OnForce Solar - New York

What maintenance is required for Solar Energy systems?

Pool heating systems require practically no maintenance. In the tri-state region, the collectors are drained simultaneously with the closing of the pool.

Typically, solar thermal systems need valves replaced every 3-5 years and storage tanks replaced every 10 years. Collector life is usually in excess of 15 years. This assumes "good" water quality is used in your system.

Solar electric (PV) systems typically do not require maintenance, other than periodic cleaning of the solar panels. PV panel life is typically 25 years. If you have a battery system, the batteries may require periodic maintenance such as "equalization" or water topping.

How will a PV system affect the value of my home or business?

According to a recent study, for every dollar that you reduce your annual utility bills by improving your energy efficiency, it adds twenty dollars to the value of your home. In most cases, a PV system will add more value to your home than the total net cost, so you are ahead from day one, even before you add in your utility bill savings.

How does solar help the environment?

If a renewable energy source such as solar power was used to power one million homes, it would have the same effect on the environment as removing 850,000 cars from the road because it would reduce CO2 emissions by 4.3 million tons per year. (Source: EPA).

Renewable solar energy is advantageous for the environment because there is (are):

No moving parts to wear out.
No contribution to smog, acid rain or global warming.
Even when the “life cycle costs” of PV panels are included, i.e. the CO2 “footprint” or the CO2 generated by the manufacture and recycling of PV panels, PV’s account for only 15% of the CO2 from coal-fired electrical generation.
Renewable solar power leaves the air as it is, contributing no carbon, or other air pollutants, as does burning coal, gas or oil (the fuel source for 70% of US electric generation).
No pollution of water resources.
No noise.
It leaves the rivers alone to run freely, with nothing blocked or drowned, unlike hydroelectric plants (7% of US electric generation).
It does not use a lot of land, since it is usually mounted on top of buildings.
The fuel supply is unlimited. The sunshine will not diminish its supply by using it, unlike the fuels that supply 98% of the electricity you buy.
The power is delivered to the production point by the sun, and its production is local to where it will be used, unlike the centralized system we have now.

Cutting Edge Renewable Energy Solutions