If you have a house or small business in Chestertown or around the region, and want to go solar, now is your golden opportunity!
Members of the Chestertown community are organizing a solar co-op. By going solar together participants in the co-op can save up to 20% or more off the cost of a solar system, and have the support of the group throughout the process.
Want to learn more? Join us for an information session:
Friday, May 29th at 4:30 p.m. in Litrenta Lecture Hall, Toll Science Building on Washington College Campus
Saturday, May 30th at 11 a.m. in Chestertown Town Hall Building on Cross Street
This is an amazing opportunity to go solar, get a discount, and be part of the growing solar movement!
Attend one of the information sessions to learn more about the solar co-op and to sign up for the group!
Joe diamond says
The technology is impressive. Solar systems are silent, emit no byproducts and can be connected to energy storage systems to provide constant electrical power from the Sun. No resources are consumed by capturing the energy of the sun. AND the cost of solar equipment is coming down as the efficiency is going up.
What is needed, in my opinion, is a co-op of interested lawyers to decide how best to eliminate obstructions from local government. In much the same way objections to satellite dish antennae were legislated away, some instrument to keep HOAs and planning and zoning folks away from solar installations is fundamental before meaningful solar applications will be possible. Companies capable of operating medium to large solar arrays will not (my opinion) also invest in local legal battles….they will go where they are welcome.
Joe
Briggs Cunningham says
Please click on this link if you want to sign up now:
https://mdsun.org/solar-bulk-purchases/chestertown/
Norman Dulak says
Solar energy looks promising. Where such systems can be connected to the power grid, credits can be earned for the input of photovoltaic energy. That can reduce the energy costs for solar participants. But there are also potential problems.
Because the earnings of traditional electric suppliers will decrease with solar input from others, those on the grid without solar may find their costs increase. But a more serious concern is that traditional electricity supplies may not accept input from individuals or businesses with solar systems. That could make the costs of installing a solar system much less rewarding for homeowners. And there is some evidence that Delmarva Power may have denied access to the power grid by homeowners in Centreville, MD, who installed solar systems.
It will be interesting to learn what the solar co-op says about that.
Norm
Joe Diamond says
Norman,
You have hit upon a complex issue. As I understand the renewable energy situation the feds….around 1980……..told the electric companies they had (were required to) buy back energy generated by homeowners and others. Now that people are actually producing energy for sale the details of exactly how to do it are causing problems, I think.
To the extent that energy can be used on site there is no issue. Improved batteries seem on the horizon to make this more possible. Other geothermal heat sources, improved building techniques and insulation materials contribute here.
But what happens if everybody links to the power grid? The technology for doing it is expensive. Potentially everyone would be putting energy into a system without paying for distribution and line maintenance. The question eventually will be, as you suggest, who pays for the transmission costs?
An actual case where a power company refused to connect a solar rig would be instructive.
Power companies are on record that they do not want to expand their generation capabilities. What if they really lost demand for their current current?
Joe
Allen Capel says
I almost went solar for my home through an introduction at Home Depot. Being a bit doubtful, I was encouraged to check them ( Solar City ) out on the internet. I did the research and got an eye opener. First of all I found that almost every dealer in solar power is getting a nice kick back from Uncle Sam , a fact not disclosed to you, the customer. That company and others can place a lien on your property and call it ‘payment insurance’. Way too many sellers and installers were accused of shoddy work and even bypassing local building codes. Not one was accused of being customer friendly once their installation and set up was complete. One other red flag is that they want you to switch electric supply companies to one of their choosing. While I like the idea of cheap, green power, I think I will hold off and see where the ball bounces next, We already know that if you have home grown electricity, the present power companies will not buy your excess and may even exclude you from the power grid!
Joe Diamond says
Allen,
Could you expand on that last part?
I understood it was the feds…Carter administration? …..who forced the power companies to participate. I do know there are stringent technical requirements to assure safety of techs working up and down the power grid. But once the connection to the private system is done & inspected I understood the power companies were powerless …powerless to stop consumers from selling solar power back to the suppliers.
Kent County has a system. How would a power company say no? Is there a size requirement or a location quota?
Joe