Are you curious about solar energy, but scared away by the up-front costs? It's an understandable concern. Although going solar can dramatically reduce or even eliminate your electricity bill, the initial installation of the panels can cost between $15,000 and $30,000, far beyond the reach of many homeowners. However, a shift in the market means that solar energy isn't just a luxury product anymore – it's now within the financial reach of families across America.

Cheaper Parts and New Leasing Models

There are several factors at play that make solar energy more accessible to middle and working class families:

But How Does it Work?

Most solar systems don't actually power your house directly from the solar panels. Instead, the panels are hooked into the electricity grid, and the utility company purchases whatever energy you produce. Normally, a home will still consume more electricity than it produces, so the homeowner will owe the utility some amount of money – but a sum much lower than that of a normal electricity bill. For homes that are perfectly positioned, it is possible to produce more electricity than you use, and therefore cancel out the bill entirely.

For a more off-the-grid option, some people hook their solar panels up to batteries and power their homes directly. However, under this setup, you have to carefully limit your consumption so you don't drain the batteries prematurely. You also won't be eligible for a no-cost-up-front leasing program either.

Will Solar Work for Me?

There are several factors that determine the suitability of your home for solar panels. Among others, the size and orientation of your roof and how much shade it receives play a big role. The sunniness of your climate is also an important consideration. If you want to investigate going solar, you can have technicians come to your house to measure the roof and give you an estimate of how much power you can produce on-site.

Partnering with a company like Direct Energy Solar comes with other benefits as well. If you opt for the free installation model, you don't own the panels, so the company takes care of all necessary repairs and maintenance. The company also handles all the red tape and paperwork, so all you have to do is sit back and feel good about helping the environment while saving money on utility bills thanks to the enduring power of the sun.

Commercial buildings are ideal for installing solar panels. They generally have greater surface area to install larger systems which lead to powerful long-term savings for businesses. How are commercial systems different than residential arrays?

First of all, commercial buildings aren’t always bound by the aesthetic concerns prevalent in residential applications. An office building, for example, has a rooftop concealed from the street below, an ideal location to install solar panels without an accompanying visual nuisance. This also allows a much larger array to be installed.

Larger solar installations tend to be more efficient since larger panels are generally more efficient than smaller ones. Since concerns for appearance are minimized, installation of commercial systems on flat surfaces is much easier and faster than on slanted residential roofs.

Interestingly, the price per kilowatt hour of power is the same. Since this is how solar panels are usually sold, there is no competitive price difference and some homeowners might find that commercial solar panels work just fine for their needs.

One striking similarity between residential and commercial solar panels is that they are both excellent options for saving on energy costs. If your business is looking for a way to improve its bottom line, solar panels are an investment that grow with time.

As energy costs rise by about 5 percent every year, so does your energy bill. Many businesses like yours have discovered that they can install a solar panel at no initial cost and pay off the cost of their solar system as time goes by. They lock into current power rates, enjoy immediate savings on their power bill, and watch as their energy costs gradually decrease, while their neighbors pay more and more every year.

Take a look around: sunshine is one of the most resources in southern California. You just need the help of solar installers to tap into it. Give us a ring to discover how to start.

If you are looking to decorate your home with class and sophistication, then a chandelier is the way to go. Chandeliers add elegance to a home, along with being a perfect center point that looks beautiful and brings an entire room together. This type of lighting fixture can be the cornerstone to the rest of your decor, too.

With all of the different choices in chandeliers that you’ll find out there, sometimes it can be difficult to choose just the right type and style for your home. You will first need to consider the overall decorating style that you have in your home, and then you can add upon that idea. There are many different types of chandeliers available with varied styles including; modern, vintage, shabby chic, elegant, etc.

The chandelier that you choose should fit in nicely with the décor in your home and add to the overall appearance and interior design of the particular room that it’s located in. Whether you want a large scale chandelier or something a bit on the smaller side, a chandelier is a very important home decorating purchase. When you’re ready to install your new chandelier, you’ll want the assistance of a licensed electrician for the installation, so finding the right Los Angeles electrician should be the next step after your purchase.

The Electric Connection is your reliable resource for a professional electrician in Los Angeles. The Electric Connection will be able to install your perfectly chosen chandelier, and help you out with any other types of electrical wiring, outlets, repairs, electrical installations or electrical upgrades that you might need.

Remember, it’s vital to hire an electrical contracting company that is both licensed and experienced when it comes to lighting installations. The Electric Connection will ensure a quality job every time, and we will do it right the first time. You’ll want to make sure that you’re receiving the best type of specialized lighting installation services for your new chandelier, and The Electric Connection can competently take care of the entire process for you. You can always find out more about our company by visiting our website at The Electric Connection.

Fun Fact: “Americans might not have a Columbus Day if Christopher Columbus had not been born in Italy. Out of pride for their native son, the Italian population of New York City organized the first celebration of the discovery of America on October 12, 1866.” *

Although declared a federal holiday in 1937 by President Franklin Roosevelt, Columbus Day is not celebrated in California, Nevada or Hawaii. Controversy over the “discovery” of America exists because native people inhabited the land prior to the arrival of the Europeans. **

While the “discovery” of America may be in question, there is no doubt that the European influence and influx of cultural diversity is worth illuminating. And, some of the most outstanding home lighting concepts incorporate Old World artistry with New World technology.

DISCOVER THE UNDENIABLE BRILLIANCE OF EUROFASE LIGHTING:

Established in 1989, Eurofase enters its third decade of excellence with cutting edge contemporary lighting and classic, traditionally-inspired designs.

From Gothic wrought iron chandeliers and grand crystal foyer fixtures to modern “green” lighting and energy-efficient outdoor lighting, Eurofase demonstrates a close attention to detail, embracing technology and a fusion of creative energy.

EUROFASE: WHERE OLD WORLD ELEGANCE MEETS THE HIGHEST STANDARDS OF MODERN QUALITY CONTROL…

Headquartered in Toronto, a city rich in inspiration and cultural diversity, Eurofase’s inventory of over 2,600 unique products is controlled by state-of-the-art technology with world-class accuracy.

A Quality Control team overseas the mechanical and electrical integrity of every Eurofase product.

A stringent control process ensures that all crucial elements-such as safety approvals, longevity testing, packaging and instructions-meet the highest standards.

With an in-house UL (Underwriter Laboratories) Standards Testing Lab, Eurofase independently monitors the safety approval process.

Eurofase Lighting is credited with introducing several new designer and technological trends to the North American marketplace….

Visit a Capitol Lighting showroom or shop 1800lighting.com to view these sensational collections and enjoy promotional pricing on profound illuminations from Eurofase.

Also, this week enjoy Columbus Day savings on award-winning Hinkley Lighting. Winner of the “Lighting for Tomorrow” 2012 award, Hinkley Lighting offers outstanding energy-efficient outdoor lighting, as well as, superb chandeliers, ceiling fixtures, wall sconces and bath lighting for the distinguished home.

Discover great discounts at Capitol Lighting…take 30% off ALL new bath and outdoor fixtures now through November 1st!  From pendant lights and chandeliers by   Eurofase to gorgeous outdoor fixtures by Hinkley Lighting, Capitol Lighting carries the best brands and products to light your home with distinction and style.

*www.usafederalholidays.com/Columbus_day.html