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| Brian Costanzo, proud owner of new 5.15 KW solar power generating system |
On 6/29/2013 I went to see the installation of new solar panels in my neighborhood. Brian Costanzo, my new friend and the proud owner of the new solar power generating system with a total capacity of 5.15 KW was very enthusiastic in sharing with me the total cost/savings analysis of owning the system including the rate of return of his investment. Going solar could have cost Brian more than $17,000, but state, and county grants along with a federal tax incentive combined together to bring his cost to just about $9,000. Estimated first year power savings of $800 and Solar RECs at $600 (if he opted to sell his excess power) would further bring down his net cost after a year to a little over $7,000 with approximately six (6) years return on his investment.
I also had a chance to talk to Lisa Orr, the program coordinator in the community development division of the county's Office of Sustainability and Environmental Resources who was present in the solar panel installation using it as a demo to attract the residents into going solar. She explained to me the "Solarize Frederick County" pilot project and how the residents can take advantage of lower costs of solar panels through volume purchasing and incentive grants from both local and federal. She further explained that doing a comprehensive home energy audit is the first step to do after signing up for a free solar assessment at solarizefredrick.org.
I believe in the saying, that money saved is money earned. The longer we procrastinate to have something like what Brian did, the longer we're stuck in the old system. Besides savings on electric bills, using renewable source of energy such as solar, will help solve our environmental problems. What are you waiting for, my dear friends? Let's go SOLAR!
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| Your humble friend (second from left) next to Rebecca Yarbrough, an Astrum Market Development Specialist (photo courtesy of The Frederick News-Post thru Brian Costanzo) |
