Do I receive credit or payment for the excess electricity produced by my system?
Yes. In a program known as "Net Metering" the electric company functions as an energy bank. Recently the deal has sweetened for energy producers like you. El Paso Electric is now part of the New Mexico REC program. This means you are paid $0.12 for each kilowatt your system produces, yet you are only charged between $0.1079 - $0.13599 for each kilowatt you purchase from El Paso Electric. This puts you in the buy low sell high energy business, with only a small investment on your part.
Are my electric rates going up?
Yes. In 2010 El Paso Electric introduced a new rate program. This new program is likely to increase your electric bill substantially in the summer air-conditioning season. Between May and October your rate increases from $0.1179 to $$0.13599 once you consume more than 600 kWh in a billing period. Last year you were paying $0.1148 for all of your electricity.
Could I receive a check from the electric company if I produce more electricity than I use?
Yes. Because El Paso Electric participates in the New Mexico REC Program, you could be receiving a check instead of a bill every month. For small positive balances El Paso Electric can show a balance forward on next month's bill. But when the balance exceeds $30, the account will be trued-up and you'll receive a check.
Would my system continue to power my home even if the power is out in my area?
That depends on the type of system we install for you. If you select our Starshine system with no battery backup or other continuous source of power, then your solar panels will not be able to generate electricity to power your home. But if you choose our Lighthouse or Independence systems, batteries will keep the electricity flowing with or without grid power.
How do you determine what size system I would need?
This depends on your objective, but everything revolves around your electric bill. First we take a look at your bill to see how much electricity you are using each month. Then a system is sized according to your objective. Some clients wish to eliminate their electric bill completely, while others just want it reduced by half or some other amount. Here in New Mexico it is easy to determine just how much electricity a PV system will generate so rest assured that you'll get a system that is sized properly to meet your needs.
I've heard that Solar energy systems are very expensive?
Not long ago that was true, but not anymore. There are many important reasons for this change. Systems have become more efficient and prices have fallen. Federal and State government incentives are slashing the total cost to you by 40%. In addition El Paso Electric, in its efforts to meet state and federal requirements, is purchasing every watt your photovoltaic system generates at a higher price than they sell it. Your savings are increased if you finance the system, because not only do you replace your electric bill with a fixed monthly payment, but your payments could be tax deductible. A properly sized system, financed at today's low rates, could make you cash-posititive from the first day you starte generating electricity.
Do I need to produce 100% of the electricity I use to get my electric bill to zero?
Not any more! Because of El Paso Electric's participation in the New Mexico REC program, you only need to produce about one half of the electricity that you consume to zero the usage part of your electric bill. So you only need half the system, at half the cost of what was required just a short time ago. But hurry because while the REC program and the rate on the day you join is guaranteed for 12 years, the entry rates are subject to change and El Paso Electric prefers to reduce the rates. Lock in your savings before the rates change again.
What government incentives are available and how do they work?
There are two government incentives that apply to all residential photovoltaic (solar electricity) systems. The 30% Federal tax credit is a true tax credit, not a deduction, that you apply to the current year's tax payment. If you don't use the entire credit in the first year, it carries forward to future tax years until it is exhausted. The 10% State tax credit works the same way but applies to your state income taxes. Together the two incentives slash the cost of your system by 40%.
What about strong winds and hail?
Your panels are securely attached to your roof. They can withstand winds of up to 90 miles per hour, so there is no need to worry about them being damaged by high winds.
The Schott panels are tested by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) to be resistant to hail damage.
What kind of impact would my system have on the environment?
A moderate 3 kW (kilowatt) system powering your home eliminates 3 tons of carbon dioxide from polluting our atmosphere each year. Achieving the same positive impact on the environment would require you to drive your car 7,300 fewer miles or plant a half-acre of trees each year.
Will my property resale value increase?
There are several studies clearly demonstrating that adding a photovoltaic system (solar electricity) to your home does increase its value. One study proved that every dollar saved, or generated, resulted in $10-$20 dollar increase in sales value. Other estimates are that the system retains from 50% to 70% of its original cost at the time of resale. This is a much higher ratio than for most home improvements.
How long does it take to recover the energy used to manufacture the solar panels?
The Energy Pay-Back Time (EPBT) of a solar panel is generally calculated to be 2-2.5 years. However because of the significantly higher insolation (solar radiation) we receive here in Las Cruces, our EPBT is only about a year! Let the sun shine in!
