Here are a few more questions you may have:

# What am I bidding on?

A full solar panel system, installed. Twenty panels. You flip the switch, it starts generating electricity.

# How big? How many panels?

Twenty (20) panels maximum. That’s about as many as can fit on a rowhouse, or at least is near the maximum. Our (the Weavers) house has 18 panels.

# Is my home sunny enough for this to be worth it?

You need to e-mail Solar Solutions to find out!

# What the heck are solar credits, or SRECs, and if I win, does my solar panel system include them?

First: SRECs are credits that solar panel owners generate to sell to utility companies. It’s like a credit for doing something good (creating carbon-free energy). These utility companies -- specifically, PEPCO, who sells you your electricity -- buy these credits from you. The value of SRECs are traded on an open market, so they go up and down depending on supply/demand. But, second: No. It does not. This system does not include SRECs. You will not receive the benefit of them. If this system *did* include the SRECs, it would not be “free”

# Let’s talk details. Do I need to get financing or something for this?

No. A solar panel system (without SRECs) has in the past cost around $7,000-8,000, depending on the size of the system (and tariffs….pleeeeeeasssssee no more tariffs). If you bid, say, $5,000 for your system, then you would pay Maury $5,000 and Solar Solutions would install your system. That’s it.

# Do I get some federal tax credit or something?

Yes! If you install the system this year, you take a 30% credit of the cost of the system off your taxes*. The cost of the system is going to equal the cost to you (and Solar Solutions’ donation to Maury).

# Let’s get technical. What kind of panels and microinverters are these?

System installed will be using 325 watt Boviet panels with Enphase microinverters.

# Do I have to be a Maury teacher, parent, or somehow connected to Maury to bid?

No. If somebody you know or your otherwise-not-connected-to-Maury neighbor wants to bid, great! LET EVERYBODY KNOW!

# Will there be further updates?

Yes, and we may have Solar Solutions come by for a presentation (if there’s time).

# Remind me, again, what benefits do I get by bidding and winning this system?

Well, there’s at least three:

# You save money because you will be saving money on power!

# You’re helping Maury because all the proceeds are going to the Maury PTA!

# You’re keeping CO2 out of the atmosphere because it’s solar power!

# HELLO, IT’S FREE!

I know there are some Maury families who already have solar systems and are probably great resources who can offer their views!