Ralph Pisciotta, super-solar-installer, threw the “on switch” today to turn on my wonderful, yummy shiny brand-new grid-tie solar panels!  My solar education took a big leap as I saw he electric meter immediately begin running backwards…and, although the panels are configured to a summer tilt (it is January after all), the indicator panel read that 850 out of a possible 1000kw was being generated on this sunny crisp day.   The installation is placed on the highest point on my roof, and out of sight line except to those looking for it.  Ralph measured with his magical solar meter and found that in a few years – a maturing redwood tree a few lots further south will just begin to create a shadow on the edge of my panels. At that point, we can make an adjustment, I think.

It has been a very exciting and well-anticipated day, and I look forward to seeing how my electric bill relates to this new input in the next months! Net-metering in California opened up a new grid-tied market for PV in the 1990s.

The financial rewards are a great incentive, and also the feel-good factor…I am not expecting my meter to show a negative for the total annual use, but who knows how the development of PG&E’s rebate/payout program might evolve?

In Germany  – the solar future has gone wild! The secret of German success is the “feed-in tariff” (FIT). Anyone generating electricity from solar PV, wind or hydro gets a guaranteed payment of four times the market rate – currently about 35p pence a unit – for 20 years.r grid-feed, and people installed solar by the droves!

We in California may soon get a similar opportunity to actually sell excess electricity back to the grid. Now, wouldn’t that be something – to receive a check from PG&E?

Now – if only I could threaten to cut their power off if they were late on a payment!

One more thing – most states now have incentive and  rebate programs for grid-tie solar and wind…why not find out for your area?  Click this link!

I encourage any of you to put on solar, install wind or other alternative power and reduce our oil dependence, take back local power generation, and make a difference to the kids who will inherit this pretty planet…