The Finch Formerly Known As Gold

16 September 2007

Let the sun shine in

Author Mary Stella is going solar:

I'm installing a solar power system, complete with battery backup. Even though it won't be enough to supply allll of my power needs, that abundant Florida sunshine is going to produce a lot of kilowatts and greatly reduce the amount of energy I draw from the local power company.

We've also designed the system to include an automatic switchover to the battery banks. If the regular power goes out certain key things — some lights, the fridge, a few fans and the aquarium — will always be able to run. This will be an enormous help if we suffer power outages after storms. No need for a generator!

This will cost a ton of money, at least at first:

I'm not going to act like this is a cheap undertaking. It isn't, and even with monthly energy savings, it will be a lonnnggg time before the system pays for itself. I'm happy, however, that I qualify for a Florida state rebate and a federal tax credit this year.

The Florida rebate is $4 per watt of installed capacity, maximum of $20,000; there's a flat $500 for solar water-heating systems. The Feds offer a credit of 30 percent of the system cost, maximum $2000.

What's worth noting here, I think, is that she sees this, not as quick relief to massive energy bills, but as a long-term plan to minimize both her expense and her environmental impact, both of which should be considered Good Things.

Posted at 9:44 AM to Family Joules


Yeah, after getting home from my "MUST FIND NEW HOT WATER HEATER" errand it occurred to me that I might be located in such a way that I could have gone with a solar set-up on the roof. (But then again - I have two big trees, so I don't know. And I don't know who in my area does that kind of work, and I don't feel like calling 15 people in Dallas or OKC before I find one who's willing to travel to my little 'burb.)

Those things are a lot easier to contemplate when you are building a new house and haven't moved out of your old one, or if you've got a summer house or something to stay at while the reno's are being done.

Posted by: fillyjonk at 3:59 PM on 16 September 2007