So is the year you go solar. Why not? You’ve heard that solar panels increase the value of your home when it’s time to sell. You can see the handwriting on the wall— and it’s an electric bill that is climbing inexorably skyward, or the fossil fuels that feed those electric plants. You’re tired of paying into a stodgy old utility company when technology exists to bring the power to the people.
OK. Here’s a short checklist of things to consider before making the plunge:
1. Do you get enough sunlight? Here’s a map (below) showing the six zones for sunlight in the United States. You can also see states’ ranking for solar installations and jobs that might help you decide: http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2015/02/13/why-solar-energy-is-playing-well-in-conservative-parts-of-the-u-s/ It’s interesting that the states with the highest investment in solar are not in the Sunbelt; they’re in the Northeast where the money lives. New York, Massachusetts and Connecticut rank #1, 2, and 3 on the list. Oregon, which is in the least sunny zone, ranks fourth.
2. Get in touch with your power company, your city and state governments; research your state in the federal database: http://programs.dsireusa.org/system/program?state=US. You can also search for financing and rebates on our web site: http://www.acdoctor.com/pages.php?pageid=100.
3. Talk with a few contractors who do solar installations. It’s easy enough to google solar installation [AND] your city. (We’re not going to give you a link because too many of these organizations are sponsored.) A good contractor will analyze your climate and exposure, and will ask to see your electric bills. N.B.: Don’t try to have a solar panel installed on an old roof. You’re just asking for trouble—and a new roof job.
4. Ask for references. You want to talk with four or five customers who’ve had their systems for at least a year. These homeowners should be able to tell you what kind of challenges you might expect, and whether this contractor has the resources to meet the challenges. Check the Better Business Bureau. It’s not enough that the company rep has a charming manner and know the topic. He must be an honest and reliable business person as well.
5. Shop for financing. Your solar installer might be able to provide names of lenders. While the average solar rooftop installation runs about $10,000 for the entire system, there are banks, utility companies and governments that offer low-interest loans and incentives. Your loan payment could turn out to be less than you were paying for electricity before the installation.
6. Lease or buy? There are arguments on both sides. You can lease the equipment, let the solar company install the system and then make a lease payment that’s lower than your electric bill was— or so they say. The naysayers maintain that lease companies will claim the 30% tax credit and any applicable cash rebate. So while you’re renting out your rooftop, they are collecting the cash.
Your best bet is to ask to study the contract. If necessary, enlist an attorney or a friend who’s knowledgable about the utility industry to help you sort it out. Also, compare the numbers between a solar sale and a lease deal. Don’t let anyone convince you that you need to sign the papers right away. Time is on your side. Especially solar time. Want more? (Here’s a good wrap-up on the topic from Consumers Reports: http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2015/02/when-going-solar-should-you-lease-or-buy/index.htm)
How Many Sun Hours a Day Do You Get?
Zone 1 6 hours
Zone 2 5.5 hours
Zone 3 5 hours
Zone 4 4.5 hours
Zone 5 4.2 hours
Zone 6 3.5 hours
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