How your neighborhood benefits from your solar panels

If you are investing in a solar system, you probably already have a pretty good idea about how it is going to enrich your life; but did you know you can benefit your neighborhood as well?

First of all, if your system produces more energy than you use in a given day, you can sell it back to the local utility company. Not only are you eliminating the amount of electricity you were previously consuming, but now you can help to strengthen the grid. Additionally, instead of creating a larger carbon footprint by continuing to drain the system, you are now providing your own energy and reducing the amount of energy needed to be produced; helping to create a cleaner environment.

In addition to doing your part towards creating a cleaner environment, deciding to go solar can also encourage your neighbors. As these progressive communities have discovered, you can actually benefit from large discounts on solar systems if you band together and purchase them in bulk. There are already federal and state incentives being offered on the individual level, but there can be even greater savings by converting in groups offered on the local government level. Many cities have set goals to switch to cleaner energy by a certain point. If they see the unified commitment of their residents to do their part, they will be more willing to budget incentives on the local level as well. It is already working in several neighborhoods throughout the Bay Area region of California; demonstrating that it can be accomplished in many places.

“If there is a will, there is a way;” as the old saying goes. Work within your community to raise support for more solar incentives. If enough residents make their voices heard, many city governments will see the importance of taking action.

Posted on August 15th in Solar Electric by Anna.