Solar Alternatives

Solar Alternatives Overview

Solar Alternatives was founded in 2008 to provide affordable, productive, and durable Solar and Renewable Energy system solutions for Southeast Louisiana. We pride ourselves on responsible and customer-centered design, attention to detail in every installation, and excellent post-sales service. Our staff’s design and installation experience includes Grid-Tied and Off-Grid Photovoltaics, Glycol Closed-Loop Solar Thermal, Passive Batch Solar Thermal, Thermoplastic Solar Pool Systems, Commercial Scale Solar Process Heat, and Auxilliary Residential Solar Equipment.

With the complexity and diversity of available Solar products, it’s crucial to work with a company that can thoroughly assess your application and needs, and offer clear guidance and specific recommendations. Let our experience and professionalism lead your development with confidence.

Solar Installer Services

Residential Solar Energy Systems

Solar Energy Systems use the Sun’s natural, reliable power to provide heat and electricity for your home. Solar Alternatives can install one of several systems to utilize solar power to reduce your energy bills.

• Solar Electric
  Arrays of specialized solar modules convert solar radiation directly into electricity. Generated electricity is inverted and synchronized with utility power to seamlessly integrate into a home’s power system, reducing utility power needs by 10%-100% in most cases.
  
• Solar Water Heat
  Highly-efficient insulated collectors absorb significant solar radiation and store large quantities of heat in an insulated storage tank. Most systems provide for 60-80% of a home’s annual hot water needs and work year-round. Each tank stores up to 3 days of hot water for use in cloudy weather.
  
• Solar Pool Heat
  Simple, durable black polymer collectors transfer solar heat directly into pool water, working at high efficiency and with minimal maintenance, and in most cases using an existing pool pump for circulation. A special valve diverts pool water through the collectors when hot enough to warm the pool. Solar Pool Systems have the highest payback of any solar technology and extend a pool’s swimming season by 50%-100% with zero fuel cost.
  
• Solar Ventilation
  Solar Ventilation Systems work to reduce heat and moisture build up in your attic, increasing the overall efficiency of attic insulation and reducing the amount of heat transferred into your home.

Commercial Solar

Solar Power is no longer a prohibitively expensive option for commercial and industrial organizations. Recent pricing corrections and current Federal and State incentives have made Solar into a parity option with many utilities, with corresponding investment recovery in the 8-12 year range. Combined with the added property value, depreciation benefits, and public environmental positioning of a Solar investment, this is an opportunity your organization cannot afford to miss.

Solar Energy Systems include a broad set of technologies with a diverse and proven set of applications. From high-profile Solar Electric systems to reliable and powerful Solar Water and Process Heating options, established manufacturers have solutions and experience with nearly every industry and application.

Common Solar Solutions:

• Industrial Process Heating
• Food Processing/Pasteurization and Brewery Operation
• Linen/Laundry and Cleaning Establishments
• Restaurant and Hospitality Water and Space Heating

Current Incentives and Opportunities

The Federal Energy Efficiency and Solar credit provides 30% of installed cost of any commercial Solar Electric or Solar Water Heating system installed before 2017. This credit has no cap, and can also be used toward certain energy efficiency equipment and services to a property. For commercial clients this credit is immediately convertible into a Treasury Grant.

Louisiana provides the Solar and Wind Energy Credit to Businesses investing in Solar Electric, Solar Water Heat, and Solar Pool Heat projects. Note that this credit only applies to Solar Systems installed on residential property. The credit is for 50% of the installed system costs, and is refundable to the applying entity.

Combined, these incentives provide up to 80% in credits and refunds to the investor. This is one of the best set of incentives in the country, and provides a great opportunity to get started in Solar Energy for any organization. 

Commercial Financing

Commercial and Industrial clients have access to a broad array of financing mechanisms for every scale of Renewable Energy project. From short-term credit to 5-15 year term loans, businesses can easily leverage equity and future earning potential to expand the affordable financing options. Combined with State and Federal Tax Credit and Grant programs, the right financing can make any project possible and profitable.

Our Commercial financing options include:

• 12 Month No Interest
• Municipal Financing
• Tax Credit Transfers
• Lease to Own
• Small Business Association 7(a) Standard and Energy Loans
• US Department of Agriculture Rural Business Service Loans

Lending options will depend upon organizational size, history and equity, as well as industry and physical location. With interest rates at historically low levels, this is an excellent time to consider a financed Solar Energy System. 

Contact Solar Alternatives

2803 Saint Philip St
New Orleans, LA 70119

Phone 504-267-1660
Fax 504-267-1663

Service Areas New Orleans, Mandeville, Covington, Slidell, Metairie, Jefferson, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Mississippi

Contractor number is LA 50148.