Homeowners Are Beginning To See The Light

November 3, 2014- We're pleased to see an increase in the adoption rate of solar energy in the nation's homes. The trend is driven by an increase in home energy prices, a decrease in equipment prices, and federal energy tax credits.

In an a story entitled "Homeowners Go Solar To Save Environment, Save Money," the Michigan's Energy Future Blog on the website freep.com is reporting on how homeowners are making viable long-term investments in solar panels.

"It's going mainstream," said Mark Hagerty, the president of Michigan Solar Solutions in Commerce and quoted in the Detroit Free Press post. "We've made the transition from the early adopters — the people who stand in line for the newest iPad ... to the people who see the benefits from a financial standpoint, not just an environmental standpoint."

Several people, including John Sarver speak with freep.com about new energy alternatives. Sarver was the first in his suburban East Lansing neighborhood to put solar panels on his roof. He said he had considered a wind turbine, but it wasn't really viable.

Four years ago Sarver invested about $9,000 in a small solar kit, which has saved him about 20% on his utility bill. He tells freep.com that if he were to buy the same system today it would cost about half that much. Now, some of his neighbors are thinking about installing solar panels on their properties.

"It's still relatively rare, but the adoption rate is increasing rapidly now," Sarver believes. "It's a long-term investment, and most people think about it for quite a while."

Utility companies and solar proponents are saying that as prices for the equipment come down and their electricity bills edge up, homeowners are making an investment in renewable energy.

The freep.com post notes that some systems can generate enough solar power to cover 100% of a home's needs. Those systems can cost $25,000 or more and might take a decade or more to recover the investment.

Whatever the home's renewable energy source, it's tied into a utility company's grid. Power generated, but not used, is credited to the homeowner. "In many cases, the solar panels or wind turbines generate more energy than the homeowners use from the power company," freep.com writes.

Currently, less than 1% of Michigan's renewable energy is generated from solar power, and not every home is a candidate for it.

Only a few thousand homes in Michigan have solar panels, and even fewer with small wind turbines, which can be less efficient than solar and less popular in residential areas because of noise.

Amy and Dave Reed also shared their story with freep.com. The Reeds decision four years ago to turn the sun's rays into power for their West Bloomfield home was as much about saving the environment as saving money.

"We wanted to do what was right environmentally, but it had to make financial sense," Reed tells freep.com. "The payoff is we don't have an electric bill."

Their backyard solar system qualified for two 30% credits when installed four years ago. The $17,000 investment will take only six years to earn back, given the reduced energy bills and end of the year rebates.

Information about the federal government personal tax credit, with a 30% rebate for renewable technology, including solar cells, wind turbines and other renewable sources is available here. The credit expires at the end of 2016.

Read the full freep.com post here.

Carnow Conibear and Associates is a demonstrated leader in the occupational and environmental health professions since 1975. To find out more, click here or call us at (800) 860-4486.