(Source: McClatchy/Tribune)
Dear Bill: I'm considering putting solar panels on my home and I've been told that you can sell your excess electricity that your solar panels produce back to the utility company. I've heard that this is not true but I'd like to know for sure since it will determine the size of the solar array system I install on my roof. _ Shirley G., San Luis Obispo, Calif.
Dear Shirley: Well, I have some good news for you since you live in California. Most states do not allow for resale of your electricity that you generate from your solar panels on your roof back to the utility company for a profit. Most only allow up to zeroing out (pay nothing) through a system called "Net Metering" your electric bill, although you will still pay to have your electric meter read by the utility company. However, since Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is energy and solar conscious solar installations in California have grown from an estimated 500 a decade ago to nearly 50,000 currently.
Recent California legislation, AB920, that was signed into effect for implementation in January 2011 by Governor Schwarzenegger will allow you to sell your excess electricity, called "Net Surplus" back to your local utility company for the same rate that the utility company is selling you your electricity for that time of day. Since solar panels create electricity during the day and the Peak Period costs are during the day (the most expensive time) you will be selling your electricity to the utility company at a peak rate.
While it's good for the environment and energy independence to install solar panels on your roof, you probably will not see a profit for the "Net Surplus" for quite a while. In most cases even after rebates from your local utility company and the Federal Tax Incentive of 30% of the cost of the installation it will be several years before you save enough money on electricity to breakeven on the solar installation. However, if you live in your home long enough you will earn some additional money from selling your "Net Surplus" of electricity to your local utility provider.
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Dear Bill: I plan on purchasing a new TV and would like to know which is the most energy efficient large screen television on the market. Cost is a major factor with respect to size of the TV I'll buy but saving energy and money is a big part of the mix as well.
_Jerome T., Fort Worth, Texas
Dear Jerome: It's true that televisions can be an energy hogs but if you're conscious of what you're buying the TV can be a small energy user. TVs are much bigger than the older TVs and certainly LCDs are much more energy efficient than the old standard CRT (big tube) TVs.
