Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Solar Panel Retrofits

[Eris Weaver (eris]

Here at FrogSong we added solar panels to our common house a few years ago;
over time our net usage of electricity from the grid zeroes out, but
fluctuates with the season - we generate more than we use in the summer and
vice versa in the winter. The utility company pays us less for what we
generate than it charges us for what we use. We are in the process of
changing to a new, local energy provider that offers a better deal in that
regard. Have not had any problems with it that I know of. I can't remember
what our estimates were for how long before the initial investment pays for
itself.

We're in the process of getting bids to add panels on the residential
buildings. We've wanted to do this for years, but the regulatory environment
in California made it impossible - multifamily housing had to have separate
panels and meters for each unit, which was cost prohibitive. My neighbor
(who happens to be CEO of the new local energy company!) spent a lot of time
in Sacramento lobbying for changes in those regulations, which has
happened....but it's a new program and so getting permits, bids etc is
challenging. We've also been trying to get things done before certain
rebates expire.

This is one of those issues that is going to vary widely from state to
state, in terms of the regulatory environment, your local energy providers,
and your climate.

I can try to put you in touch with someone who knows more about all of this
than I do, but not sure how much it will apply to your local situation.
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Eris Weaver, Graphic Facilitator & Group Process Consultant
Founding member, FrogSong Cohousing in Cotati, CA
eris [at] erisweaver.info . 707-338-8589 . http://www.erisweaver.info