Adair Solar

Solar panels hard at work in rural Tibet.

When communities come together to support one another, that’s powerful stuff. When you add solar power into the mix, the sky is the limit. Such is the case with the group of New Mexico students who joined up with Conscious Journeys and decided to hop over to Tibet to install solar panels at a medical clinic there, where there’s no doubt the power generated will go to the greatest good for all.

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, “A team of students from San Juan College (New Mexico) are planning a photovoltaic (PV) installation at a medical clinic in the town of Sihurong, located on the eastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau.” The Chronicle continues, “The PV installation will provide electricity for lights and necessary equipment in the clinic. The students, along with solar engineer Mike Sullivan and SJU assistant professor of English Chris Strouthopoulos, will spend several weeks in the area. The students will learn about solar design and engineering in addition to undertaking cultural activities like staying with locals, visiting monasteries, and trekking in the mountains.”

Typically when you think of solar panel installations, your mind produces images of residential areas and perhaps business buildings equipped with rooftop solar panel installations put there to provide energy to those fortunate enough to live where solar energy is affordable. You may have to retrain your brain, because this is the third solar energy story we’ve blogged about this year that involves third-world regions receiving solar energy in some way. There were the schools powered by Evans Wadongo in Kenya, then the homes in South Africa that generated clean water through homemade rooftop solar cleaning mechanisms, and now this. All made possible by the sun, though this little array in Tibet is the first “professional grade” solar install we’ve written about in such instances!

But the inspiration shouldn’t be left on the page, nor should it end with the college students who brought the panels to Tibet. The “solar bug” needs to catch on more in America, and it’s our hope at Adair Solar Company in Mesa that a story like this one will inspire someone in the US who thinks that solar panels are not affordable to rethink their stance and call their local solar panel company.

If you’re ready to take that plunge and you are beginning to understand that solar energy is NOW, not later, give us a call. We’ll have an educated and experienced solar technician come out and discuss your solar options with you. From solar water heaters in Phoenix to ways to stop wasting energy like radiant barrier insulation, Adair Solar has solutions for you and your home.

(480) 827-1162 Make your FREE appointment today!

Inspiring news comes to us today from Kuwait by way of REVE.com. According to their early May report, Kuwait is going into its second phase of implementing solar energy as a widespread–and hopefully widely used resource. REVE notes, “Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) and Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) signed here on Sunday a contract to execute the second stage of the country’s solar energy project costing KD 1.5 million.”

The cost is high, but the hope is that the savings will be higher, and that the country’s overall interest in solar energy will continue to grow and thrive. This is particularly interesting news for a small burgeoning country, but especially one that is nestled in the oil-rich region of the Middle East. The fact that nations in this region–and indeed their governments are looking to solar and wind power is an amazing show of faith in these energy sources.

But it also tells us something else. Could it be that the people of the Middle East, in places like Kuwait, Jordan, Syria, and Saudi Arabia know something about the longevity of oil that we don’t know? If they are preparing for a future sans oil, shouldn’t we be too? And even if there is no shortage of oil, the fact that these groups so near to the supply are so ready to move on tells us a great deal about where global culture is when it comes to alternative energy sources: The time is now, and everyone knows it… or do we? That’s a sharp-edged question, but one that certainly deserves a response.

Here in the US, there are no real reasons why home owners should not invest in rooftop solar panels for their homes, but the enthusiasm and zest for solar energy should be like a fever that Americans can’t help but catch. So why is it not taking hold here like it has in Germany, Denmark, Switzerland, and even now parts of Africa and the oil-laden Middle East?

Food for thought, but it’s about time Americans begin to take solar energy seriously. It’s not alternative if it’s the only thing left–and really, how far away are we from that reality?

[[Call today for your free in-home consultation for a solar installation from Adair Solar Company in Phoenix, Mesa, Scottsdale, Chandler, Tempe, and beyond by calling (480) 827-1162.]]

Among this week’s good news in solar energy is the hefty mention of the General Motors plant in Toledo, Ohio going solar. The solar panels that have been installed on the car maker’s Ohio plant location are known to work well in any type of weather conditions and in flat territory, making them a great choice for this local.

The decision to go solar at all was brought on by a local energy company who approached the plant manager for the green light. According to manager Joe Choate, the local company offered innovative ideas for solar energy use that he and other thinkers at GM had not yet considered, which is why they chose that local company, called Solscient, to do the work on the plant.

According to the Columbus Dispatch article which ran in early April, “The spread, which goes online this week, is the first part of a three-phase, 1.8-megawatt project that will feed renewable power back into GM’s plant for at least the next 20 years.”

Now that’s impressive! The array (previously referred to as “the spread”) is approximately 80,000 square feet, all located right there on the rooftop of the Toledo GM plant. As Joe Choate and others with GM explained, they had known they wanted to go solar for a long, long time, they just weren’t sure who to reach out to for help, how to get the job done, or which way would be the most cost effective over time. After having the help of Solscient, they are living the solar dream–which reminds us to tell all the local solar energy companies across the country: You never know which large enterprise like GM could need your help until you ask! If you have a heavy hitter like this in your backyard, you could very easily be their Solscient! And the thing is, you won’t know until you ask that they are lost and looking for solutions that only someone who works in the solar industry can give them. So let’s band together to make solar energy as much a part of the American corporate landscape as cash and company picnics!

[[Call today for your free in-home consultation for a solar installation from Adair Solar Company in Phoenix, Mesa, Scottsdale, Chandler, Tempe, and beyond by calling (480) 827-1162.]]

This is a fair question, and one that we hear a lot. Many people have heard all kinds of stories that represent everything from to good to be true to baseless rumors about solar energy and how it’s not really an energy source—how funny! The truth about a quality solar installation in Phoenix is that it will save you a tremendous amount of money. Exactly how much will depend on you, your home, and what kind of solar installation package you decide on.

For those who choose a full solar install, complete with rooftop solar panels in Phoenix, as well as a solar water heater, and a radiant barrier insulation (and a recommended a/c preventative maintenance package) the lowered cost of your utilities bills will have you rubbing your eyes to ensure what you’re seeing on your bill is accurate! Some of our residents have reported utilities bills as low as the single digits!

We hope to provide Arizona residents with the kind of cutting edge solar energy technology that will allow them to actually feed energy back into the grid someday soon. Unfortunately, the utilities companies will have to catch up to the solar technology in order for that to happen, and the electricity grid will have to work in both directions in Phoenix. In places where the grid is set up this way (some call it the “Smart Grid”) homeowners with solar panels who generate more energy than they use can actually get money back from utilities companies at the end of the month! These are called “deep green homes.”

Adair Solar Company in Mesa does offer a tremendous new solar technology to you that shows how close we are to getting to the deep green point in Arizona. With Echo PV panels, your rooftop literally becomes an energy source that creates enormous potential to power your home. If you want to hear more about how Echo PV works, call today to schedule an appointment with an experienced solar technician at (480) 827-1162.

Until then, don’t forget that the solar rebates and tax credits available to Arizonans now for rooftop solar panels and solar water heaters in Phoenix is incredible. Start saving money with a solar install in Phoenix before it gets hot and you start paying more!

Habitat for Humanity homes with solar panels rock!

Jimmy Carter’s Habitat for Humanity has been doing so much good for poverty-stricken families for decades. We never thought that Habitat for Humanity would be able to outdo itself with all that it already brings to members of our communities in need. But they have! By installing solar panels on Habitat homes, this organization isn’t just helping to lower the bills for the family that will reside in the home, it is lowering their carbon footprint, enhancing the value of the home itself, and making the kind of green choice that will inspire home dwellers to think green for perhaps the first time in their lives.

According to AZ Central, the new owner of this Habitat for Humanity home, Fatima Martinez, and her three-year-old son, are thrilled. Martinez was already overjoyed to get out of a small apartment and into a home where her young son would have his own bedroom and plenty of space to play–but when she was told how much money she would save by using these Phoenix solar panels, she realized she’d be paying less than a quarter of what she paid for electricity in her tiny apartment!

For any home, rooftop solar panels in Phoenix just make good common sense. The savings per month on utilities costs are truly remarkable, and being able to afford a solar installation in Phoenix is not a stretch on the pocket book with the kinds of solar tax credits and Arizona solar rebates available to those who own their own homes here in Phoenix and the rest of the valley.

For those of you ready to explore your choices in solar energy, we encourage you to have a visit with one of our solar technicians. There’s no cost to you, and you’ll find out all about how much you’ll save with a solar water heater in Phoenix, and which solar tax credits and rebates you will qualify for. Let us set up an appointment for you today! Just call (480) 827-1162.

Walter Cronkite School of Journalism goes solar!

We are so excited to spread the word about Phoenix’s newest solar installation! Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism has announced a solar panel array has been installed on its headquarters in Phoenix. We turn to The Phoenix Business Journal for more info on this awesome solar development in the Valley of the Sun:

“Arizona State University will debut its newest solar system on the roof of the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication in downtown Phoenix next week.

The 75-kilowatt system, costing $815,000, has been installed and will be dedicated Tuesday.

The system is the equivalent of reducing the greenhouse gas emissions of taking 17 cars off the road. It is part of ASU’s effort to install more than 10 megawatts of solar at its campuses.”

This news comes on the heels of other great solar news regarding a grant from the Department of Energy that will allow more Arizonans to equip their residences with rooftop solar panels and solar water heaters in Phoenix this coming year.

Looks like Arizona and its residents, businesses, schools, nonprofits, and other entities are getting more and more serious about solar installations in Phoenix and beyond as we approach 2012. We know it’s going to be a powerful year for solar energy in Phoenix, and we hope to be a big part of that as we continue into our 35th year of service to the Valley area.

If you’re ready for your Phoenix rooftop solar panels, wait no more! With a FREE in-home consultation from one of our highly experienced solar technicians, you will learn all about Arizona solar tax credits and solar rebates to find out just how much money you will save, and how incredibly low your out of pocket cost will be.

Call us today to get started with the best Phoenix solar company around! Dial (480) 827-1162.

Jusst Sooup Ranch after the Extreme Makeover, courtesy of DelawareOnline.com

Well, we’ve always loved this great show. All the Ty Pennington the eye can take in, families in need, and yes, we cry every episode. But when we saw this week’s episode featuring a solar installation on a home, well, there just weren’t enough tissues in the house! Tears of joy and yes–we see this as a sign that solar installations in Phoenix and beyond are going mainstream. And that’s great news!

According to PRNewswire, the sleek rooftop solar panels were given by SunPower Corp, a Silicon Valley solar power company. PRNewswire also noted that this was no ordinary makeover, even by the standards of the show. That is to say, this was a two-hour-long special edition of Extreme Makeover in which a home outfitted with a soup kitchen will now have the predominance of the energy it needs to run by way of the sun.

The soup kitchen, operated by Reverend Dale Dunning, and her family. The kitchen serves the local community in Lewes, Delaware. Lovingly and fittingly named the “Jusst Sooup Ranch,” this operation is inspirational and will now be powered by 25 kilowatts of sunshine from good ol’ Mother Nature herself. According to PRNewswire, SunPower CEO Tom Werner was delighted to contribute to the ranch, stating, “We applaud the work being done by the Dunning family and hope that the expected savings on their electricity bill will help to feed more people in need.”

If you didn’t catch the episode of Extreme Makeover on Friday, surf around your internet for it today or look for it on ABC’s OnDemand.

If you’re ready to make a difference with solar as a homeowner or small business, give Adair Solar Company in Mesa a call today for your FREE solar consultation! (480) 827-1162

Well, we knew we were popular (blushing) but we didn’t know we were the prom queen among the popular majority in the United States! According to The Clean Energy Authority, 90 percent of Americans agree that solar energy is an important source to draw from and continue working toward. Writer Chris Meehan had this to share about how “in” solar energy is among Americans:

“The 2011 SCHOTT Solar Barometer found that nine out of 10 people in the U.S are in support of developing and using more solar in the country. The poll, now in its fourth year, was conducted for the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and SCHOTT Solar by Kelton Research.

Support for solar among U.S. residents has been high throughout the history of the poll, according to SEIA President Rhone Resch. For the fourth consecutive year, the survey found that 9 out of 10 Americans think it’s important to use and develop solar power.”

Wow. Now those are some impressive stats! We’re proud of all 35 years we’ve been bringing rooftop solar panels and solar water heaters in Phoenix to homeowners who’ve asked. The fact that 90 percent of us agree it’s important reflects in how busy we’ve been over the past several years. But we still think it’s important to spread the word to those other 10 percent who still don’t agree with solar energy. Our hunch is that they probably don’t know much about it, or are fearful that solar energy might have a prohibitive cost associated with it.

Well, if you are among that 10 percent, we at Adair Solar Company in Mesa are here to tell you–there’s nothing prohibitive about the cost of a solar installation in Phoenix whatsoever. First of all, you can get solar tax credits and solar rebates for your installation, and you may actually qualify for enough of those to bring your cost of installation down to zero or at least down to a cost that will no doubt be a happy surprise to you.

But the only way you will find out is if you try. Adair Solar Company in Mesa offers FREE in-home consultations with expert installers and agents who can tell you exactly what you qualify for and get you on the road to greening up your home. What you don’t know could be hurting you–why pay $400 a month in July for a/c when you could be paying $25?

Did we get your wheels turning? Hope so. Call us today to set up your free consultation. Just dial (480) 827-1162 and let the agent you speak to know you read all about it right here on the Adair Solar Blog

We’re all for staying cozy and warm in winter and staying cool as a cucumber during the sizzling summer months here in the Valley of the Sun. But we’re also big fans of saving money and creating value in a multitude of ways for the home owners we work with. When Adair Solar Company in Mesa installs solar panels in Phoenix and the surrounding areas, we like to know that you’ll be getting more out of it than just the initial savings you got on the installation.

And that’s exactly what you will get. First, you get the Arizona solar tax credits and solar tax rebates that you qualify for. Then, you will of course, enjoy the savings on energy and utilities costs over the course of the life of your solar water heaters in Phoenix and the rooftop solar panels that power them on houses all through the valley metro area.

But there’s more to it than that–the other financial plus that isn’t discussed very often is the value that rooftop solar panels bring to your home. In addition, solar water heaters will also increase the value of your home–and that’s not just true for homes here in Arizona–it’s true for any home, anywhere in the United States.

So when you pay little to nothing for the solar installation, save thousands of dollars on energy costs over the years, AND simultaneously increase the value of your home, why not take the plunge? Would you say no to anything that made a promise it could do that for you? Probably not.

So give Adair Solar Company in Mesa a call today so we can explain all the added value rooftop solar panels can bring to your home and your family.

Sunshine in a tin? Yes please!

We blogged a while back about Campbell’s Soup going solar, but we have an update for you from the writers at New Energy World Network!

“The Campbell Soup Company has entered into power purchase and land lease agreements with American Capital Energy (ACE) for the construction of a 2.3MW photovoltaic (PV) plant to be located on 14 acres at its facility in Sacramento, California.”

We love this news! That’s a whole lotta solar power. So what makes you any different than Campbell’s Soup? Well, for one, you’re probably not a multi-hundreds-of-millions-aire. BUT, solar panels in Phoenix are a great fit for homeowners, not just insanely wealthy corporations who are thankfully choosing to do the right thing.

In a time when Occupy Wallstreet has become more than some fly-by-night sit-in, it’s important for us to see the good use of solar energy in Phoenix and beyond. We have to say, 2.3 megawatts is nothing to sneeze at! If we could get that much installed in one day here in Phoenix, thousands upon thousands of families would have free or nearly-free energy.

And that’s exactly why we offer the best solar tax credits for Arizona. We also offer solar rebates and all kinds of other incentives that make a solar panel installation in Phoenix so affordable. On top of how cheap your solar panels and solar water heater in Phoenix will be, you’ll get money-saving benefits on energy costs that you just won’t believe.

So call Adair Solar Company in Mesa today for your FREE in-home consultation. (480) 827-1162