Besides providing education and outreach to the general public about alternative and renewable energy, the Department of Energy also offers financial incentives to Bermuda residents to try and encourage them to invest in these technologies. Known as the Solar Photovoltaic Rebate Initiative (SPRI) and Solar Water Heater Rebate Initiative (SWHRI) these two initiatives, in their second year of implementation, have been well subscribed.What are solar photovoltaic and solar water heater systems? Solar photovoltaic systems convert sunlight into electricity, which can then be used directly in your household, or fed back into the electrical grid if you are producing more than you need. Through an agreement with BELCO you may then be eligible to receive a credit on your electricity bill for the excess electricity you produce.In comparison, solar water systems use the sun’s rays to heat water that is passed through a panel(s) usually placed on the roof of your house. Solar water heating helps to reduce the amount of electricity or gas you would normally use to heat that water.These renewable energy systems will not only help you reduce your electricity bill but will also help you reduce your consumption of fossil fuels and consequently your production of green house gases which for residents of Bermuda is one of the highest per capita in the world. Unlike the fossil fuels used to produce the majority of our electricity today, sunlight as a source of energy is also readily available, accessible and best of all, free!Though the energy from them is free, you will have to spend some money to install solar photovoltaic and solar thermal systems. Photovoltaic systems prices start at around $5,000, while solar water heater systems start around $4,000 locally, depending on the size of the systems and the complexity of the installation. Although this may sound like a lot of money, you need to consider the rate of savings that these systems will provide on your electricity bill over the lifetime of the system. Conservative estimates suggest that a solar PV system will pay for itself in anywhere from 10-15 years, and a solar water heating system can pay for itself within about four years of less, again depending on the size of the system and complexity of the installation. Add to that the money provided toward the cost of the purchase and certified installation of these systems by the Department of Energy’s Solar Water Heater Rebate (up to $1,500) and Solar Photovoltaic Rebate (up to $5,000) and you may find that investing in these forms of renewable energy systems begins to make sense.Finally, let’s dispel some myths.You may have heard it said that if every house in Bermuda gets solar panels, then the reflection off the roofs will be blinding. This is completely untrue. As a matter of fact, if the surfaces are reflective, then the systems cannot work to their optimal efficiency. The idea of these systems is to absorb energy from sunlight, not direct it elsewhere.Another myth is that these systems only work in sunnier locations than ours deserts, countries further south than ours. This is another one that simply isn’t the whole truth. Certainly sunnier locations produce more energy, but solar energy can contribute much to our overall needs, even here. Solar energy contributes enormously to the energy landscape of countries like Germany, which has never been renowned for its sunshine.You may have also heard that solar panels are just much too expensive for most people to consider.This one is definitely not true. The cost of solar technologies is on a downward trend, due to many more manufacturers in a very hungry market. In a country where we will pay tens of thousands of dollars for an automobile, one can argue that the adoption of solar technologies is more a matter of choice than one of affordability. While a car is never truly an investment, solar technologies definitely are as they produce energy long after they have paid for themselves, which means essentially free energy for the lifespan of the system, which can be upwards of 25 years.Now that you know the facts about solar technologies, perhaps investing in your energy future will be more appealing.n For a list of certified installers and more information about the rebate initiatives, please visit the Department of Energy’s website www.energy.gov.bm