Solar Powered
In March 2012 SunPower completed the installation of photo voltaic panels at a cost of $200,000 which generates a large share of our electricity consumption. 38,640 peak watts, 33,450 CEC rated watts. Total cost $187,501, less grant of $22,459.
Electrical Usage for the Year April 2014 through March 2015
| Total electrical energy produced | 67,716 kwh |
| Net total electrical energy purchased from PG&E | 28,000 kwh |
| Originally anticipated usage | 97,600 kwh |
| Difference | (1884) kwh |
*Kilowatt-hour: One kilowatt-hour is defined as the energy consumed by power
consumption of 1 kilowatt (1,000 watts) during 1 hour.
Electrical Costs for the Year April 2014 through March 2015
| Total Solar Lease Payments | $16,005 |
| Total PG&E Electrical Cost | 1,145 |
| Total Actual Electrical Cost | 17,150 |
| Originally Anticipated Solar + PG&E Cost | 20,429 |
| Savings | 3,279 |
The solar system was leased so there was no initial cash outlay, and the tax benefit is taken by a for-profit company. The lease is structured so that, during the seven-year term our total annual cost of electricity will be a little less than our PG&E bill might have been if we did not have the solar system. At the expiration of the lease there will be a residual value estimated at approximately $67,000 that we must pay to the leasing company in order to fully own the solar system.