The Blackwell's Ground-Mounted Solar PV Project

Residential - November 2010

FRUSTRATED HOMEOWNER REDUCES CARBON FOOTPRINT AND SAVES CASH

Quick Facts

Average Annual Savings

$2,471

Energy Needs Met

25% to 49%

of electricity

Net Investment

$39,573

Return on Investment

17.5%

Property

Owner:: The Blackwell's
Type:: Residential
Address:: Bowie, MD
Energy need met:: 25% to 49% of electricity

Technology

Type:: Solar PV
Installed:: November 2010
Size of System:: 10.32 kW
Purposes:: To generate electricity

Financial Details

Gross Cost of System:: $74,450
Value of Tax Credits:: $34,877
Net Cost of System:: $39,573
Annual Savings:: $2,471
Annual Revenue:: $4,435
Own or Lease:: Cash Purchase

Professionals & Suppliers

Installers:: Solar Energy World

What You Need to Know

Description:

48, 215-watt solar panels, ground-mounted

Other Benefits:

“I love my solar energy system. Besides having a warm fuzzy feeling when I think about going green, there are so many benefits to home owners that it almost seems ridiculous not to look into solar energy”.

Maintenance Requirements:

None

Efficiency or Sustainability Improvements:

Home Energy Audit, CFLs

My Motivation:

With a backdrop of high energy prices, concern over global warming and a growing desire to achieve energy independence, the Blackwell household set out to make a monumental change.After disappointing conversations with BGE, The Blackwell’s started with one simple step – a Home Energy Audit. The audit recommended that they install ENERGYSTAR qualified CFLs (compact fluorescent light), unplug energy draining appliances, use a power strip so they could easily turn off electronics when they were not in use plus other energy saving initiatives. But, it just wasn’t enough. With a renewed desire to cut back, The Blackwell’s were motivated to reduce their electricity bill further when reviewing their annual electricity costs, a steep $7,550 per year. Powering up the Blackwell solar panel system has also reduced their carbon footprint, with a carbon offset of 865lbs. Within the same 10-day period the offset equivalent of planting 10 trees, saving 45 gallons of gas, and taking 26 cars off the road for a day. A carbon offset is a financial instrument aimed at a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, which are measured in metric tons of carbon dioxide-equivalent (CO2e) and represents six primary categories of greenhouse gasses.

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