Local CT Solar Energy Experrt Gears - Up Taken Stiff Competition

Hartford - For many years in Connecticut and around the U.S., we have heard about the promise of Solar Photovoltaic PV electrical systems. One of the leading installers in Connecticut is Sundoor Solar located in the middle of the state. Visit Sundoorsolar.com. If your thinking about Solar energy - I encourage you to let them earn your business. Plain and simple.

So why is Connectcut going Solar? In areas like California, where there is a large concentration of solar PV Photovoltaic, homeowners believe that "oh yeah they have much more sun than we do"! Yes, Solar is much more mainstream in areas like California, with an abundance of solar installations. Yes, it has something to do with great sun and very few cloudy days, but is largely attributed to their utility rate structure that penalizes larger users of electricity by having tiered rates that go up as usage goes up. This is a big incentive to install a solar system, in order to knock out the higher tiers, at the very minimum. In Connectuct we payer higher electric costs then ANYWHERWE other than Hawaii. To learn how complex and messed up the Connecticut rate issue is take a look here at the DPUC webiste. But remeber - The incentives are huge right now. There has never been a better time for Solar energy in CT.

In the past year, Connecticut Solar installation companies soared to new heights selling and installing solar energy systems, and the future shines bright STILL in Connecticut we at Sundoor Solarfeel.. But, here is what we found in a we search just this morning.

Oneforce - Never heard of them before last week. they are in CT great guns a blazing

Mercury Solar - NY company. Moving north with their marketing

Ross Solar - Not a CT company I dont think. Not originally anyway

BEfree - Quality CT company. (yeah)

Sunlight Solar - They are from Oregon, I thought - but I hear they do good work here too

Buoyed by the state’s early commitment to solar energy, the number of installers and manufacturers boomed in Connecticut in early 2000s. They come and go. But the loss of the government’s incentive program coupled with the Legislature’s inability to keep up with programs offered by other states is sending these young companies outside Connecticut’s borders to find work. Sundoor Solar stays here. Yes we have put Solar on a TD Bank in NY - but we work in CT. Predominantly. I dont know if the other companies will come back to CT. Niether do you. One thing is for certain. The money you pay them doesn't stay in CT helping CT families. Their ad budgets are more than we make at Sundoor Solar - for gosh sakes. It's up to you whom you want to do business with. But give the CT companies a chance -is our point. The smaller the company - the more attention you get to detail, and the lower the overhead. You save money and feel warm and fuzzy too!

All this leads industry leaders to believe the early advantage Connecticut once enjoyed in solar renewable is eroding and many of these companies will exit for more fertile ground. Sundoor Solar will be here. We want to be a leader. And friend of the environment.

But Connectcicut still has time. The Connecticut Clean Energy Fund submitted a new two-year budget this month that would once again provide incentives to build solar photovoltaic installations, starting in October. Also, the Connecticut General Assembly is expected to give high priority to creating an energy credit program — similar to those in solar progress states, such as New Jersey — when it convenes in January. They dropped the rebate model lowering y as much as 40% how much residential customers get in savings to make these relatively expensive systems affordable. To be honest the 30% fedreal incentive is enough for most of our customers to be sold.

Beginning September 1, 2010, the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund (CCEF) reoported they will be financing the PV Residential Rebate program leveraging capital through the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA). That has supposedly changed. For the time being there is stiloney available for rebates. Consumers should not hestitate.

Connecticut’s funding for solar incentives has been declining from its peak almost five years ago. To make the outlook bleaker, the Governor of Connecticut vetoed an important piece of legislation that would originate the state’s own SREC system and ensure that solar incentives would resume. Funding for commercial PV rebates ended in 2009 and, as of June 30th, 2010, the residential PV rebate program had less than $1.2 million to fund additional residential projects. That meant only about 80 additional homes could qualify for a rebate. This puts the state in an unfortunate situation because it is ideal to utilize solar power with high electricity rates, a good amount of sun, and an environmentally aware population.

Through the ARRA program, at least for a few weeks the residential rebate program is rescued from the same fate as its commercial counterpart. The current residential PV rebate level of $1.75 per watt for the first 5 kW and $1.25 per watt for the next 5 kW (up to 10 kW total) will be maintained. There is one key difference between the previous solar rebate program and the ARRA program. Although solar panel installers will continue to submit rebate payment requests directly to CCEF, the rebate checks will now be sent to the system owner instead of the PV installer.

In order to qualify for ARRA or rate payer funding, the residential solar power projects must be fully placed in service by April 30, 2012 or the installation will not be eligible to receive a rebate from CCEF. At present, CCEF and the Connecticut Office of Policy Management recognize fully placed in service to mean interconnected by Connecticut Light & Power (CL&P) or United Illuminating. CCEF has acknowledged that they cannot agree to PV installation extensions for any ARRA project past February 29, 2012.

This solar financing structure involves an interested third party utilizing the tax incentives in the role of a Site-Delivered Equipment Provider. The resulting solar financing product is much simpler and less costly to arrange than a solar power purchase agreement (PPA) for smaller sized solar power installations. The minimum transaction size is $200,000.

This solar lease structure is available to well-established, creditworthy U.S. based companies and nonprofit organizations. It can also benefit municipalities, churches, schools, and 501c3 structured entities that want to leverage ARRA funds and state utility rebates to go solar. The effectiveness of this solar financing structure will be impacted by construction site considerations and the financial strength of the host as it would be in any other type of solar installation.

On the commercial side of solar business, CCEF continually made their program less attractive during the year by reducing the rebate amount and the maximum system they would rebate for. This became a roller coaster ride for Companies in CT, as well as installers, integrators and Power Purchase Agreement providers, many of whom planned on setting up major businesses in CT! Not anymore. Not to say tghere hasnt been some noteworthy installations of solar by commercial businesses. Includung Pilots Point Marina in Westbrook. There is money being mad eavailable now in CT. again if you are a busuness owener - do not wait. Contact us for a feasibility study. You will want to apply soon.

The Solar Connecticut membership is largely responsible for the growth of solar power in Connecticut, My job with Sundoor Solar is to work with our government and community as well as our competition to develop a strong and sustainable industry involving the workforce, retailers, supply chain and others, and then wrap their concerns into a cohesive and persuasive message and campaign that unlocks the potential for widespread usage of solar power throughout the state. Deciding to install solar panels on your home is a big investment: you make a payment now and expect a substantial return in the future. One way to ensure return on your investment and success of your solar panels is to make sure you hire the right solar installer who can guide you through the entire solar installation process: everything from financing and finding the right rebates and incentives to installation and maintenance.

Here are ten tips on what to look for in the right solar installer and number one -are they a small CT business that has you i their best interest.:

1. Certification: One way to ensure a proper solar installation is to see whether your solar installer is certified with the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners or the NABCEP. Right now, the NABCEP is probably the best standard certification program in the U.S. and those installers that receive have had to pass a rigorous set of tests in order to receive it. Not only does the NABCEP include require an installer to pass an exam but it also requires them to have two years of prior solar installation experience.

If you run across a solar installer who is not certified they may either (a) have years of experience and do not care to spend the money to become “certified” or (b) took classes at a solar institution. With those installers that rely on their experience to demonstrate their quality and reputation, make sure to ask for as many references as possible from their prior solar customers to review (make sure you get a spectrum of references in terms of time such as recent installations to customers from a couple of years prior). With those solar installers who have simply taken classes at a solar institution, make sure that the training was completed at an established solar institution, such as the Solar Living Institute or Solar Energy International and have had hands-on experience from NABCEP certified teachers. Don’t be afraid to ask for proof of qualifications in this instance or contact the NABCEP to make sure that the solar installer in question has received the claimed educational qualifications.

2. Licenses/Insurance: In case of an accident during installation, it is important that your solar installer has the proper licenses and insurance to ensure that you are not liable. At a bare minimum, your solar installer should have general liability insurance, worker’s compensation insurance and a contractor’s license. If they don’t have these basic business protections, it’s probably a sign that this particular solar installer is not a quality business.

3. Check out the Better Business Bureau (BBB): To help get a general rating for the solar installer you are considering, the BBB provides you with a basic rating of the company and whether there have been any complaints registered against the solar installer. This is another way of understanding a company’s reputation. BBB allows you to avoid solar installers who may sound good on paper but fall short of expectations when in action.

4. Subcontracting: Does your solar installer subcontract any of their work? This is important because while you may trust your solar installer, you may not trust the subcontractor. If the solar installer you are considering subcontracts even a portion of their work, you should check whether the subcontractor is certified with NABCEP as well.

5. Location, location, location: Where is the solar installer location in relation to the building you’re looking to put solar on? This not only determines the cost of the solar installer but also how familiar they are with your area. It is crucial for the solar installer to know your area so they are privy to applicable local codes and typical weather patterns and also so that they can help with the maintenance of your solar system down the road. It’s also easier to review references and physically look at the solar installer’s prior work if they operate near where you are. Are they a company from the Pacific coast selling in CT, hiring electricicians that dont have Solar experience?

6. Payment Options: Request multiple competitive bids for your solar system and that make sure that each bid explicitly indicates what the payback and the monthly savings on your electric bill will be. Make sure that it is clear how much of your electricity needs will be coming from solar and that you factor this when comparing bids as a solar system that provides 50% of your power needs will be cheaper than one that provides 90%. Also, ask whether on-going maintenance is included in the cost of your solar system or whether that is an additional charge. Your solar installer (or the sales rep) should be fluent on the different financing options (ie. out right purchase, lease, or financing option available and they should explain how any financing costs with impact the monthly savings on your electric bills resulting from solar power. You need to feel totally comfortable that economically it makes sense in the short term and long terms for you to investment in solar.

7. Brands Used: Make sure your installer is familiar with the brand of solar panel they are installing. There is nothing more nerve-wracking than being a guinea pig so make sure you verify with your solar installer which brands they prefer using and why. NABCEP can help you identify which models and brands your installer is certified to use. There are some really great products in tghe market. Efficiciency is increasing. And prices are coming down.

8. Warranty: As with any product you buy, always check the warranty. Since solar panels take about 5 to 10 years to payback, the warranty should at least be 10 years. This includes the overall warranty of the system (which generally is 20 to 25 years) and the warranty that ensures that the solar installer will fix your panels should anything malfunction (typically for about 5 years).

9. Overall Impression: Do you feel confident with this solar installer? Are you satisfied with their answers to your questions and how quickly they responded? How responsive was their customer service representatives to your questions and were you comfortable with their responses? You should harbor no doubts or confusion before committing to a solar installer. This is particularly important as installing solar power is a big deal and the solar installer you pick needs to be more than just someone doing work on your home, they should be a partner to help make sure that your investment into solar is easy, long lasting and financially worthwhile. In the end, beyond the assurances of experience and certification, only you can decide whether this solar installer “feels” like the right choice.

10. Get Help Finding Solar Installers: Solar Energy matching services can also take much of the guess work out of selecting a solar installer. There are several free matching services that connect you with pre-selected and highly reputable solar installers based. The process is simple: you provide basic information on your location and project type and within minutes or up to 1-2 business days the qualified solar installers will contact you to bid on your project. These services have saved homeowners time and the headache of dealing with poor quality installers. For example, MyEnergySolution.com/

Conatct Sundoor siolar today at 203.630.7077 amd ask for Paul Schmitz, Manager Operations and CT Solar Officer

Sundoor Solar is a licensed designer and installer of photovoltaic (Solar Panel) power systems in Connecticut.
The opportunity to power your home or business with clean, affordable solar powered energy has never been better. With Solar rebates, tax incentives and improvements in technology, solar energy is now not only affordable, but also often the most economical choice for homeowners and businesses. In fact, Connecticut residents have the opportunity to purchase a solar system with no up front costs. Sundoor Solar will work with the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund and CT Solar Lease program to set your home or business up with a solar energy system for a fixed monthly payment. The experts at Sundoor will make sure that you take advantage of all of the incentives, rebates and tax incentives that are available.

The Benefits of Solar Power
•Environmental Benefits: Solar systems are reliable, pollution-free, and use a renewable source of energy preserving our planet's finite fossil fuel resources.
•Homeowner Benefits: Solar systems allow owners to add an energy-producing improvement to their property at a fixed cost. Over time homeowners recover that cost through reduced monthly electric bills. In addition, homeowners add to the resale value of their homes.
•Savings Benefits: Solar energy systems make owners less vulnerable to future increases in the price of electricity. Imagine, having your electricity at a fixed cost, minimally affected by the inevitable annual increases in electric rates.
•Peace of Mind: Solar Panels are a proven durable technology. Most solar panels are guaranteed for 25 years, protecting your investment.

Sundoor Solar
125 Research Parkway
Meriden, CT 06450

This release was published on openPR.