The recent Maine Sunday Telegram article about a retired engineer’s solar-powered home (“Maine’s energy forecast: Partly sunny, clouded by questions,” April 5) left some big questions unanswered.
The article says the solar panel installation cost $34,000 “after government rebates.” Well, how much are those rebates? Shouldn’t we taxpayers know how much we’ve invested in this private house?
The homeowner estimates that his $34,000 investment will be paid off in seven years. Shouldn’t this analysis include the taxpayer’s investment, the time value of money and maintenance cost, and consider the service life of the installation?
The article asks if this model can be integrated on a wide scale. I suggest that a significant number of Maine taxpayers cannot afford a $34,000 solar panel system, nor can they afford to subsidize them for the ones who can.
Gov. LePage is promoting energy savings with an aggressive home weatherization program and by bringing clean and inexpensive hydro power and natural gas into Maine. Aren’t these more realistic and achievable goals that everyone will benefit from?
Wayne W. Duffett
Portland
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