Capturing the Sunrays

 


My inbox and social media feeds were filled with offers “$0 out of pocket for solar installations”, as I had recently searched for rooftop solar installation prices just out of curiosity. The “smart” marketing apps continued feeding these ads, unaware that we have had a solar installation for the past couple of years. Two years ago I would have cringed at these ads. But now, happy with our installation, I was more patient and willing to give them more credit.

Being an ardent follower of clean energy initiatives, we explored solar panel installations including a solar roof, many times over the last decade, years before they were ready for prime time. While we were still exploring, others around us were taking the plunge and reporting complete satisfaction with their installations. I was really impressed to see the system my cousin had installed in India, which powered all of his law office, which hosted 10+ employees, plus a part of his residence. Finally for us, the stars aligned almost two years ago when we got a ~12kWp rooftop solar panel system, with 36 panels expected to generate 13000kWh per year. With the satisfaction of generating and using clean energy, we couldn’t have been happier with our decision, and would recommend it to every clean energy enthusiast! There are enough options to meet every need.

Typically, before one installs a behind-the-meter photovoltaic (BTM PV, as it is commonly referred), it is best to have a home energy assessment with your provider (such as Eversource). There is a relatively larger economic as well as a carbon footprint advantage with simple energy efficiency changes. Newer built homes use energy efficient windows, appliances and insulation. The assessment may recommend changing to energy efficient LED lighting, power strips, and smart thermostats. Once satisfied with energy efficiency changes, one can start exploring the many options to get solar panel installation. 

Major concerns before deciding to go solar is the home’s resale, the risk to roof damage or the aesthetics of the home. “We were not looking to buy a home with solar panels and initially skeptical about it. In fact, we were apprehensive due to the risk to roof maintenance, if something were to go wrong. But so far we have not had any issues. We do have the convenience of pre-installed clean electricity.” says a neighbor, who bought a home with pre-installed Solar Panels about five years ago. Research indicates that solar panels are generally not a hindrance to the resale of a home, in fact in recent years it is being viewed as an asset. My concerns about roof damage were put to rest when our installer explained how the panels are rack mounted which requires less drilling. The panels seem to protect the roof from weather damage and also helps to keep the heat trapped in during winters. At first, I was a little disappointed that our home orientation would not allow for the panels to be hidden away in the back and was worried about the aesthetics. But I was delighted how the panels turned out well-aligned and ended up looking very clean and cohesive with the frontal view.

Folks who are hesitant to get rooftop installation for any of the above mentioned reasons, should check if their towns or neighborhoods have clean energy programs, which allow you to replace carbon based electricity with clean electricity. Acton offers a program called Acton Power Choice to switch to clean electricity at a comparable price. If you feel you are ready for rooftop installations, there is an option to either lease or buy. Due to the current economics of solar, buying has become a very attractive option. The economics of solar has become very competitive due to federal Investment Tax Credit (26% in 2020 and 22% in 2021) plus any state tax credit, long-term sustainable monthly payments (SMART program in MA for 10 years) and net metering credits for unused electricity generated by your system. For $0 down, there are numerous solar specific loans, or home equity loans where the installment may be lesser than your electricity bill. So within 5 to 7 years (life of the loan), depending on the size of the system, the owner can become cash positive on their clean energy generation. A feel good benefit is that one can gift extra net metering credits to friends and family or donate them such as this one to Habitat for Humanity.

It was a very cool experience when you get a “reverse meter” after a solar installation. With solar net metering, the meter keeps track of units being produced and fed to the grid, at which time the meter may actually be running backwards to indicate higher production than consumption. Any extra electricity produced than our consumption is stored at the grid as credits. These credits balance off the usage when the panels do not generate (at nights) or generate less (cloudy days). Twice a year the extra credits can be transferred to a beneficiary if so desired. Otherwise the credits have a lifetime accrual.

The Green New Deal and its impact to save my daughter’s generation from doom is a major topic of conversation at our home. “Start now. Unlike the novel coronavirus, for which I think we’ll have a vaccine next year, there is no two-year fix for climate change. It will take decades to develop and deploy all the clean-energy inventions we need.” writes Bill Gates, in his notes titled “COVID-19 is awful. Climate change could be worse”. I am paying more attention to this visionary thinker as he goes about drawing attention to world problems, while passion about climate change runs strong in our household. As if by providence, I came across the dramatic shift to renewable projects in the New England area identified by ISO New England. (ISO-NE is a non-profit that ensures New England has reliable, competitively priced wholesale electricity today and into the future). Among these global forces working towards making Earth a greener, cleaner place for the coming generations, I shifted my attention to the little rays of sunshine - Rooftop Solar Panels, that have become well within reach of every clean energy enthusiast.










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