“It’s like the light bulb is going on,” said John Hodgens, a solar energy consultant with Monolith Solar, a Rensselaer-based photovoltaic company that helps local municipalities, businesses and residents lower their energy bills by outfitting them with roof- or ground-mounted solar panel arrays. “People are realizing that they can build a power plant on their roof or in their yards for less than they’re paying for utilities.”
According to Hodgens, now is the perfect time to invest in solar energy—rebate offers from NYSERDA are steadily dropping but the cost of solar systems has dropped as well. Right now, he says that the NYSERDA rebate (less than half of what it was a little more than a year ago), combined with federal and state incentives, can reduce the cost of a solar system by about half. For a resident who financed their system, monthly payments are typically less than conventional energy bills . . . and, after about 15 years, they would enjoy about 25 years of free, sustainable energy.
With energy costs expected to start climbing again in 2017, Hodgens said, “We want to provide solar energy to basically everyone. Low to moderate income homes, we can help them wipe out their electric bill. While helping to save the planet.”
Monolith Solar offers solar for apartments, rentals and houses with shading or roof issues through its Community Solar program.
For more information on Monolith Solar, including a list of frequently asked questions about solar energy technology, go to the company’s website at www.monolithsolar.com.
