Kvadas 1

Danielle Kvadas
Mrs. DeBock
18 October 2016
English 4 Honors

Throughout the years solar energy and energy conservation benefits have been brought to
light. The increasing curiosity of solar energy began to popularize solar systems. Innovation
within the solar industry accelerated in the past decade alone, allowing common households to
invest in such systems, creating benefits beyond comprehension. Solar energy became well
known through the use of current information, affordable pricing, and pushes from utility
companies to go solar.
Throughout the years, solar energy has become a practical option for many residents
living around the world. Mr. Kiddey is now 70 years old and understands his investment may not
be payed back to him during his lifetime as most systems have a range of about 1 to 10 years
before the system is paid off, depending on the payment method, but he is benefiting from the
incentives (Esther). For example, for every kilowatt of power Mr. Kiddey generates that he does
not use and sends back to the utility company, he will get 17 cents credit towards his electric bill.
(Esther) This bonus allows customers to be payed back and can eliminate their electric bill
altogether. Kiddeys utility company is not the only company with incentives. Santee Cooper
recently agreed to pay back customers who produced more than needed, buying back the unused
energy for about 7 cents per kilowatt. The provider also gives a rebate to solar customers
depending on the size of the system being installed (Fretwell). This rebate along with other
rebates and incentives unfortunately do run out, in the hopes of driving customers to purchase

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solar now and not years down the road. SCE & G, another utility provider who services the
Columbia and Charleston locations have stepped up with there own sets of incentives. According
to Brady in LeBlancs article, The incentives will start at 4 cents per kilowatt hour for all solar
systems and last for 10 years. These incentives are designed to motivate consumers to invest in
solar and for the time being, hold massive benefits. Utility companies are attempting to make
solar practical for residents and are doing so through incentives and rebates.
Solar can essentially work anywhere. Even on cloudy days when the sun isn't as
prominent. Shade and position of the panels based on the azimuth of the roof are major factors
but there are solutions such as optimizers and microinverters. Many homeowners opt for the grid
tied systems so when the system is not producing (at night) the utility will step in and produce
electricity until the system begins producing again (Chiras 3). Because of the grid tied system no
change in lifestyle is needed if the consumer does not want to do so. Explained by Kiddey in
Esthers article, I could move it if I moved, or sell it. It adds to the capital of the house. Solar
can be transported and does increase a homes value. If the azimuth of the roof expected to house
the solar panels is not a south facing roof and little coverage will be achieved, one can always
opt for a ground mount. Ground mounts are able to be set at the exact pitch and azimuth to
achieve maximum coverage. A soccer arena in Albuquerque, after having monthly utility bills of
about 1,500 dollars, installed solar panels and cut their electric bill so much in fact that the utility
company paid the owners about 40 dollars worth of credit from the unused energy produced by
the arena (Newswire). Residential buildings and commercial buildings both can equally receive
benefits allowing solar to be used across a diverse range of structures.
There has never been a time where energy conservation was not a worry. With new
technology designed to reduce carbon footprints, there is new pressure on consumers to become

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energy efficient. Going green carries many negative assumptions, in the fact it is believed ones
whole lifestyle must change. On the contrary, ones lifestyle can and will remain the same
(Macdonald 2). The small details that will be changed in everyday life such as turning off lights
in unoccupied rooms or walking down the street to go to the store even installing solar panels to
the top of a roof does not have a significant effect on life (Macdonald 2). A booklet found by
Macdonald describes, The Energy You Save Today Will be Your Job Tomorrow (2). Energy
has evolved from a want to a need. Society's dependence on energy has grown at an exponential
rate. Solar panels are designed to specifically cut down energy bills, in result lowering carbon
footprints.
Throughout the years solar energy and energy conservation benefits have been brought to
light through the use of current information, affordable pricing, and pushes from utility
companies to go solar. Solar energy is on the rise, grabbing the attention of consumers across the
world. New studies and inventions continue to expand the advantages associated with solar
energy. Exploring current information draws interest into solar energy and updated data
contributes towards the benefits solar energy withholds. Utility providers created incentive and
rebate programs in an attempt to make appealing the idea of solar energy and its practicality.
Solar energy contains an immense number of advantages.

Works Cited

Chiras, Dan. "6 Solar Energy Myths Debunked." Mother Earth News 275 (2016): 59.
MAS Ultra - School Edition. Web. 22 Sept. 2016.

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Esther, Ashby-Coventry. "Absorbing benefits of solar energy." Timaru Herald, The 30
May 2013: 1. Points of View Reference Center. Web. 22 Sept. 2016.
Fretwell, Sam. "Santee Cooper approves controversial charges on solar power." State,
The (Columbia, SC) 08 Dec. 2015: Points of View Reference Center. Web. 21 Sept. 2016.
Loock, Claire-Michelle, Thorsten Staake, and Frdric Thiesse. "Motivating EnergyEfficient Behavior With Green Is: An Investigation Of Goal Setting And The Role Of
Defaults." MIS Quarterly 37.4 (2013): 1313-A5. Computer Source. Web. 22 Sept. 2016.
Macdonald, Ruth. "Human Values And Energy Conservation: OUR COMMON
CONCERN." Vital Speeches Of The Day 41.22 (1975): 699. MAS Ultra - School
Edition. Web. 22 Sept. 2016.
"International Indoor Soccer Arena Benefits From Solar Energy." PR Newswire US 27
Aug. 2013: Points of View Reference Center. Web. 21 Sept. 2016.