16. Solar Power - Big and Small

I will help advance the use of solar power in our community.

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?

Residential energy use generates about 20% of our nation’s greenhouse gases. These emissions would rank 6th highest in the world, similar to all of Brazil’s emissions, and greater than all of Germany’s emissions.

One of the very best ways to reduce our residential greenhouse gas emissions is through distributed (generally rooftop) solar energy.

As the U.S. Department of Energy points out, “each kilowatt-hour (kWh) of solar that is generated will substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions like CO2, as well as other dangerous pollutants such as sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter. Solar also reduces water consumption and withdrawal.”

TAKE ACTION!

You can help maximize solar energy in our community by doing one or more of the following:

• Homeowners (house or condo) 

  Install solar panels or expand your solar panels. (Note: According to California law, condo associations or HOAs cannot prohibit the installation of rooftop solar panels on your home or assigned garage or carport (Civil Code Section 714.1(b)). There are many options:

  Work directly with solar panel providers and, depending on the company, obtain solar power through an outright purchase, purchase with a loan, a monthly lease, or a full lease. (Here is an example comparison chart of each option.) To find lists of some solar companies, you can click here, here or here. It is good to get at least two or three quotes from vendors

• Renters

  • As a renter, you can generate some of your own solar power through a portable solar charger. Here is a review of ten options (from Wirecutter). Or, consider a portable solar panel system, which can also be used when camping, and may qualify for a federal tax credit; and/or

  • Talk with your landlord and urge them to install solar. For some helpful talking points, click here.

• Workplace Advocacy

  • In the workplace. As an employee, officer, or board member you can encourage your company to install solar on its building. Make a case to the owner to do it. Here are 11 very good reasons to use solar energy for commercial buildings.

  • If you work for a nonprofit working for social good, contact CEC’s Solarize program to find out how you can get an excellent solar energy system, with no upfront costs.

  • As a resident, your voice matters.  Use it to speak out in favor of residential and office solar power (distributed solar). At the city, county, state and national levels there are opportunities to support more distributed solar funding, higher community solar goals, additional solar programs, and new or expanded solar installations (such as in our public schools and government buildings). Organizations like CEC let people know about upcoming advocacy opportunities regarding solar. To sign up to learn more, click here (for CEC), here for EarthJustice, and here (for The Solar Foundation) – and make your voice heard by writing letters, making comments and/or testifying.

ADDITIONAL MOTIVATION THOUGHTS

Solar panels are a beautiful addition to a home, because they clearly communicate a meaningful commitment to the environment and future generations. They also protect against rising energy costs, increase property values, earn a great rate of return, enhance U.S. energy independence, create local jobs and help our local economy.

The average residential solar system eliminates 3 to 4 tons of carbon emissions annually.

Across the nation, there are over2 million solar installations, twice as many as there were only three years ago.