'We regret we didn't start it sooner': Solarize the Triangle helping residents switch to solar power
Solarize the Triangle was at Hi-Wire Brewing Monday night in Durham to show people how they can save money on new solar systems for their homes.
The event was held to help people learn how much money they can save after switching to a solar system, even if the savings aren't immediate.
The program launched last month in an effort to help make solar energy more affordable for residents in the Triangle.
An average solar system can cause tens of thousands of dollars, but it wasn't a price that deterred Grayson Baur from switching.
"We were concerned about climate change," Baur explained.
One resident said their utility bill dropped from $150 per month to $14 per month, a drop sure to attract homeowners who are concerned about the cost of energy.
"Energy costs go up and a lot of people don't want to use fossil fuel," said Kathy Miller, who was at the event representing Yes Solar Solutions.
Solarize the Triangle is using crowd sourcing to make rooftop solar systems affordable. As more people sign up, the cost of each system per person drops.
Currently, most systems start at $22,000.
Baur made the switch three weeks ago. He estimates he will save $8,000 on his system due to Solarize the Triangle and tax rebates and over time, he believes the system will pay for itself.
"We regret we didn't start it sooner," Baur said. "The pay back period is about 16 years, a better payback period would be 10 years. So we are not going to lose money, and we're going to help be more sustainable."
