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Consider this,
Living with Solar Electricity is Like Owning a Car.
Which makes more sense?
Do you prefer to own your car, rent one or use public transport? Do you
prefer to own your electric power source or rent it?
If you have a car, you already have an idea what life with a solar electric
system is. While a car serves to transport, electricity provides power to run
equipment like appliances, tools, and entertainment items. A car is fueled by
gasoline while electricity is mainly fueled by indirect solar sources (hydro,
fossil fuel, nuclear and wind) and now with photovoltaic panels by direct solar
(sunlight), too. In a car the gas gauge lets the driver know the fuel status.
Solar electric systems have meters to show fuel (electricity) storage and
availability. Car general maintenance consists of periodic checking of the
fluids (radiator, battery, brake, wiper, etc.) and cleaning of wind shield. A
solar electric system's maintenance also requires periodic checking of battery
water levels (if batteries are part of the system) and cleaning of the glass on the PV panels. The initial cost of a
car can best be broken down into 3 subcategories: economy ($9000 to
$14,000), standard ($15,000 to $24,000) and luxury ($25,000 and
up). Likewise can the initial price of solar systems (after incentives) be
classified: economy ($4,000 to $8,000), standard ($9,000 to $20,000) and deluxe
($21,000 and up). The performance life expectancy of a car is around 150,000 to
300,000 miles depending on use and maintenance--about 15 years. Cars typically
have 1 year 30,000 mile warranties. Solar electric panels now come with 25
year warranties and better systems come with 5 year installation warranties.
The actual life expectancy of PV panels is not established but there are many
with already over 20 years of use and still going strong. No moving parts plus
the stability of silicon crystals make for a solid and long term functioning
item.
But while most people are willing to pay for transportation "up front,"
buying a personal source of power (electricity) has not been the norm. And while
a car has additional costs of tires, license, insurance, and repair (wear to
moving parts), a solar system has none of these add on costs and in fact pays
back its initial investment by freeing the user from an electrical service bill
each month. Yet people do buy cars but don't 'buy' their electrical supply. Why?
Electricity is available to most people for a pay-as-you-go monthly bill, but
so are rental cars. Why buy one and not the other? Because people have become
comfortable with owning and managing a car, but don't have experience with
handling electricity beyond plugging a cord into a socket. Cars have also come
to represent convenience, independence, and prestige. Then why not take
advantage of a bus which frees a person from operation and maintenance
responsibilities? Riding in a vehicle that costs $150,000 or more sounds
prestigious too. But what about convenience? Only a personal car can be
available on demand whereas a bus is tied to a route and schedule. But isn't
electricity always available so why have the hassles of its management?
Independence is a main factor, convenience is realistic, too, with outages
quickly managed on site. And prestige comes a bit later when you can afford to
buy the next car because you aren't paying and paying for electricity rental.
Just about anyone can waltz into their bank and get a loan for a new car. A
new car which will probably be becoming junk just about the time the loan is
paid off. A new car which pollutes our planet, and costs its owner with every
visit to the gas station. And yet your bank is happy to lend you money for this
scenario. Instead try asking for a loan to purchase a solar electric system. A
PV system which frees you from monthly electric power bills. A system which does
not pollute this planet. A system that is so long lived that you will deed it to
your children. A system with virtually no operating cost The bank might say no (as of a few years ago) Today most banks will say yes in fact reduced rate loans are available for PV systems.
So solar systems are self-financed by most folks (read that , "We bought the PVs
one or two at a time as we could afford it. This is more financially sound than
borrowing the money and paying the interest! Financing for solar systems is
available, however.
Comments welcome
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Great Brook Solar NRG LLC, 819 County Rd 28, South New Berlin, NY 13843-9519
Phone: 607-847-6366 Fax 607-847-9253 (M-F 8-5). Adapted by Dave Austin,
CEO.
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