Many Americans are concerned about ever-rising residential electricity rates. For those able to make a sizable personal investment, installing solar panels at their homes offers stable effective electricity costs. Sustainability goals also help drive the purchase.

Other developed nations have shown that fair policies can make residential solar financially attractive across a much broader economic spread than we have here in the US.

In Australia, Germany, and Japan the final installed costs for residential solar are only about a third of what US homeowners pay! Costs of photovoltaic panels and related equipment are similar across the world. Yet huge differences arise in “soft costs” covering labor, permit fees, and administrative costs. For example, in Australia “soft costs” are a reasonable 25%. Excess administrative burdens in the US inflate typical ”soft costs” to about 67%, twice the equipment costs! Why? US installers must deal with many more local jurisdictions applying varied, inconsistent, and poorly documented requirements.

Let’s change this by working locally.

Please join us on Thursday February 12 at 7:30 PM in an open Zoom discussion reviewing plans to help reduce those barriers.

• Share personal anecdotes about dealing with your town’s solar policies

• Be part of a call to action, hearing from Third Act founder Bill McKibben

• Learn how to inform your town about streamlining permitting and inspection

Tailwinds:  

• By acting locally we needn’t be blocked by polarized US and NH energy policies.

• You don’t have to be an energy expert nor an experienced activist to help!  

• Over 500 New Hampshire residents across 150 towns signed a Sun-Day-themed petition supporting solar power last fall. Participation by these signers would have a truly meaningful impact. If you were a signer (or if you weren’t) please attend!

Please share this invitation with others willing to help inform one’s community and its leaders about the benefits of “simplifying solar” permitting and inspection.

This Simplify Solar campaign is being organized locally by the New Hampshire Working Group of Third Act, a grassroots movement of older Americans working together in the spirit of justice and love to protect our climate and revive our democracy. We are grateful for support from several other non-profit allies.