Deborah Mitchell of McKinney: Going solar can save you some green

04:47 PM CDT on Friday, May 15, 2009
Deborah Mitchell of McKinney is a former Voices of Collin County. Her e-mail address is deborah_mitchell @tx.rr.com.

If you're looking for a smart investment, look no further than solar energy. It's a good deal for you, for me and for our environment.

Here are a few of the benefits of installing a photovoltaic (PV) solar system on your home: You'll be generating your own inflation-proof energy and saving a significant amount of money on utilities. You'll help clean our air and keep us safe by reducing the need for power from coal and nuclear energy plants. You'll lessen the load on the power grid during our long, hot Texas summers. And you'll help create jobs in our area.

If all these reasons aren't enough, add to the list good stewardship. You'll protect the future of your children and grandchildren with clean, green energy.

A typical solar system will cost you about $9 per square foot. Homeowners living in an average-sized home in Collin County might spend $25,000 installing solar panels. That's before rebates and tax credits for renewable energy.

With the passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, solar energy is now more affordable. You can receive a tax credit of 30 percent on the cost.

For qualifying customers, Oncor is currently offering an additional incentive of $2.46/watt. For that $25,000 system I mentioned above, after the federal tax credit, the cost of your system will drop to just under $9,800. If I installed this system on my home, I'd cut my energy expenses in half. That would be a savings of at least $1,800 per year. If you're doing the math in your head, you've figured that payback will be about 5.5 years.

But the best part is that sunlight is free. While other energy costs rise, yours will be locked in for the life of the PV solar system – which usually comes with a 20 to 25 year warranty and an anticipated life of 40 years. Not even your air conditioning unit will last that long.

What if you move next year? You won't recoup your cost. What if you decide to take out a loan? You'll have to carry that with you to your new house.

Berkeley, Calif., pioneered a program called Berkeley FIRST that is now being considered by cities all over the United States. In a nutshell, homeowners can purchase their own PV solar systems with a low-interest loan from the city, repaying the funds in 20 equal payments through a voluntary line item on their property tax bills. If the taxpayer moves, the loan stays with the home. There is no cost to non-participating taxpayers.

Through the 2009 ARRA's Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants to local governments, Congress has enabled cities like yours and mine to offer municipal clean energy programs. McKinney, for example, will receive over $1 million in block grant funds, Plano over $2.5 million and Frisco over $825,000. Each city will determine how to use its funds. If you are interested in a municipally funded solar program, tell your city leaders.

You may also want to write your representatives to express your support of several important bills coming through the Legislature. SB 545 will ensure that you can sell your excess energy to retailers – and at a fair rate. Green Mountain Energy does this voluntarily now. This bill will also provide more incentives and guarantee your right to install panels, even if your HOA thinks they're ugly.

Another bill, HB 1391, will allow cities to create special financing districts that can issue bonds for renewable energy projects – like the city of Berkeley has done.

The more homeowners in Collin County who install solar systems, the less need there will be to build coal plants or nuclear facilities in North Texas. We will enjoy cleaner air, energy independence and more green in our pockets. That's a win for all of us.


Deborah Mitchell of McKinney is a former Voices of Collin County. Her e-mail address is deborah_mitchell @tx.rr.com.