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With the price and demand for energy continuing to rise, many experts in the field are searching for a way to address this issue.  For many this means finding a way to implement alternative forms of renewable energy to fill in the gaps left by the traditional methods of coal, oil and natural gas.  One of the more promising alternative energy initiatives has been in solar energy. What is solar energy? Solar energy refers to

Solar incentives for photovoltaic systems in Colorado come from two sources: Federal government tax credits, and electric utilities. Some states have state income tax credits too but Colorado does not. Federal Tax Credits for Solar The most important benefit for people and businesses installing solar is a tax credit for 30% of the cost of the installation. Current Federal law allows the 30% credit for any system installed by the end of 2016. That is

Solar arrays are a popular way to improve energy efficiency that can be added on simply to an existing home. Through either rooftop or sidelong installation, solar electric panels can help you cut down significantly on electricity and utility costs. But with the rise in popularity of these installations – a growth rate of approximately 400 percent since 2010 – often comes builders and developers who cut corners in an attempt to save on manufacturing costs. When it

All over the country, cities and towns are looking for ways to increase their overall energy efficiency. One major way that many municipalities have found is to update their building codes to increase the standards for new constructs and renovations. In Vancouver, BC, some of these codes made it so difficult to renovate existing homes that some builders have been priced out of contracts. However, most American communities have been able to incorporate these updated

Solar electric panels have been built using a number of materials, but with recent technological developments, solar arrays could be made to become even more efficient. Researchers at MIT have found that new solar panels can be made from lead-acid car batteries. These types of batteries are often retired and replaced with more efficient lithium-ion batteries. According to the study conducted at MIT, the lead from these older batteries can be recycled into making more efficient solar panels. Additionally, reusing