“You guys definitely made a lot of issues much clearer for me.” Read Raina Russo’s solar story.
A civil engineer and Long Island resident who has been in construction her “whole life,” Raina was no stranger to clean energy technology before signing up for One Block Off the Grid. She took her home solar in March 2011. Here’s what she had to say about it:
“I first heard about One Block Off the Grid when I flew to California for the Solar Power International Conference in October 2009; at the time I was already thinking about solar for my home. The Obama administration presented a comprehensive new energy plan with a number of initiatives that got me very excited.
However, it wasn’t easy at first. I worked for the number one green contractor in the U.S. and yet I still found it difficult to figure out solar for myself. I felt like I just wasn’t getting the bottom line information I needed as a homeowner to make a decision. I thought, ‘Well if I’m an engineer and I’m having a hard time figuring this out, this must be totally confusing for most people.’ I became so passionate about it that I started to dedicate more of my professional life to green energy.
Anyway, One Block Off the Grid has a great way of simplifying information and messaging in a creative manner. Your infographics are compelling and your team clarified confusing topics for me. One Block Off the Grid gave me a very competitive rate and I was able to save money.
About two weeks ago we installed a large 10.4 kilowatt system. It’s a large system, but I have a big home with high electric bills. Having a solar system makes you much more energy conscious too. We begun upgrading our windows and improving the level of insulation in our home. Overall, our energy awareness has greatly improved.
The initial cost of our system was $47,150 but we received a $17,500 rebate through Long Island Power Authority, bringing it down to $29,650. After that, we will also receive a one-time federal tax credit of $14,145 and a $5,000 New York State tax credit, making our total spend about $10,500. Given how high our home’s electric bills were each month before going solar, I expect the payback period on this solar system to be pretty short.
At the time I went solar, I didn’t know anyone who had solar yet, but our neighbors did get really excited about our installation. I received numerous calls from people all over town. When our story was covered by the Nassau Herald, a local Five Towns/Atlantic Beach newspaper, the interest level grew even higher.
I think Long Island is a great place to go solar. The cost of a solar system has dropped quite a bit and the incentives available on Long Island are pretty incredible. Long Islanders have an opportunity to give our children a cleaner, more sustainable future. If you could do this while also benefitting financially, why wouldn’t you?
