SUNation Building Largest Solar Panel On Long Island

Larry is live with SUNation in Oakdale, New York. This company is the largest installer of solar panels on Long Island. They are building a large solar panel array on the roof of their building, it will be the largest on LI when finished.

Larry is helping to bring panels up to the roof, helping to install panels and working with teams to set up part of the array.

Renewable Energy Long Island will be hosting solar tour day on Saturday, October 3 and SUNation is on the tour route.

For more information, visit www.solar-estimate.org and www.renewableenergylongisland.org.

How much does it cost to install on the average home?
For example, the average size solar electronic system is approximately 6,300 watts. At this size, the total cost is $42,000.00. However, right now LIPA offers the homeowner $3.50 per watt, reducing the homeowner’s responsibility by $22,050.00. At this point the net cost to the homeowner is still $19,950.00; after a federal tax rebate of 30 percent is applied that cost is reduced by $5,985.00; after a 35 percent stat tax rebate is applied that cost is reduced an additional $4,987.50. The final cost for the homeowner is $8.978.00.

In Short – The average system costs app. $42,000, and the final cost to the homeowner after LIPA, federal and tax rebates is less than $9,000.

How much can solar save each year?
Maintaining that the average size unit is 6,300 watts, and the system produces 8,000 kilowatt hours of energy, the value of that is just under $1,700. ROI is 19% per year assuming price of electricity never rises; at that rate the system will pays for itself in 5 years or less.

Average size of units?
Average systems range anywhere from 4,000 watts to 10,000 watts. SUNation’s average system installation is between 7-8,000 watts, but they sell large systems. The average system on Long Island is around 6,000-6,500 watts.

How quick can it be installed?
Typical residential systems can be installed in 2-4 days. Commercial systems, depending on their size, can take anywhere from several weeks to a month or more.

Where can they get discounts or tax breaks?
LIPA gives rebate presently of 3.50 cents a watt, but this is a generous rate that could be going down 50 cents a watt soon, making it an ideal time to convert. The Federal government gives a tax rebate of 30 percentage of the homeowner’s net cost. The State government gives a tax rebate of 25 percent of the homeowner’s net cost. The tax rebate is a dollar for dollar savings on your taxes.

How many homes on LI have solar or percentage on LI?
There are approximately 2,000 commercial and residential solar customers on Long Island.

How many installs has Sunation done?
200 plus since 2003

What should consumers know about solar?
1 - The solar technology being used predominantly today will save homeowners money on their electric bill, not oil or heating bills.
2 - Although solar systems can potentially eliminate their electric bill, in most cases it will substantially reduce it.
3 - Their roofs don’t have to face the south; systems can be installed facing east and west, as long as they receive plenty of sunshine.
4 - New style systems are larger but are substantially more attractive.

Why is Long Island and NY area a good place for solar?
1 - Long Island has about 80 percent of the sunshine as San Diego has.
2 - Long Island has the highest electrical rates in the country.
3 - Long Island has the best incentives and rebates to go solar in the country.

What is National Solar Tour Day?

The world's largest grassroots solar event.

Solar Tour and Green Buildings Open House on Long Island

Dates & Times: October 3 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Community: Long Island

Presented by: Renewable Energy Long Island

Description: Local home and business owners share their experiences with solar power, both photovoltaic and solar thermal and other green technologies by welcoming their Long Island neighbors to kick the tires of green energy. Neighbors show neighbors how to reduce their consumption and lower their carbon footprint.

Fee: FREE

Instructions for taking this tour: "Visitors need to register on RELI's website www.RenewableEnergyLongIsland.org/tourguests.com to receive their free Visitors Pass and view the sites available on Tour Day.

Does SUNation Solar Systems have some meters that can show solar working?
Yes, the inverters are attached to a data log that records what the systems is producing immediately and it also keeps a log that can be viewed via the internet.