The roof over your head may be even more useful than you know.  With new incentives from the state and federal government, you can turn it into an energy generating machine and save money too.  The technology involved is very reliable and scalable with long warranties.  Plus you’re helping the environment by saving what equals about 10,000 miles in a passenger car per year!

This is how it works: Like all Oaklanders, you have a utility company which supplies electricity and offers a net metering scheme to residential customers who want to install solar panels on roofs.  When solar panels generate electricity for use by homeowners, all the surplus electricity goes back to the PG&E grid.  Thus solar-powered homes can draw from the grid during night-time, or anytime the panels are not working – and the grid functions like a giant battery.

These grid-tied systems save money.

Now, PG&E charges more for supplying electricity above the baseline amount – so the more electricity your home consumes above the baseline, the more you pay.   Homeowners with roof solar systems have a part, or most, of their electricity needs met by their systems.  Since energy taken from solar-powered homes is very close to the baseline, these homeowners pay less overall.

Over time, say 10 years, you would pay off the cost of the system which is tax-free and adds value to the home, rather than paying off a utility bill.  Based on how much power is put back into the PG&E grid, and what is drawn from it, a household can have an almost zero dollar electricity bill, though they cannot “sell” the surplus as such.

What drives your solar success?

To make solar panels work for you, your roof should have a life of 7-10 years left although it’s best to install them on a brand-new roof.  Additionally, the system requires direct uninterrupted sunlight, and preferably a roof facing south, west, or east.  The normal roof angles work well for solar too and, in fact, you can even have a flat roof.  We’re lucky the California climate is very well-suited to solar installations.

Financially, the initial price tag looks steep since you are paying for 30-40 years of electricity upfront.  This is offset by rebates, which can be “cash upfront” for smaller systems.  In addition, there are federal tax subsidies and depreciation “write-offs” available.  We understand that low-interest loans are coming down the pike, which get paid back through long-term property taxes.

When you step back, your roof really could become a cost-effective energy generator!  It’s important to consider the upfront costs – and equally relevant to factor in the inevitable, rising electricity prices.

More info: Find recent updates on rebates at California Solar Initiative.  Check out thermal and solar resources at Find Solar.  Start searching for Oakland-based solar suppliers online.  Also we invite you to stop by the Temescal Street Fair on June 6th – where Greening Oakland Homes hosts a Green Zone with solar experts ready to explore your opportunities.