The time to seriously consider solar is here.

California electricity costs in 1970 were $0.02 per kWh and have risen to around $0.20 per kWh in 2006 and topped $0.49 per kWH by spring of 2010. This is an average increase of approximately 7% per year and does not consider the doubling of our rates since 2005! Worldwide supply and demand will increase energy costs above 7% per year. These increases could actually be catastrophic to your future.

With utility rates doubling every 7 to 10 years it is easy to see where something has to give in the next ten years. We will either need to make and pay more money for energy or cut back on our lifestyle. Both choices are troubling being we all have become accustomed to a certain lifestyle once we walk in the door of our homes.

The following reasons will help to drive energy prices even higher in the future:

Peak Oil and Peak Gas–Will drive energy costs up
Energy Demand Increase—China up 14%, India 6%–Will drive energy costs up
Current need for very expensive infrastructure costs that are looming in California
Lack of new power generation facilities to help supply current demand
The sale of older generation plants by PG&E. (New owners can raise prices)
Solar customers are now not paying the highest rates to the utility because they now "own" their own energy. Being these solar customers were in fact the highest tier using consumers, higher prices should be introduced to current lower priced tiers and consumers
Utilities paying solar customers for overproduction of their solar electricity
High influx of consumers to California placing higher burdens on utilities
Lack of competition
Higher prices from out of state energy producers have been experienced due to supply and demand issues in the open market. California does not produce enough energy during certain times of the year and are dependant on these out of state producers.

New clean energy power plants are being built, but with investors demanding a satisfactory rate of return on their monies, there is no reason to believe that OUR rates would be reduced, just less energy purchased from out of state sources. These owners are not "price governed" like PG&E would be.


Providing your home is a candidate for solar, it is time to think about what kind of lifestyle we want to come home to in the next ten years. It is ironic that we all agree on ownership of our homes so we won't have rent to pay in our retirement, but the lifestyle the energy provides us must also be addressed.

With most solar applications paying themselves back in just 5 to 7 years, ownership of our energy and lifestyle is a financially sound move.

Not having cash or equity is now a non issue as the solar leasing of California ten year lease to own program is available to consumers at a payment rate that is usually less than your utility bill.

Protect your retirement and current lifestyle.

Go Solar, harness the power of the sun, and own your own energy!