Opinion
Op-ed: Why aren’t there more solar panels in Big Sky?
Published
5 years agoon
Posted By
Outlaw PartnersBy Kathy Bouchard
The recently formed Sustainability Committee of the Rotary Club of Big Sky has set a goal to “create the world’s best sustainable community through partnering with Big Sky residents and organizations.” With this in mind, we have set about to explore some green questions regarding Big Sky and its place in a sustainable future. This first exploration regards a sunny exposition of the opening question: “Why aren’t there more solar panels in Big Sky?
A number of incentives exist for installing solar panels. A 30 percent federal tax credit for residential and commercial installation expires in December, to be replaced by 26 percent in 2020, 22 percent in 2021, and finally only 10 percent for commercial projects only the following year. There is no sales tax in Montana, and there is a state tax credit available for those making enough income to qualify. According to www.solarpowerrocks.com, installing solar panels on your home increases its value up to 20 times your annual energy bill. Montana also grants a property tax exemption for 100 percent of that gain for 10 years. Such are the financial incentives to ponder whether paid up front or with a loan. So why aren’t there more panels in Big Sky?
I asked the only person I know in Big Sky who installed solar panels when he built his home in my neighborhood a few years ago. He loves having five months of insignificant power bills, and the credits he amasses in the summer, selling his surplus back to the grid, roll month-to-month. They are unceremoniously erased in January, costing him, my neighbor estimates, about a month’s worth of power. By then the array is under snow and things don’t start humming along again until May.
Montana has the ninth cheapest electricity in the nation at about 11 cents/kWh. This cheap price usually indicates power production generated by burning coal. An externality is a cost of production not born by the producer, often having the effect of artificially reducing the cost to the consumer. The externalities of coal production include toxic coal ash, air and water pollution, and huge carbon emissions. As Montana and the rest of the country wrestle with these problems, the safe bet is that the price of electricity generated using coal will only go up. Maybe a lot.
Along with his roof-mounted solar array, my neighbor also installed two solar water-heating panels. That means “free” hot water all summer long, aided by day-timed use of dishwashers and laundry to further take advantage of the cyclically heated water. He says he loaded the front end cost of construction (which included sustainably manufactured lumber, high efficiency windows, and automatic window shades to preserve heat in winter and cool in summer) so he could enjoy diminished power bills over time. An ordinary solar installation costs about $20,000 without incentives or rebates. His solar array is larger than typical to cover the needs of a large shop. While the return hasn’t been quite up to original expectations, when asked “Would you do it again?” a hearty “Yes!” was the response.
For more information visit www.solarpowerrocks.com or call any of the Bozeman-based solar installers listed below that:
Harvest Solar MT
(406) 570.8844
Independent Power Systems
(406) 587.5295
Liquid Solar Systems
(4060 581.1972
OnSite Energy
(406) 551.6135
Thirsty Lake Solar
(406) 219.1119
The Outlaw Partners is a creative marketing, media and events company based in Big Sky, Montana.
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april, 2024
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Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm We will combine the heart-opening powers of cacao with the transcendental powers of breathwork and sound. Together, these practices will give us the opportunity for a deep
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Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm
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March 23 (Saturday) 6:00 pm - April 23 (Tuesday) 8:00 pm
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Santosha Wellness Center
169 Snowy Mountain Circle
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We all are familiar with using a limited palette, but do you use one? Do you know how to use a
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We all are familiar with using a limited palette, but do you use one? Do you know how to use a limited palette to create different color combinations? Are you tired of carrying around 15-20 different tubes when you paint plein air? Have you ever wanted to create a certain “mood” in a painting but failed? Do you create a lot of mud? Do you struggle to achieve color harmony? All these problems are addressed in John’s workbook in clear and concise language!
Based on the bestselling “Limited Palatte, Unlimited Color” workbook written by John Pototschnik, the workshop is run by Maggie Shane and Annie McCoy, accomplished landscape (acrylic) and plein air (oil) artists,exhibitors at the Big Sky Artists’ Studio & Gallery and members of the Big Sky Artists Collective.
Each student will receive a copy of “Limited Palette, Unlimited Color” to keep and take home to continue your limited palette journey. We will show you how to use the color wheel and mix your own clean mixtures to successfully create a mood for your paintings.
Each day, we will create a different limited palette color chart and paint a version of a simple landscape using John’s directives. You will then be able to go home and paint more schemes using the book for guidance.
Workshop is open to painters (oil or acrylic) of any level although students must have some basic knowledge of the medium he or she uses. Students will be provided the book ($92 value), color wheel, value scale and canvas papers to complete the daily exercises.
Sundays, April 14, 21 and 28, 2024
Noon until 6PM.
$170.
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14 (Sunday) 12:00 pm - 28 (Sunday) 6:00 pm
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Trivia from 7 to 9 p.m. at The Waypoint in Town Center. Participation is free, food and beverages available.
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Trivia from 7 to 9 p.m. at The Waypoint in Town Center. Participation is free, food and beverages available.
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(Wednesday) 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
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The Waypoint
50 Ousel Falls Rd