Shedding a light on residential solar

From rooftop panels to local media advertising, it’s clear consumer interest in residential solar power is growing.

For JCREMC members considering solar for their homes, calling Energy Advisor Shane Neher at 317-736-6174 is the right first step. There are a variety of situational and goal- based factors to consider before making the investment. There are also safety and interconnection agreement requirements to connect standby generation, such as solar panels, to JCREMC’s system.

Neher can explain it all. He can also help you determine if solar is right for you depending on your objectives.

“My advice will vary depending on personal goals and values,” he says. “If your goal is reducing fossil fuel use, I can help you find the right system. If you just want to save money, that may be a different conversation.”

Once Neher understands your objectives, he will look at your myJCREMC account to determine how much electricity your home is using and when. “It’s important to look at these factors so we can determine if there are easier ways to lower your electric bill and whether solar makes sense for you,” he says.

Oftentimes, solar vendors overstate savings and understate the overall cost of owning solar panels. JCREMC’s goal is to provide the data and information members need to make an informed decision. That includes information on JCREMC rates, which, according to CEO John Sturm, are projected to hold steady or potentially decrease in the foreseeable future—something that will affect the return on a solar investment.

Option One: Increase energy efficiency

Regardless of your individual goals, using energy more efficiently in your home is always a good idea. Things like attic insulation, duct sealing, HVAC tune-ups, smart thermostats, and efficient water heaters are great first steps in reducing consumption and lowering your monthly electric bill. JCREMC offers rebates to help members complete these types of upgrades. Learn more at jcremc.com/ savings/rebates.

Neher can help you identify the efficiency measures that make sense for your household and determine which rebates you qualify for.

It’s also important to note that if your goal is shifting to renewable energy sources, JCREMC is diversifying.

“JCREMC is already increasing renewable energy resources in the power we purchase on the wholesale market to supply your home,” Sturm says. “It may be that simply using electricity more efficiently is the most cost-effective approach to both savings and environmental benefit.”

Option Two: My Solar

If you’re interested in solar power but don’t want to install solar panels on your home, consider signing up for JCREMC’s My Solar program. Participating members pay a one- time upfront payment of $500 to receive the production from one solar panel for 20 years.

They are credited 5.5 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh) produced on their monthly electricity bill. Each panel generates about 450-500 kWh annually, depending on weather patterns and other environmental factors.

“It’s a hassle-free way to access solar energy for your home or business,” Neher says.

All ongoing costs are included in the upfront fee, so there are no unexpected repair bills. The program also eliminates common barriers to residential solar, such as trees, roof size, and house location. Learn more at jcremc.com by clicking “My Solar” under the “Service” tab.

Option 3: Install solar panels

If solar is the right option for you, panels can be installed on a roof or ground mount. A home solar panel can produce between 150 and 370 watts of electricity daily, depending on its size, location, and efficiency. For example, a 290-watt solar panel that gets five hours of direct sun per day will produce about 1.5 kWh daily.

Once an interconnection agreement is fully executed and safety requirements met, a residential solar system is authorized to connect to JCREMC’s system. Your account will then be set up on net metering service (NMS), which allows you to sell excess energy produced based on the cooperative’s avoided cost of energy. The current rate of 4.389 cents per kWh is applied monthly.

Another option is to add battery storage for excess electricity produced. This allows you to tap into your own energy reserves when the sun isn’t shining or if there’s a power outage.

Let us help

Regardless of which option is right for your home, JCREMC is here to help. Be sure to call us at 317-736-6174 before signing any solar agreement.

Ask the vendor

Before signing a residential solar agreement, make sure you understand the details. Here are some questions to ask a potential vendor:

1. What rate assumptions are used to calculate savings, including future rate increases and the buy-back amount?
2. What weather statistics are used to determine annual power generation and savings?
3. Who is responsible for repairs and maintenance of the solar array? 
4. What happens if the solar array damages my home in some way?
5. Will insurance cover the cost if my solar array is damaged or stolen?
6. What incentives or tax credits are available for a potential solar array?
7. What questions should I ask JCREMC? (If they urge you not to contact us, that may be a red flag.)

Summer 2021 – Download the PDF version.