This might be a good time to buy a solar energy system for your home. Consider leasing rather than buying equipment to reduce the initial investment needed. Companies such as Sunrun and SolarCity install solar energy systems for little or no payment, then charge for the power generated at lower cost than most utilities. Solar equipment prices are dropping fast – about half price from one year ago. At the same time, technological advancements are improving the performance. And since fossil fuel costs are expected to continue rising in the future, renewable energy alternatives such as solar become even more attractive.
Sunrun
“Home solar for little or nothing down. We have a power system installed on your roof, charge you a low rate for the power it produces, and then monitor and maintain it.”
SolarCity
“SolarCity will install your solar system for free! With SolarCity’s SolarLease® you simply pay for your solar power by the month—just like your utility bill—only lower. Instead of buying the equipment, you simply lease it.”
I know that you don’t get the benefit of “not having any power bills” (which just means you prepaid them with the $$$ outlay…) but with the improvements in PV technology, it might be attractive to lease for a period of time, go off-grid if possible, and INVEST in your own equipment as technology improves. Definitely not for everyone, but attractive for some.
Yeah, it’s sort of a middle of the road solution. Works for some, not all.