Cost of Solar Panels May be Too High

Baldwin County, Ala. (WPMI) You want to “go green,” but it’s not easy. In Baldwin County there are some homes and businesses that would like to hook up to solar panels but are finding out the cost is too high.

Even though the federal government encourages renewable energy with tax breaks, few get it and in Alabama it’s especially difficult.

Users say local power companies differ, some making it more difficult than others.

Jimmy Elliot pays next to nothing for electricity in Spanish Fort. He’s worked it out with Riviera Utilities. Last month he paid $10 thanks to solar panels.

“It’s been operating three and a half years. It’s produced 28,000 kilowatt hours, is what I produce with this system here,” said Elliot.

It’s a different story for Ed Benson who installed a much more elaborate system at his home near Fish River. He claims the local electric co-op Baldwin EMC makes it difficult to save money by using solar panels.

“It would have been much more off if I could have grid tied, but you can’t do that with EMC. It would just not be cost effective,” said Benson.

So much so that Benson charges his electric car at his business in Foley. Riviera Utilities is the carrier here.

“If I took that much power through my system here it would raise my rates tremendously,” said Benson.

While not everyone has an electric car or solar panels on their homes, some say more might if power companies made it easier.

“If you are on Baldwin EMC, the Baldwin Electric Membership Co-Op, and you want to put solar on your home or business your electric bill would or could go up,” said Jeff Max who installs solar panels for a living.

The folks at Baldwin EMC say their non-profit co-op business model is different from other power companies.

“We do have to re-coup the cost that it takes to keep power at that property for the days that it’s not sunny or the wind is not blowing, and they need to tap into the Baldwin EMC power. There still has to be power available and there’s a cost associated with that,” said Karen Moore with Baldwin EMC.

If you are a homeowner it takes up to five years to get a return on your investment if you install solar panels. But when you do you pay next to nothing for electricity.