UPDATE  - A few weeks ago, the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) added $500K to the pot, bringing the new total to $1.52M.  As of June 30, $1.23M of the $1.52M, or 82%, has been reserved.

• This rebate is in addition to the Pepco, BGE or Allegheny rebate programs that give 15% rebates.
• This rebate is in addition to the 2011 Federal $500 tax credit, and any other local programs. 

So you finished the energy efficiency improvements in your home, and you are wondering what else can you do?  Going solar seemed like a possibility, but fronting $40K for a system is a tough hurdle for anyone.  No longer. 

Sungevity Solar brings its groundbreaking Solar Lease to Maryland.  Sungevity is a top-ranked California solar company that is expanding to Maryland.  The solar lease features:  

• $0 Down Lease or Prepaid Lease - Instead of paying full price up-front, you can lease the panels for a low monthly cost.  Alternatively, by prepaying the lease, you can avoid finance charges and eliminate monthly payments completely.    

• Instant Savings with Guaranteed Output - Sungevity's performance guarantee ensures you save more than you spend.

• Full-Service Solar - Sungevity maintains the panels at no cost to you for the life of the lease. 

• A free, no-hassle iQuote within 24 hours - Using super-smart satellite technology, Sungevity can provide your iQuote in 24 hours. Then, the Sungevity sales consultant will answer your questions by phone. Everything is electronic. You can go from iQuote to contract as soon as you're ready.

• If you are ready for an iQuote or want to learn more, contact ecobeco's office at 240 396 2141 x2 or click to get started. 

• Be sure to use referral code "ecobeco" to ensure the best prices.   

• Note the Sungevity Lease is currently available only to Maryland customers with FICO scores of 700 or higher.  This requirement fluctuates, so we encourage customers with 600 - 700 FICO scores to obtain iQuotes so Sungevity can contact you when the lease requirements change. 

• Sungevity solar is only available in Maryland 

Special 1: Customers who sign a lease in the month of July will receive their first 3 monthly lease payments from ecobeco!* Be sure to enter referral code 'ecobeco' when you create your iQuote.  Or call us at (240) 396-2141 x2 and we would be happy to submit the iQuote request for you.   

Special 2: Sign your Lease within 4 weeks of your iQuote, and you'll receive 5% off your lease rates PLUS a new iPAD 2. 

* ecobeco will provide a cash payment equal to three months of Sungevity lease payments up to a total of $500 per household.  Fully prepaid leaseholders will receive $500.  Allow 6 weeks after activation of your solar system to receive payment.  Eligibility is determined by the date the lease is signed as determined by Sungevity.  To qualify, customer must be assigned to ecobeco in the Sungevity sales tracking system.  Use the referral code 'ecobeco' when you create your iQuote. 

ecoTip: Solar Power Primer - Photovoltaic 

On a bright, sunny day, the sun shines approximately 1,000 watts of energy per square meter on the planet's surface, and if we could collect all of that energy we could easily power our homes and offices without the need to burn fossil fuels.

This article talks about photovoltaic panels, which are solar panels that produce electricity.  We will hold the discussion of solar hot water heating another time.  Solar panels can be a great investment that not only saves you money and increases the value of your property, but also helps the environment by reducing the need for fossil-fuel-based energy sourcing. Solar power is becoming more price competitive each year, with utility-scale solar projects in the Western US nearing the price of fossil fuel sources.  

As the residential solar industry has grown and matured over the last decade, the costs to put solar panels on homes have dropped significantly, including a 40% drop in just the last few years. When you consider the technology and the tax credits, there's never been a better time to install solar for renewable clean energy for your home.

Our only word of caution is to make sure you don't "over-buy" solar.  That is, buying more than you need.  Target 40-60% energy replacement.  Make sure you have your energy audit and make the improvements to reduce your home's energy consumption.  When you know what your new baseline looks like, then you can buy the right size solar for you.  ecobeco can help you predict your energy consumption after improvements have been made. 

Are You A Good Candidate for Solar?

Here are some tips:

1. Efficiency First - To ensure proper sizing of the system, take action on energy efficiency improvement first.  When you have a stable projection of future energy consumption, it is easier for your installer to properly size the system.

2. Your Home's Physical Characteristics - You need direct sunlight to hit the surface of the panels or they won't work.  While south-facing roofs are ideal, it is possible for east-west roofs to work and your installer can help make the determination.  In previous issues of this newsletter, we have written about why having shading is a good thing to keep your house cool in summer.  If you decide to remove shading in order to support solar, keep in mind that your AC electricity use could increase.

3. Lease vs. Buy - You can buy a system for full price up front with installed prices ranging in the $6-$7K per KW installed.  An average homes might target 5 KW of capacity, so $30 - $35K up front.  Then you can apply for tax credits that can take years to get back.  In this model, you are responsible for maintenance and repair.  In Maryland, most solar purchases have a payback period of about 8 years after all the tax credits.  Systems should last 30-40 years, though you may need to repair along the way (inverters, which are key parts of the electronics, need to be replaced every 10-15 years). 

Another way to obtain a system is to lease the system from a company such as Sungevity.  Solar leases are available for customers with very good credit.  Typically, leases run 15-20 years, and they have small monthly payments.  When leasing, you typically begin saving money right away.  In other words, your panels produce more energy than your lease payments.  Other advantages of leasing are that the warranty and maintenance is included for free for the life of the lease.  Finally, at the end of the lease, you have the option to give the system back and get something new.  So you don't have to risk your technology going obsolete.  You can also buy out the system, or just have them take it away.  

4. Net Metering - When your system produces more energy than you use (such as when no one is home in the middle of a sunny summer day), your meter runs backwards!  That is, you are selling excess power back to the utility.  This is great - to a point.  If you "over-buy" your system and you consistently create too much power over the course of a year, the power company will not pay you for the excess production.  At best, you can break even.  Talk to your installer about net metering rules.  Responsible installers will size in moderation depending on available roof space.  We suggest that your system should offset 40-60% of your power consumption.  This suggestion is meant to ensure that you don't end up with too much power even as life's circumstances change in your home. 

This is the last of five workshops featuring a variety of important topics for condominium residents & managers who want to make their buildings more energy efficient and eco-friendly.

This session will cover progressive projects your building can undertake especially relating to the exterior of your building.  

We will look at how condo buildings with large, unobstructed, flat roofs are prime candidates for solar photovoltaic or solar water heating. Also, buildings can install green roofs that cleanse water while reducing the absorption of heat by the roof, substantially lowering cooling costs and acting as natural insulation. Landscaping plays an important role in reducing water run-off, improving run-off quality and lowering cooling costs.  

Speakers at this session will be:

• Ken Stadlin - Kenergy Solar (Solar PV)
• Dave Hoedeman -- Skyline Innovations (Solar Hot Water)
• Peter Ensign - DC Greenworks, green roof installation
• Ann English - Montgomery County DEP / Rainscapes Program, landscaping

The event will be held at Bethesda Green's office on Cordell Avenue. Light snacks will be served. 

We're a service business and your opinions and referrals matter to us!

Last year, your feedback helped us win the 2010 Super Service Award for Energy Efficiency Auditing from Angie's List. Please take a moment to share your experiences with our team and help inform your community about its local businesses. We appreciate your time to make our processes and products better!

Find out what other customers have been saying about ecobeco and leave a few comments of your own by going to Angie's List, Checkbook, Yelp and/or Facebook. If you are a member to these sites, please rate us and help grow our network!

Thank you!

It's now easier than ever to stay up to date with happenings in the energy efficiency/ home improvement industry by following ecobeco on facebook.  We will post upcoming events, breaking news, and our helpful ecoTips.

We also hope facebook will let us talk with you and allow all of us to learn from each other.  We want to hear more of your stories, share your experiences, and talk about our contractor partners and energy efficiency products.

Click on the facebook icon below to visit our page, then click "Like" ecobeco and you're all set. Thanks!

1. The maximum benefit is $500, and the benefit is now 10% of the purchase price.  This is a big change from 30% up to $1,500.
2. The benefit is a lifetime benefit.  That means if you took more than $500 in benefit from 2005 - 2010, you cannot take any benefit in 2011.
3. Gas or Oil or Propane furnace or boiler benefit capped at $150.
4. Efficient property (such as insulation) capped at $300.
5. Window benefits capped at $200.

You can read more about it when Energy Star updates their website in the near future.  Also we are not tax lawyers nor accountants, so please contact your accountant or the IRS with questions about your situation.