Solar Energy Homes In Mississippi

Many people thought little about Mississippi before Hurricane Katrina. Then, abruptly, photos of ruined Mississippi homes filled the news.

The destructive power of Hurricane Katrina made people think about building solar energy homes in Mississippi. People began to realize that a solar home would at least have emergency power when the sky cleared after a major storm.

The Solar Home

A solar home is a house that is designed to use solar radiation for heating, solar water heating, and solar panels for electricity. A solar home usually features walls of heat-absorbing materials behind large areas of glass. Its roof or ground will hold solar panels to generate electricity.

There are many reasons to consider solar energy homes in Mississippi, as well as in other states. Photovoltaic (PV) panels, essential to a solar home, are finally becoming a realistic option for the average homeowner. These panels, developed by a space program, can convert sunlight energy into electrical energy for a solar home.

Financial Considerations

Converting to a solar home may appear expensive at first glance, but it can be a shrewd investment. Here are a few of the potential financial benefits:

* Lower utility bills - a solar home will obviously cut utility bills. Some people speak of this as watching the meter run backwards.

* Cash rebates - your state may have a cash rebate system that reduces your initial outlay significantly. As of the writing of this article, states that offer cash rebates for solar homes include: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Oregon and Washington.

* Tax incentives - many solar homes qualify for state or federal tax incentives also.

* Higher real estate values - switching an existing home to a solar home can increase its value greatly. According to the National Appraisers Association, every $1 of annual energy savings increases a home’s value by $20. This means that if you save $1,000 in electricity by making yours into a solar home, you could see its value jump by $20,000.

Depending on the state in which the solar home sits, you could also realize a full financial return on investment in less than 10 years.

Other Considerations

A solar home is cleaner, quieter, and more efficient than a conventional home. It is environmentally friendly, and reduces worry of future skyrocketing energy costs.

In isolated areas, where utility power is not readily available, a solar home can be self-sufficient. When natural disasters cause power failures, solar homes have their own supply.

In future articles on this site, we will discuss more detail about building a new solar home, or converting to a solar home.