Apr 28, 2008 1:00 pm US/Eastern
Price Break For Installing Solar Power At Home
WINTHROP (WBZ) ―
The high cost of energy and concerns about the environment have many people looking into renewable energy. Now a Massachusetts state program is helping make solar energy a reality for many homeowners who thought they could never afford it.
Shiny black solar panels are now popping up on residential homes thanks to the
Commonwealth Solar program. Jane Deedy is using the program to help pay for the installation at her home in Winthrop.
"I have been watching my electric bill very closely, and have been watching an increase of 10%, 12% each year," Deedy said. "And that gets a little nervous when you think how long this is going to go on."
She hired
Nexamp, Inc. of North Andover. They are a certified installer in the Commonwealth Solar program. "In Jane's case, the Commonwealth Solar rebate program is covering 46% of her system," explained Will Thompson of Nexamp. "Typical rebates cover between 25%-50%, depending on the home value and the income level of the individual."
Commonwealth Solar is part of a push by the Patrick administration to increase the use of renewable energy across the state. Ian Bowles, Secretary of Energy and Environment Affairs says the administration has "set some goals in the solar area, for 250 megawatts of solar to be installed in the next 10 years. And that is a big step… if you think that in the past 20 years we have installed only 4 megawatts. So it's really a 100 fold increase."
The increased use of solar power will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality. But as oil prices soar, investing in a solar system can also make financial sense.
"If costs stay the same, Jane's system will pay for itself in 10-12 years," Will Thompson said. "But if they go up, then Jane will more likely have a break even point somewhere in the 7-10 year range."
Commonwealth Solar is one of ten programs of this kind in the country. It's run by the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative. It started at the beginning of the year and since then, 59 grants worth just over $1 million have been issued. It's expected to continue growing in popularity.
Nexamp has hired more workers despite the softening economy. Nationally, the demand for solar power has jumped 40% annually the past four years.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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