Nowadays, it isn't unusual to see household roofs equipped with solar panels. I typically gaze up at one of those roofs and think, “Wow, that person is really green.” But solar panels not only help the environment, they help your pocketbook as well. This past week I interviewed Chris Bunas, President and CEO of “SunTerra Solar,” located in Novato. Although 98% of his projects are commercial, he informed me that homeowners could save 100% on their electrical bill depending on how much space they have to install the solar panels. Some people want to eliminate 100% of their electrical bill but only have space to eliminate 50% while others, for example, only want to eliminate 80%.
The price per watt depends on the size and technology of the panels you desire. Generally, the average cost per watt is three to five dollars. Solar panels manufacturer warranty is typically 25 years but the design life is said to be 40 plus years. Chris stated,”You also will have 0.3% degradation over each year.” Degradation means wear-and- tear from solar panels being exposed to natural elements such as wind, sun, and rain. When asked about the cost to to install solar on a typical three bedroom- two bathroom ranch style home, Chris responded, “It all depends on your lifestyle, for example, whether you keep your windows open during the summer or use air conditioning.” I researched solar prices and found that a typical 5kW solar system ranges from $25,000 to $35,000 according to solarpowerauthority.com.
It was interesting to talk with Chris about how he got into the field of renewable energy. He explained that he is a retired Marine who used to work in IT( Information Technology) in Silicon Valley. When the economy took a hit, Chris and his co-workers searched for another type of work. He was able to get involved in solar work through a friend. When asked about the type of education and training needed for solar work Chris recommended taking classes in renewable energy at College of Marin or an Institute. Once you have the basic knowledge, you would then learn the necessary skills for the solar power industry by working in the field from the bottom up.
The field of solar energy has grown significantly in recent years. It will continue to grow in the future,especially once individuals and businesses are better educated on the benefits of solar and other renewable forms of energy.
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