Recently Congress lifted the cap on tax incentives for solar power systems, and extended the 30% subsidy & 80 % tax Depreciation. So if you spend Rs 5 lac on a system, your tax bill will be reduced by Rs 1.2 lac (.3 x .8 x Rs 5 lac). And if you don't have Rs 1.2 lac in taxes (you lucky duck!) you can carry it over to the next year. Now states and utilities are getting into the act as well. Everything from rebates to tax incentives is being offered, and some of these can offset the cost of your system by as much as 80%! Check out the Lobel Solar Power System website for information on incentives in your area.

Solar panel systems require zero or very little maintenance. Sometimes clearing and Cleaning is necessary, and having an annual checkup by a professional is recommended. But most owners can expect to do very little for their panels over their lifetime.

Obviously sunlight is free. Fossil fuel prices are rising dramatically, and will probably rise even more sharply with carbon taxes and caps on the horizon. And the sun will probably be around showering us with its wonderful energy for another 5 billion years or so. With solar, knowing that your fuel source is infinite and free is pretty cool. And lets face it: money is green too.

Solar panels have no moving parts and therefore are not likely to break down. The process that makes them work (which is explained later) can be done day after day without major changes in efficiency. And they can improve the availability of your entire electrical system if you live in areas prone to utility blackouts.

Most panels these days come with a 20-25 year warranty. Can you think of anything that comes with even a 15 year warranty? Some of the panels that were created as part of the space race 50 years ago are alive and kicking to this day. Arrays have endured all kinds of weather and climatic changes and have proven to be extremely durable.

Solar panels make little to no noise as they produce energy, something you and your neighbors can be happy about.

Photovoltaic cells are very safe and produce at such a low amperage that electrocution is extremely rare. They also are rare in that they produce power without fuel combustion, a very volatile and dangerous process whether it's in your backyard or at the power plant.

Knowing that you can produce your own energy, much like having your own vegetable garden, is very satisfying. And knowing that you are sending less money, or maybe none at all, to a large conglomerate or supporting a violent nation is good for you, our country, and the world.

Both the process of producing solar panels and producing solar energy is a low pollution process. Solar panels make up for the energy used to produce them in 2-4 years, and then produce energy for decades. Plus almost the entire array is recyclable, so when their life is over they can be broken down and used for something else.

Perhaps the most powerful reason (other than the feeling of saving money) is knowing that you are DOING SOMETHING. You're helping clean up the planet, promoting independence, and most of all getting us further away from the destruction and pollution inherent in the use of fossil fuels.