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SALT LAKE CITY — The fifth annual Governor’s Utah Energy Development Summit was held recently in Salt Lake City.
According to Governor Gary Herbert, “Most all of us respect the idea of being good stewards of the Earth. We want to have clean air (and) clean water, and if we dig a hole we want to fill it back up.”
Several states, including Utah, are struggling with budget shortfalls this year as oil and gas production hit all-time lows. In Utah, coal production was at a 30-year low in 2015 and total energy revenues were half of what they were in 2014.
Consumers see volatility and uncertainty in gasoline and electricity prices. Now more than ever, consumers are looking to take control of their home energy use with rooftop solar panels.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, national home solar panel use has grown from approximately 30,000 homes in 2006 to over 400,000 homes in 2013. By the year 2020, over 1 million homes in the U.S. will likely be taking advantage of rooftop solar panels.
In Utah, Legend Solar is one of many companies helping consumers save money on their energy bills and be good stewards of the environment. Legend was founded in 2012 in St. George by Shaun Alldredge and Shane Perkins.
“Solar power allows a consumer to save a lot of money by owning the power source rather than essentially renting the coal power eternally from the power company," according to Alldredge.
Consumers in Utah typically do not have a choice in who they get their electricity from. Without competition, prices are fixed.
Since 2012, Legend has seen the number of solar providers in Utah grow from less than 10 to 97, at last count. Demand has never been higher and Legend Solar has been determined, since day one, to offer what they consider to be the best value for consumers.
First and foremost, Legend Solar offers SunPower brand panels, which have a full 25-year warranty. Legend had to try more than once to be a SunPower dealer.
“It’s been a fun ride with SunPower,” said Alldredge. “We had to apply a couple of times and prove ourselves and prove that Utah is a great market.”
Currently, Legend Solar is one of SunPower's highest-volume elite dealers. The panels can withstand winds of up to 120 mph and are estimated to last three times or more beyond the warranty period.
Legend Solar also offers a guarantee that its customers will see the return on investment initially quoted to them. Customers have the ability to see, in real time, how their system is performing and identify potential problems quickly. Most consumers can expect their panels to pay for themselves, with energy savings, in seven to 10 years, according to the company.
Many will be surprised to learn that solar panels have no moving parts and require little to no routine maintenance. Legend Solar offers financing for up to 12 years.
Most are likely aware by now that both the federal and state government offer subsidies to encourage homeowners to take advantage of solar power. Congress recently renewed a tax incentive for consumers that equals 30 percent of the gross cost of a solar system.
That program is renewed until at least 2019. The state of Utah currently offers a $2,000 tax incentive to consumers who install solar panels.
Home batteries have been in the news lately and Legend Solar offers that option to its customers. Currently, about 5 percent of homeowners opt to install batteries that can provide electricity in the event of power outages. Eventually, battery technology may improve to the point that homes could be taken off the grid entirely.
Most of Legend Solar’s business is on the consumer side and involves residential installations. Legend Solar estimates about 25 percent of its business will be commercial in nature.
Recently, Legend committed to a $10 million donation to Dixie State University that provides for renovation of the newly-named Legend Solar Stadium. In addition to stadium renovations, a 1,500-kilowatt solar system will be installed throughout campus between now and 2027 that is expected to save the university millions of dollars in energy use over time.
As the demand for solar power in Utah and Nevada grows, Legend Solar is prepared to grow with it. Alldredge said he is committed to providing customers value in terms of product, warranty and return on investment.
“Shane and I have always asked ourselves what would we want for our own home and why would we choose it,” Alldredge said. “We’ve chosen the products we offer that way.”
