Does Your State Pay the Most For Electricity?

(Image via MSNB News)

According to a MSNBC News article, there are certain states that pay much more for electricity than others. According to the above chart the states that pay the most for electricity include: Hawaii, Maryland, Alabama, Connecticut, and Texas.

The states that pay the least for electricity include: Utah, New Mexico, Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado.

There are multiple factors that influence the range in electricity bills. It could be anything from a low-cost source of energy to the local weather.

Solar Powered Streetlights?

According to PC Magazine, The World's "Most Efficient" streetlight (Phillips-brand) and is currently being tested in markets across the world.

More details:

It combines high efficiency, high brightness LED lights with solar panels and an intelligent charge controller to create what Philips claims is an extremely energy efficient set-up. The bulbs are bright enough that the lights can be spaced 50 meters apart and Philips says that the solar-powered design is especially useful for sun-drenched cities along the equator.

A solar-powered streetlight could mean drastic improvements to the cost-of-living for people who live without electricity. What do you think of this new development?

 

California: The Leader in Solar Energy

California has long been a hotbed of solar power conservation, due to its seemingly endless sunshine.  According to US Department of Energy, Californians started looking toward solar power for heat in the 20th century. Recently, California governor Jerry Brown signed an agreement with the U.S. Secretary of the Interior to expand a partnership based on renewable energy projects. Last year, Brown signed a measure that would call for 33% of retail costs to be met by renewable energy processes by 2020.

In the late '90s, the California Energy Commission was placed in charge of a new Renewable Energy Program to help increase total worldwide energy production.  Recently, the state has mandated energy-efficient battery changers (a law which will go into the February 1, 2013). It is estimated that the new law will save Californians about $306 million in annual electricity costs. The California Public Utilities commission also issued an order on Thursday that states utilities can only obtain electricity from new fossil fuel plants after they've taken measures to cut consumption using energy efficient strategies.

The Sunny Republic has been a leader in solar for decades, and will likely continue to be in the years to come. As residents of the southernmost part, Gerhard Electric is happy to help you recognize your solar dreams in the new year.

What are the Benefits of Commercial and Pro Solar?

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Why does your business needs commercial solar installation? How can it help you drive down costs?

1. The cost of traditional energy is increasing. Renewable Energy World maintains that 49 out of 50 states have seen an increase in average cost per watt for electricity in the US. On average, retail electricity costs increased by 5%. Meanwhile, power from the sun is essentially free.

2. Installation costs are expensive, but federal and state governments often provide credits to offset them. The Federal Investment Tax Credit gives a 30% tax credit for solar electricity systems.

3. Businesses can take advantage of net metering and sell their excess power to utility companies. Certain state laws require utilities to purchase power from businesses generating solar power, further cutting costs.

4. Government solar financing programs are available for large-scale projects. The loans are typically from 7 to 10 years, and often have no or extremely low interest.

How much your business can save will depend on how much it already uses, but you can typically save up to 70% off your normal costs over time.

 

Green Tips for Businesses

So it's 2012, and you want your business to go as green as possible. Need some tips? Look no further:

LED Lights, of Course!

According to The Green Insider, about 80% of the power LED lights consume is converted to light, which makes it more efficient than regular incandescent lights. ("A typical incandescent bulb can only last for about 750 hours while an LED light can be used for 30,000 hours. They cost more than the other kinds of lights, but you can use them for a longer period of time. In the long run, you’ll spend more money replacing incandescent bulbs than on buying a single LED light.")

Reduce Power

INC magazine recommends asking employees to set their computers to shut down after 30 minutes of inactivity, and turn them off at night (with printers, copiers, and other electronic devices.) The EPA reports that this can save $50-$150 annually and per device. Screens should be black, too (screensavers usually keep monitors running at full power.)

Climate Control - With Trees!

According to INC magazine: Businesses that strategically incorporate trees into their landscaping plans can save up to 30% of their cooling costs, according to the San Diego Office of Sustainability. (They can also reduce wind speeds by 50%.)

Telecommuting and Video Conferencing

PC World recommends using GoToMeeting, Skype, Google+ Hangouts, and other telecommuting software for meetings. The World Wildlife Fund reports that 1600 kilograms of carbon emissions can be saved for in-person meetings where employees need to fly to a destination--and you can also save for your travel budget.