A solar panel installation in Birmingham

What Are the Environmental Benefits of Solar Panels?

A solar panel installation in Birmingham

It isn’t a secret that the main selling points of switching over to a solar-powered lifestyle include 1) savings on your energy bills, and 2) decreasing your carbon footprint. Irrespective of the reason you choose to go solar, one thing’s for certain: by appreciating these solar energy benefits, you help to preserve the environment and encourage global sustainability, one ton of carbon dioxide at a time. Lower your carbon footprint, and operate your house — and even your vehicle — on emission-free, clean energy.

Impact and Environmental Benefits of Solar Power

Using systems that are solar powered is one proven method of reducing the quantity of electricity that is drawn from fossil fuels, like coal and natural gas. The renewable, clean energy that is harnessed from the sun makes for a much more appropriate alternative for your house, which as a result, significantly reduces the overall quantity of energy your energy company once had to have to meet your household’s energy demand.

Solar panels boast cumulative and social benefits. The more folks see their family, friends, and neighbors using solar, the more likely they will be to convert then become users of solar themselves. Then, this leads to lesser consumption of fossil fuels, a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, and a smarter and safer planet.

Consider the Following Facts

In 2008, the United States EIA ( Energy Information Administration) stated a total of 30.2B mT (metric tons) of world energy-associated CO2 emissions. That statistic is predicted to increase all of the way to 35.2B metric tons in 2020 and in  2035, as great as 43.2B metric tons. It also is predicted that those emissions will grow at 16 percent over the following 22 years — it ought to be a massive cause for concern.

On the flip side, solar panels and energy don’t produce CO2 emissions and offer your household clean power. What’s more, solar manufacturers are using greener practices and methods as each day goes by, to substantially lower the quantity of resources that are used in making solar products and materials. That move only furthers the immense benefits provided by solar panels.

For more information on solar energy, contact our Solar Division team at Tri-State Electrical Contractors in Chattanooga, TN at (423) 800-2134.

Solar rooftop installation in Atlanta

3 Alternative Energy Sources

Solar rooftop installation in Atlanta

Here’s a look at three of the most prominent sources of alternative fuel, the benefits they provide and the possibility for increased uptake in the near future.

Hydrogen Gas

Unlike other natural gas forms, hydrogen is a fully clean burning fuel. When produced, hydrogen gas cells only emit warm air and water vapor when used.

The main problem with this type of alternative energy is that it’s mainly derived from the use of fossil fuels and natural gas. As such, it might be argued that the emissions that are created to remove it counteract the advantages of its use.

The electrolysis process, which is critical for the splitting of water into oxygen and hydrogen, makes it less of a problem. But, electrolysis still ranks under the aforementioned method of obtaining hydrogen, although studies continuously make it more cost-effective and efficient.

Tidal Energy

Tidal energy utilizes water’s power to produce energy, similar to the hydroelectric method, but its application, in many cases, really has more in common with wind turbines.

Although it’s a pretty new technology, it has incredible potential. Research generated in the U.K. estimated that such energy might meet as high as 20 percent of the United Kingdom’s present demands for electricity.

The most common tidal energy generation form includes the usage of Tidal Stream Generators. They use the ocean’s kinetic energy to power turbines, without generating fossil fuels’ waste or being as vulnerable to the elements as additional alternative energy forms.

Solar Power

When the majority of people imagine sources of alternative energy they usually utilize solar power as an example. This technology has massively evolved over time and is now utilized for both large-scale energy generation and single home power generation.

Numerous countries introduced initiatives that promote solar power’s growth. The UK’s ‘Feed-in Tariff’ is one of the examples, as is the ‘Solar Investment Tax Credit’ in the United States.

This source of energy is fully renewable and the expenses of installation are outweighed by the money that is saved in utility bills from traditional suppliers.

For more information on solar energy please feel free to get in touch with our Solar Division team at Tri-State Electrical Contractors in Chattanooga, TN at (423) 800-2134.

Example of a Tesla Powerwall in Augusta

Tesla Powerwall: Is it Worth the Investment?

Example of a Tesla Powerwall in Augusta

Tesla Powerwall coupled with solar panels will enable your house to go fully off grid and completely operate on your own energy or utilize a lot less energy from the grid. During the day, the panels will capture electricity from the sun then convert it to energy. Your house will operate off that energy and the excessive energy that isn’t being used is stored in the solar storage system. When the sun sets, your house still will be running off of green, clean solar energy.

Solar Battery Benefits

The most notorious Tesla Powerwall benefit includes producing all your electricity without having to use energy from the energy company. Solar panels oftentimes produce more electricity than a house will use during specific times of the day. With a Powerwall, it’s possible to store this energy for later usage, rather than letting it be wasted.

More importantly, energy providers frequently increase their prices at specific points of the year and the price of energy is consistently increasing. With the Powerwall it’s possible to avoid those peak charges and rates. Even when the solar panels aren’t generating energy your house still will operate on stored energy from the Tesla Powerwall.

The most enticing and final benefit of the Powerwall includes protecting your property when disaster strikes. When your community is struck with hurricanes or winter storms and is out of power, the Tesla Powerwall gives you the capability of powering your residence’s essential electronics with its stored energy.

Why Should You Get the Tesla Powerwall?

If you want to be energy independent, this is what you need. With the combination of your solar panels and Powerwall solar batteries, your house will be pulling much less electricity from the grid than ever before. Fewer fossil fuels will need to be utilized to produce that power, which means less pollution. So, the Tesla Powerwall helps keep the environment green while giving you the benefit of reducing your monthly energy expenses. Contact our team today to learn more!

Ground mounted solar power installation in Atlanta

The Twenty Six Percent Federal Solar Tax Credit

Technological advancements and rapidly growing interest are giving way to solar panels that are more efficient and less expensive. They are an excellent investment, whether you need them for your business, or your home. However, like with any investment, you want to ensure you are receiving the perfect deal for the perfect price. If you are searching for an incentive to try solar, search no further than the twenty six percent Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit.

Ground mounted solar power installation in Atlanta

This credit, also referred to as the Federal Solar Tax Credit, or ITC, is an incentive that is available to everyone. Whether you are a homeowner, operate a small business, or operate a large corporation, it is possible to take advantage of the incentive. Here’s how it works:

As you invest in solar panels, it’s possible to utilize the Federal Solar Tax Credit to receive 26 percent of the overall expense of the system back in tax credits. This means that more than 1/4 of the price is decreased from the beginning. Plus, if you do not use all of your tax credits in the first year, do not be concerned- they will simply roll directly on over to the next.

Therefore, if you invested in a $20,000 solar panel system, which includes installation, you would receive $5,200 back in tax credits. It would decrease the price of your solar panels to $14,800. Plus, with other potential local and state incentives, you could further decrease the price of your system.

The 26% Federal Solar Tax Credit is an excellent method of getting solar panels for an outstanding cost. But, if you want to take advantage of that incentive and change to solar, you will need to act rapidly. The twenty six percent credit is only available until the end of 2020. Beginning Jan. 1, 2021, the credit will decrease to twenty two percent. Plus, in 2022, it will be fully unavailable for homes. If you would like to talk with someone about solar integration, contact our team at Tri-State Electrical Contractors.

Example of a Tesla Powerwall installation cost in Atlanta

Tesla Storage Certification

Example of a Tesla Powerwall installation cost in Atlanta

Tri-State Electrical Contractors’s Solar Division has received the Tesla Storage Certification and are now Tesla Charging Certified. This means that we will now be able to offer a solar plus battery solution customized for your specific needs.

Our certified installers are trained to install Powerwall and adhere to strict inspection, permitting, and quality standards. When a Powerwall is installed by a certified installer, you will automatically get access to support and software updates.

As a certified installer, we’re able to help you harness solar energy in an effective manner. The solar battery backup system is beneficial to both businesses and homeowners and helps in energy savings.

Tesla Powerwall

Tesla Powerwall enables you to store solar energy for later use. Energy produced during the day charges the batteries, this happens as sunlight shines on the solar panels. So,at night or during outages, you will be able to draw electricity from the battery, enabling you to power your home with clean and sustainable energy 24/7.

Benefits of Tesla Powerwall:

  • Use More of Solar Energy – Powerwall will help store solar energy. The surplus solar energy is utilized later when the sun is not shining.
  • Load Shifting – The unit charges during a low rate period. This is when the demand for electricity is low. It discharges when the electricity demand is higher and expensive.
  • Back-Up Power – Even if you have a grid failure, you are assured of power.

Powerwall AC Version

The Powerwall AC version consists of lithium-ion (13.2 kWh) battery pack, an integrated inverter, liquid thermal control system, and software that sends electricity when it is needed. The unit can be mounted indoors or outdoors on the wall or ground.

With Powerwall, you can reduce reliance on the grid and even keep the lights on even during a blackout. Our Solar Division at Tri-State Electrical Contractors understands how to fully leverage this innovative solar power system. Installing Tesla Powerwall is easy as we take care of everything from system design to installation and permitting. Want complete control and energy security? Contact our team today to learn more about battery storage that keeps energy needs clean and independent.

Examples of industrial installation by a commercial electrical company in Atlanta

How to Maximize Plant Downtime

Planned plant shutdowns are a great time to run critical tests, perform upgrades, plan for the future and optimize automation. Even remote or small access plants may benefit from utilizing this downtime in a productive manner.

Examples of industrial installation by a commercial electrical company in Atlanta

The holiday months are an excellent time to arrange downtime or a complete shutdown. With decreased staff numbers inside the building, machines may be individually tested  and data may be collected in a controlled, isolated environment. If you missed the opportunity to schedule a shutdown this past holiday season, you and your operations team can look ahead to prepare for the next major holiday.

Thinking about the future is a critical component of plant operations. Planned downtimes are the perfect time to audit processes, mitigate risk by updating all safety protocols, perform machine upgrades, test connectivity and reporting between platforms, or test abilities for future implementation. Consider taking your audit a step further by leveraging the time to:

  • Gather data and perform tests to identify issues that might come up in the future.
  • Perform network testing, simple electrical upgrades, and substation maintenance.
  • Do a walkthrough of all equipment to ensure it is still within warranty and running optimally.
  • Assess maintenance processes and existing output abilities.

Speaking of looking ahead…

Let us say you have plans to increase in output or have an upcoming expansion, is your facility able to handle it? Testing before a shutdown lets you know if sufficient capacity for an upgrade exists. What’s your power availability? Are your panels able to handle more output? Tests during a shutdown will evaluate where you stand, and Tri-State Electrical Contractors can help.

Preventative maintenance is a big part of planning for the future. Tri-State Electrical Contractors provides predictive testing designed to evaluate risk and identify non-compliance issues. Comprehensive reporting, which includes IFR Heat Scans and power distribution inspection, panel and breaker testing, and much more, ensure facilities are performing optimally and are up to code. Preparing for your future allows you to decrease overall downtime, avoid expensive upkeep and replace equipment before it malfunctions. In the long run, it pays to make the best use of such downtimes. For plants of every size, from multi-function beverage and food packaging and processing plants to large scale electrical projects, contact us to find out how partnering with Tri-State Electrical Contractors will help you maximize your plant’s downtime.

Completed installation of a home solar power system in Atlanta

What Happens to the Federal Solar Tax Credit After 2019?

An investment in solar energy could significantly impact your federal income taxes through a solar tax credit. But time is running out. The sun is setting on an opportunity for homeowners and business owners to take advantage of a 30% income tax credit. That savings is made possible through The Solar Investment Tax Credit, or ITC. This federal incentive has not only paved the way for U.S. solar industry growth (at a rate of more than 10,000% according to SEIA),  but it has also allowed homeowners and business owners to embrace a clean energy source capable of indefinitely decreasing long-term energy costs.

Completed installation of a home solar power system in Atlanta

Currently available for solar panel systems on both residential and commercial properties, the tax credit drops to 26% at the conclusion of 2019. This rate remains in effect through the conclusion of 2020. In 2021, the rate drops to 22%. After 2021, the residential tax credit completely phases out, however a 10% credit will remain in effect for businesses. 

How does a federal tax credit work?

A tax credit reduces the amount of federal income taxes a person or company would otherwise be required to pay. With the ITC, the reduction is based on the amount an individual or business invests into solar property. So, let’s say you invest $12,000 in qualifying solar property before the end of 2019. At the existing solar tax credit rate of 30%, you would qualify for a $3,600 credit. Wait, and it goes down to $3,120 in 2020. In 2021, the credit would drop to $2,640. Wait even longer, and you’ll really miss out on potential savings. Once again, in 2022 the solar tax credit for homeowners completely disappears. However, as a business owner, your company could be eligible for a $1,200 credit at a rate of 10%.

Saving with solar power

As electricity costs from traditional sources continue to climb, switching to solar energy makes sense for many homeowners and businesses owners. A recent report from Lazard revealed the cost of producing one megawatt-hour of electricity is now around $50 for solar power. That’s less than half the cost it would take coal to produce the same amount of electricity. Bankrate has a closer look at the numbers and what they could mean in terms of savings for your home or business.

How do you qualify for the solar tax credit?

It’s best to verify all information with your tax representative, but for general purposes, here is an overview of what you can expect:

To take advantage of the 30% solar tax credit, you’ll need to:

  • have your solar system installed by December 31, 2019
  • own (and not rent – rental properties do not qualify) the home or business receiving the solar upfitting
  • own (not lease) the solar panels 

Since there’s no cap on how much your system costs, you’ll get to claim the full 30% off regardless of whether you spend $10,000 or $100,000 on a solar system installation. Be sure to document and save all receipts related to the project! Qualifying expenses generally include: 

  • Solar consulting fees
  • Solar equipment
  • Tools and equipment
  • Installation fees
  • Engineer fees
  • Electrician fees
  • Permitting fees

At Tri-State Electrical Contractors, our solar division regularly designs and installs custom solar energy systems for residential, commercial and industrial settings throughout Georgia, Tennessee and Alabama. Timing is everything. Contact us today so you can take full advantage of the federal solar tax credit before it decreases.