Solar Increases Home Value

There are many reasons to add a solar energy system to your home. The reduction or elimination of your electric bill is certainly compelling. Of course, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and protecting the environment are extremely important as well. While each of these reasons drives thousands of people in our area to go solar each year, there is another equally important reason to go solar; it increases your home’s value.

In the past, this has been very difficult to quantify.  Real estate brokers and appraisers had little information to go on, and lenders were often skeptical about any increases in market value attributed to solar energy systems.

That has changed in a big way. There are several recent studies that illustrate the value that a solar energy system can add to your home. Two in particular, performed by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and The National Bureau of Economic Research, have shown that homes with solar energy systems can command a 3 – 4% premium over homes without solar energy systems.  On a $400,000 house for example, that equals $12,000 – $16,000!  Not bad considering, that the average “net” cost of a 10 KW solar energy system after rebates and tax credits is around $17,000.

Now, the Appraisal Institute, the largest real estate appraisal organization in America has taken the next step. They have developed the “Residential Green and Energy Efficient Addendum” that appraisers can use to document and analyze a home’s energy efficient items, including solar energy systems. This is an extremely important development, because it allows appraisers to compile and analyze data needed to support adjustments for solar energy systems.

Soon, in areas with high utility rates (like Long Island); appraisers will be able to capitalize the documented monthly savings on utility bills into a specific value adjustment, much like the income from a rental unit.

What does all this mean to New Yorkers who have solar energy systems? It means that when you sell your home, you will get significantly more money for it than homes without solar energy systems. This is just one more reason to go solar!

Emily Hwang Becomes EmPower’s 5th NABCEP certified Installer: The Most on Long Island

Emily Hwang, one of EmPower’s Solar Engineers, has received National recognition by NABCEP  (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners) by becoming certified in Solar PV installation.

Emily Hwang displays her NABCEP Certificate

EmPower is proud to boast that we have more NABCEP certified installers than any other solar contractor on Long Island.  Pictured below are EmPower’s 5 recipients of this prestigious certificate of achievement.

EmPower's NABCEP Certified Installers: David Hawkes, Greg Sachs (COO), Emily Hwang, David Schieren (CEO), and Mike Dunne

NABCEP is a nationally recognized credentialing body formed to set competency standards for professional practitioners in the fields of renewable and sustainable energy. Practitioners who choose to become certified must demonstrate their competence in the field and their commitment to upholding high standards of ethical and professional practice.

For More information on NABCEP please click here.

To meet Emily and some other members of our illustrious team click here.

EmPower Solar would like to congratulate Emily on this Milestone in her career and in maintaining the spirit of the EmPowering Way

Raising the Green Bar

EmPower goes Over the Edge for Charity

On Saturday June 11th, 2011, members of the EmPower team, participated in an event held by the National Foundation for Human Potential called, “Over the Edge for Charity”.  The experience was inspiring and rewarding for all involved.  Participating individuals were asked to raise funds for the organization by going ‘Over the Edge’,and repelling down the 12-story, H. Lee Dennison building in Hauppauge,New York.

H. Lee Dennison Building - Site of the 2011 Over the Edge for Charity

Going ‘Over The Edge’ was easy for some, but not for others.  Some team members had their concerns but overcame their anxieties as they left their worries on the roof and made their descent from 120 feet in the air.

The EmPower team, captained by David Shieren, raised over $10,000

The mission of the National Foundation for Human Potential is to promote, develop and encourage educational and support services for children and adults with different abilities through financial and other means of support. To meet that purpose, the Foundation raises funds and provides contributions and grant awards to organizations, which build communities.

EmPower is proud to support the National Foundation for Human Potential.  We aim to align ourselves with organizations whose principles are similar to what we call The EmPowering Way.

EmPower Solar named Nassau County Business of the Month

County Executive Edward Mangano pays EmPower a visit and presents CEO, David Schieren and COO, Greg Sachs with the Business of the Month for June 2011