Solar is More Affordable Than Ever

Thanks to Missouri citizen’s demand for electric power that’s cleaner than our coal-intensive generation mix today, several programs are helping Missourians become more independent while they reduce their electric bills without sacrificing their quality of life.  Missouri has several key rewards for homeowners and businesses who decide to run their electrical appliances on sunshine–clean power generated by a solar electric system:

• Net Metering.  This is incorporated into The Clean Energy Initiative but was actually put in place by the Missouri Net Metering Law that went into effect in 2008.
• A Missouri rebate in the amount of $2 per installed watt.
• Compatibile with the 30% federal tax credit for renewable energy systems.
• Ownership of the Renewable Energy Credits associated with the energy produced by renewable resources.

Net Metering
Net Metering basically says that you have a right to generate electricity and connect your generation system up to the electric grid.  It says that you can become a micro-generator and go into competition with the utility company.  Don’t get any big ideas about starting up a mini-utility and selling to your friends and neighbors, though, because the program is designed to offset your usage, and not much more.  But the good news is that youcan set up a wind turbine or solar electric system and generate your own electricity.

(This is a very brief overview of Net Metering.  For a more in-depth look at the subject, see our Net Metering Page.)

$2 Per Watt Rebate
This is a big deal.  You can actually get a check from your utility company for several thousand of dollars to help you pay for your system.  Let’s look at this using an example: If you install a 5kW system (5,000 watts) on your house, you will get a check from your utility company (Ameren, KCP&L, or Empire Electric) for $10,000.  That’s pretty cool!  How would you like to have your utility send YOU a check for a change?

And it gets better…  The current regulatory rules say that the check must be sent within 30 days of application.  Now, that’s service!

(For a more in-depth look at the Missouri rebate, see our Missouri Rebate page.)

30% Federal Tax Credit
This is a separate program at the federal level that your Uncle Sam has in place to reward you for being smart and making the move to clean, renewable energy.  It’s included here because The Clean Energy Initiative to make a huge difference in the cost of a system.  This program allows you to receive up to 30% of the cost of the system as a tax credit.  What’s a tax credit…?  It’s essentially a voucher that you can use to pay your taxes.  When you file your taxes, you will have a credit to apply toward any tax liability you might have to the tune of 30% of the cost of your renewable energy system.  Wind, biomass, solar electric, solar heat, solar hot water, and more!  NOTE: this is a tax matter, so some understanding of tax code is required to maximize your benefit.  Consult a tax professional if you have any question about how to best take advantage of this program.

Renewable Energy Credits
A renewable Energy Credit (REC) is like a birth certificate that’s issued every time a MegaWatt of renewable energy is generated.  The biggest difference is that companies will buy them in order to show that they are encouraaging the generation of “green” energy to offset their emissions.  Right now, the market for REC’s in Missouri is in its fledgling stages.  You might even say it’s still in gestation since many of the rules are not even written yet–much less finalized and approved.  But stay tuned!  We’ll give you the latest news on REC’s as soon as it’s available!

“We are like tenant farmers chopping down the fence around our house for fuel when we should be using nature’s inexhaustible sources of energy. I’d put my money on the sun and solar energy. What a source of power! I hope we don’t have to wait until oil and coal run out before we tackle that.“
-Thomas Edison

Contact Us to find out how you can benefit from these great programs!

Neato keen. Cool hip funky stuff.

Here at Certified Solar Solutions, the management team makes a point of knowing what’s going on from the top to the bottom of our operation. There’s no better way to do that than to roll our sleeves up and get to work at what we love to do: install clean energy for all the right reasons.

Solar technology is mature. Solar cells have been made for going on half a century now. Still, designing or installing a solar electric system is something no professional takes lightly. Solar hot water, wind, and ground-source heat pump systems are like that, too. There are more ways to design and install these systems wrong than there are right ways. That’s why it’s important to demand quality and professionalism in your renewable energy system supplier.

Why Certify?

That is an excellent question. There are three major factors in play when installing an energy system on your property:

1. The safety of the workers (and you and your guests)
2. The Performance of the system
3. The condition of your roof after the job is done

Certification also shows that your renewable energy professional is serious about maintaining high standards within the industry. If you value quality work, seek out and hire a certified professional.

Certified Solar Solutions, LLC is one of only two renewable energy companies in Missouri with two NABCEP certified energy professionals on staff. NABCEP certification, issued by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners, is the gold standard for solar PV, wind, and solar hot water energy systems. Many states that have renewable energy initiatives like Missouri does have found out the hard way that the only guarantee of success is to demand high standards of knowledge and professionalism from the practitioners in the industry.

Quality and professionalism is NABCEP’s mission–and that’s why we’re NABCEP certified.

Safety

When anyone goes up onto a roof for any reason at all, they must be aware of the hazards and dangers present. When someone goes up onto a roof to work, they must be very familiar with the challenges of working on a roof. Besides falling off, it’s possible to drop something and have it go over the side. The less often that happens, the less likely someone on the ground will be injured.

At Certified Solar Solutions, safety really does come first. We run a safety checklist on every job and our installers and supervisors receive OSHA 10-hour training every year.

There are no degrees of safety. There is only safe and NOT safe. Safe workers feel more comfortable and are more productive. A single accident can ruin a company. If you see a contractor cutting corners on safety, know that they aren’t in business for the long haul. Safety harnesses and ropes, work platforms, and barricades should be in full use at all times.

Performance

When you buy a solar electric (photovoltaic) system or a solar hot water system, you’re counting on it to do its job for many years, and do it well. A well-designed system will be an asset that any homeowner would be proud to have and any certified professional would be proud to sign off on. Unfortunately, a proorly designed or poorly installed system is guaranteed to be a poor performer–and worse, will take much longer to pay for itself than it should. Perhaps never making it past the make-break point at all.

A NABCEP certified renewable energy professional has demonstrated knowledge and experience that allows them to predict system pitfalls and produce successful outcomes. They can maximize the output of a solar collector and save you a lot of money in utility bills.

Your best guarantee of a successful project is a certified professional installer and professional designer.

At Certified Solar Solutions, we employ degreed engineers and trained technicians and installers to make sure that quality and performance are at their peak. We’re the only renewable energy firm in Missouri with a licemsed Professional Engineer on staff. After a staff engineer reviews a design or project plan, our Professional Engineer goes through it thoroughly to ensure that nothing has been missed. We can even stamp your plans with a Professional Engineer’s seal, the highest mark of design quality there is.

Roof, Sweet Roof

Your roof is the most important part of your house. Water is the number one threat to your home. Once water comes in, mold, insects, and other undesirables soon follow. Therefore, choose a certified professional to perform the necessary modifications on your roof.

Here at Certified Solar Solutions, we inspect our customers’ roofs before the job, throughout the job, and at the end of the job. We are absolute roofing fanatics. In fact, we routinely repair roof problems that we find–often at no charge to our customer. Your roof is your insurance policy against water damage and major headaches down the road, and we take that very seriously.

Our Mission

The team of dedicated, certified professionals at Certified Solar Solutions wants nothing but peace of mind for you and meany years of low electric bills.

Contact Us to find out how our team of design and installation professionals can help you take control of your energy future.

Net metering applies to systems from zero to 100kW. That’s a big range and covers everything from small houses (or condos) to light manufacturing. 100kW will produce enough to power most large commercial businesses. If you need even more, though, we can deliver.

Certified Solar Solutions has the project management experience to handle multi-million-dollar projects. From contracts to site superintendents, we are also available to be your Owner’s Representative and ensure that your industrial-scale project exceeds your goals.

Contact Us to discuss your large-scale project.

Where Wind is Harnessed

Wind Power Plants Require Careful Planning

Operating a wind power plant is not as simple as just building a windmill in a windy place. Wind plant owners must carefully plan where to locate their machines. One important thing to consider is how fast and how much the wind blows at proposed locations.

Map of U.S. Wind Resources

As a rule, wind speed increases with altitude and over open areas that have no windbreaks. Good sites for wind plants are the tops of smooth, rounded hills, open plains or shorelines, and mountain gaps that produce wind funneling.

Wind Speed Is Not the Same Across the Country

Wind speed varies throughout the United States. It also varies from season to season. In Tehachapi, California, the wind blows more from April through October than it does in the winter. This is because of the extreme heating of the Mojave Desert during the summer months. The hot air over the desert rises, and the cooler, denser air above the Pacific Ocean rushes through the Tehachapi mountain pass to take its place. In a state like Montana, on the other hand, the wind blows more during the winter.

Fortunately, these seasonal variations are a good match for the electricity demands of the regions. In California, people use more electricity during the summer for air conditioners. In Montana, people use more electricity during the winter for heating.

Major Wind Power Locations

Wind turbines (sometimes called wind machines) generated electricity in 31 different States in 2008. The States with the most wind production are Texas, California, Iowa, Minnesota, and Oklahoma.

International Wind Power

Most of the wind power plants in the world are located in Europe and in the United States where government programs have helped support wind power development. As of 2008, the United States ranks first in the world in wind power capacity, followed by Germany, Spain, and China. Denmark ranks ninth in the world in wind power capacity, but generates about 20% of its electricity from wind.

Offshore Wind Power

Conditions are well suited along much of the coasts of the United States to use wind energy. However, there are people oppose putting turbines just offshore, near the coastlines. However, there are people who think the wind turbines will spoil the view of the ocean. Right now, there is a plan to build an offshore wind plant off the coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

Wind is a renewable energy source that does not pollute, so some people see it as a good alternative to fossil fuels.

What is a ground source heat pump?

Ground source heat pumps (GSHPs) are electrically powered systems that tap the stored energy of the greatest heat reservoir on earth: the earth itself. Just twelve feet below the earth’s surface, the temperature is 68 degrees year round. These systems use the earth’s relatively constant temperature to provide heating, cooling, and hot water for homes and commercial buildings.

How do ground source heat pumps work?

Ground source heat pumps can be categorized as having closed or open loops, and those loops can be installed in three ways: horizontally, vertically, or in a body of water such as a pond or lake.  The type chosen depends on the available land areas and the soil and rock type at the installation site.  These factors will help determine the most economical choice for installation of the ground loop.

For closed loop systems, water or antifreeze solution is circulated through plastic pipes buried beneath the earth’s surface.  During the winter, the fluid collects heat from the earth and carries it through the system and into the building.  During the summer, the system reverses itself to pulling heat from the building, carrying it through the system and placing it in the ground.  This process cools the building.

Ground-source heat pumps  also create free hot water in the summer and deliver substantial hot water savings in the winter.

Open loop systems operate on the same principle as closed loop systems and can be installed where an adequate supply of suitable water is available and open discharge is feasible. Benefits similar to the closed loop system are achieved.


Contact Us to find out how a ground-source heat pump can help you achieve your energy goals.

Go Green, Save Money, & Improve The Value Of Your Home With A Solar Hot Water System !

With Today’s Rebates & Incentives, Going Solar Makes Sense.

Catering to the needs of both Commercial & Residential Clients

Why Go Solar

• Solar Hot Water offers the best return on investment of any renewable energy source.
• 30% Federal Tax Credit. PLUS local rebates or tax credits and additional utility rebates may apply.
• Solar Hot Water is a stable, mature technology, with very high efficiency.

Is Solar Water Heating A Good Investment?

Absolutely…
1. Approximately 25% of your home’s energy usage is for heating domestic hot water. A quality solar hot water system produces up to 70-90% of your hot water, year round.
2. Your Return on Investment will be from 8 to 20%, tax free.
3. Long Life Span- A Solar Water Heating system will last 20-30 years.
4. Your investment in a solar hot water system will increase your home’s resale value.

 

Specializing in solar heating system installation, Certified Solar Solutions, LLC is the one stop resource for all your solar energy needs. Solar Heating can provide both hot water and heating. Installing a solar heating system is a wise investment that’s not just good for the environment, but can also save you money on bills by providing up to 80% on your home heating needs!
We Design & Install The Most Efficient, Cost Effective Systems Available

We supervise every phase of the process from start to finish, and our services include:

1. Obtaining Permits
2. Purchasing
3. Installation
4. Repair
5. Maintenance and Safety Inspections

Our licensed and insured technicians are highly experienced in all matters of solar heating system installation and provide free consultations to help you pick the right system for your needs and budget. So give the planet, and your checkbook, a break–Contact Us for your free estimate today!

Save Money, Go Green, & Improve The Value Of Your Home With A Solar Energy System!

With Today’s Rebates & Incentives, Going Solar Is A Smart & Sound Investment.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0elhIcPVtKE

Catering to the needs of both Commercial & Residential Clients

Why Go Solar?

• Generate Your Own Power (Be More Self Sufficient)
• Cost Effective (Reduce Your Dependency On The Rising Rates Of Electric Companies)
• Act Now And Receive The 30% Federal Tax Rebate Incentive & Missouri Utility Rebates For Each Watt
• The Power Company Will Pay You For Excess Power Generated
• Better On The Environment-Cleaner & More Sustainable Energy Than Traditional Electric Power

Certified Solar Solutions, LLC transforms your home into a hybrid system that utilizes both solar energy and the energy from your existing power grid; the optimal way to power your house and cut back on heating and electric bills.

It’s remarkably simple.  During the day solar panels mounted on your roof silently harness the sun’s bountiful energy supply and convert it into electricity.  This energy is used to power the various devices in your home during the day.  At night your home reverts back to drawing power from the existing grid.

Generate excess energy and you’ll actually send power back to the grid. Your electrical meter will literally turn backwards!

We Design & Install The Most Efficient, Cost Effective Systems Available

At Certified Solar Solutions, we’ll provide your home with state-of-the-art solar panels and energy solutions.  Our talented team of energy experts will provide you with a consultation and decide the optimal solar configuration for your home.  We’ll install all the necessary roof mounts and panels and also a monitoring system that allows you to see just how much solar energy you’re making.

Start saving money and energy, go solar today. Contact Us for a site evaluation to see what your site’s generation potential is.