Product preview: Sleeker solar roof panels

With federal tax credits for solar-power installations extended through 2008, now could be the time to slash your taxes and your energy bill. Two new products, one for power and one for hot water, make going green simpler and more stylish.

Sharp’s Solar Racking System minimizes the bulky look typical for solar panels. The mounting clips on the ND-187U1 modules integrate seamlessly into roofing to completely hide its mounting structure, according to Sharp. Front-, top-, and side-angled trim covers also give the solar panels a sleeker, cleaner look. Sharp’s system is available now. Price quotes from certified installers are available through Sharp at 800-765-2706. Expect to pay between $25,000 to $30,000 (installed but before any rebates you might get from your utility or the federal or state government) for a 2,500-sq.-ft. home.
Web site: www.solar.sharpusa.com

FAFCO’s Hot2o is a lightweight, roof-mounted solar water heater that, claims the manufacturer, can reduce by 50 percent the amount of money you spend heating water. Designed to supplement an existing water heater, the Hot2o was developed with the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory. According to FAFCO, the $1,500 heater works with any conventional tank and can be installed by do-it-yourselfers with a drill and a caulking gun.
Web site: www.hot2o.com

Essential information: If you’re not ready to go solar yet, read Water heaters: Hot tips for a better buy, which includes advice on whether water heaters with long warranties are worth their extra cost. Visit GreenerChoices.org for more information on saving energy on your energy bills and read Being green can save green.

Comments

[Stef. F]

Thank you, Richard for using green products..You helped me and my kids find allergy relief.

I would also like to thank you for the answering all of my kid’s questions about how to became a Firefighter. You truly rescued our home!

Abco Carpet Cleaning (Firefighter Owned and Operated) uses products are formulated with the highest QUALITY, most RESPONSIBLE ingredients possible from NATURAL SOURCES such as:grapefruit, seed and pulp, coconuts, soybean, oranges, limes, corn, aloe, vegetable fiber, cider vinegar, cold pressed essential oils, meadow foam seeds, white cedar leaf extracts. All products are readily biodegradable. No animal testing or ingredients. Give Richard a call at 817-683-9882.

[Warren Taylor]

I could use some help on whitch solar panel's are the best. And how do you sell excess power to utility co.

[L Kelly]

Do you think you folks could do a story on solar energy for home use? I have searched high and low for information and its scarce. I would be interested in what type of gov't assistance in the form of tax rebates were available. Also cost would be a factor as well as longevity of the unit, how it affects the roof etc.

[Mike Scherer]

I could also really use some CR type reviews of solar panels.

There's a huge vacuum of good info which CR really *should* be the one to fill. As news of global warming tipping points gets out, there will be a huge surge in PV demand.

Urgency is just a rejection-of-denial away.

[David Landskov]

Most Americans understand the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gases and the ultimate cost advantage of doing so. Solar panels are fast becoming a commodity. Where's the review, CR?

[Charles Cone]

Effective July 1, 2008, Georgia now has state income tax incentives for the installation of commercial and residential solar PV, solar thermal water heating and wind turbines.

[Maribeth]

Down here in blistering Houston, TX, I just got my first $500 electric bill for summer cooling - and it's only for the month of June.

I am DESPERATE to do something to lower my electric costs. I'd LOVE to see something done on solar panels, particularly how much electricity they can provide in my area (where it's always sunny), how effecient they are, and if they're going to be worth the $25,000 cost. Oh, and something about the government rebates/financial incentives would be nice, too.

[paul appelbaum]

i am thinking about solar panels, i had one company come to the house, but i need help to understand terms such as ptc, atc, how to compare different manufactures of panels, how to determine the point at which the system pays for itself, etc.

[Cheri Wire]

any information on free standing solar panels. We have SNOW 4 months of the year and roof mounted panels would be useless. How about CR doing some research for northern snow climes and solar. We have sun most of each day, winte and summer. With soaring heating prices it would be great to have information on solar.

[Joseph Van De Ryt]

I would like to have a report done on solar pool heaters. Does anyone out there have a Fafco system.

[Paul Hogan]

there are lots of solar panels in Maine, including houses are carbon neutral -- you need right angle on roof for snow to slide off

[joe kneece]

Please do several reports about home systems and truth about efincency.

[Bob]

I most strongly agree with all the comments urging CR to tackle the residential solar power products and options. Not just information, but actual testing and RATINGS of different manufacturers and models on key metrics (efficiency, output/$ cost, durability, appropriateness for diff areas of country, etc) - and update them annually.

I want to remodel in next 6-12 months including adding solar power in Los Angeles but it's a huge big-ticket purchase and there's no unbiased info source to help sort out which manufacturers are making the best products for which applications. Step up, CR!

[Paul]

I agree strongly with Bob (10/29/08)and others: now is the time for CR to test the currently available solar power systems for homeowners. It would also be very helpful to learn what newer technology is expected to be available in the next few years. With the tax credit for installing residential systems now better than ever, homeowners are looking to the always-reliable source of objective information for guidance. As Bob wrote: Step up CR!

[Mal]

When are we going to see reviews of PV solar panels from CR? I expect CR to be a cutting edge, up to date source of information. You are dropping the ball in a time of obvious need, want, and desire to use these products, and leaving the consumer completely vulnerable to heresay and undocumented results. Let's get a move on research and data to inform the consumer of the green renewable energy technologies that are currently out there. WAKE UP! Don't forget to include wind energy (turbines and blades), and heat pumps used for geothermal. Restore my faith in why I subscribe to CR and please start putting data out on the aforementioned. Thanks.