Have some fun with a little Solar Powered TRUE or FALSE
- True or False: Solar Panels are a new technology
False: The first modern was created in the U.S. in 1954 with an efficiency of 6%. The idea behind converting sunlight into electricity (called the photovoltaic effect) is attributed to Alexandre Becquerel in 1839. For a easy to follow timeline of solar panel innovation check out this article. 
Alexandre Becquerel observed
the photoelectric effect in 1839
- True or False: The U.S. leads the world in power gained from Solar Powered systems
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False: As of 2007, Germany is leading the world by far with 47% of the Photovoltaic market. 
- True or False: All Solar Panels are blue
False: We can design any color solar panel to match your roof or taste. We can even laminate the solar cells in one solid pane of glass as a beautiful complement to your roof's current color design. 
- True or False: The government will share the cost of putting solar panels on your roof
- True: The Federal and most State Governments will help buydown the cost of investing in solar panels for your home. Visit our map of state rebates to see how much you can knock of the price of your new solar array.
- True or False: the Earth receives more sunlight in one day than it uses in all year
- True: The Earth receives more energy from the sun in just one hour than the world uses in a whole year. [Source: CalTech Institute of Chemistry
- True or False: Solar Panel Arrays are Expensive
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It Depends: The typical cost of the panels and a complete installation is about $8 per Watt or $8000 per kW. This means that a large 8kW system would cost $64,000. Although it would cover most of your electric bill for life, this high price tag is why most of us haven't moved solar panels past the it's a good idea, but... stage.
The good news here is that within the last few years the government has decided to back homeowners who invest in renewable energy systems, like rooftop solar panels, with hefty tax rebates and incentives. As of the 2006 tax year, the federal government offers up to a $2000 tax rebate as part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. In addition to the federal rebates, state governments are now sharing the cost of these systems. The states that provide the most in rebates are our very own New York with $26,333, Colorado with $24,000, Connecticut with $23,733, and Florida with $21,333.
Thus, that 8kW system would cost a New York resident only $35,600. Then factor in the $16,000+ that's added to your home's value because of your new solar array and you're well on your way to breaking-even in only a few years. As you can see, what state you live in plays a huge role in how affordable your system is going to be. Visit our map of state rebates to compare your rebate with other states.
- True or False: The Process for Getting Solar Power at home is long and complicated
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False: The solar panel installer that you choose will do most all of the paper work, permit fetching, and number crunching for you. The only basic steps you have to take are:
1. Consider your house in context. Do you pay more than $130 a month for electricity? The more power you need, the more beneficial getting solar panels is going to be.
2. See what money is out there. Find out what federal and state rebates are available for you right now. Other than our map of state rebates, a good place to start is DSIREUSA.org which is the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (Funded by the Department of Energy).
3. Consult a solar energy map of the U.S. and see where your area stacks up with the rest of the country in sunlight potential. If you live in New York, try out the state's online savings calculator run by NYSERDA and simply enter in your zip code.
4. Contact a local solar panel installer for an estimate. You can contact us for an estimate or find a list of other certified installers in your area by simply going to findsolar.com.
One of the greatest easy-to-read resources on solar at home is an online booklet (PDF form) provided by NYSDERA that explains the entire process very well.
Explore the different kinds of Solar Panels we offer
Name |
Monocrystalline |
Polycrystalline |
Thin Film Panels |
Texture |
 |
 |
 |
Full Picture |
 |
 |
 |
Assembly |
 |
 |
 |
Efficiency |
15-18% | 12-14% | 5-6% |
Avg Cost |
$8-$12 per Watt Need an exact quote? Contact Us! |
$7-$8 per Watt Need an exact quote? Contact Us! |
$6-$8 per Watt (Not offered by us) |
Benefits |
Can be laminated into thin pieces of aluminum or glass as one solid panel. Many different sized panels can be made. Most efficient panel commercially available. | Most popular solar panel available. Average cost and average efficiency. | Low cost flexible solar panel technology. Currently the cheapest and newest way to manufacture solar panels. |
Drawbacks |
Most expensive | Heaviest because they are glass-encased | Not well developed or tested yet. Least efficient and efficiency can degrade over time. |