Independence Day is a cornerstone of American culture, marking the birth of our nation and celebrating the values of freedom, democracy and unity. It’s a time to honor the sacrifices that laid the foundation of our nation. And it reminds us of the responsibilities that come along with those freedoms.

“Energy independence” is a term associated with the advancement of renewable energy resources to reduce reliance on foreign energy sources. 

A growing number of members have expressed an interest in renewable and zero-emission energy sources, particularly rooftop solar. Some would like to achieve energy independence of their own — disconnecting from the grid and generating their own power. Others plan to generate a portion of their own electricity and even sell some back to the co-op.  

No matter your reasons for investing in your own generation source, I urge you to involve our team early in the process. Not because we’re against members owning their own solar systems, but because we want to be sure you have the information you need to make an informed decision.

For example, a 5 kW rooftop installation that costs $25,000 would lower your annual electric bill by $743. This size system would only meet a portion of your energy needs, so you will still need to buy electricity from the grid. At this rate, the system would take 25 years to “pay for itself” through energy savings. 

If your goal is to lower your power bill, spending $25,000 on energy efficiency measures would benefit you much sooner through increased comfort and savings.

You can use the calculator on our website at pioneerelectric.com/solar-calculator to determine your payback period and potential savings.

A utility-scale perspective
The energy mix powering your home comes from several sources, including natural gas, solar, hydroelectricity and landfill gas. As we face growing energy demands, we rely on what we call “dispatchable” resources like natural gas. These units are available 24/7 to generate power in massive quantities. They keep the power flowing when the sun isn’t shining.

But we also consider other resources that can become part of our energy mix, including solar. Last year, Pioneer Electric expanded our energy sources to include solar from a utility-scale solar site in Wing, Alabama. 

While solar diversifies our fuel mix, it is intermittent and cannot be cost-effectively stored for use during our peak hours.

Simply put, we want what’s best for our members. Reach out to our team for answers to your energy questions.