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, 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

Click here to view the embedded video.

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.

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

Click here to view the embedded video.

EmPower proudly supports our troops by participating in United Way's Operation LIVE UNITED

On Tuesday, June 14 (Flag Day) the United Way of Long Island encouraged all Long Islander’s to show support for our troops by wearing a “LIVE UNITED” tee shirt for the day.  Money raised will go towards United Way of Long Island’s Military Family Assistance Project.

EmPower Solar was honored to participate in this project by purchasing tee shirts for all employees and wearing them to work on Tuesday as a sign of support for our military personnel who protect our freedom every day.

EmPower is also proud to partner with United Way as it’s solar provider.  EmPower has installed 5 solar electric systems for United Way totaling 40.61 kW with annual savings projected at $8,026.

Although Flag Day has passed donations can still be made.  If anyone would like to make a donation please click here to become a part of Operation LIVE UNITED.

David Schieren in the new fully electric Chevy Volt

LIBN: Do you think today’s young people will be a sort of “Generation Green” who accept solar from the start?

David Schieren:  It’s part of your DNA. I was with an executive from the American Petroleum Institute. I said there’s one thing the oil industry should be worried about. I pointed to the mind. The mindset is shifting, especially with students. Sustainability is becoming part of the DNA. While we’re starting to make progress today, I think we’re going to see this as the renewable energy century. You have a mindset shift.

Click here to read the full interview.

CBS Money Watch: Oil Prices and Recessions, 40 Years’ Worth
WSJ Article: Rising Oil Prices Raise the Specter of a Double Dip
NYT Times Article: Why the Disruption of Libyan Oil Has Led to a Price Spike

PROBLEM

What impacts economic growth?  Most agree that monetary policy (interest rates) and fiscal policy (taxes) are two of the most critical economic inputs.  Energy prices are probably in the top five.  What’s startling is that we have no control over the supply of such a critical economic input.  Imagine the US Federal Reserve, the entity responsible for setting monetary policy, were controlled by sovereign nations unbeholden to our national interests.  Who would stand for that?  Well this is what’s going on with OPEC.  A group of sovereign nations managing their assets to maximize revenue for their countries controls the price of the most important global commodity, and a top five variable that impacts the economy.  Since the majority of readily available global reserves reside within OPEC borders, its influence will only grow over time if current trends continue.  Furthermore, exogenous events such as revolutions, terrorist attacks and the like continue to pose a stark threat to supply.

Then consider the politics.  The US sends over $200,000,000,000 annually to OPEC.  Where are those funds going?  What type of regimes does this massive transfer of wealth support?  And while we don’t trade directly with Iran, our support of the global oil market enables that nation to sell its production at market rates. On the demand side, rising economic powers such as China and India have a seemingly insatiable appetite for petroleum and this new demand is contributing to surging prices.  We have fierce global competition for this vital resource.

It must be acknowledged that oil is only one component of the vast, complex and interconnected energy landscape.  Electricity is generated from diverse sources (oil continues to be a key fuel for power generation on Long Island).  But all fossil fuels have flaws, including severe environmental repercussions.  Natural gas is the cleanest burning fossil fuel, and increasing domestic supplies have helped keep the price of that fuel low.  Historically its price fluctuations correlated with oil but recently there is a divergence because of new supplies.  However, these new supplies have damaging environmental impact.  Take a look at this excellent piece in the NYT about the environmental challenges of natural gas drilling.

SOLUTION

Every day we grow more confident that implementing renewable energy and energy efficiency solutions is the answer to the energy challenge.

Take solar, our area of expertise.  Solar is a highly effective technology that we believe is going to dominate the 21st century energy landscape.  Today the technology works incredibly well and because of local, state and federal incentives it is a very smart investment to make by homeowners and businesses.

We are able to reduce or virtually eliminate many homeowners’ electric bills with the technology.  Businesses and non-profit organizations are reducing operating costs.  Fueling electric vehicles with solar energy is a home run.

Increased demand is leading to decreasing costs.  Incentives to go solar are still necessary but have been reduced gradually to promote market transformation.  One reason why solar is so promising is that costs should continue to come down over time, and incentives won’t be needed in the future.  Consider electronics such as computers and cell phones that are largely made of the same materials and manufactured in similar fabrication facilities.  Economies of scale have brought these technologies to the masses.

The potential benefits of solar from a macroeconomic point of view are profound.  Prices of this energy technology will come down over time.  Think about that.  Historically, energy prices have been volatile and risen over time, with occasional spikes that lead to economic misery.  Instead we have an energy technology that is going to come down in cost.  Replace uncertainty with certainty and all economic participants stand to benefit.

It is our theory that solar, other renewables, alternative fuels and energy efficiency will lead to dramatic economic growth, and growth in per capital income in the US and across the world.

Call To Action

It’s time to launch Operation Solar Century.  The goal of this operation is to make solar the dominant energy technology of the 21st century through strategic planning, smart policy and leadership.

We are grateful to solar advocates at LIPA, NYSERDA and in state and federal government, and numerous people and organizations for having the vision and determination to get us this far.  Because of these supporters we have a nascent but energized solar industry.

Now we must work together to promote the next generation incentive structure that can drive massive solar growth by providing long term visibility to the industry, and also be smart for ratepayers.  Both objectives can absolutely be achieved with the same policy.  New York has much to gain by taking a leadership role on this issue.  Stay tuned to learn about specific legislation that you can support.

Within time solar will achieve grid parity, at which point it will be competitive with the grid without subsidies.  To get from here to there we need smart policy and political leadership.  Decisions made today will have great consequence for economic well-being of our state, the nation and the world.  With the right leadership, solar will continue to be a wise investment for homeowners and businesses today, and over time will require fewer and fewer incentives to provide the same great economic benefit.

Now we must take the next steps to solidify our gains and make solar the dominant energy technology.

By working together, the 21st century will become known as the Solar Century.



PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS RECALL DOES NOT APPLY TO ANY EQUIPMENT INSTALLED BY EMPOWER               

Rest assured the inverter(s) that EmPower installed at your home or business is in great shape.  The recalled inverters are made by a company called Xantrex that was recently acquired by Schneider Electric.  While Xantrex was once a market leader, EmPower had several bad  experiences with them between 2005 and 2007 and has since never used them.                                                                                                     

Please know that you would certainly receive notice from us right away if a product recall affected your system.

Of course, do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

Thank you as always for your commitment to EmPower and to solar energy.

We are honored to have you as our client.

David G. Schieren
Chief Executive Officer

Call (516) 837-3459 for further information
www.empowerces.com

EmPower has already installed solar electric systems on the Hewlett East Rockaway Jewish Center and Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock.  As a sponsor of this event, we strongly support helping religious institutions achieve their energy goals.

Aside from talks by utilities and energy providers on renewables and efficiency, other lecture topics included the importance of insulation, white and green planted roofs, power purchase agreements, and bottle-less water coolers.

Overall the workshop provided for an important exchange of ideas and touched on the moral importance of taking environmental action – both for the benefit of people in our communities and for the global environment. Check our more in the LIIEN Fall 2010 Newsletter.