2009 Homeowners Guide to Financing Solar Energy Systems, plus Heating Your Water with the Sun, Photovoltaics for Farms and Ranches (Ringbound) (Ring-bound)

by U.S. Government (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
This ringbound book provides a reproduction of several practical and extremely useful guides for consumers, including The Borrower s Guide to Financing Solar Energy Systems, a Federal Overview; Heat Your Water with the Sun; A Homebuilder s Guide to Going Solar; Electricity When and Where You Need It from the Sun, Photovoltaics for Farms and Ranches; Success Stories for Solar, Solar America Initiative Building America examples. Borrower s Guide: About Today s Solar Systems, Photovoltaic Power Systems, Solar Thermal Systems, Financing Programs, Federal Home Mortgage Loan Corporation, Department of Agriculture, Department of Energy, HUD, VA, EPA, SBA, Solar Energy Terms. Using solar energy systems to provide heat and electricity for the nation s buildings helps to conserve our fossil fuel resources and reduce our reliance on imported fuels. Because solar energy systems do not emit harmful pollutants, they also help protect the environment. The Borrower s Guide to Financing Solar Energy Systems: A Federal Overview provides information that can assist both lenders and consumers in financing solar energy systems, which include both solar electric (photovoltaic) and solar thermal systems. This guide also includes information about other ways to make solar energy systems more affordable, as well as descriptions of special mortgage programs for energy-efficient homes. Although the sun s energy is free, special equipment is needed to convert it to electricity or heat for a building. The up-front costs of this equipment can be daunting to consumers and a barrier to new purchases. Therefore, this guide was prepared to show how today s solar energy systems can be affordably financed. The quick-reference chart has summaries of the programs administered by these organizations. Following the chart are brief descriptions of today s solar systems and more detailed descriptions of the financing programs. The glossary at the end of this guide contains definitions of some of the special solar energy and financing terms used here. The second edition of this guide includes updates on several of the financing resources summarized here. It also includes some additional sources of information. Heat Your Water with the Sun: Would you like to learn more about how the sun can help meet your home s heating needs without straining your budget? Today s solar heating systems not only keep swimming pools warm they can also heat much of your home s water and interior space. Their popularity is increasing, for several reasons. Solar heating systems are reliable, adaptable, and pollution-free because they use renewable energy from the sun. Many systems include sleek, attractive, low-relief collectors that people often mistake for skylights. Did you know that solar heating systems work well in many different climates? Some applications, such as pool heating, are widely cost effective today. The cost-effectiveness of other applications depends on specific circumstances, such as the type and cost of your usual source of energy. Today, special financing is available to help you purchase the system that s right for your home. Here, you ll learn how solar heating systems work, how they re used, their benefits, and how to purchase one yourself. A solar heating system is a substantial but rewarding investment. It can reduce your monthly heating bill while helping to protect our environment. Being informed and planning carefully will ensure that you ve chosen the right system for you and your family. A Homebuilder s Guide to Going Solar is designed to help you assess the benefits to your business and customers of installing solar equipment or making your houses solar-ready. The information comes from studies of builders who have successfully integrated solar into their operations.

About the Author
Solar for Farms and Ranches: Solar-generated electricity now makes economic sense on farms and ranches. In the case studies presented here and in many more like them across the country, photovoltaics (PV) is the cheapest and most reliable way to get the job done. When sunlight strikes the surface of solar cells, a flow of direct-current (dc) electricity is generated that can perform many important jobs. Wires transmit this electricity directly to power equipment or to storage in batteries. Solar modules or panels (composed of many interconnected cells) can be connected in series or in parallel to run small motors, lights, or other electric loads. An inverter can be added to convert dc power to alternating current (ac) for running ac equipment. Some of the PV systems described here have been operating reliably on farms and ranches for 6 years or longer. Warranties of 10 15 years come with most solar-electric modules today. Our news and educational titles are privately compiled collections of official public domain U.S. government files and documents - they are not produced by the federal government. They are designed to provide a convenient user-friendly reference work and educational tool.

Product Details

• Ring-bound: 139 pages
• Publisher: Progressive Management (October 10, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1422019586
• ISBN-13: 978-1422019580
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 10.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: No customer reviews yet. Be the first.
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,988,926 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)