Sungevity.com offers free quotes on residential solar power on clarkhoward.com

While much of the world has embraced alternative forms of energy, we're still playing catch-up in America.

The problem for homeowners has been figuring out how to implement technologies like solar, wind and geo-thermal. You can't exactly just call around for quotes.

That's where the power of the Internet comes in.

Sungevity.com allows you to enter your street address and get a guaranteed quote on installation of a home solar system. The assessment is done by satellite mapping, so no visit to your home is required. (Editor's note: This service may only be available in certain areas of the country.)

In addition, there's federal and state money available as part of the stimulus law to install alternative energy at your home or business. Clark predicts this will be a real growth area for entrepreneurs who can do energy-efficient retro-fitting on homes.

What others are saying

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By Solar Quote @ 10/07/09 07:43:11 PMreport abuse
Solar Thermal Payback vs. Solar PV
Mike,

I don't want any butts kissed in Times Square, but if you have a house full of teenagers you can recoup investment in Solar THERMAL water heating (but admittedly not PV for power) in less than 5 years easy.

Particularly in those geographies (e.g., Austin) that augment federal tax credits with local incentives.

The more you use the shorter the payback.

Also, often lost in the debate is energy efficiency (not conservation, just efficiency) as it offers a "bridge" to a renewable future. It works and it is often low cost or no cost. Just insulate your attic and seal your windows/doors/ducts... it's that simple.
By Buzz Kill 2 @ 06/16/09 12:21:31 PMreport abuse
ps. I do believe in renewables
I think we should be working on solar/wind/etc, but they can only help solve the problem. Unless you are a total innumerate, you should be able to follow the case made at withouthotair.com.
By Harry Mangurian @ 06/16/09 10:26:39 AMreport abuse
Why not...
just build a bunch of new nuke plants and have unlimited clean energy instead of this costly, inefficient BS? Personally, I don't and won't conserve until we pursue "real" solutions. Read http://www.withouthotair.com/ for a treehugger's honest take on all of this.
By Harry Mangurian @ 06/16/09 04:57:20 AMreport abuse
Sungevity availability
Nice idea, but they don't service my area. No quote available.
By Craig @ 06/15/09 02:25:20 PMreport abuse
Not for me...
Hey Gus, you're not alone. I live in Cleveland and they don't service my area! I guess I'll have to depend on wind for my feelings self-worth and righteousness. :)
By Medical Student @ 06/15/09 02:24:45 PMreport abuse
Engineer is right (correct)
I'll kiss your butt in Time Square if you can make Solar pay back in 5 years. Oh wait.... you can't handle the truth.
By Mike @ 06/15/09 01:57:51 PMreport abuse
PV vs. Solar vs. Coal
Wow Buzz, you are very insightful - almost psychic. I didn't know Clark was an "ugly control freak" - thank God you warned us.

Typical uninformed response when it comes to the paranoid right - yes PV is a long payback but the law doesn't REQUIRE you to change your behavior. God know Americans are not subject to change.

If you compare Solar (Thermal) to PV it absolutely makes sense both financially and environmentally. Particularly if you include the true costs of coal - from mountain top removal/deforestation to Christmas in Tennessee sludge spill last year. Of course fossil fuel-based climate change is a conspiracy perpetrated by Clark and the Weather Channel.
By Buzz Kill @ 06/15/09 11:42:42 AMreport abuse
Rational Engineer's Perspective
At $7,000 for an install and an average electical bill around $100 that is an over 5 year payback period. I doubt that you can get 100% of your power from solar so it is probably longer (like 10-15 year payback). I wonder how long before you have to replace the photovoltaics. In the end I think it is an emotional buy instead of one that makes rational sense. Of course it is compunded by the tax credits helping people make more irrational decisions. I think you would do better by investing in more insulation, better windows, more reflective roofs when you replace it, progammable thermostats, setting your themostat higher in the summer and lower in the winter, turning off lights in the house when not using, getting the highest SEER rated A/C when you replace, and all the other small things that add to a house's efficiency before plunging in with solar. The paradox is that when you do these things, the payback period on the Solar probably gets pushed past the useful life of the system. As before, it is an emotional buy (i.e. that your helping the environment) not that you are lowering your life cycle cost. I am sure there are some people that disagree and might prove me wrong but just my 2 cents.
By Jon @ 06/15/09 10:23:11 AMreport abuse
Solar Hot Water System
In Georgia you can claim Federal tax credits of 30% and GA Tax Credits of 35% with a cap of $2500 on Solar Hot Water systems. That's over half the cost of a system that comes back to you in the form of tax credits. The payback on Solar Hot Water is much better than Photovoltaic's (and the systems are a lot less expensive). With a good system you can get 60-80% of all you hot water from the sun. Payback tends to be 3-5 years.

Velux has a system that looks like a skylight on the roof and is not an eye sore. Check them out at www.veluxusa.com. They have a link to installers as well.
By Mims Mobley @ 06/15/09 10:10:20 AMreport abuse
Sungevity
Don't expect too much, it looks like this company has a small coverage area, ie not Tipp City, Ohio.
By Gus Hynes @ 06/14/09 11:06:03 PMreport abuse
Didn't work for me
It said that I was outside their service area and when I tried to have them contact me when they are available in my area, I couldn't find my electric provider on the pull-down list. Useless.
By Lisa @ 06/12/09 10:41:30 PMreport abuse
Eco-nuts
Clark Howard is something of a tree hugger. If there is a "green" angle to anything, he looses all rational thought and becomes an emotional basket case. He needs to check his own "feelings" at the door and become Spock. He claims to be a penny pincher. But if you can convince him that something is "green" he will throw his fake penny pincher persona out the window and the real Clark Howard will emerge. And it will reveal an ugly control freak who wants to pass laws to control people's behavior and make them conform to his "green" aspirations.
By Buzz G @ 06/12/09 09:14:28 PMreport abuse

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Jun 12, 2009 -- Sungevity.com offers free quotes on residential solar power

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