top of page
Northern Lights
Assessment Phase Overview

The Assessment Phase is where you get educated and intentional about your household energy needs, the feasibility of your projected physical site requirements and concerns, and evaluation of your investment's return on investments return on Investment expectations, and more evaluation of you given technology alternatives.  ​

RenewableEnergySavingsConcepCoinStack.jpg
Membership Resource Links

These membership links include time saving information and will evolve and constantly be enhanced ...

This content shares a detailed example of a complete ROI Analysis that compares significant generic renewable energy costs and benefits and compares the resulting economic parameters to the historic performance of the United States stock market.

This content shares some of the key elements and tools that can be performed by a typical homeowner.

ROI Calculations for Different Options
shutterstock_2438432075 (Energy Audit)_edited.jpg

Initial Investment

​

   • Equipment costs
   • Installation labor
   • Permitting and inspection fees
   • Potential structural upgrades

     (e.g., roof reinforcement for solar)

​

Ongoing Costs

​

    • Maintenance and repair estimates
   • Insurance premiums
   • Replacement parts (e.g., inverter replacement for solar)

​

Energy Savings Projections

​

   • Estimated annual energy production or savings
   • Projected increases in utility rates
   • Degradation factors

      (e.g., solar panel efficiency loss over time)

​

Financial Incentives

 

   • Federal tax credits
   • State and local rebates
   • Utility company incentives
   • Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) where applicable

​

​

Financial Incentives

 

   • Federal tax credits
   • State and local rebates
   • Utility company incentives
   • Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) where applicable

​

Financing Considerations

​

    • Cash purchase vs. loans or leases
   • Interest rates and loan terms
   • Impact on home value and marketability

​

​

ManageTop.jpg

​​Tools:
 

   • PVWatts Calculator (for solar)
   • RETScreen (for various renewable technologies)
   • Custom ROI spreadsheets

 

Payback Period and Long-Term Value

​

    • Simple payback period calculation
   • Net Present Value (NPV) analysis
   • Internal Rate of Return (IRR)
   • Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) comparison

Site Specific Considerations

By thoroughly evaluating these aspects, homeowners can make an informed decision (often during the Q&A and selection of contractors) about which renewable energy solution(s) best fit their specific circumstances, balancing factors such as cost, environmental impact, energy independence, and long-term value.

HandWritingListOnNoteBook.jpg

Solar Exposure Analysis

​

  • Roof orientation and tilt

  • Shading analysis (trees, buildings, chimneys)

  • Roof condition and remaining lifespan

  • Available roof or ground space​

​

       Tools:

  • Solar pathfinder

  • Satellite imagery and 3D modeling software

  • On-site solar assessment by professionals​

​

Geothermal Potential

​

  • Soil composition and thermal conductivity

  • Available land for horizontal loops or space for vertical drilling

  • Proximity to water tables or bedrock

  • Local geological surveys

​

Wind Resource Assessment

​

  • Average wind speeds at proposed turbine height

  • Wind rose diagrams for prevailing wind directions

  • Topography and obstacles affecting wind flow

  • Long-term weather data analysis​

​

Local Climate Factors

​

  • Temperature extremes affecting system efficiency

  • Precipitation patterns (snow load on solar panels, rainfall for rainwater harvesting)

  • Severe weather considerations (hurricanes, tornadoes)

System Reliability and Resilience

Power Outage Mitigation

​

    • Battery backup capabilities
   • Islanding potential for off-grid operation
   • Comparison of outage protection between

       different technologies

​

Weather Resilience

​

    • System performance in extreme weather

       conditions
   • Physical durability (e.g., hail resistance for

       solar panels)
   • Flood and lightning protection measures

​

Long-Term Performance Guarantees

​

    • Manufacturer warranties
   • Performance guarantees
   • Installer workmanship warranties

Consumer_Awareness.jpg

Integration with Existing Home Systems


Smart Home Compatibility


    • Integration with home energy management systems
   • Compatibility with existing smart thermostats or appliances
   • Potential for demand response participation


HVAC System Coordination
   • Compatibility of heat pumps with existing ductwork
   • Integration of solar thermal with existing water heating
   • Potential for hybrid systems (e.g., geothermal + air source heat pump)


Electrical Panel Capacity


    • Assessment of current panel capacity
   • Need for upgrades or sub-panels
   • Smart panel options for improved energy management


​

bottom of page