FARM Letter: Now is the time to go solar

FIrst Tuesday should be very careful advocating solar energy. It is a capital investment which may take decades to yield net savings. You consistently toe the “green agenda” line, with no details as to the expenses involved. Homeowners should not be encouraged to make an investment in solar unless they are in “all electric” or electric and propane areas. The cost of one service call on an active solar system will exceed months worth of energy savings. Tread carefully when promoting something you may know nothing about. Just because you want what you think is best for the planet, doesn’t mean it is good for the homeowner. As I have suggested, have a contractor write a cost/benefit analysis on both urban and rural energy areas for the First Tuesday site. Agents and homeowners would benefit from learning the requisite nomenclature, and familiarizing themselves with some of the expenses. That would be a valuable service to FT readers. I spent 5 years working with builders, installing solar systems throughout California. Then I became a developer, and built multiple passive solar homes. Passive solar home design is the most cost-effective, most “green” way to reduce energy demand, and provides a far more comfortable home.

1 1/2 Yrs ago I put solar panels on my house in foggy Carmel. They came through SunRun and I paid nothing down, besides the rebates. I pay for the panels with a monthly payment of around $95. The maintenance is being taken care of by SunRun. After 18 years it will be paid off.
After the first 12 months I had saved already $600.00. At this rate and with electra going up in price, it’ll just keep getting better. Even with all the fog…