Solar Resiliency

Across the country, homeowners are looking to solar as a way to address the volatility of changing energy prices and reliability. We spoke with one couple in Maine to learn more about their decision to install a home solar system.

Mary and Michael have lived in a small town in the White Mountains for more than 25 years. Their house, far from town, sits on a small point that juts into a glacial lake. The serenity is not without its challenges. Many of the homes in the area, including Mary and Michael’s, are not connected to gas lines. Their house is entirely dependent on electricity. Their heat, stove, water pumps, and all other aspects of daily life grind to a halt when the power goes out.

The average winter temperature is a high of 29°F and a low of 6°F. Fending off the cold can mean astronomical heating bills. In past years, from summer to winter, their electric bill has increased threefold. In January 2022, Maine Power increased the cost of electricity by 88%. Between that and the further price increases from the events in Eastern Europe, they are looking nervously toward this winter’s bills. And about once or twice a winter, storms knock out the electricity.

Due to rising electricity costs, instability in winter months, and concern over climate change, Mary and Michael are considering a home solar system. Federal and state tax incentives, low-interest solar loans, Maine’s 1-to-1 net metering program, and the decreasing cost of technology have led to a proliferation of solar panels, both roof and freestanding, in the town. Many of Michael and Mary’s neighbors have installed systems and are pleased with the results.

For Michael and Mary, the system that makes the most sense is solar plus storage. Michael and Mary can participate in Maine’s net metering program as they will still be connected to the grid. They will sell the excess back to the electric utility when they produce more than they need. Conversely, they can still buy from the grid when they produce less than they need.

With many of their initial concerns assuaged, Mary and Michael intend to move forward with their plans for solar. They are looking forward to a winter of lower bills and a lack of worry over outages.

No matter where you live, whether in the suburbs of New Jersey or the woods of Maine, solar can help make your home safer and more resilient. It can also limit your pocketbook to external factors such as volatile utility prices. Reach out to U.S. Solar Energy today to get more details about how solar can benefit you and your home.