Robert Ebsen

Two solar panel people came to give us quotes yesterday.

The first person said it is better to buy rather than lease the system. We would need 24 solar panels to cover our electricity needs.  It would cost $24,000, but with rebates and tax breaks it would come to $17,000.

The second person said it is better to lease than to buy. The 20-year lease, he said, would cost us $100 per month, less than the $130 monthly average that we are paying now for electricity.

The first person did not go up on the roof, but instead used Google Earth to estimate the number of panels we would be using.

The second person went up on the roof with a measuring tape and a Solmetric GPS sun meter. The amazing meter shows the percentage of sunlight that will shine on the roof in any month of the year. It takes into account how much shade each tree near the house is producing.

My main concern about buying solar is coming up with the big bucks.  Taking out a loan for the solar does not feel good. If I were a young man, I would likely buy solar because it would be paid off in 10 years and then I would be home free.

My main concern about leasing solar is being locked in to a 20-year contract, with questions about how easy it will be to sell the lease together with the house someday.

What will I decide to do?

I will likely decide not to go solar now.  Why?  Because I am now excited to learn much more about solar and electric energy.  Yesterday afternoon I received delivery of a “Kill-a-Watt” meter.  It determines exactly how many kilowatt-hours are being used by each of my appliances.  For example, I hooked it up to my pool pump, and discovered that my pump costs me $1.47 for each hour it is on.  Using this meter, and carefully analyzing our electric bills, I will attempt to reduce our electric consumption in the house. That should be fun and financially rewarding at the same time.

Mr. Ebsen may be contacted at robertebsen@hotmail.com