The WSJ’s Environmental Capital reports on the agreement by Lowe’s hardware stores and Akeena Solar to sell do-it-yourself solar panels in retail stores. Which begs a good question:
What we want to know is if buying and installing solar panels is as easy as picking up some new track lighting, what is going to become of the thousands of boots-on-the-roof solar installation jobs that were going to help the U.S. emerge from the downturn?
This is NOT A DIY PRODUCT which the purchaser installs. Lowes will be referring customers to professional installers and taking a cut, just like they do with air conditioners.
Here’s the really “good question” that NO ONE in the media thinks to address.
If you purchase and install it yourself, how do you connect to the grid (or qualify for any rebates) other than going through proper channels with the UTILITY? This will most likely REQUIRE A LICENSED ELECTRICIAN TO COMMISSION IT for the majority of installations.
p.s. Ace Hardware is about to start selling an ingenious SMALL WIND TURBINE, I expect that this will use a similar agreement (referral to an installer). It’s supposed to operate in winds as low as 4 mph and generate up to 3.5 kw. The technology eliminates the central axle and gearbox, making it light weight with very low resistance. It uses magnets at the ends of the blades for the electric generation. Beautiful. http://www.earthtronics.com/honeywell.aspx
The same goes for energy efficiency upgrades or retrofits. If I do it myself, I might as well kiss the tax credit good by. And whatever I pay the contractor to do the work is going eat up the all the savings and more. Right?