Do you love the idea of going solar – but worry that it’s out of reach? Or too expensive? Or both?

 A new “community solar” program in New York will make going solar easy and affordable for everyone. But unfortunately, high demand also means that not everyone will be able to get in on it.

 I think the availability of community solar is such a no-brainer that I’m working with OurPower.solar so you won’t miss out. And I have one simple message for you:

 If you can sign up, you should. Don’t wait! Go here right now and do it. 

 But if for some odd reason, you’re still on the fence about it, please read this post all the way through. For one thing, you might find out you have something in common with Socrates – yes, that Socrates.

 You…and Socrates?

Harnessing the power of the sun is as old as humankind.  The Greek philosopher Socrates wrote about the advantage of building a home with overhangs to provide shade in the summer and south facing windows to draw in the sun’s warmth in the winter.

If you’ve put awnings over your windows for summer shade and keep the curtains open in the winter to let the warm winter sun in, well, let’s just say, you and Socrates could have been pals.

The Anasazi people who lived in the American Southwest more than 800 years ago didn’t know Socrates, but they were smart like him, and built their homes in south-facing cliffs so they could take advantage of the sun’s changing position in summer and winter both.

The Moon Landing, Panic at the Pump and Solar Power

Fast forward to the 1960s. Most people probably think the biggest technological achievement of those years had to do with us landing on the moon. But that’s also when we developed the modern-day solar cell. This breakthrough solution gave us the ability to transform the sun’s rays into electricity to power and heat our homes, warm our water, and fuel our industries and even our cars.

The oil embargo of 1973 sent Americans scrambling for energy – and also drove scientists to find an energy solution that would make us less dependent on oil from overseas.

Many of us would agree, given the hostilities we see in the world around us, that that goal is still important.

Today, we’re facing an additional threat—one that also risks world and national security and the future of the next generation: climate change.

But the silver lining in that very dark cloud is that, our dawning understanding that fossil fuels—like oil and gas—are driving serious environmental harm has spurred even greater innovation in solar technology.

Globally, since 2010, solar installations have risen on average 58% year after year.

Meanwhile, the cost of solar tech has dropped by 10% every year since 1980.

The US is on the verge of its 1 millionth solar installation.

No wonder Bloomberg predicts that solar is bound to be the most affordable energy generation technology across the world by 2030.

Why Don’t We All Have Solar Power?

Despite all of this progress and our increased desire and demand for solar energy, it’s still out of reach for almost half of Americans.

According to the National Renewable Energy Lab, 49% of US households can’t go solar, even if they want to, because they don’t have the right kind of roof, can’t afford the system, or because they don’t own their homes.

But that’s about to change—at least for some of us.

Community Solar Makes Solar Easy and Accessible at a Price We Can Afford

A new innovative program in New York called community solar will vastly decrease the cost of going solar and make it much easier for anyone to tap into the power of the sun.

That’s because community solar doesn’t require any kind of installation on your roof and, in most cases, no upfront capital costs.

Instead, it lets you tap into the energy produced by a local solar garden (a large group or array of solar panels).

Joining will be as easy as subscribing to a new cellphone plan.

And the cost savings will start right away, because the energy you buy from the solar garden will cost less than the energy you currently buy from your utility.

 So…What’s the Catch?

We know that the demand for this new program will far exceed the available spots.

94% of New Yorkers have said they are interested in using more solar power.

But community solar projects will only be able to accommodate 2% of New York households.

That’s why, if you want it, or even think you might want it, you need to sign up for it – now.

Good Thing Signing Up Is Free!

Signing up is free. It doesn’t cost anything to put your name on a list so that, as community solar projects get built, you can find out when you can actually start to benefit from them.

If you don’t sign up, someone else will. Shouldn’t you at least save your spot?

I would if I were you.

Photo Credits
Socrates – Dimitris Kamaras
Sun shot – Art4theGlryofGod by Sharon

The post The Best Chance to Get Solar Power You Might Miss Out On appeared first on Big Green Purse.

Solar power is good. But getting access to solar power? That can be hard, especially in tree-lined neighborhoods or crowded cities where you can’t put solar panels on your own roof.

Community solar power projects are coming to the rescue in states across the country, including New York.

They’re building solar gardens on old industrial sites, on top of churches, synagogues and grocery stores, even on local farms so people like you who want their energy to come from the clean sun instead of dirty fossil fuels can get it.

We’re partnering with OurPower.solar to make sure you don’t miss out on your chance to sign up for solar when it becomes available in your community.

Here’s what you need to know.

What’s So Great About Solar Energy?

√ Solar energy improves air quality, puts the brakes on climate change, protects our kids’ health, reduces air pollution, and is helping us achieve sustainability.

√ There is no limit to how much solar energy is available. We’re never going to run out of sunlight.

√ Plus, we don’t have to dig a big coal mine, or drill a polluting oil well, or send ships (and troops) to the Middle East. We just have to aim some solar panels at the sun and voilá. We’ve got power!

If Solar’s THAT Great, Why Don’t We Use More Of It?

Until recently, our utility companies and energy policies favored dirty fossil fuels over clean “renewable” energy sources like solar.

As a result, there weren’t enough solar panels being made and installed, which is why solar cost more.

In fact, all renewable energy has been something of a luxury item. You could get it, but you had to pay a premium for it. Sort of like buying a Gucci purse, or a Ferrari.

Community solar power has changed all that. Now you can get the solar version of Gucci or Ferrari without it costing you any more.

In fact, it’s going to cost you less. You’ll end up saving money on energy and getting rewarded for doing the right thing when you start using solar power generated in your own community.

How Does Community Solar Power Actually Work?

If you were to put solar panels on your own home’s roof, the panels would capture sunlight and convert it into electrical current. The more electricity you used from solar, the less you’d use that was generated by fossil fuels.

Community solar power works the same way, but instead of the panels being on your own roof, a lot of them – called an array – are installed in a convenient, shared solar garden.

As soon as the panels are installed, they start generating electricity.

That’s where you come in.

If you’ve signed up, you can replace part (or all!) of the electricity you get from polluting energy sources with energy from the sun. That’s all there is to it.

So…What’s the Catch?

The catch is that right now, more people want community solar power than can actually get it.

In New York State, for example, OurPower estimates that, based on the number of projects planned and how many people want to opt in, only 2% of households will actually be able to take advantage of this opportunity.

Yikes! I Don’t Want to Miss Out. What Should I Do?

The easiest and smartest thing to do is to sign up ASAP on OurPower’s “Insiders List.”

Signing up doesn’t obligate you to start using solar (though, if you’re like me, you probably want to power up with solar as soon as you can).

It just makes sure you’re on the inside track, so that as soon as community solar is available, you’ll be among the first to find out about it.

What’s It Going to Cost Me to Sign Up?

Nothing. Nada. A big fat zero.

All signing up does is make sure you’re on the inside track so you can be among the first to opt in when community solar starts working in your neighborhood.

Once you do opt in, you’ll get credited on your regular utility bill for the amount of solar you use, just as if you had put solar panels on your own roof.

How Will Community Solar Power Save Me Money?

Right now, you pay your utility company a certain price for every kilowatt-hour of energy you use. The same kilowatt-hour, when it comes from a community solar project, costs you about 10-20% less. So, the more of your energy use you cover with community solar, the more money you’ll save.

With most projects, you’ll get two bills, one from your solar provider and a second from your utility.

You only pay your utility for electricity you use that’s over and above what’s covered by solar.

How Do I Know I Qualify?

If you live in New York, count yourself lucky. Not every state has the right laws in place that make community solar possible. But if you are a New Yorker and you pay a utility bill, you can subscribe.

It’s that simple.

Why Should I Sign Up If the Projects Aren’t Actually Available Yet?

It’s like signing up for a new iPhone before you can actually buy it (though community solar is even better, because you don’t have to camp out overnight in front of an Apple store or wait in longlines).  Like those iPhone folks, you don’t want to miss out! Only 2% of people can participate in the next go round.

Signing up for OurPower’s Insider’s List guarantees that
you’ll be among the first to know when solar energy is available to buy
from your community solar power project.

(By the way, if you don’t live in New York but love the idea of community solar power, please still sign up so when community solar does come to your area, you’ll be the first to know.)

What Can I Do Right Now?

The most important thing you can do right now is save your spot by signing up. It’ll only take you five seconds. Seriously!

Partner Note: Partnering with great projects like OurPower enables us to bring you valuable information and opportunities to live a greener life that you might otherwise not know about. It also helps Big Green Purse fulfill our mission to help people shift to the greenest products and services available. Thanks!

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