Image of solar panels being installed
It’s been a whole year since my roof became the source of our home’s electricity. Each month we monitored our production, and received notices (not bills) of our monthly usage. It wasn’t until the annual true up, that you really find out how much you’ll end up paying for your year’s electricity. At the end of the year, your two-way meter gets read – how much juice flowed in, minus how much flowed out.
Thought I’d review the numbers here to convince you.
Installation details: January 2009 – connection of the installed 3.2 KW system – 16 Evergreen panels taking up a little over 250 square feet of roof space.
Installation cost: Just North of $18,000 minus $5500 tax credit (30%) – leaves me just under $13,000 out of pocket.
First year production: Estimated to be 4000 kWh, but in fact we produced 5000 kWh.
First year electricity usage: With some big efficiency improvements, we cut our electricity use to about 580 kWh/month.
First year electric bill: Less than 7000 kWh consumed, minus the 5000 kWh produced – we ended the year buying about 1900 kWh from PG&E for a monthly bill of about $18.60, $223 for the year!
Return on Investment: My electricity costs for 2008 were $1886, so in my first solar year, 2009, I saved over $1650 in electricity costs – almost 13% of the cost of the system in the first year. Some of that savings is due to efficiency improvements, granted; however, I’m convinced that we are being more efficient because of the constant data source telling us how much we are using and generating.
My return on investment will improve with the latest utility news announced in December: PG&E has requested a rate increase that would take effect in 2011. How much? If you use 550 kWh/month, you’ll see a 3% increase in costs. If you use 850 kWh/month, you’ll see an increase of over 10%. (The difference is due to the tiered rate structure of utility bills – the more you use, the higher the cost.)
The tax credit I mentioned above is beyond the California rebates in place for solar (which get reduced every year or so). For any solar installation you get a 30% tax credit – 30% of your out of pocket cost, back to you on your taxes the next year.
Let the sun shine.
http://www.find-solar.org
http://recsolar.com – the company we used
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Reuseable mesh produce bags
Every time you go to the store, you are bringing your reusable canvas bags – saving yourself from the conundrum of paper or plastic. You feel great about remembering this as you go through all the grocery isles, and then you come to the produce section. More plastic bags!
Yes, you can recycle them (see last post on this at PiedmontGoesGreen.com), or you can use them for your dog’s poop, but you probably already have more than you need. Now there is an affordable and practical option – reusable mesh produce bags. You can see through them, wash them, refrigerate them, and even stuff them to take up next to no space. Some are made from organic cotton, some from recycled plastic bottles. Prices: 5 for $11, or $3-5 each.
Another use for them – Buy extra to save some for wrapping up a small gift. How green and practical is that if your wrapping paper is a re-useable produce bag?
http://reuseablebags.com
http://greenfeet.com
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It’s the start of a new year, time to complete those green resolutions. Decrease your carbon footprint, help the environment, and save money too. Here’s your starter list:
1. Water Heater – lower the temperature to 120 degrees – you won’t notice the difference except on your gas bill.
2. Programmable thermostat – will cost you less than $50 at the hardware store, you can install it yourself and you’ll save energy and money, and be more comfortable at home to boot.
3. Recycle more – make sure you are putting all your food waste into the green bin, and keep your plastic bags and clear plastic wrap in a separate pail to recycle once a month (or bring to the grocery store for recycling).
4. Plant that vegetable garden – use your front yard to inspire your neighbors – start small, just lettuce, tomatoes or squash.
5. Refrigerator - Vacuum the back/bottom of your refrigerator to keep the coils clean for more efficiency. If your fridge is older than 10 years consider replacing it for a huge energy savings (save $ too).
6. Washing machine – change yours to a front loader – you’ll save lots of electricity, water and gas. With the PGE and EBMUD rebates and cash savings, it may pay for itself in less than two years.
7. Bay friendly landscaping – change out some of those water thirsty hydrangea to low water plants, more appropriate for this climate. Changing your outdoor pots to succulents will save you some watering time too.
8. At work – bring some of these changes you’ve made at home to your workplace – inspiring your co-workers, decreasing waste and saving your office some money as well.
9. Commute - walk to school – spending extra time with your kids and getting you out exercising. Carpool, use the number 11 bus, take BART.
10. Carbon offsets – buy carbon offsets for your home and travel to support carbon reduction programs – neutralizing your own effects on the environment. Climate Smart offers an easy option for your home energy use, or many groups like TerraPass offer options for your airline flights and auto use.
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