy Efficiency is so central that I’m surprised businesses aren’t already more adept at making a clear case to the customer – both in terms of modeling the savings and efficiency gains but in easy access to local incentives as well. We need to focus on empowering the customers to see the benefits of efficiency and solar companies should reinforce that process.

In our global energy doc, Switch, we cover the topic of efficiency with a number of expert interviews at http://www.switchenergyproject.com/topics/efficiency

Efficiency is the energy policy everyone can love and it’s a force multiplier on our way to a cleaner energy future.

By: Vinay Kumar

Vinay Kumar — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 15:18:00 +0000

Energy Efficiency and an investment in Solar energy are two different ball games. Investments in solar energy doesn’t necessarily mean that the owner will have an openness to try his hands in energy efficiency.

By: Zachary Shahan

Zachary Shahan — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 12:58:00 +0000

ha, love that. but how are you going to protect yourself from the multi-trillion-dollar military if it comes for you?

By: Zachary Shahan

Zachary Shahan — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 12:57:00 +0000

interesting.

By: UKGary

UKGary — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 10:03:00 +0000

In the UK, it is now required to have a building energy efficiency audit in order to qualify for solar feed in tariff at the full rate. The building on which the solar array is to be installed must achieve band D or better to qualify.

As a result of this policy, solar companies are starting to routinely work on energy efficiency as without the ability to help clients bring their buildings up to the required standard, their potential market is significantly reduced.

By: Brian Farhi

Brian Farhi — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 01:17:00 +0000

I believe the author meant before applying for solar incentives. The State of California has money available for those that want to go solar, but to receive it the homeowner must have a cursory energy audit conducted. The theory is that by knowing what savings can be obtained with other improvements, a homeowner will be better able to reduce their net energy consumption from the grid beyond what can be achieved by solar alone. But there’s no requirement that a homeowner apply for those funds / have the audit conducted; in fact, many don’t because the incentives are either exhausted in certain parts of the state or because the cost of paperwork filing or project delays outweighs the value of the state incentive.

However, most photovoltaic systems do require that a permit be pulled with your local Authority Having Jurisdiction. This isn’t much different than for any other type of home upgrade, like electrical or plumbing work. So there is some permission typically required, but it’s relatively consistent with what’s required for other home or building improvements.

By: arne-nl

arne-nl — Sat, 30 Mar 2013 19:43:00 +0000

“before applying for solar”

Huh???? Applying for solar?

I know most Americans see upon Europe as some dreadful overregulated socialist utopia, but at least we are free to install solar panels when we want without asking permission. Would never in my life trade that liberty for a firearm.