Would it be worth the money to lease solar panels? There was a program on NPR February 22, 2011 about that type of program. It was interesting and brings up a question about how to purchase solar panels. The comments by listeners were just as interesting so be sure to read them.
To find the article and listen to it or read it, go to NPR on the Internet and search for A Lease On Solar Panels? Some of the factors involved are leasing panels and getting subsidies from states. Some of the people in the mid-west also complained that this only works in the dessert states and not for them. There are 10 states offering these subsidies and some of them are in the East and some are in the West.
One of the things that helped the process was the installer bought a company in the East who could install panels. Massachusetts for example gives as much as $1,000 against the cost of purchasing and or installing solar panels on their home. As more and more states require utilities to create electricity from cleaner sources, solar should continue to be important. Add a Federal Tax Credit of 30% and the incentives get people to move.
It will be a good idea to read some of the listener comments and even read some of the related stories. Needless to say, there were people who agreed with the concepts in the article and those who were against. There is always the issue that some people don't think the government should subsidies things that we should do anyway. There are those who think government subsidies help to pick the winners and stop the process of free enterprise. There are others who think that subsidies right now are a great idea. They will help to get new industries up and going, create jobs, and help the environment as well. This may be another of those issues that only time will tell.
There are ways to have these systems be affordable and even build your own. In some states, you may want to have wind power to work with the solar. The prices of these technologies are coming down and it is possible to do it yourself. What most people need is information and facts. Do some research on these systems and find out for yourself what can be done. You can afford this technology and you can do it yourself.
Don't let negative ideas or articles stop you from learning about solar energy and wind power. The more you know, the better informed decisions you will make when you are ready.