The Star Plus Energy solutions available to you are as varied as the sun itself. Whether you choose to purchase and install your own system or opt for a third-party owned leased system, solar is still one of the best investments that a family can make, especially as utility rates continue to increase. And state and federal tax incentives, such as the solar investment credit (ITC) and accelerated depreciation, significantly reduce your overall system cost.
Solar is a renewable source of electricity, with no emissions and zero waste. It also helps to protect our environment from the effects of climate change by reducing greenhouse gas (CO2) emissions and other harmful pollutants such as sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter and dioxins.
Solar panels generate power mainly during the day, but there are times of low energy demand and clouds or snow can limit their output. With the development of cost-effective batteries, it is now possible to balance solar with your home’s electricity needs by using stored energy during these times.
In addition, a variety of new technologies are being developed that improve solar systems’ reliability, including tracking systems, concentrating lenses or mirrors and working fluids that heat the solar cells. Greater transparency of module components, similar to that used in other industries such as aviation, could help to reveal physical or chemical changes in the materials that might lead to future reliability problems.