Off Grid Solar Living

There is a saying that solar energy might be the last, "gold rush," energy resource for people in the digital age to exploit. Energy produced by sunlight isn't owned by any government. Energy produced by sunlight isn't taxed as a commodity by anyone. The era of renewable energy is dawning, and every homeowner who is regularly taken aback by their home energy bills for electricity should take notice. No, strike that thought, must take notice of the potential long-term benefits of home solar energy conversion.

As a homeowner I was skeptical about changing the way I powered my home. I was used to paying for electricity, like any other homeowner. The idea of converting my home to photovoltaic or PV system seemed too fringe or fad-friendly. A bit too, "new age," for my taste.

I think as human beings, it is hard to let go of the usual way of doing things. I realized, and accepted, that the usual way of doing things in the public and private energy sector was coming to an end.

My research into home solar energy conversion began in earnest when I accepted the fact that the renewable energy industry will only continue to grow. Now is the best time in decades to affordably buy a residential solar energy setup. Converting your home energy setup to solar energy is expensive, there is no question about it. Still, there are many readily available, solar energy friendly government tax incentives available. I saved 30 percent on my initial home solar energy conversion purchase costs.

The 5,000-kilowatt solar panel array installed on my roof cost me about $17,000. My home is about 2,500 square feet, which is the national average. How much you will actually pay for your home solar energy conversion will vary state-to-state and how much sun exposure your region experiences. So, think of it this way - when you take out a mortgage on your home that is a long-term investment as well. Initial home solar energy conversion costs are comparable to the purchase of a brand-new economy grade vehicle.

My home solar energy setup will pay for itself in a few years. Most importantly, after I sought out every solar-friendly tax incentive that applied to me, my initial purchase price of $17,000 was knocked down to $11,000. I am still hooked up to the utility grid, but I only draw power from it at night or incidents of inclement weather. That is unless I have enough energy stored in my reserve battery. Moreover, through a process called, "net metering," any excess electricity that I generate is sold to the utility company. Yes, that's right - the power company pays me! However, this is via non-monetary credit, as opposed to the popular fiction that utility companies pay for excess electricity generated by residential solar energy systems.

Still, free energy is free energy right?

As a homeowner, if you are...