So you’re interested in renewable energy for
your home? That’s great! We all need to be more
responsible about energy, not only to save money,
but for the greater good of the environment.

Use Energy Wisely
The first thing you need to look at is how
you currently use energy. Are you using energy
inefficiently? What can you do to cut back or
make your home more energy efficient? Adams
Electric highly recommends conquering these
hurdles first, before considering installing any
type of renewable energy. It’s not wise to spend
thousands of dollars to generate electricity only
to waste it due to inefficient windows, doors,
refrigerators, or heating and air conditioning.

Ask Questions
Let’s say you have achieved a high level of
energy efficiency in your home and you are ready
to look at a renewable energy system. What’s
next? You might ask yourself the following
questions before you talk to a contractor.
• Do you want a system that will provide
all your power needs or do you want
supplemental energy generation to reduce
the amount of power you buy from the
grid?
• How long do you plan to live in this
house?
• Are you looking for a wind turbine or solar
panel system?
• How much are you willing to spend?

For most people, residential renewable energy
means a supplemental photovoltaic solar energy
generation system. The main component of a
photovoltaic system is the solar collector panels
which change the sunlight into direct current
(DC). The DC then flows through a converter
which changes the DC into alternating current
(AC). AC is needed to run home appliances or
sell excess energy back to the power grid. The
converter must comply with UL Standard 1741.

Wind generation is another option, but due to
poor and unreliable wind conditions in this area,
Adams Electric recommends measuring wind
speed at the proposed location and elevation for
one year before considering wind generation.

Let’s Talk Reputation
You’re now ready to talk with reputable
contractors. Find out how much it will cost,
and if there are any state or federal tax credits
that will help reduce your out-of-pocket cost.

Ask how much energy the system will generate.
Remember that the output of a renewable energy
system is highly dependent on the weather and
therefore will not generate at its full potential
all the time. Have your contractor run numbers
using local weather data. Find out how much it
will cost to generate a kilowatt hour (kwh) of
energy. Compare that with your current cost per
kwh from Adams Electric. Will the system pay
for itself in a few years? Ask your contractor
about system upkeep and warranty issues.
Check out the manufacturer’s and contractor’s
references. Ask about and visit other local
installations and talk to the owners. See what
lessons they learned and what they have to say
about system performance. Consider a lawyer
for contract review. Be sure you pay in stages as
construction progresses, and do not sign anything
or pay any money until you are completely
comfortable with the contractor.

Contact Adams Electric
While you’re determining which contractor to
use, and before any work begins, you are required
to contact Adams Electric. There are contracts to
sign, forms to fill out, and safety guidelines to
review. Adams Electric’s safety guidelines must
be adhered to in order to energize your system.
Safety is of primary importance, both for you and
Adams Electric’s line crew. An electric disconnect
box must be installed outside, near your meter,
and be easily accessible. Additionally, Adams
Electric requires that your system never powers
back onto co-op lines when there is a power
outage. Adams Electric will test this feature and
also install a new meter, capable of net metering.
The meter will measure current flow in both
directions and will allow for accurate metering
of the power you buy and sell.

We will work with you and guide you through
the application process, including: an application
for operation of customer-owned generation,
interconnection and power purchase agreement,
and insurance requirements. Adams Electric
requires that you carry liability insurance or proof
of certification that you are self-insured.
Adams Electric does not offer financial
assistance; but there are programs offered by
state and federal agencies. Refer to the Internet
addresses printed on the reverse side of this
brochure to help get you started.