Solar power a reality for our home

by Meg Colby
(Albuquerque, NM USA)

We are now the proud owners of a 2.4kW solar photovoltaic system. Those panels sit like big sentinels on our roof.

Comparatively speaking, they were pretty cheap this year. PV panel prices have dropped because of the economy but that was a big benefit for us. Our system was about $8,000 cheaper this year than it would have been at this time last year. And then there are both state and federal tax credits on our new system. That's going to knock off another $6,000. Our system is grid tied and we use net metering. And, best of all, we got in on the REC program - so for every 2.4kW hour of electricity we generate, we make 13 cents. And, since we live in New Mexico, we have a lot of hours of sunshine.

We were fortunate enough to have the up-front investment to make the purchase. And another cool thing is that, once we put up the panels, we now "own" our solar space. No one can plant or build anything which will interfere with our ability to receive the sunshine on our roof.

Can't wait to get that first check from the electric company!