Is Solar Energy Affordable and Appropriate for Your Home?
Resources and advice on solar powering your home.
July 29, 2010 — -- Powering homes with solar electricity can lower the homeowner's utility costs with minimal environmental impact.
This morning on "Good Morning America" you saw Lynn Jurich of SunRun, a San Francisco-based home solar company.
Jurich, SunRun's co-founder and president, said the benefits of solar powering homes include controlling electricity costs and making a difference in the environment.
Solar power can help reduce greenhouse gases, lower the nation's dependence on fossil fuels and increase a home's resale value, she added.
Solar Power Options
Jurich said there were two ways to obtain solar power for a home.
Homeowners can purchase a home solar system outright, or they can purchase solar electricity from a home solar company. Options for solar electricity include a solar lease, also known as a solar power purchase agreement.
Jurich's company offers solar leases.
She said leases were a helpful option, particularly because the biggest obstacle to the purchase of a solar system was the price.
A residential solar energy system could cost between $25,000 and $45,000, she said.
Solar Power Resource Guide
How can you know if solar power is right for you? Do you qualify for a rebate? Should you buy, lease or enter into a solar power purchase agreement. Here are some resources to help you decide.
To find whether you qualify for government tax credits if you use solar power and other renewable energy systems in your home, click HERE.
If you're interested in solar power or other energy efficient systems, click HERE to see whether you can get a rebate or other incentive from your federal, state or local government, or from your utility.
You can learn more about residential solar electric systems by clicking HERE.
To find a solar contractor in your state, click HERE.
If you'd like to see how many homes have solar energy in your state, or in any state across the country, click HERE.
Click here to return to the "Good Morning America" Web site.