Solare In The Southeast Is Growing, Lowering Solar Cost

Renewable power still makes up well under half of the energy mix in most US states. In the Southeast, in precise ways, states may not set standards that need utilities to derive a certain proportion of their energy from renewable sources. More rooftop solar would enable households to rely almost entirely on green energy and save money.

Solar Advantages

Additionally, home solar systems bring other advantages. “Solar power owned directly by the people and neighborhoods who use it creates local jobs, reduces polluting emissions and can save individuals money,” Ryan transcribes in an email.

The possibility is there: 42 percent of the country’s domestic solar potential is located on the rooftops of low- and middle-income dwellings, discovers a National Renewable Energy Laboratory study published earlier this year. This is typically contingent on the area, shade, condition of the roof, etc. 

Utility businesses argue that if they don’t charge clients a fee for generating their own solar power, the cost of maintaining a large grid infrastructure will frequently fall upon other customers, raising electricity prices for everybody. Few lower-income families currently use rooftop solar, but higher costs would saddle them with the bill for wealthy homeowners’ eco-consciousness, Alabama Power’s Sznajderman purposes.

This reasoning makes sense in theory, Ryan says, but virtually no market in the United States has such a vast rooftop solar population that this has grown to become an issue.

Also if supporting policies are in place, other obstacles can get in the way. Most subsidies for panel installations only employ to those who own a home or condominium, leaving out anyone who can’t support themselves to buy a house. Community solar projects, local solar facilities participated by many households, are one solution.

Housing officials in New York City and Denver, among others, have established such adjustments for some public housing residents. In Minnesota, the Rural Renewable Energy Alliance worked with the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe to install five sets of small-scale solar arrays around their reservation, using a state grant.

Following an earlier time in Alabama, Ottenweller from SELC is waiting to see how the courts will rule on Alabama Power’s additional fees on solar. If the grievance is successful, then regulators must hold a public hearing and could withdraw the charge. “We hope they’ll take a hard look at this, and will realize that this has a significant impact,” Ottenweller states.

How Solar Helps Others

In the meantime, Jay, the former coal miner, is managing to keep his business running. He says he still loves the technology, but he’s shifted his focus to customers who can disconnect entirely from the grid and avoid the extra fees from Alabama Power. He wishes the energy company will eventually allow small-scale solar to take off in the state. But that shift takes time, he states. “We just have to go through the educational curve.”

Regardless of where you from, you will want to save and be guided by experts? Go to HahaSmart.com and try our price checker tool. It tells you how much solar power you need and how much you can save on your energy bills each month.

Please visit our solar blog to find out more about the benefits of going solar.