Solar Power putting pressure on Utilities
Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Thu, Jun 21, 2012
The quest to move from burning fossil fuels to alternative, renewable sources of power is not an easy task. There are many considerations that have to be made and some will be found out the hard way. In California, it is reported that a debate is brewing about the rewards that customers using solar power are reaping. People and businesses in California who install solar arrays on their roofs are not only saving money, they receive payments from their utilities by a system known as net metering.
When the days are sunny, a solar power array produces more than enough energy for the owner. The state requires the utility to “buy” this excess energy back, which is usually used to offset the money that the customer has to pay on days when it is dark or at night. Deals like this have helped the solar industry grow and over 40 states have plans like this in place. A recent decision allows new solar users to get the same buy back rate as older customers but utilities then have to pass on the expense of running a grid to those who do not have solar.
Those who can’t afford to install these expensive solar collectors or maybe just don’t like the way they look can still be part of the fight to burn less imported oil for energy. This can be accomplished by installing Energy Star rated appliances at the time of replacement and keeping current heating and air conditioning equipment performing their best. Be sure to schedule an air conditioning performance check today that will go a long way to keeping your home energy use down this year.
Photo by greensambaman.
