RISING POWER
Grassroots solar energy program finds support
An information session last week on the benefits of using solar power found at least one convert to the clean energy cause who was eager to give it a try.
Longtime clean energy advocate Joanne Coons made the presentation on behalf of Solarize Albany, a grassroots group that is active in eight nearby counties.
The educational presentations help clarify any misconceptions of how one transitions to solar energy while giving the group a step up on a multi-rung ladder that leads to a $100,000 grant from the New York State Energy and Development Authority.
Taking note of the session’s small audience of eight people in the Clifton Park-Halfmoon Library, Coons acknowledged the topic can be confusing.
In her quick 40 minute computer assisted presentation she discussed the benefits of using solar energy, how it can be done for the individual homeowner, the costs involved, and the savings received.
“Using solar energy helps you save money, reduces greenhouse gases, increases the value of your home, is practical anywhere, and gives you energy independence,” she said.
Coons knows about the costs and savings from solar energy very well. She and her husband Paul have a net zero energy efficient home in Clifton Park with solar panels on frames in the backyard and a geo-thermal heat pump in the basement. Their energy bill is the $17 service charge. And, when they produce more than they use, they can even reduce that charge.
Coons’ discussion covered two basic types of solar energy available to most homeowners, home solar and community sourced. Many people are familiar with home solar because they see the photovoltaic panels going up on more and more residential roofs.
According to her figures, based on the installation of a 5.6 kilowatt system, a homeowner could have a rooftop system installed at a net cost of $5,329. Divided by an average monthly electric bill of $77, a homeowner could have the system paid off in 5.7 years and be free of paying an electric bill. Coons noted that there is no way to avoid the $17 per month service charge.
Community source solar is relatively new to this area. Here, the solar panels are installed on frames in a large field by a solar company. The energy created is sold to individuals who sign a contract with them.
It was the community source solar option that drew the attention of several audience members.
According to figures provided by Coons, if one were to purchase the field installed panels needed for a home outright, they would save $19,000 over a 20 year period.
If they were to finance the purchase with a home equity loan they would save $9,000 over the same 20 years. And
if they were to finance the purchase with no money down, they would still save $2,250 over 20 years.
This last option sparked the attention of attendee Stephen Valenti causing him to make some quick calculations. When he had completed his arithmetic he found that he could save 15 percent off his energy bill at no cost to himself if he reached out to a
community source solar provider.
He vowed to make some calls the minute he got home.
“I’m all for clean energy and against the use of fossil fuels,” he said. “Our president has made a mistake and taken the wrong path on this. We, as local citizens, can do what we can and this is one way to do it. I’ll sign up with the community solar program if I can. It looks like a pure win. There’s no money down and people save 15 percent off their electric bill.”
Coons was happy to have one convert to solar power for her effort.
“This is neighbors spreading the word rather than having installers come to your house and giving you the hard sell or going into a big box hardware outlet and getting accosted,” she said.
“This is all about educating people. You do it one at a time.”
For more information on Solarize Albany go to www.solarizealbany.org.