Photovaltaic System Success!

User: mduclos1@icloud.com

Vendor: Drive Green - Green Energy Consumers Alliance

Action: 3572 - Install Solar

In June of 2017 our Photovoltaic (PV) system went 'on line' with Hudson Light and Power! Because we have a 'hip' style roof, were were only able to squeeze on 15 Sunpower X21  335 watt panels for a total system capacity of 5 KW. Sunpower solar panels are a bit more expensive than others, but have excellent specifications along with a warranty limiting production degradation over time. They are also produced in a more environmentally responsible way, see the comparison 2018-19 Solar Scorecard. For more information on the scorecard.

This system produces an average of about 6000 KWHrs/year, which is over half of our total annual electricity use of about 11,000 Kwhrs for almost all space heating and cooling, hot water, lights and appliances, and as well as charging two battery only electric cars. This system was a substantial investment, but the 30% Federal Tax Credit and State Tax Credit helped a great deal in making it a more affordable long term investment that will return additional value when we eventually sell the house. So far the PV System has generated over 44,000 KWhrs of silent, very low carbon electricity !