We used LaPlante Electric this summer. They installed 18 Silfab panels on our barn roof. We financed it ourselves and got the federal tax rebate. They were so very professional and pleasant to work with. One panel had a connection issue which they detected remotely ( we had no idea) and they came right out to fix it. They also installed our heat pumps and a generator too. Solar cost was 19K after the rebate. LaPlante is a little more expensive I think, but their service is impeccable and they guarantee everything. Regarding your older windows, instead of replacing them, good honeycomb insulating window shades will make a big difference at a fraction of the cost of replacing windows. I believe some of the Hunter Douglas shades qualify for a rebate now.

Also Maine Solar Solutions. Around $30k for a 14kW system (2019). Had a really good experience all around.

Question(a): With a 25 year payback period, at what point do you break even with costs? And how long is a panel going to retain its electricity producing efficiency? What is the lifecycle of the panel before it needs replacing?

My solar production is pretty awful in the dead of winter, especially considering I’m doing a lot of heating with my heat pump so I use a lot of electricity that time of year.

But I produce a surplus in the spring/summer and thanks to 1:1 net metering it offsets winter months.

Hahaha! Spoken like a teacher!

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Biddeford High School has a late start time (doors open at 8:15, first block starts at 8:35am. The students get out at 2:50pm) and the kids still complain of being tired and not sleeping enough at night. The late start has not interfered with sports or the students ability to work.

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Human circadian rhythms are approx 25 hours long per day. At some point we need to get the next generation on board with living on a schedule, which includes being disciplined enough to go to bed on time.

Is there enough sun in the winter to make it worth while?

If you're loco like me then you could schedule the heat pump install for mid-late December and pay with a 0 interest credit card. I made one payment before taxes came back and I paid it off

I used them. I preferred panels on the ground but at least for me they cost a lot more which is counterintuitive. On the roof 22 panels were about 30k before the state credit which was about 10k. They were great to work with, seemed like they were honest and used conservative estimates.

True, true!

Childcare and sports.

Wtf kind of gymnastics are you doing to tie those together?

Maine is in the bottom half for education. You’re proud of that and think it would be better to be worse?

https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/best-states-for-education

Revision installed ours in 2022 (2600 sf home from ~ 2000)

~$40,000 (27 Panels)

They do financing with Mosaic and VSECU - It's a 25 year loan @ 6% interest (no money down)

Loan Payment : $215 Avg CMP bill (for us): $185

**Revision does heat pumps, but I suggest going with another installer as ReVision will only install in easy access locations.

Things I liked: Nice people, made sure I understood the process, easy to work with, good support (walked me through issue with data not transmitting)

Things I didn't like: Communication after installation. I haven't heard from them other then when I had issues.

You can also build/buy inserts that go over your windows to keep the draft out.

We have pretty good windows (older replacements) but I built inserts anyway and they keep our bedroom noticeably warmer.

F*cking sports. I liked playing sports, but I wasn’t good enough to make it on a team.

You can find the full text of the ballot measure here.

To answer questions not covered, you can talk to residents who live in Maine communities who already have publicly owned electricity.

I had a big picture window done a few years ago that cost $1000 installed. I'd imagine simple double hung windows to be cheaper.

Fixing windows/insulation is the best thing you can do to lower your costs...

Of course, you are correct. I guess I was speaking to those that can self supervise, and should. Absolutely understand that there are those who cannot.

Same area. Actually north Bridgton just passed Bridgton Academy. Looking into getting solar. Also spoke with one company. They told me that there’s just not enough sun on my spot because of the overhead photography from Google Maps. I told them that they were wrong and that they need to come out. They never showed up.

Hello fellow school board member. I was also told we needed the local technical center to agree and all the sending towns.

I've had similarly high quotes, and I don't exactly live in a mansion. Just a single story ranch built in 55.

Hell, JUST to get the box windows in my basement replaced- probably the easiest possible rip and replace job? Was 12k from one guy, 17k from another.

The windows themselves aren't expensive at all, it's the labor.