Using my time left to google questions here cause c'mon, y'all know this kinda stuff way better than dumpy old computers!
It's always been a goal of mine, but had to keep incredibly skeptical of grifters/the hostile ways US reacts to energy independence
So whats the verdict? Anyone here already done the rabbit hole? Thanks cohost ilu 💖
pretty sure this is going to be a case by case thing that varies widely across the states and basically comes down to how heavily the energy companies have bribed local officials.
Last I saw, it sounded like it depends on your local power company with regard to grid ties and how much you might be reimbursed for the power. Some states like CA have particular legislation around this.
slightly related, recently in WA, they did some consumer protection legislation against bad solar contractors https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2024/03/01/washington-lawmakers-move-to-rein-in-unscrupulous-rooftop-solar-companies/
You can technically do a solar installation without a grid tie, but you'd need a bunch of batteries to store the power and it'd usually act as a backup source for outages, or you can wire specific outlets to draw directly from battery for as long as they have charge
Varies significantly by state. Here, MA heavily encourages it, so a significant portion of homes have rooftop solar here. There are hefty rebates available, and an entire electrification and efficiency program leading up to it so you can maximize how much you're getting from it. Currently, it starts with a free efficiency assessment, followed by insulation & sealing the home for heating efficiency. Then they encourage swapping out the furnace and things like hot water heater for efficient heat pump versions which run on electricity, amd upgrading the electrical panel to handle that and potentially solar. Followed by rooftop solar, with 1:1 ratio on power credits, so any watts put into the grid can later be withdrawn when you aren't generating, and a hefty rebate. Even a leased system saves most homes money, to my understanding. My understanding is the cost for these programs is paid by the utility companies, who tack it on as additional charges to the electricity price... which you aren't paying for if your rooftop solar is providing sufficient power. Basically, if I had it done today, solar would probably pay off immediately, assuming the forest behind the house didn't keep them shaded all the time.
But MA is a bit of a weird one here; most places don't have that 1:1 ratio for example. Still worth looking into elsewhere, as there's good odds something like a leased system will at least break even. It's not energy independence though, as it is still all very much hooked into the grid and not some sort of home battery system. Some places might have batteries which make economic sense, but I don't think that's the norm currently.
I listened to this last month and I think it's just looking at a small piece of the issue: https://www.npr.org/transcripts/1197961036
