This BBC article discusses how the not only this initiative will provide jobs, but it will provide energy from the sun to power over 70,000 homes WHILE cutting carbon dioxide emissions.

Good news!

If you’re thinking solar, or renewable energy, be sure to give us a call at (239) 574-1500, or visit our Web Site at: www.FafcoSolar.com.

Enjoy!

- Dan

…to our product offerings!

What is Zep?

The Zep system eliminates costly and cumberson aluminum rakcs by integrating the rails WITH the solar modules.   It also provides the most reliable electrical grounding system WITHOUT separate grounding wires.

Zep is simpler, easier, and cleaner – the best part?  It’s less expensive, too!

What does this mean for you?

• Dramatically shorter installation times on our solar panels,
• Elimination of mounting rails and clip hardware,
• Elimination of separate grounding hardware,
• Ultra-reliable hyper-bonded grounding matrix,
• Ultra low part counts – 3 parts for the entire array,
• Enhanced aestetics – low-profile, straight and level!

Learn more about Zep on our Web Site, or by giving us a call at (239) 574-1500.

- Dan

..about using our Hybrid Solar Air Conditioning product.

They excitedly talk about using Solar Energy to cool their Dental Office, reducing their electric consumption (as well as their demand on fossil fuels), while harnessing the power of the sun to help them succeed.

A great story, indeed!

Enjoy,

- Dan

PS – Our solar air conditioning solution is available in Charlotte, Collier, Sanibel Island, and Cape Coral at this point — very shortly, we’ll have approval in Lee County & the City of Fort Myers as well.

Learn more by visiting our Web Site at: www.FafcoSolar.com, or by giving us a call at (239) 574-1500.

You’re invited!

We’re having an open house at our “green” building in Cape Coral from Monday, April 19 to Friday, April 23, 2010, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m, and we’d love to see you!

At our Open House, you’ll be able to:

• take a tour of our Green Building,
• sign a “Declaration of Energy Independence,” and
• learn more about all the solar energy products offered by us.

We’ll also give you a listing of other local Earth Day events, tips and suggestions for going green and a “Solar Bill of Rights” to take home!

As I said in a recent News Release:

“This is a great opportunity for us to be able to educate the public on what they can do to be green and do their part to save the environment. Solar energy is a readily-available and renewable source of energy that will not only reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, but it also helps our customers save lots of money. We’re proud to celebrate Earth Day by teaching our customers how to be environmentally responsible citizens.”

See you next week, and have a great day!

- Dan

…one of the most common questions people have is:

“How Do I Power My Home From the Sun?”

The answer is with a Solar Electric Photovoltaic System.

Solar Electric Photovoltaic Systems, sometimes referred to as PV Systems, have many benefits:

• Reduce your electric bill.
• Take advantage of tax benefits and rebates.
• Help our country become less dependent on fossil fuels.
• And – Watch your meter spin backward (we never get tired of this!)

Be sure to learn all about Solar Electric Photovoltaic Systems on our Web Site, and visit our Learn More section to see the common questions people have as well.

Enjoy!

…and how Florida is not number #1 in terms of solar usage, YET, it is the Sunshine State!

We’ve been in the Solar Energy business for over 30 years, and we’re definitely seeing a continued growth in our solar energy business.

Here’s 9 ways you can conserve energy by switching to solar energy based solutions:

• Solar Pool Heater – save by using the sun to heat your pool!
• Solar Water Heater – save by using the power of the sun to heat your water!
• Solar Electric Photovoltaic System – save by powering your home with solar energy!
• Solar Lights – save by using natural light for your home!
• Solar Attic Fan – save by using the sun to pull heat from your home!
• Solar Pool Pump – save by using the sun to power your pool pump!
• Pool Automation – save by automating your chlorination, pump timing and heating!
• Solar Water Pump – save by not having to bring in costly utility lines!
• Hybrid Solar Air Conditioning – save between 30% to 50% on your air conditioning!

If you have any questions about Solar Energy, or would like to learn more, visit our web site at: www.FafcoSolar.com, or give us a call at (239) 574-1500.

We’re very passionate about what we do, and would love to help you!

- Dan

What’s the delay?

Why is the transition to the ‘new energy economy’ taking so long?

Back in October of last year, I covered “The Most Common Question About Solar Energy” which is definitely related to this topic (be sure to check it out!)

Anyhow, I just read this article in the January/February 2010 issue of Solar Today, and I wanted to share it with you, you can read it online, or below.

If there’s anything I, or my team at Fafco Solar, can do to help you, please contact us, or give us a call at (239) 574-1500.

Have a great day,

Dan

Special Thanks to Melissa Upton for writing this blog post!

At the local level, Florida Power & Light (FPL) is asking for a $1.3 billion annual increase in base rates, which amounts to about $12.40 per month for the first 1,000-kilowatt hours used.

FPL dubiously notes that declining fuel costs will more than offset that increase for its customers. Regulators will vote on the increase in the beginning of 2010. As you probably know, the Lee County Electric Cooperative (LCEC) is not an energy producer and their goal is to buy all of their power from FPL within the next couple of years. This means rising prices at FPL will be passed onto LCEC and its customers.

One way to offset the inevitable rise in the cost of electricity is to become a small-scale energy producer at your home and/or business. Incorporating solar air conditioning, solar hot water and solar electricity (or PV) technologies into residential and commercial buildings can significantly offset the rising price of fossil fuels. As you move towards less reliance on nonrenewable energy from the large utility corporations, you´ll gain some independence from the utility companies, reduce your monthly bills, and minimize the impact our energy use has on the environment.

The first step is to apply the basic principles of conservation and efficiency to all of your energy choices. Then consider your energy appetite and needs, your site, and the resources available to you. Air conditioning in Florida is often more than half your electric bill so a solar air conditioner can significantly cut your electric bill. A solar thermal system to heat hot water for the home, business, and/or pool can reduce about a third of your electric bill. Photovoltaics or solar electric will generate free electricity for decades and allow you to send power back to the grid. Think through your renewable energy choices carefully, speak with a solar professional, and evaluate how you can become a small-scale energy producer as there are numerous options.

You will immediately start saving money with solar technologies because the energy from the sun is free so rates will never increase!

Learn more about us, and how we can help you use the power of renewable energy, by visiting our Web Site at: www.FafcoSolar.com, or by calling us at (239) 574-1500.

Well, we didn’t just start…

…and we’re not starting over.

We didn’t follow the easy money.

We were green before green was ‘in’.

Fafco Solar was “born” during the energy crisis of the 70’s and represents a multi-generational family commitment to delivering quality solar energy products for the purpose of bringing forth the ideas of:

FREEDOM and FUN… FOREVER!(sm)

We’ve been focused on solar energy without interruption, through thick and thin, in communities throughout Southwest Florida for the past 35 years.

To learn more about our history, be sure to visit our Web Site.

Here’s to 35 more years of solar powered freedom and fun!

-Dan

I’d like to thank one of my fellow team members, Melissa Upton, for creating this for you!

The direct conversion of sunlight into electricity is known as photovoltaics or PV for short…

Photovoltaics (PV) is a technology that uses semiconductors to convert solar radiation into direct current electricity.

If you live in south Florida, the next time you drive across Alligator Alley take note of the many small modules powering the lights along the road, or the next time you stop at a road construction site notice the modules powering the signage.

After many decades of improvement and a decrease in the cost, solar technology is becoming more common in the United States.
For the home, there are two categories of PV:

1. grid-tied – where the home is connected to the utility grid and supple- ments energy needs by generating its own electricity with photovoltaics; and
2. off-grid, where the home is located too far from the utility cable so it generates all of its own energy with PV systems and often other sources.

Residential and commercial grid-tied PV systems, or supplemental power systems, have become the largest growth sector for PV.

There are four major components that make up a batteryless, grid-tied PV system:

1. PV modules
2. the inverter
3. a mounting system and
4. the balance of system (or BOS).

The PV modules generate DC electricity from sunlight.

They are grouped and wired together into what is called a PV array. The DC electricity is converted to AC electricity by the inverter and fed to the utility.

Mounting systems are the structures that hold the PV modules and they vary depending upon the type of roof. Finally, the balance of the system includes the module wiring, combiners, junction boxes, and disconnects.