FAQ
About Renewable Energy
- Is solar practical in West Virginia?
- What are the environmental benefits of renewable energy?
- What is the link between energy choices and National Security?
- I heard renewable energy is too expensive.
- How can we choose the best system for us?
About The Process
Is solar practical in West Virginia?
Yes! Ambitious solar programs in Canada, Germany and England are testaments to the fact that solar works anywhere there is sunshine. Both solar hot water heating and photovoltaics are viable options in the mountain state.
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory has calculated, “the annual average solar resource in Miami, FL is 4.8 kw-h/m2/day, and in Beckley,WV is 3.8 kwh-m2-day. Thus, to get the same energy from a rooftop in Beckley, you would need approximately 25% larger solar panel (or, 250 m2 rather than 200 m2). This would be for the annual average, at latitude tilt.
Insolation Data for Beckley, WV
| Variable | I | II | III | IV | V | VI | VII | VIII | IX | X | XI | XII |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Insolation, kWh/m²/day | 1.82 | 2.47 | 3.39 | 4.47 | 5.01 | 5.65 | 5.50 | 5.03 | 4.16 | 3.09 | 2.03 | 1.66 |
| Clearness, 0 – 1 | 0.41 | 0.42 | 0.43 | 0.46 | 0.46 | 0.49 | 0.49 | 0.49 | 0.49 | 0.47 | 0.41 | 0.41 |
| Wind speed, m/s | 4.89 | 4.92 | 4.77 | 4.35 | 3.80 | 3.53 | 3.27 | 3.20 | 3.59 | 4.04 | 4.67 | 4.82 |
| Precipitation, mm | 75 | 75 | 88 | 89 | 101 | 94 | 117 | 89 | 84 | 72 | 76 | 80 |
| Wet days, d | 15.8 | 14.3 | 14.5 | 14.1 | 13.5 | 11.9 | 13.2 | 11.4 | 10.6 | 9.8 | 12.3 | 14.4 |
These data were obtained from the NASA Langley Research Center Atmospheric Science Data Center; New et al. 2002 courtesy of
http://www.gaisma.com/
What are the environmental benefits of renewable energy?
Generating electricity is the leading cause of industrial air pollution in the United States. Most of our electricity comes from coal and other power sources that release CO2, SO2, NOx and smog as by-products. Producing energy this way not only increases harmful climate change; but has a negative impact on the air we breath and the water we drink. Use of non-renewable energy is harmful to our environment and to our health.
Mining coal is also heavily detrimental to ecosystems and communities. Mountain top removal and stream burial destroy habitat and pollute groundwater. In addition, highly touted economic benefits to coal communities and states are more myth than fact.
- TIME Exposes ‘Clean Coal’ Myth
Myths and Facts about Mountaintop Removal
The Clean Coal Myth – The Wall Street Journal
What is the link between energy choices and National Security?
Our dependence on oil has made America vulnerable in these major ways.
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Oil Dependence is Detrimental to our Economic Health. More than two-thirds of America’s oil is imported. Spending billions abroad for energy prevents us from fully investing in clean energy jobs and industry in the United States, undermines our ability to be self sufficient, and is a major factor in our trade deficit. The costs to secure the flow of oil from abroad are great, both in dollars and in the lives of American soldiers.
Our Oil Dependence Makes us Vulnerable to Terrorists. A carefully targeted terrorist attack on oil facilities in Saudi Arabia could reduce Saudi oil production to 4 million barrels per day for months, which would have disastrous results for the global economy.
We Pay Nations who are Working Against Us. More than two-thirds of our oil imports come from nations that do not share our goals or values. Dependence on nations such as Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, Venezuela, and Nigeria helps governments that often act against our national security interests.
Climate Change will Accelerate Conflicts Throughout the World. The world’s rising temperatures, surging seas, droughts, and melting glaciers are a direct threat to national security; as vulnerable regions, particularly sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and South and Southeast Asia, will face the prospect of food and water shortages, catastrophic flooding, and pandemics that could require humanitarian relief or military response.
I heard renewable energy is too expensive.
1. One reason conventional energy is cheaper than renewable energy, is that many of the ‘externalities’ of conventional power production are not included in the direct cost to consumers. Basically, it means that conventional energy is not as cheap as it seems; because the environmental costs, health costs, and security costs associated with the production and use of conventional power do not show up on the consumer’s power bill. The consumer pays these ‘externalities’ later and separately–here are some examples: in the form of higher taxes (to deal with acid rain), higher health care costs (to deal with asthma or respiratory illnesses), higher taxes to pay for the security of our foreign oil delivery routes.
2. There are now federal and WV state tax incentives for solar electricity (photovoltaic) and solar hot water that can cover up to 60% of the initial cost. Coupled with the long life of most solar products, and you have a system that offers a positve return on investment, positive cash flow and an increase in property value greater than the system cost.
3. You can also put effort into reducing your energy needs prior to purchasing a renewable energy system. Every dollar spent on conservation will save you $3-$5 on the cost of your renewable energy.
How can we choose the best system for us?
We can perform a site assessment–a physical review of your location’s suitability for a renewable energy system, an analysis of your energy consumption, and a recommendation of the most appropriate solutions for your home or business. Part of the cost of an assessment will be credited to any wind, micro-hydro or solar products you purchase.
What kind of warranty do you offer?
The products come with a manufacturer’s warranty, which varies in length by product.
How long have you been in business?
Alterra is a division of Altalab, Inc. which has been doing business in the same location since 1988.
email with additional questions.
