WHY BUY A SOLAR ELECTRIC SYSTEM FOR YOUR HOUSE OR BUSINESS?
Great question, and we have some great reasons for you:

Economics --

Every kWh you buy from PG&E costs you money, and that monthly payment is subject to consistent price hikes as the underlying fuel that PG&E burns to make electricity (coal, natural gas, uranium) goes up in price as it gets more scarce. In addition, every kWh you buy is subject to even more dramatic price hikes if it causes your monthly usage total to go above baseline -- you could pay as much as 37 cents per kWh (to put that into perspective, there are areas of the country that pay 4 cents).

By contrast, every kWh you produce from sunlight saves you money, since with proper financing, your cost is less than what PG&E currently charges you TODAY and that cost per kWh is fixed for the next 30 years, regardless of what PG&E's cost for coal, natural gas or other fossil fuels might be as the world runs out of them. In addition, every kWh you produce from sunshine is a constant cost per kWh, and if your system produces 100% of what your annual needs are, your payments to PG&E are zero!

Environmental --

Every dollar you pay PG&E for electricity generates between 4 to 8 pounds of CO2 due to PG&E's need to burn coal or natural gas to make most of the electricity they sell -- and we all know what excess CO2 is doing to our planet and our children's future way of life.

By contrast, every kWh you produce from converting photons to electrons generates zero CO2, and actually reduces your personal "carbon footprint" by some 3 miles not driven by a standard 20 mpg automobile for each kWh produced by your solar electric system. Your average solar electric system (4 kW DC) can actually help you prevent more CO2 emission each year than buying a Toyota Prius hybrid to replace a 50,000 mile annual commute with a standard 20 mpg car. What's more, that solar electric system will help increase the equity value of your home -- can your average hybrid car do THAT?

Even if individually you won’t save the planet, you can do your part.

Patriotic --

Let's face it -- as a nation, we are addicted to petroleum-based fossil fuels. Our economy, our lifestyle, our very way of life depends on the mobility that fossil fuel combustion provides us and our family, friends, and neighbors. Let's face some more facts:

• Our national production of petroleum-based fossil fuels peaked in 1973 -- that's THIRTY years ago! Global production of petroleum-based fossil fuels will peak at some time in the next decade -- the experts only argue about which year, not which decade any more.
• As we as a nation become ever more dependent on foreign sources of petroleum-based fossil fuels, and as foreign sources become more "difficult" to manage or "refuse to cooperate" with our preferred terms for acquiring that fuel (cheap and easy?), our foreign policy becomes ever more "strained"
• We have the means right now to free ourselves from foreign fossil-fuel tyranny, if only we collectively and individually begin to act upon the changes needed to move from a fossil-fuel (carbon, petroleum) based energy mode to a renewable, pollution-free (solar and hydrogen) based energy mode -- but we can't wait for Washington to create a magical "Manhattan Project" for renewable energy
• If you care about the economic and foreign policy "hole" that we as a nation are digging for ourselves in our insatiable thirst for foreign fossil fuel, it's time to "think globally and act locally" -- show your friends and neighbors that you are striking a blow for energy independence with your own personal renewable energy policy -- your own rooftop-mounted solar electric system!

WHY BUY A SOLAR HOT WATER SYSTEM?

Rising energy costs and environmental concerns have put a new focus on renewable energy. Today, residential solar hot water systems are extremely efficient at harnessing energy from the sun to heat water. In fact, dollar for dollar, a solar hot water system is more affordable and provides greater energy output than any other form of renewable energy for your home.

Enjoy peace of mind knowing that you're taking steps to help preserve the environment with the most cost-effective, reliable and efficient technology from Heliodyne.

REDUCE YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT - A carbon footprint is a term that describes the impact people have on the environment. More specifically, it measures the amount of carbon dioxide produced by each of us. Unfortunately, the United States is the world leader when it comes to CO2 emissions, producing over 29% of the global output.
Commuting, eating, bathing, and watching television are just a few examples of what adds to your carbon footprint. Water heating in particular accounts for over 30% of CO2 emissions from the typical American home. A solar hot water system is an important step in reducing your carbon footprint.

PRESERVE NATURAL RESOURCES - The demand to fuel our industries has put a tremendous strain on the Earth's resources. As the world's population grows, so does our need for natural resources.
Coal, propane, natural gas, and fossil fuel resources are dwindling, and alternative energy sources are needed. We have options. Renewable energy means the supply will never run out, and solar thermal energy is the most abundant natural source available today. The more we adopt this form of energy, the sooner we can restore environmental balance.

RELIABILITY - Solar hot water systems are extremely efficient, providing up to 70% of a home's annual hot water needs. Also, solar hot water isn't just for personal use anymore. Solar hot water can also be used for space heating, pool heating, and through advanced technologies, even cool air for air conditioning. Solar hot water has proven that it's efficient and reliable. In fact, solar hot water has been used in different ways for hundreds of years. Today, solar hot water technologies have evolved into systems that perform extremely well in all climates. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that over 1 million U.S. homes have had a solar hot water system installed.

INDEPENDENCE - A solar hot water system means being less dependent on your local utility company. Did you know that California utility rates alone have steadily risen 6.7% annually for the past 30 years? Because homes with solar hot water systems are far less dependent on utility companies, price hikes have little effect on them.

TAX CREDITS - Currently, the Federal government offers a 30% tax credit to homes (capped at $2,000) and businesses that install a solar hot water system (through the end of 2008.) Additionally, California excludes solar home hot water system installation costs from being added to the property value of your home for property tax valuation purposes.

WHY BUY A SOLAR POOL HEATING SYSTEM?
Because solar energy:

• Makes your pool more swim-able - On days when you can relax comfortably in a bathing suit at poolside, but the water is too cold for swimming, solar energy can heat your pool to a temperature comfortable for swimming.
• Is environmentally friendly - Using solar energy instead of burning fossil fuels can help reduce smog and carbon dioxide, the main culprit behind global warming.
• Increases your swim season - A solar heating system will get you swimming earlier in the spring and later into the fall. A solar pool heating system used with a pool cover can significantly extend your swimming season.
• Saves on pool heating costs - energy costs continue to rise, whereas, the sun’s energy is free, and more and more pool owners are taking advantage of this opportunity to save money and avoid future price increases.
• Solar pool heating equipment is durable - Solar equipment often lasts longer than gas or electric heaters. Our solar collectors come with a 10-year warranty and generally last 20 years or longer.
• Solar requires less maintenance - unlike gas heaters, which are recommended to be serviced by a technician every year, a solar heater requires very little servicing. That results in less cost for you, the pool owner.