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?
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
More on Solar Power in Knoxville
Friday, May 9, 2008
(Really) Tiny Homes
No, seriously, they're tiny. Like 100 sq ft tiny. And sure, they're environmentally friendly, but I got so claustrophobic watching the video, I had to turn it off. Now I'm getting light headed just thinking about watching it. So go ahead, you try to watch it. I dare you.
A lot of these are portable, so they'll build them and send them out to your little corner of the woods. Just don't invite me over, k? K.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
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.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Things Look Sunny for K-Town
What's with Knoxville and lists? Not only did we make all those Forbes lists, K-Town was just named one of 12 solar cities. According to WBIR.com:
The city of Knoxville is one of a dozen cities nationwide receiving federal money to boost solar power use.
It was selected as a Solar America City by the Department of Energy.The designation means a $200,000 grant plus technical assistance.The Tennessee Valley authority plans to chip in an additional $100,000 over the course of the two-year project.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Tuesday Link Round-Up - Easy Being Green Edition
