Ask the Expert
Erin Noble, co-director of Missouri Renew, a project of the Missouri Coalition for the Environment
314-727-0600
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The use of solar electricity more than tripled between 2000 and 2008 in the United States. California has 50,000 houses that operate on solar power. Summer reminds us that Missouri has a strong solar resource and the economics of solar in the state are now better than ever.
Combining the voter-enacted Proposition C solar rebate with the current 30 percent federal tax credit and the lowering prices of solar panels means installing panels costs half as much as it did three years ago. Benefits include less dependence on imported fossil fuel, lower carbon emissions and more "green" jobs. Solar also produces the most electricity on summer days, when utility power demand is highest.
For homeowners considering solar, the first step is to make energy-efficiency upgrades, including improved insulation, lighting or windows. Such upgrades could cut energy usage in half and significantly reduce the amount of solar power needed to meet a home's requirements.
A site assessment must be done to make sure solar panels won't be blocked by shade-producing trees and buildings. Homeowners need to decide if they want to be completely off grid — that is, independent from the electric utility — or "grid-interconnected." In Missouri, grid-interconnected systems are most common because they are much less costly. They also allow owners full retail credit for unused electricity returned to the utility grid.
Information on federal, state and local utility incentives for energy efficiency and renewable energy is at www.dsireusa.org. The Missouri Solar Energy Industries Association, at www.MOSEIA.org, has information about solar system installers.
