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With electricity rates continuing to rise and another hot summer ahead, electricity bills are on all our minds. But we can’t count on large corporations or utilities to make the right decisions on efficient energy sources.
Throughout the years, we’ve replaced older incandescent bulbs for efficient LED lights.
We’ve upgraded our central air conditioner to the latest, most efficient model to save big bucks. Even our new hot water heater with a heat pump is a great improvement, saving more than 60 percent of the cost of making hot water every month.
However, our biggest and most profound improvement was the installation of solar panels on the roof back in 2019, an investment that makes more sense every day, especially as we watch in horror as electricity rates constantly rise, with no end in sight.
It was easy to go solar after we joined a solar co-op, run by the nonprofit Solar United Neighbors. Together with 56 other families, we researched and selected an installer, saving a lot of money with the advantage of our group purchase.
It cost us absolutely nothing to join this non-profit group and we enjoyed working with other forward-thinking families to make the switch to smart, clean energy. There was no requirement to go solar; it was just a way to access reliable, unbiased information.
Now, every sunny day is a gift of free electricity and our solar loan costs just about the same as our previous monthly electric bill.
Free electricity from the sun also runs our EV, a sensible model that gets over 300 miles per charge and requires virtually no maintenance. No gas bill, no engine repairs. It’s quiet, it’s a modern miracle and it costs nothing to run, thanks to our rooftop solar panels.
Our future strategy for energy independence includes adding a home battery to eliminate interruptions from power outages and storms. The cost of these batteries, just like the solar panels, is dropping precipitously. We can clearly see them as a critical component in our smart energy future. A wise investment, compared to a fossil-fuel generator.
As someone who made the switch several years ago through a solar co-op, I can say firsthand that this decision changed the way my family thinks about energy. It’s not just about saving money — it’s about investing in a more resilient, self-reliant future. That’s why we’re glad about the new Miami-Dade solar co-op. Members have absolutely nothing to lose, but so much to gain.
Learn more and sign up for free by May 31 at solarunitedneighbors.org/Miami.
Robert Burr
Redland, FL 33031
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