For many in the U.S., the idea of having the sun shine at least some of the time during the year is enough to make the most humble among us want to jump into solar energy. The fact that it’s currently very expensive and still rather difficult to become an energy producer gives birth to the necessity of seeking government support and private investment in order to make solar power more affordable for the average person. While progress is being made, it still doesn’t solve the problem of the cost of solar energy. That’s why most people still choose to go the traditional route and rely on old-fashioned fossil fuels for electricity, even though the damage they do to the environment is massive.
But what if there was a way to ensure that all communities, regardless of their economic status, had the ability to harness the power of the sun? The answer is in Iowa, where a new bill has been proposed that would truly revolutionize the way we think about solar power. Known as the Iowa Access to Solar Energy for the Poor bill, or simply the Isolette bill, it would grant all Iowans the ability to generate their own power with a photovoltaic system installed on their property. This system will be paid for by the state via a grant, and importantly, it will not require the homeowner to make any upfront payments. Instead, the system will be financed via a tariff that will be based on the production of solar energy.
The homeowner will also have the option of purchasing energy from a local utility company at retail rates, which the state determines in its infinite wisdom. To those who may be worried that this will lead to an increase in their energy bills, the bill includes an amendment that would allow utilities to raise rates by no more than 5% each year, which would make most people happy as it’s below the current inflation rate.
Benefits of the Isolette Bill
On the surface, it may seem like an odd choice to look towards solar energy in the middle of a flu season, but there are several benefits to the Isolette bill that make it a worthwhile option for Iowans.
The first and most evident is the fact that the sun will be shining more than half the year in Iowa, which means that the Isolette bill provides plenty of opportunity for solar energy.
The second advantage of the Isolette bill is that it will encourage more people to participate in the growing renewable energy market, which will in turn create more demand for solar energy systems and encourage even more suppliers to enter the market.
The third advantage of the Isolette bill is that it will allow for a diverse group of investors to get involved, since the cost of solar energy is such that it is a lucrative investment opportunity for savvy businesspeople and individuals looking for a good return on investment.
How Will This Affect My Electric Bill?
If you’re reading this, you may be wondering how this will affect your electric or gas bill. The answer is that it depends on how you use electricity. Most people will not see a change at all, since the Isolette bill does not provide an option for net metering. That’s because under normal circumstances, the electricity you consume is more than enough to cover the cost of your solar energy system. But if you are using electric appliances that are heavy users, like air conditioners and water heaters, then it may cost you a bit extra to cover the extra electricity needs. Not to mention that you may still want to buy some energy from the grid if the sun doesn’t shine or if you want to use electric appliances that don’t have a solar power option.
More Than Meets The Eye
When people think of solar energy, they usually think about the panels on the roof of a house that provide electricity for that house. But the Isolette bill goes far beyond that, providing incentives for businesses and schools to install solar energy systems as well.
Consider this: the Isolette bill provides for a rebate of $3000 for businesses that install solar energy systems, which will make it more affordable for small businesses to do so. It also provides for rebates of up to $7500 for homeowners who install solar energy systems on their property. Not only will these systems provide cost savings for the business and home-owner, but they will also decrease their carbon footprint and cut down on their energy bills.
Where Can I Get More Info?
If you’re interested in pursuing this alternative energy source and looking for more information, you can visit the Iowa Center for Renewable Energy at http://www.icre.org/ for an extensive list of resources and FAQs about investing in renewable energy.
You can also contact your state legislature to see if there are any pending bills that would grant you the same rights as Iowans with renewable energy systems. The ideal bill would be the Isolette bill, but it would be better to have a couple of different ones working in tandem, so when the time comes, you can choose which one you want to go for.