Three Years of Solar, No Sacrifices!

Yesterday marked our third "true-up" period with PG&E. That's three years of solar power, and it's time to pay PG&E for the last year of power consumption. We owe $68.00!! That's for the year, even less than the year before or before that. A long way from the $2600 per year we used to pay before solar! We don't do anything out of the ordinary except not use our clothes dryer or dishwasher during peak times in the summer. We do try to turn off lights that aren't needed. No real sacrificing to speak of, no maintenance of any kind, no having to think about it. Just clean, silent, pure power coming from our roof daily.

Last month we ordered our Nissan Leaf electric car and look forward to having our solar power system provide power for it next year. Normal driving patterns will require no sacrifice either with an electric car with 100 mile range. Solar power for the home and car isn't a far fetched concept or dream, it will soon be our reality. After rebates and incentives, both a residential solar power system and an electric car like the Nissan Leaf cost somewhere in the low $20,000 range each. Leasing can be an affordable option as well with both. These aren't technologies meant for the rich, they are well within the grasp of normal families.

The sun CAN power our transportation and living needs! We aim to keep proving it next year.