Solar power

[William Field]

Has anyone installed solar power around here?  What's your experience?  And do you have any connection to Trinity Power, or a company close to that name?

-Will

[Steve Morlino, LEED AP]

William, I do not yet have solar, however I am laying out a net zero installation that I plan on starting on shortly.  I have 2 friends who had solar installed by Trinity (a Howell based firm) under the more favorable rebate program several years ago.  Both do very well as far a SRECS and their overall energy bill.

What is being offerred today is known as a PPA (Power Purchase Agreement).  Under this program the company or a 3rd party funds the entire capital outlay and you purchase electricity at a reduced rate.  You are basically leasing your roof space to the vendor to install a power system and get a reduced rate on your electrical consumption.

This is a win win if you don't want to lay out the iniatial funds to install a system, yet want to reduce your electric bill and contribute to a greener enviornment.

I am currently working with PSE&G to install one of the largest systems like this in the country at my place of employment. 

[William Field]

Thanks, Steve.

We've just contracted with Trinity for an installation.

yes, we can do it so someone else pays for and owns the installation, giving us electricity at a reduced rate of $0.14/kwh (we're paying $0.18 with JCP&L).  Or we can do it so we pay part of the installation, and given ownership of part of the system to someone else.  All the realtors I talked with said straight ownership is easier to deal with when we sell the house.

So, we're putting in a system that will replace all our electricity needs with solar and give us an annual income from JCP&L of $7000.  The system pays for itself in 4 years and provides nice cash flow after that.

Not bad, hmm?

[gsa]

Hi William --  Wondering if you ever got your solar completely installed.  If you did, how is it working for you?  We live in Candlewood and are considering putting in solar and would appreciate any input you may have.

Thanks...   gayle

[Ginger_Hoffmeier]

Does your roof have to be facing any particular direction or be out of the shade?

I want a solar powered generator. I would like to be completely off the grid.

[Joe Parente]

It has to be in direct sunlight, Ginger.

[James_Mazetta]

Building codes need to be changed so that every, every new house built has them period.

[Jackie Everitt]

I second that!!!  Actually for the last ten years I have been asking why don't new houses have them.  Then about 2 or 3 years ago I saw how much money would have been saved if they were put on during new construction (and the electrical system designed for solar) compared to the cost on an already exsisting structure and still don't understand it.  Maybe Howell can be the first town to change our building codes - atleast in NJ - I believe one of the towns in the mid-west that was devestated by tornados a year or two ago already did that.

[James_Mazetta]

It's all about the $$$$$$$$$  Jackie and who pockets how much.

[Reinhard_Kirchhof]

I put solar on my house 5 years ago. My energy bill last year was just under 300 dollars. That's on a 2000 sq ft home with central air ( and we like it cold in the summer).
In addition to that I cash in on the SRECS. If you need info contact me on my e-mail fritz.kirchhof@gmail.com for more info.
Fritz