Tuesday, July 31, 2018

$0.00

We’ve had a few hiccups along the way since our solar power system went active on the house on April 23, but we’re finally seeing some dividends.

Rocky Mountain Power sent us a bill this month for $0 – and indicated we have a credit of $130 on our account.

In other words, it’s going to take us another billing cycle or two to see what we’re really saving by going solar, but all indications point to us doing well.

We were billed for an estimated use of electricity in June, to the tune of about $86, because the meter reader had to physically read the meter and couldn’t because of “dogs.” We have two dogs, both under 12 pounds, who are almost always inside. The neighbors have two dogs, but they’re fenced. We’re not sure whence the dog complaint comes, unless they happened to arrive at one of the times our dogs were out.

But nevermind.

In reading our bill, I see some interesting things:

The average daily cost of electric service dropped from $3.74 to $0.18

We used 148 on kwh, but generated 305; we used 188 off kwh, but generated 116.

The basic charge per month is $5.29 – that’s the minimum we’d have to pay.

And this is with air conditioning going. Going at 71 degrees, but going nonetheless.

It’ll be interesting to see what happens when winter arrives, and we have less sunlight during the day. Hoping we still see a significant difference.

We are paying $90 a month to the solar power company, but that’s only until we have the loan for the installation and panels paid off. We’re actually managing about twice that a month, and hope to keep that up.

So hats off to Blue Raven solar, and to Rocky Mountain Power, for finally making this work.

So far, they tell us we've prevented 3,698 pounds of carbon dioxide from spewing into the atmosphere. We've planted the equivalent of 93.15 trees, and other green stuff to make us feel happy.

And I agree it does feel kinda good stiggin' it to the Man.



All is not rosy on the energy front at our house—the gas water heater konked out sometime over the weekend. We’ve had it less than six years. Not pleased at all.

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