Monday, March 2, 2009

"If you don't take care of it, you won't have it"

"We're trying to chip away, slowly but surely, to make ourselves greener and reduce our carbon footprint," Kane said.

Solar panels, as well as electrical inverters that change the direct current from the roof to alternating current that can be fed into his NStar electrical system, cost Kane $149,817.

But a $67,568 rebate from the Mass. Technology Collaborative, a $44,945 federal tax credit, a $7,221 state tax credit and other incentives brought the price down to $45,312, he said.

He will pay that amount off over six to seven years.

The solar power system is expected to generate about 18,900 kilowatt/hours a year, which should add up to an annual savings of about $3,800 on utility bills at today's rates, he said.

Kane also shopped locally, getting the Devens-manufactured panels from Marlborough-based Evergreen Solar. His electrical inverters were built by Solectria Renewables of Lawrence.

Kane, who lives in Framingham, said he is now researching whether it would make financial sense to expand his solar array and sell electricity back to his utility company. If so, he sees bigger potential in his industry.

"There are millions of square feet of storage roofs around the country," he said.

Read more about the solar electric installation in the Milford Daily News here

For additional information on solar energy, check out the series held by the Franklin Area Climate Team here


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