More on Solar Power in Knoxville

Last month Ken Baker asked me about solar powered homes in Knoxville and, sadly, there just wasn't a lot I could tell him.

Well, it looks like interest in solar power has picked up some in our area, at least for one KUB customer, Preston Smith, who recently installed 28 solar panels on his barn. According to an article in the KNS, his "solar system" is the largest in the KUB service territory and cost a whopping $50,000.

I'm sure normal, meaning much smaller, residential installations would be cheaper, but I'm thinking that the prices are still going to give a lot of people in our area sticker shock. I would also think this is the type of improvement you would only do to a home you planned to stay in a long time, as I'm not sure you could get your installation costs back dollar for dollar when you sold it.

Any thoughts on this? Would you pay more (probably a lot more) per square foot for a solar powered home?

Seeing the Light - Solar Power

Ken Baker was good enough to ask me my opinion of solar powered homes and was also nice enough to post my thoughts over on his blog, Ken's Business Musings. The short version of my answer is that solar powered homes are still scarce in this part of the world and buyers aren't exactly clamoring for them...yet.

Check out Ken's article and then come back and let me know what you think. Would you be more attracted to a home with solar power vs. one with all conventional energy systems? Do you think installing solar panels on your current home would be a good investment both in general and also for resale? Any other thoughts or info on solar powered homes? Tell me all about it in the comments.

Tuesday Link Round-Up - Easy Being Green Edition

Thinking you'd like your home to be more energy and environmentally friendly but don't know where to begin? Realestatejournal.com has a few suggestions other than the usual suspect suggestions of extra insulation or compact fluorescent lightbulbs.

Home is where "green" can start - Realestatejournal.com

Thinking all that energy efficient stuff is great and all but don't have money to do it? How about working it into your ReFi?

Energy Efficient Mortage - Topix