News & Press
Motivated by potential monthly savings, many homeowners are considering adding rooftop solar. Through the solar panels installed on the roof of the home, energy is generated from the sun to produce electricity. If solar panel output exceeds usage in the home, the excess energy is transferred to the cooperative’s distribution system and purchased by Tri-County EMC at the net metering rate of $0.0454. The net metering rate is set each year at Tri-County’s avoided cost rate.
While there are benefits to generating your own power, there are many factors that determine whether or not your home is a good fit for rooftop panels. Shading, structural integrity, orientation, and roof obstructions are just some components that should be examined when thinking about going solar. A typical rooftop solar installation can range anywhere from $15,000 to $60,000 and according to Green Power EMC, Tri-County EMC’s renewable energy supplier, the average investment payback period is 12.6 years.
There has been an influx of solar installation companies that are often seen going door-to-door making sales pitches to interested parties. Many of these companies are reputable, but it’s important to be aware of the scams threatening our service area. Georgia lawmakers have recently passed solar regulation to help protect homeowners from fraudulent sellers. Senate Bill 149, the Georgia Door-to-Door Sales Act, requires sellers to furnish all receipts and contracts and allows buyers the right to cancel the sale within 30 business days. Solarreviews.com is a great resource for comparing different solar installation companies based on your location.
As your trusted energy advisor, Tri-County EMC can help you make smart energy investments, including right-sizing a rooftop solar installation to best meet your needs, goals, and financial objectives. Here you will find multiple resources to aid your decision-making process, such as the Rooftop Solar Assessment Tool (RSAT). The RSAT, shown on the right, is a short questionnaire designed to generate an estimate of your home’s solar generation potential, ongoing utility costs, and estimated payback period for a rooftop solar system.
Even if rooftop solar panels are not the best option for your home, solar generation is still possible through Tri-County EMC’s cooperative solar program, ourSolar. For $25 a month for each 1.22 kW block, you will have all the energy generated by your block credited against the normal usage on that month’s electric bill. Each block should generate approximately 160 to 250 kWh per month. Best of all, there is nothing to install or finance and no contract. If you are interested in solar generation, call and speak with a Tri-County EMC representative to better understand your electricity usage and make the best energy decision for your home.