[COMMUNICATED] As rapidly-emerging technologies have permeated almost every aspect of our daily lives, it is hard to find a corner of the world that has remained unchanged over the last few decades, and roofs are no exception.

The shiny array of solar panels – a novelty just a decade ago- are now a common sight all over the US, and the solar industry has become one of the fastest growing industries in the country.

New Jersey is among the top ten states in terms of the amount of installed solar panels, and Ocean County has the most residential solar power in the state, with a significant number in Lakewood. How did Lakewood manage to install more solar than many of the “Go-Green” liberal towns in North Jersey? The answer is simple – Lakewood is “Go Green” in another way. Solar power, thanks to generous Government incentives, fits well into the budget conscious culture in Lakewood. Eliminating monthly electric bills is a powerful incentive for many Lakewood residents, even more so when combined with the proceeds from the sale of the solar production certificates (TRECs) that come along with solar panel installation.

The Federal Income Tax credit makes solar truly lucrative, and the exemptions from the property and sales taxes, add (additional) icing to the cake. The profitability of solar PV systems varies depending on the orientation, pitch and shading losses, but most systems pay for themselves in as little as 5 years. Their life expectancy is 20-25 years; thus, an average system pays for itself several times in its lifetime.

The growth of residential solar is likely to continue, despite the gradual decrease in Government incentives for new installations, because the price of solar panels decreases with time. Furthermore, the emergence, and the rapid growth in popularity of the electric vehicles will increase the demand for electricity, and, consequently for solar power. Another factor, likely to play an important role in the future of residential solar, is the emergence of the self-sustained micro grids. These grids consisting of local networks of solar or wind power sources combined with storage batteries provide the communities with a reliable source of electricity, virtually independent of the large utility grids.

The future of residential solar power is bright, both for the industry and for the consumer. The investment in a solar PV system is lucrative and will most likely stay that way, but a word of caution is in order. A typical solar PV system is complex, and for it to be a long-lasting profitable investment the quality of equipment and installation must be adequate. Although no maintenance is required under normal circumstances, equipment failures do sometimes occur, and monitoring is important. In addition, some installations, especially the older ones, suffer from subpar quality. The newer installations generally tend to be better, but still the quality of installation and reliability of the equipment should still be kept in mind when considering solar proposals.

Another important aspect is the possibility of squirrel damage. Squirrels like to make nests under the solar panels, and to chew on wires and connectors. In this way they often cause severe damage to solar systems, and, in some cases, they even damage the roofing shingles under the panels, causing leaks. Thus, if the proposed installation has any potential squirrel access, protective steel net must be installed around the array. Not all companies do it by default, and the homeowner should ascertain that it is included in the proposal.

Bottom line: Choosing the right solar installation company is crucial; doing it responsibly is vital.

Quality and longevity of the installations have long been the focus for Green Revolution Solar. The aim is “zero recall installations”, meaning the strategy is to maximize the quality of the installations thereby reducing the number of warranty service calls. Pre-checking the roofs for exposed nails and other defects, which may eventually cause leaks, is a standard practice. The wires are run in a thought-out way so as to minimize the number of electrical connections, which can sometimes fail. The choice of equipment installed is primarily influenced by the reliability considerations. The “critter guard” net is installed wherever there is a possibility of squirrel access. These measures help reduce the number of problems with the PV systems, resulting in a better return on investment for the customers.

Many Lakewood area homes and commercial buildings rely on Green Revolution Solar, as they are the responsible way to do solar! Upgrade your roof today! Call 848.285.4853 to get started, or visit their website @ www.greenrevolutionsolar.com