Years of solar panel advantages

User: sharonmccarthy1010@gmail.com

Vendor: Drive Green - Green Energy Consumers Alliance

Action: 3450 - Advocate for Action on Climate

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Our first step for climate action was taken over 12 years ago, in April 2012.  We were part of the first group of residents to sign up for a solar installation.  Worth Robbins organized an introductory presentation in 2011 and I realized our barn roof had the perfect exposure for locating an array of panels.  It has been a very good investment for us and reduced our carbon foot print for over decade.  On a cash basis, including federal and state credits, payoff was in 4.75 yrs.  On a present value basis uing a 7% discount rate, payoff was in 7 years.  We routinely only pay an electric bill 5-6 months/year but several of those months it is a nominal amount.  Our annual electricity costs ar $400-$600.  At the time of our installation, I wanted to get the "newest technology" of a battery backup.  I was told that a such a system would take up approximately half our basement.  Recently, we completed construction of a new house on Cape Cod and installed solar panels and a Tesla power wall.  The power wall is no bigger than a radiator.  Technogical progress is happening fast and we can all take advantage of that to reduce our carbon footprint.