Sharp Solar Modules to Be Installed on Habitat for Humanity Homes on Long Island, NY

[jpak]

http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20061129005570&newsLang=en

MAHWAH, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sharp, the world leader in solar cell production, will supply solar modules for several Habitat for Humanity homes in Suffolk County, Long Island, New York. Already, five such homes in the Brookhaven, LI area have been outfitted with Sharp modules, and based on the success of the program, Habitat for Humanity will continue fitting the homes with the energy-producing equipment. Up to 10 additional homes on Long Island will have solar modules installed over the next year on existing newly constructed homes. Habitat for Humanity homes are provided for low-income, first-time homebuyers who are required to provide “sweat-equity” by helping to build the houses that they will buy and occupy.

Each array of Sharp modules will be 3 to 4 kilowatts (kW) in size; enough to provide most of the electricity used by each household. This will mean a nearly zero electricity bill for the homeowners. Typically, the monthly electricity bill would be about $130. With the 25-year warranty provided for all Sharp solar modules, the savings translates to long-term relief from roughly $1,500 per year in electricity bills.

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[mcg]

1. Better than the idea I had (use fluorescent lights).

I was going to suggest using fluorescent lights (which should be used),
I might still suggest it but it looks like they are 10 steps ahead of me.

[skids]

2. In CA...

...by law in all new construction the lightbulb sockets built into new homes have to be pin-based for CF bulbs only. Sounds like a plan to me.

[SnowGoose]

5. Does this mean no more dimmer switches?

I dig the Compact Fluorescents and all (all the bulbs in the house I rent are CF ~ except those awful halogens in the bathroom) but I've been looking forward to the day when I can dim the lights in a room or two of my own home.

Dose this California reg mean the end of dimmable lights?

[Javaman]

6. You can try this...

http://www.nextag.com/Compact-Flouescent-Dimmable-Coil-74805805/prices-html

Here's and even better site, more choices...

http://www.energyfederation.org/consumer/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=dimmable

[SnowGoose]

7. Hey thanks!

Last time I looked, I couldn't find anything like this. Now the only problem is the damn bulbs last so long I'll have to wait a while before the ones I already have burn out!

Seriously, though, thanks. I'll probably be getting some of these in the future.

[Javaman]

8. You may also want to give some serious look to LED's...

We just installed some under the cabinets LED banks. Really nice light and are dimmable right off the bat.

I found a local place that sells LED light bulbs, but they are still a bit pricey, but give it a year and the price will drop.

What is interesting about the LED's is that not only can you dim them but you can change the color.

So for those festive party times, you can set your room to a nice soft rose color and suddenly everyone is very relaxed and having fun. :)

[mom cat]

3. That is the way to go!

:bounce::bounce::smoke::smoke::headbang::toast::party::toast::headbang::smoke::smoke::bounce::bounce:

[HootieMcBoob]

4. nice