If you are a National Grid customer, you may have received a notice informing you that your electric rates are going to be raised by as much as 37% next month. That is 37¢ on every dollar you spend. So a $100 electric bill will now be a $137 electric bill. Coming hard on the teeth of another brutally long and cold winter seems akin to kicking someone when they are down. What can you do? Turn down the thermostat, switch to energy efficient bulbs and appliances, sure, but many of us have already done that, in fact that is one of the reasons that National Grid is raising it's rates. People are using less energy, but the power company "needs" to make the same amount of money, therefore: higher rates. So what to do? Suck it up and pay the higher rates...or look into supplementing our energy with solar power?
The possibility of placing solar panels on the roof of 24 Norman Street is an idea that has been discussed. It is unlikely that we could generate enough power to supply the entire building, but it might be enough to keep our ever-spiraling electric bills down to a manageable level.
Here is an article about how one couple in a Chicago condominium went solar. http://www.motherearthliving.com/mother-earth-living/how-to-go-solar-condo.aspx#axzz3K1C34V4e
The main hindrances to going solar are expense, and maintenance. There are several government-sponsored incentive programs for going solar, as well as a solar initiative here in Salem.
This article is the best in explaining the incentives.
http://brightstarsolar.net/2011/02/solar-power-for-condominiums/
The first big question is: do we qualify? The second is: if not, does anyone in the building want to spend the money to have solar panels installed? Would it be economically feasible?
Like many other initiatives proposed for our building, if there is no interest, we will continue to maintain the status quo, however we would love to know your thoughts.
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