Solar Panels Are a Good Investment

By Marie Domenici

Investing in Solar panels turned out to be the best investment my husband and I ever made! Our home has all electric appliances and central air. In 2003, we started to investigate the possibility of solar. The size of a system is determined by your energy consumption. It was recommended that we purchase a 6,400 watt system. At that time, we did not have the funding for a 6,400 watt system, so we purchased a 4,500 watt system. The LIPA rebate was very generous, as they gave us $22,500 towards the purchase of system which cost $36,000. In 2003, LIPA was rebating $5.00 a watt. Today, LIPA is rebating $3.50 a watt; so you can see, time is money!

Fast forward to 2008…we purchased the additional 2,400 watts and we applied for and received another LIPA rebate. We now have the 6,900 watt system originally recommended.

Since July & August are air conditioning months, I was very interested to see how my July and August bills from 2007 would differ in 2008. The following information applies:


July 07 - $112.95 July 08 - $57.20 Savings - $55.75
August 07 - $175.39 August 08 - $34.31 Savings - $141.08

Did you know…from the beginning of 2001 through July, 2008, LIPA has increased its rates over 37%. This is the very reason why people like you and I invest in solar!

Here’s what you need to know when considering solar:
• Orientation
• Age of Roof
• Tree Shading

To maximize the energy production of photovoltaic electricity, PV systems are installed on southern, southeast or southwest exposed roofs and mounted parallel with the roof at a 35 degree roof pitch with no shading. However, roofs facing east or west may also be acceptable. PV panels should have their surfaces exposed to the sun’s rays for most or all of the day, with minimal or no shadows from trees, chimneys and gables between 9 AM and 4 PM.

If your current roof is nearing the end of its life expectancy or if you have more than one layer of roofing, it will be necessary to consider replacing and removing the old roof before installing the new roof. The concern for having more than one layer of roof is: 1.) weight bearing; 2.) potential for leaks.

LIPA has strict shading guidelines; no more than a 20% shading loss is allowed, otherwise you will not be eligible for the rebate. Therefore it will be necessary to consider either trimming or removing the tree or trees that may cause shading.

Solar panels are warranted for 25 years. There is no maintenance with solar. Does solar work during cloudy day? Yes! Have you ever been to the beach on a cloudy day and still gotten a sun burn?

After our solar installation, I found myself evangelizing about my experience with solar and could not stop singing its praises. So, finally, in 2007, I found a job in the solar industry. My meter runs backwards. I do the happy dance. Life is good!