If you are a
The strength of the book lies in her simple yet clear advice guiding the homeowner through the decision making process. The book begins by describing how solar works then goes step by step through all the considerations a homeowner will need to make to decide whether solar might be a good choice for their property.
Of particular interest to Pennsylvanians is Cole's thorough explanation of the new federal and state incentives that can substantially reduce the final cost of a solar installation. She estimates that the average homeowner could save as much as 50% of the total cost of an installation. She covers the implications of state tax and rebate policy, including the latest changes in the law.
One question that people often ask is "How much can a homeowner save with solar electric or solar hot water?" This question is tricky to answer since the cost of fossil fuel-generated electricity can’t be predicted, nor can the future tax and rebate policies be foreseen. Nevertheless, Cole provides homeowners with some quick and easy calculations that can provide a rough answer to this crucial question. Another fuzzy area that the book makes clearer is Renewable Energy Credits. The market for RECs is in its infancy so there is no sure way to determine how homeowners might benefit. The author explains how RECs work and what a homeowner might expect to get from selling them.
The focus of the book is on the payback period for investment in solar. She seeks to answer the question: As an investment, does solar make sense for you? The book provides a way for readers to come to their own decision. If the answer is yes, the book includes advice and a checklist for homeowners to review; useful before, during, and after the installation.
The book itself is a statement of sustainability. It was written, designed, produced and printed in
The book is a short and useful introduction and reference to a confusing area for many homeowners. It includes a very useful companion web site that provides more information in critical areas and the “SunnyMoney” online calculator that easily and quickly generates many of the figures a homeowner will need as they consider going solar. You can learn more about the book and try out the SunnyMoney calculator at http://www.themarea.org/solar.shtml
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This review will be published in the Sylvanian, the magazine of the PA Sierra Club. Bob Flatley is the chair of the Kittatinny Group. He served on the original planning committee that started the PA Renewable Energy and Sustainable Living Festival and continues to volunteer at the event.
The 2009 camp just finished up last week. The kids really enjoyed gardening, learning wilderness survival skills, and painting, as well as checking on the chickens every day and feeding them food scraps from lunch. On our last day the kids helped prepare a celebration meal—homemade pizza and fruit smoothies--complete with table cloth and candles out on the picnic table. Thanks to Dominque Marsalek, Jean Forsberg, Barbara Anderson, Chuck Cave, Deb Fisher, Brenda Schaufler, Huston Township Parks and Recreation Authority, and especially Rosalind McIntosh for helping make this year’s camp happen. We are planning to offer a one-day maple syrup camp in February 2010 and two weekend overnight camps in next summer in addition to the summer camp. View pictures.
AZH intern Rosalind McIntosh co-leaded the summer camp with Kelle this summer. Her experience with guiding meditation and teaching nature awareness and wilderness survival skills were beneficial additions to the camp program. Currently Rosalind is residing at Ahimsa Village in the old yurt—Dominique moved out at the beginning of August to live with her boyfriend in town—and has initiated morning zazen in the new yurt three mornings per week.
