Consulting Services

What opportunities exist? Learn how to align your money and your values.
b3

Our Investments

What investments interest us? Learn what guides Talgra’s decision making.
b1

Resource Directory

What are the resources? See the Directory at Invest with Values.
b2

What Is Solar Energy?

b3_solarSunlight and energy is collected and converted into useable electricity. This is usually done by installing Photo Voltaic (PV) Solar Panels on  a building’s roof. For a specific location, the produced electricity supplements or replaces a building’s consumption, reducing utility costs.

Benefits:

  • Clean Renewable Energy – generated from natural, reoccurring, widely available resources
  • Reduces pollution, offsets climate change and dependence on foreign oil
  • Instant electrical savings and also protection from unpredictable rising future electrical rates
  • Supports local green jobs and economy

Challenges:

  • Funding for upfront costs
  • Ability to realize rebates and benefit from tax incentives (including depreciation).

Project viability depends on:

Site conditions:
  • Exposure to direct sunlight, build and roof orientation
  • Shading and obstructions (trees, buildings and equipment on roof)
  • Roofing pitch, conditions and material

Geographic location:

  • State incentives
  • Net metering policies: allows owners to sell access electricity during peak production back to the grid to further offset their costs and consumption.

what is solar energy

Installation:
  • Pricing of project
  • Quality of equipment and workmanship

Electric rates:

  • Higher utility electric rates result in quicker payback
Non-for-profit (tax exempt) organizations:
  • Can not benefit from Federal Tax Credits and Depreciation write-offs.
  • Usually do not have the required funding needed for upfront costs.

For more resources, click here.

roof_1roof_2