Virginia’s Solar Citizens
Would-Be Solar Users Can Face Steep Up-Front Costs
by Ken Chamberlain
American University Interactive Journalism Program
Fall 2007
Photo by Ken Chamberlain
Dick Anderson was a visitor on the
2007 Solar Tour to Scott Sklar’s solar home.
He explained his plans for adopting solar
technology to use him.
ARLINGTON, VA.–The promise of free or low-cost electricity provided by the sun may be enough to entice even the most hardened solar power skeptics to retrofit their homes with solar panels.
But there’s a catch: The technology doesn’t come cheap.
The promise of free or low-cost electricity, and of helping the environment, brought out hundreds of people in Virginia for the Solar Tour, a two-day exhibition of innovative solar homes.
McLean, Va., resident Rose Wells’ home was one of tour’s stops. She spent more than $15,000 two years ago fitting her home with eight, standard solar panels, and a few thousand more installing solar and energy efficient appliances, she said.
Although she doesn’t have to pay for power now thanks to her investment, it’s an upfront cost that many families cannot afford.
Photo by Ken Chamberlain
Rose Wells demonstrates her solar
over to a visitor on the 2007 Solar
Tour. She explained what inspired her
to install a solar energy system in her home.
Families “that have more disposable income are more likely to purchase these technologies,” said Scott Sklar, former president of the Solar Energy Industries Association and current president of The Stella Group, an energy consulting firm.
Getting Started
Tax credits can help offset some of a solar power system’s cost. Although Virginia and 34 other states don’t offer tax credits, the federal government offers a 30 percent tax credit on installed systems, up to $2,000, Sklar said.
The state of solar technology also plays a role in costs. Although the technology has been around for decades, serious residential use is still relatively new, resulting in mismatched components and prices that would be higher than if technologies were standardized.
Photo by Ken Chamberlain
Scott Sklar (in hat, on right) begins
an exhibition of his home during the 2007
Solar Tour.
“The solar industry is very young, and in many cases hasn’t developed matched systems, which was similar to computers and stereos when they first entered the market,” Sklar said. In recent years, however, the industry has begun to standardize solar components, which should help in bringing prices down.
Homeowners can also contact their local chapter of the Solar Energy Industries Association, which can send an expert to their home to assess whether they have the space needed for solar technology and what technology would best suit the homeowner, given his or her budget and energy needs, Sklar said.
Listen to the audio story
Useful Links:
Solar Energy Industries Association
Maryland-DC-Virginia Solar Energy Industries Association
U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technology Program