Show All Answers

1. I would like to lower my electric bill. Will installing solar help?

While adding solar will definitely lower your electric bill, the initial cost may be cost prohibitive to many customers.  One has to ask themselves the following questions: 1) Have I considered the initial cost? 2) Have I considered the cost for the upkeep of the system? 3) Has the technology slowed to the point that the panels aren’t getting more efficient? 4)Are my numbers correct for my cost payback analysis, and what if my power provider changes their rate structure? 5)Have I done everything I already can to lower my electric bill (change bulbs to LED, service my appliances, etc.)?

2. I would like to leave less of a carbon footprint. Will adding solar help?

We applaud all customers who want to lower their carbon footprint and green power will certainly help. Make sure to check out the programs that are offered by your power provider. AMU offers all customers the ability to choose how much green power they want to purchase from us. By paying extra for the green power you can designate whether part or all of your power is through renewables and you won’t have the costs associated with upkeep of your system.

3. Other utilities offer rebates for solar. Does AMU?

Not at this time. All power providers must supply 25% of their power through renewable resources by the year 2025. AMU, along with a number of other Public Power providers in the area, already deliver more renewable power than the 25% required by the legislation. In our opinion it is more cost effective to have a collaborative purchase power agreement with other Public Power providers so that we are better able to maintain the integrity of the Nation’s electrical grid.

4. I would still like to add solar panels to my building. What questions should I ask when choosing my solar provider?

There are seven questions we recommend you ask: 

1. How long have you been installing solar projects under your current name? 
2. Do you have a professional registered engineer sign off on all submittals?  -OR- Has your design been approved by a registered professional engineer?
3. What kind of warranty do you offer? 
4. How many installations have you completed? 
5. If I consider a storage system, is there an alarm or venting system included to remove potentially harmful gases?
6. What is the cost per size of capacity? (similar sized units can vary greatly in price)
7. How long will these panels last, and how are they recycled after their useful life has ended?

5. What is the first step I take when I decide to add Solar Power to my home?

To officially start the process, view the "Steps to Start the Process" under "Purchasing Solar Panels" on the Solar Power Page of our website.

View the Distributed Generation Policy (PDF) about adding solar panels to your home or business.  There is a lot of information for several options. The Process Overview is a great place to start on page 4. Take a moment to go through and learn more about timelines, cost, insurance requirements, approval processes, codes and compliance, inspection and more.  

6. What are your rates and fees for solar?

Our Current Utility Billing Rates are posted in our Utility Billing Center on our website and found on our Utility Rate Sheet (PDF).  The distributed energy rate is the "Parallel Distribution" rate.  Current meters installed are bi-directional, therefore the monthly "Fixed Charge" is the minimum monthly payment. For an additional production meter, one can be provided by AMU for a $40.00 fee, but this is not required, and per request only. 

Application fees and other incurred expenses such as permits and inspections will depend on the Solar Option that is selected and the jurisdiction where installation would take place. See "Purchasing Solar Panels" on our Solar Power page of our website for details.