NHEC utility rate going down on Feb 1

[Outdoorsman]

Originally Posted by FlyingScot

I have not heard about Biden initiatives that would increase fuel prices (although I would not be surprised or against them).

But it is easy to see Biden initiatives that can reduce everybody's cost of electricity, such as efficiency mandates and the recent extension of the 26% tax credit for solar. The economics of solar are great, as NH Solar has posted. The panels on my Mass house are saving me a bundle.

For people who might be interested in solar, your local installer can give you an estimate of how much you might save with just your address and a recent electric bill.

You are the first to throw down the political "Biden" card. Give it a rest already.

[NH.Solar]

I have a Chevy Volt that I bought just over a year ago and I could not be more pleased by it. Formerly I needed to drive my Duramax in winter and it was costly! The truck was expensive to buy, expensive to maintain, and expensive to fuel. Don't get me wrong, I love the beast and it is a true luxury workhorse. The solar business is naturally a bit slower during the winter months, but still Im an avid skier and would rack up 150-200 miles a week running to Cannon or Demoulas. Now I do that in my fully loaded Volt and it saves me well over $200 a month in fuel cost and zeros my carbon footprint because it is fueled by more small roof solar array. Yes, as Maxum points out there is some carbon cost in manufacturing solar panels, but they are warrantied for twenty five years and will no doubt outl live me. Without the Solar array and the Volt I would have been refueling the GMC with diesel at least one a week, what is the carbon cost on that?
In response to Flying Scott's original post, the average payback on a simple roof mounted the net cost of a solar installation runs between 8-10 years right now, but there are two very important elements that are missed in the simple math (net system cost x utility rate x anticipated solar production). First the funds that formerly were being spent on the monthly expense of a utility bill are now diverted to the purchase of the asset of the solar system, and there is no doubt that the solar system has added significant value to the home you own. Second, from that point forward no fossil fuel will be consumed, nor will any pollutants be issued for the power you enjoy.
With the forecast I'll no doubt be making the drive from New Hampton to Cannon at least 4 times this week, and all told I might use up 5 gallons of gas in the Volt (it runs a generator when the battery runs out). Was the solar and Volt a bit expensive? yes, but I no longer think about my energy consumption nor do I worry about any future fuel crisis. Still I do generally have a small Co-op bill during some of the later winter months so hearing that they have dropped the rate, even if it is actually just a blip, is great news!

[thinkxingu]

Originally Posted by NH.Solar

I have a Chevy Volt that I bought just over a year ago and I could not be more pleased by it. Formerly I needed to drive my Duramax in winter and it was costly! The truck was expensive to buy, expensive to maintain, and expensive to fuel. Don't get me wrong, I love the beast and it is a true luxury workhorse. The solar business is naturally a bit slower during the winter months, but still Im an avid skier and would rack up 150-200 miles a week running to Cannon or Demoulas. Now I do that in my fully loaded Volt and it saves me well over $200 a month in fuel cost and zeros my carbon footprint because it is fueled by more small roof solar array. Yes, as Maxum points out there is some carbon cost in manufacturing solar panels, but they are warrantied for twenty five years and will no doubt outl live me. Without the Solar array and the Volt I would have been refueling the GMC with diesel at least one a week, what is the carbon cost on that?
In response to Flying Scott's original post, the average payback on a simple roof mounted the net cost of a solar installation runs between 8-10 years right now, but there are two very important elements that are missed in the simple math (net system cost x utility rate x anticipated solar production). First the funds that formerly were being spent on the monthly expense of a utility bill are now diverted to the purchase of the asset of the solar system, and there is no doubt that the solar system has added significant value to the home you own. Second, from that point forward no fossil fuel will be consumed, nor will any pollutants be issued for the power you enjoy.
With the forecast I'll no doubt be making the drive from New Hampton to Cannon at least 4 times this week, and all told I might use up 5 gallons of gas in the Volt (it runs a generator when the battery runs out). Was the solar and Volt a bit expensive? yes, but I no longer think about my energy consumption nor do I worry about any future fuel crisis. Still I do generally have a small Co-op bill during some of the later winter months so hearing that they have dropped the rate, even if it is actually just a blip, is great news!

Ok, but WHY were you driving a Duramax if a Volt would suffice?!

And how would a similar gas car that gets 35-40 MPG compare overall in costs?

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[NH.Solar]

When I need to move my mini-excavator or haul some materials in my 14,000 pound capacity dump trailer the Duramax is the perfect vehicle,
but when I just need to haul my butt and some skis or groceries, the EV is the right choice. Best part about the Volt is that normally it is fueled freely and cleanly off my roof and I don't care about mpg. during shorter trips I enjoy using the ample power of acceleration whenever the road is open simply because I can cost free. But if I want to go to Sunday River for a few days I'll be at the Maine border before I run out of charge and the backup gas generator motor starts. Once the Gen motor has taken over I still average better than 40+ mpg. I bought the car coming in off a lease with 23,000 on it and it had a combined average of 76 mpg on it. I have nearly doubled that mileage over the past year, and because I frequently force start the gen motor for quicker heat during the winter I have since dropped the average to nearer to 72 ...but that average will no doubt climb again come Spring because I won't be using the generator motor for quick heat, plus the battery range is a little longer during the warmer months. Don't forget that due to my solar array I don't pay for the electric part of that combined mileage.
Some will quite correctly say, "well , how much did that solar array cost?" and that is a very good point. I don't however look at the cost of my solar array as an expense, but rather as a very productive asset that I have added to the value of my house. If the Co-op rate never changes, the ~$13K net that I put into the solar array will justify its cost through utility bill savings in about 9nine years, and from that point forward the power coming off the roof will be entirely free of cost ...and the asset value of the array will still be a part of my home's value.
Running the Duramax is pure frequent and unrelenting expense, but when it comes to hauling the occasional heavy loads, it is a superb machine. For daily commuting purposes I would much rather incur the lifespan cost of relatively inexpensive Volt to the very costly Duramax. I am not driven by the need to have a shiny late model truck and thus hope to be able to keep that very capable work monster for the rest of my life (it gets oil undercoated every other year). Both vehicles have a very appropriate use and place.

[FlyingScot]

Originally Posted by Outdoorsman

You are the first to throw down the political "Biden" card. Give it a rest already.

If I respond to another poster's reference to Democratic policies by citing Biden, I am not the first, I am just responding. Furthermore, I was asking him for more info. You should give it a rest