The solar tax incentives are credits to your taxes for the year and are also returned to you in the form of a refund. The credit pays the taxes that you owe and you receive a refund for the remaining balance of the credit.

State Tax Credits - Since 2008 the state of Louisiana is giving a 50% state tax credit on each residential system that is installed.  These are capped at $12,500.00 per system with no limit to the amount of systems you purchase (to supply up to 100% of your energy needs but not over). Federal Tax Credits - The current federal tax credit is a 30% credit on residential and commercial systems with no cap. It may be taken each year.

The current federal tax credit expires at the end of 2016. The incentives from Congress passed in the bail-out bill in 2008 included an extension of the Federal Solar Tax Credit for another 8 years. There is no set expiration date for the Louisiana state tax credit.

The tax credits combine by taking the state 50% credit (cap $12,500 per system) and federal credit 30% (no cap) off of the top of the final cost of your system.  You will be responsible for federal taxes on the refunded portion of your state tax credit as always.

Yes. You can buy multiple systems, and recieve a state tax credit for each system that you purchase.  If you buy three $25,000 systems then you will receive the total of three state tax credits.  You may buy the systems in the same year or separate years as long as the state tax credit remains.

By ordering as many solar power systems as is necessary to offset 100% of a residence's utility cost. A commercial entity can achieve 30% federal tax credit plus five year accelerated depreciation.

Apartments, townhouses, condos, etc. are considered residences and receive the 50% Louisiana tax credit and for the 30% federal tax credit.

The 50% tax credit applies to whoever purchases the system (the "taxpayer"), regardless of who the owner of the property is.

We first like to analyze your electric bills and take a look at your roof from Google Earth.  If you can provide us with 12 months of bills and your address we can get started!  Either scan and email your bills to us or request them electronically from your utility company and forward them to us.

A "system design package" is a part of a premium service we call a "SDP". It is what we recommend to our customers if they are looking for an in-depth analysis of their site. Included in the package is a site visit and analysis by one of our site analysts. They will take roof measurements, check for solar exposure, determine equipment locations and design a custom system tailored to meet your energy needs. In addition, we provide a written report that includes costs, recommendations, system sizing, payoff analysis and specifications.   The cost of your SDP is also credited toward the purchase price of your system.

Absolutely! If you have a shade-free, south facing roof large enough for your system and you have a quote from us, you may send a 50% deposit of the gross cost and we will place your system on order. One of our site analysts will come out to verify your site prior to installation.

We can get you set up with our "same as cash" program (call or email for details) or you may provide a deposit at time of sale.  We coordinate with your architect/builder to let them know any special requirements.

Solar electric panels typically generate about 10-12 watts per square foot and the panels are mounted on your rooftop. The maximum amount of solar electricity that can be efficiently generated usually is determined by the amount of south facing roof exposure available which remains completely unshaded most of the day.  Just provide us with your current electric bills and let us know what part of that you would like to be solar power.  Even 10% is better than doing nothing and the payback is fast thanks to the tax credits and lower solar prices. Solar electric systems produce power intermittently because it only works when the sun is shining. This is not a problem for solar electric systems connected to a utility grid, because additional electricity you need is automatically delivered to you by your utility. Use this calculator to see what your system will cost.

Solar electricity is currently more expensive than conventional utility-supplied electricity but there is no guaranty that utility prices will remain the same as they are now. Improved manufacturing has reduced the cost of solar to less than 5% of what it cost in the 1970's. Unlike electricity purchased month by month from a utility, solar electric power comes with a somewhat high initial investment. This means that buying a solar electric system is like paying years of electric bills up front. Since solar lasts for 25 years+ the system will pay for itself many times over.

When a grid-tied net-metering solar electric system generates more power than the appliances within the home are consuming, the excess electricity goes back to the utility grid.  Excess power going back into the grid "spins" your meter backwards (and indicates reverse flow if digital) and your neighbors are using your excess clean quiet solar power. This is called "net metering" and allows the utilities customer to only be billed for the "net" electricity purchased over the entire billing period.  Typically a 2kw solar electric system will power a house in the daytime, send excess power back into the grid and this excess is used at night. In effect the utility grid is an infinitely sized free battery. In Louisiana a 2 kw system will provide about 20 to 50% of the power needs of an average home (less air conditioning). The maximum grid-tied system allowed in the state of Louisiana is a 25kw for homes and 300 kW for commercial.

There is no need for you to make any modifications to your existing meter or connection to the grid or have a power outage.  Typically we will need one spare circuit breaker in your main panel for you to sell back your excess solar power.

No. We typically mount the solar inverter outside next to the meter and drill one hole for the power line to the main panel (if it is inside).

Do you have a south facing roof free from shading by trees, nearby buildings, or other obstructions?  Solar panels should face as close to south as possible and have a clear "view" of the sun for most or all of the day.  Shading will substantially reduce the amount of electricity produced.

Our company started installing solar in 2003 and has many years of experience working with all types of solar power systems, design, and installation.  We specialize in custom systems and solar with battery backup.   We are very committed to the integrity of our work and we love helping people utilize the benefits of solar.  We were the first company in LA to have NABCEP certified employees and our owner is NABCEP as well.

To recieve the tax credits for your system, the system must stay on your Louisiana residence for at least five years. After the five years the system can be moved anywhere. The systems are relocatable.  However, if you sell your house you may want to offer to the buyers the option of keeping the system installed.

A 3 kilowatt "3kW" system refers to the photovoltaic peak power in watts at standard temperature. For example, 12 -  250 watt panels = 3000 watts. When you multiply this times the average hours of sun in a region (New Orleans = 5 hours) you get the watt-hours/day.  In this case it would be 3kW x 5 hours which would be 15 kWh.  (This is before you calculate system losses)   Multiply by 30 and you get watt-hours/month which is the same units shown on utility bills for comparison.

A grid tied solar power system uses the grid for storage. During the day you generate power and if there is excess it is returned to the grid where you get a credit.  You get billed for the net usage per month. The excess amount generated will be credited to your next month's bill.

The width times length of your south facing roof will give you the square footage.  As a rule of thumb, divide by 10 will tell you how many watts of solar will fit.  Typically modules are 230-250 watts so that gives you the number that will fit.

Almost all modern roof structures are constructed to building codes which will handle the added weight. The solar mounting structure (racking) actually bolts through the roof to the rafters and is flashed and sealed with a 30 year leakproof sealant. If you have a standing seam metal roof, we can use a non-penetrating mount.

Solar, like many things gets cheaper the more you buy.  Large commercial solar farms can be installed relatively inexpensively compared to small residential rooftops.  A reputable solar company that has been around a while (like us) can give you an accurate estimate based on your utility bills and your roof information.  Quotes are free so give us a call or email.

No. They will be flush mounted to the structure and possibly shield your shingles from wind damage. They are made to withstand winds of up to 180 miles per hour.  The modules are tested against hail damage.

Contact your insurance agent and inform them of your addition like you would with any addition to your home.  They should add your solar investment to the value of your home for full coverage.

Grid-tie means you are back feeding the utility system and you have no power storage capacity. It is the most cost effective home system (dollars per watt). Stand-alone means you charge batteries by day and draw the power from the batteries by night and does not net meter. A hybrid system charges batteries first then sends the excess power back to the utility company. The hybrid system requires more equipment "batteries, cables, etc." therefore it has a greater cost compared to the grid tied system. However, this system provides emergency backup power. Stand alone systems can have a manual disconnect switch where you can select grid power or solar power per electrical circuit for an additional cost (approximately $100/circuit). This allows maximum flexibility.

People decide to buy solar electric systems for a variety of reasons. Many want to preserve the earth's fossil-fuel resources and reduce air pollution. Others choose to invest in an energy-producing improvement to their property than to send money to a utility. Some people like the security of reducing the amount of electricity they buy from their utility, because it makes them less vulnerable to future rate increases in the price of electricity. Finally, some people just don't like paying utility bills and appreciate the independence that a solar electric system provides.

Yes. A solar hot water heater is a preheater to your regular water heater. The water is heated first in the solar water heater, then sent to your existing water heater, therefore reducing or eliminating the need for the thermostat to engage.

No. A solar hot water heater is placed on your roof, so there is no need to remove the water heater currently in your home. As well, they work in conjunction with nearly all existing water heating systems, including tankless.

Your solar hot water heater will continue to work in the winter, and will not freeze, in Louisiana.

Your pool heater will require the same space as roughly 50% of the pool serface area. It is best located on the south roof closest to the pool pump.

There is no cut-out wind speed. The e220, e300i and e380i are designed to produce full power in any wind above 12m/s.

Once again e380i, with a rated output of 3kW. The e380i will start up at ±2,5m/s. After starting, it will continue to produce power at wind speeds over 2m/s, as wind speeds below 2m/s are not worth harvesting.

Easy and quick installation.Wind systems come in small and all sizes and have a shorter construction lead time than extending the utility lines ("grid") in remote areas. Low maintenance. Wind turbines can operate for extended periods without attention; with only a few moving parts (the e150 - 600W has no moving parts), these systems have very low maintenance requirements, typically needing to be inspected only every two years during their 20- to 40-year design life. Further, with training and spare parts, local users can support the wind turbine equipment that they are using. Generation of local employment. Small wind turbines are not difficult to manufacture. In this respect, local manufacturing, under license or through a joint venture is often a suitable option for developing countries since they would benefit from reduced foreign exchange requirements, better support capabilities, local economic development and, usually, lower production costs. Economical. Wind systems replace existing household expenditures for kerosene, candles and dry-cell batteries and are the best option from the user’ s point of view since operational costs are not a burden i.e no fuel needs and readily available and affordable spare parts as well as wind, which is free. Mitigation of climate change

Individual turbines vary in size and power output from a few hundred watts to two or three megawatts (as a guide, a typical domestic system would be 1 - 6 kilowatts). Uses range from very small turbines supplying energy for battery charging systems (e.g. on boats or in homes), to turbines on wind farms supplying electricity to the grid. You should consider the following issues if you're thinking about small scale wind. Wind speed increases with height so it's best to have the turbine high on a mast or tower. Generally speaking the ideal site is a smooth top hill with a flat, clear exposure, free from excessive turbulence and obstructions such as large trees, houses or other buildings. Small scale wind power is particularly suitable for remote off grid locations where conventional methods of supply are expensive or impractical. Please note that the electricity generated at any one time by a wind turbine is highly dependent on the speed and direction of the wind. The windspeed itself is dependent on a number of factors, such as location within the UK, height of the turbine above ground level and nearby obstructions. Ideally, you should undertake a professional assessment of the local windspeed for a full year at the exact location where you plan to install a turbine before proceeding. In practice, this may be difficult, expensive and time consuming to undertake. Therefore we recommend that, if you are considering a domestic building mounted installation and electricity generation is your main motivation, then you only consider a wind turbine under the following circumstances: The local annual average windspeed. An approximate figure for your location can be checked on the BERR website There are no significant nearby obstacles such as buildings, trees or hills that are likely to reduce the windspeed or increase turbulence If you are in any doubt, please consult a suitably qualified professional. Planning issues such as visual impact, noise and conservation issues also have to be considered. System installation normally requires permission from the local authority, so it's important to always check with your local authority about planning issues before you have a system installed.