We took a chance on solar in the Spring of 2020, it seemed a potentially smart move financially, and we were both eager to do something for the earth other than helping dirty it up.
We installed the dollar panels years ago; today, we both felt strongly that we were right on both counts. We took out a $25,000 plus loan from a credit union to purchase the equipment and we have a monthly payment of approximately $250.
Our monthly electric bill averaged $15 a month all through this, and last winter, the highest bill was in January and February, which was $16.43.
Climate change makes solar power more urgently necessary timely, but it also gives us more sun to control it and store electricity for when needed. Any excess power goes to our neighbors and helps lower their bills.
Solar energy makes sense in every way; the people who think climate change is a hoax live with their heads up their asses.
Our efforts to deal with climate change have been successful so far.
We have two wood stoves to heat the downstairs of the farmhouse, and Maria’s studio and the upstairs bedrooms have electric baseboard heating. On bitter cold days, we turn on the oil heat as well.
Before solar, our electric bill was several hundred dollars a month in the winter. The wood stoves and solar power to the baseboards have reduced our heating oil bill by 60 to 70 percent.
We will be paying off the loan for the foreseeable future.
We have no regrets or second thoughts, quite the opposite. The solar equipment has worked perfectly, even through snowstorms and frigid weather.
The snow melts quickly off the panels, and we have never once had to go outside and brush them off. The sun does that.
We receive $10,000 in tax write-offs from incentives offered by the state and federal governments.
I haven’t done all the math (I could never) and haven’t sorted through the interest on the loan, etc., but since I handle the bills, I can say we have saved a good deal of money on heating and electric power, and we have also done something concrete and measurable to help our Mother Earth besides just running our mouths about it.
I owe this to my granddaughter and daughter, and to the planet itself. Maria feels the same way.
It’s important to note that today’s tax incentives are considerably better than they were even two years ago.
Both things – saving money, saving the earth – feel good. We have always struggled to figure out how to do our part in fighting climate change. This was a good way.
We believe in solar. It works, and it helps on every level.
I don’t tell other people what to do, but I would highly recommend anyone interested in helping the planet and lowering their electric bills explore installing solar power panels in their homes or fields
I hope your experience will be motivating for your neighbors, and many others.
Bravo!
We did the same in PEI coming up 2 years ago in June. About $26k for a 9.92 kW system, less $10k offsets. Here we have 2 meters (same rate both ways) so no battery needed. We pay the same monthly grid infrastructure fee of $28 same as everyone else. Utility saves our credits in summer to offset winter shortfall. Our annual cost for electricity itself is about $300 instead of 10 times that, before PV. Paid-off date will be 5 years total, so in 3 years. We are very happy with decision, as is our utility too. By championing home PV (and heat pumps) as they have shaved their midday peak demand costs. Do it; you won’t regret it.
We have a solar tracker which we had installed 5 or 6 years ago and it to has saved us a lot of money overall on our electric bill. We paid off the low interest loan being offered at the time though our VT based bank. We also have a wood stove that helps and we use oil, some years more than others. We did it for the environment because it was the right thing to do.
I want you and Maria to know that that I think calling your injured chicken Red Hen or Brown Hen is great. We have 2 dogs and 5 cats-all having human names. However, I also named our solar tracker. It is “Lugh Maximus”, aka Big Loo, after the Celtic Sun God. My current Honda CRV is white and I call it “Stormy” because head on it looks like the head of a Star Wars storm trooper. (Several friends agree with me.)
Thank you. I appreciate the input of your personal experience with solar panels.
I have been investigating solar for my home. Our AZ summers do raise my electric bill so year round I’m paying $351. per month.
Question: Did the town, county, and school district raise your assessment when you installed these?
No idea.The assessment is up a bit.
We also installed solar several years ago and although I wish we’d gone completely off-grid with it, I’m still very pleased with our $12/month to Duke Energy. That is until they started charging a minimum $30/month to all solar customers to build their own solar plants. I did my part by installing mine now they need to install theirs! Still very happy with the output of my panels!!!
Is there a delivery charge on your electric bill?
I have no idea.
Yay! I hope this continues around our country!