Are you Ready to Go Solar?

It's time to Go Green. Solar energy is the way to go and with over 300+ days of Sunshine here in the Land of Enchantment, it is time we all look at converting to Solar panels etc. This is a great article that appeared in the Albuquerque Journal on Sunday talking about how local builder, Artistic Homes have developed an energy series of homes. Let me know what you think. Are you ready to go Solar?
Nancy

Artistic Homes' Zero Energy series designed to dramatically reduce electricity consumption
By Jane Mahoney
For the Albuquerque Journal

Every month, Miguel and Miriam Reyna write an extra check for about $120 toward the principal on their home mortgage. The payment reflects the amount they receive each month from PNM for producing more electricity than they use in their solar home in Rio Rancho.
"We've never gotten a regular electrical bill," said Miguel Reyna, who, with his wife and young child, moved into an all-electric home in March. "So far, we've gotten back between $110 and $130 every month."
Participation in PNM's net metering program is just one of the perks that Reyna likes about the family's new Zero Energy home by Artistic Homes, a production builder with a goal of bringing affordable solar homes to buyers.
Artistic's Zero Energy series opened its first model home about a year ago, and now offers buyers several options. Top of the line in efficiency is a true Net Zero Energy all-electric home with rooftop-mounted photovoltaic (PV) solar panels to generate electricity and a solar thermal system to heat water. Other home packages include a smaller, introductory solar option in which about a third of a home's electricity is generated by the PV system.
The base price of Artistic homes (without solar panels) ranges from about $149,000 to more than $260,000 depending on size and location. A photovoltaic system to produce electricity and a solar thermal system to heat water can add upwards of $60,000 to a home, although federal and state tax incentives and rebates have softened the blow. Artistic Homes builder/co-owner Tom Wade said that any floor plan offered by the company can support a solar option installed as the home is being built.
Click Here to View Full Article at AlbuquerqueJournal.com