1. CA’s daytime energy needs met?!

If all of California’s commercial and industrial facilities had solar power panels, we could instantly meet all of the Golden State’s daytime energy needs… without a single other source of energy.

2. Silicon packs a punch!

We all know that solar power is “more efficient” over the long-term than fossil fuel burning. But did you know that a single ton’s worth of silicon (processed into solar panels) can generate as much electricity as half a million tons of coal? Pretty amazing.

3. Storied legacy.

John Herschel, a British astronomer who traveled to Africa two centuries ago, cooked his food using solar power. And none other than Albert Einstein himself won a noble peace prize in 1921 for his solar power experiments.

NobelPrize.org

4. Best Solar on Earth?

Guess what country makes the best use out of solar power, objectively speaking? The US? Some place in the Sahara or Caribbean? Not quite. The answer is… Germany! That’s right:even though Germany is covered with forest — and the country gets savaged by debilitating winters – it beats all other countries when it comes to extracting good energy through solar.

5. Massive long term savings?

If you replace your electric water heater with a solar model, you could slice your water bills by perhaps 50% annually. Let’s break down those numbers. Let’s say $400 every year to heat your water. By this logic, you could save $200 a year just on water heating. Over a decade, that adds up to $2,000 of savings. Not insubstantial!

6. (Near) instant gratification.

When solar energy leaves the sun, it takes just eight minutes to travel from the surface of the sun to hit your panel. Physicists would say it takes “eight light minutes” for the energy to get to you. Curiously, it can take the same energy literally millions of years to travel from the sun’s core to the sun’s surface. So it’s a million year journey from the center of the sun to the surface of the sun… and then just an eight minute journey from the sun to your stove!

7. Easy peas-y.

Going solar is far, far, far, far easier (and far more cost-effective) than it used to be, even a few years ago.

Connect with the team here at Century Roof and Solar to discover your solar solution – not just to protect the environment but to generate real, tangible benefits for your pocketbook and your home.

Call our Diamond Certified Company today at 510-780-9489, or learn more about our premium Bay Area business at www.centuryroofandsolar.com.

“Solar power is key to San Francisco’s future…”

San Francisco, with a 72% recycling rate and a goal of zero waste to landfill by 2020, is being called one of the ‘greenest cities’ in the U.S. Jared Blumenfeld, director of the department of the environment talks about some of the projects, including an interactive map that helps users understand their carbon footprint and a solar mashup that enables citizens to price out the cost of installing solar on building rooftops.

San Francisco Solar Facts:

PV systems installed: 2,043
Total CEC-AC capacity: 9.2 MW
Estimated Energy produced: 13,437 MWh/yr
Estimated Annual savings: $2,213,611
Estimated Annual CO2 reduction: 4,036 tonnes

Would you like to save money on your energy bill and erase your carbon foot print?

Talk to the SF Bay Area’s leading PV solar system contractors Century Roof and Solar. 888-233-7548

Original post/video from: http://www.smartplanet.com

Facts from: http://sf.solarmap.org

According to The Department of Energy’s official site: www.energy.gov, consumers can receive profound tax credits just for installing renewable energy systems in their homes and businesses.

Consider this blurb regarding federal tax credits for energy efficiency:

“consumers who install solar energy systems (including solar water heating and solar electrical systems), small windsystems, small geo-thermal heat pumps, residential fuel cell and microturbine systems canreceive a 30% tax credit for systems placed in service before Dec 31, 2016.”

Also of interest:

“In addition to federal tax incentives, some consumers will also eligible forutility or state rebates, as well as state tax incentives for energy-efficient homes, vehicles andequipment.”

A tax credit is actually much more powerful than a tax deduction. A deduction chips away at the percentage of monies you might owe in taxes; whereas a tax credit slashes your taxes “dollar for dollar” basis. In other words, by deploying a solar or renewable energy solution for heating and powering your home, you will get money literally flowing into your bank account from thegovernment as a kind of “Thank you” for reducing your energy footprint.

Of course, the tax credit alone might not be enticing enough for you to break out of your current inertia and make the switch to solar or some other “green” renewable energy solution. Whenyou consider it in the context of other benefits – helping the environment, reducing your long-term energy costs, being a good example for your community, freeing yourself from the whims and arbitrary dictates of power companies, preemptively sidestepping power outages – the solar alternative appears brighter and brighter and brighter (pun intended).

How do you get started?

Talk to the professionals at Century Roofing and Solar. For over 15 years, our Bay Area roofing contractors have led the region in light-weight roof systems and PV solar systems. Our team is known for reliable, quality, clean, and timely results. We are a Diamond Certified Company and proud members of the Committee for Fire-Safe Dwellings, Master Elite, and the Better Business Bureau. Connect with us now at 510-780-9489, or explore resources to help you make your decision at www.centuryroofandsolar.com.

While debates about climate change, energy independence, and alternative “green” energy rage, consumers find themselves at a difficult crossroads. What’s the best, safest, cheapest, most “green,” and least cumbersome way to power one’s house and one’s life?

New research and new technologies have re-inspired faith in one of the oldest – actually the oldest – energy source: solar.
Here are four reasons why it may behoove you to install a solar solution for your home or business immediately.

1. Good for the environment.

Solar is a totally non-polluting technology.  Not only are you not releasing carbon-dioxide, but you are also not contributing to particulate pollution.  Moreover, when you make the switch to solar, you create a kind of “social permission” for your friends, neighbors, and others in your community to do the same.  You create the change: your change sparks others to change and help the environment on a grander scale.

2. Independence from the power companies!

Although modern utility companies do a fairly good job of maintaining service, you’re in many ways at their mercy.  During sweltering summer months, for instance, power might be rationed just when you need it most to keep your AC flowing.  Alternately, with a solar installation – backed up by a battery powered system, so you can have power at night and on foggy days – you get total independence from your utility company.

3. Virtually eliminate your maintenance.

Even “old school” solar power systems had long lives.  Today’s systems can last 40 yearsor longer – no need to add fuel, do maintenance to the panels, or change out parts (there are no moving parts!).

4. Big financial motivations.

In 2008, the government created a tax incentive program to provide thousands of dollars in tax credits to homeowners who install solar energy solutions. This money is not simply a deduction against what can be taxed.  It is a dollar for dollar federal tax rebate.  Also, consider the longer term cost savings. Yes, installing a solar solution can lead to upfront costs. But imagine if you never had to pay a utility bill for the next four decades? How much would you save? It’s easy to calculate this – chances are, virtually every homeowner out there could save significantly over the long term.

If you have questions about solar power solutions, connect with the most trusted name in roofing – Century Roof and Solar.  For 15 years, we’ve served the Bay area with reliable solutions.  We are a Diamond Certified company.   Find out more about our process and solutions at  www.centuryrooftile.com, www.noutilitiybill.com or call 510-780-9489 to speak with one of our professionals.