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Publish Date: January 13th, 2025
Richard Grier has long been a solar supporter, getting his first system in 2007 from a different installer. When that system needed a new inverter, he chose Namaste Solar for the repair and system expansion. Two systems that he calls his legacy. At 77, he’s well aware that his choices should benefit society as a whole, rather than just himself. But his 7.2 kW system does benefit his household, too. They now enjoy free electricity along with an EV that runs off the sun. Read his full story below.
What inspired you to start thinking about solar?
In 2007, I started investigating rooftop solar and decided to go ahead and install a 3kW solar system through a local solar provider. I decided to do this because in the preceding 20 years, I had increasing concerns about climate change and thought I should make overt efforts of my own to address my carbon footprint.
So, we did things like buying hybrid vehicles and installing rooftop solar. At the time, I did a back of the envelope analysis to see what the payback would be based on my cost, what work I had to do – like replacing my roof before putting solar on, and the possibility of a repair outside of the warranty. I included the rebates, both federal and from Xcel, that were available at the time. This analysis indicated to me, as an engineer, that it made a bit of sense to do this and that my payback would be about 18 years.
A year ago, I did in fact experience a breakdown. The inverter in my original system failed. So, I contacted my original solar provider, and they weren’t available to meet my needs. So, I started looking for other providers, and Namaste Solar was one of the ones that I contacted. They were prompt in responding to my inquiry about repair of my existing solar system. We scheduled an inspection and proceeded to schedule that repair.
Then the Namaste Solar personnel provided me with an estimate and a quote for additional solar. Based on my previous experience, the cost of the system, and the federal tax credit that I would receive, I decided to move forward. I recognized at the time that it may not pay for itself before I turn the home over to the next user.
We scheduled the additional solar installation, and all of the contacts that I had at Namaste Solar were excellent. Once the second installation was authorized through Xcel, it’s been operating for just over six months, and I’ve been quite satisfied. My older system is now working properly, and old and new are operating side by side. We have an EV, and we use our solar system to charge it at night.
Did you have your EV with your old system? If so, how does charging it with grid power compare to solar?
Yes, we got the EV about three years before the old system needed repairs. And there was a period of time between the repair being fixed where we were charging it using grid power. During that time, our electricity went up between $50 and $60 per month. Since we’ve gotten the repair and system expansion, we don’t have any monthly cost for EV charging.
Technology has improved greatly since your first installation in 2007. But your old and new system are working in tandem together well.
Yes, definitely. The existing system uses string inverters. And the new system uses micro inverters. And they work together seamlessly. As long as the inverters are working properly, there’s no reason to believe that they wouldn’t. The only thing I would like to be able to do, from a nerd standpoint, would be able to add a battery backup system so that we could power the home when we lose power.
The black on black panels were installed in 2024 and the black on grey panels were installed in 2007
How has solar positively impacted your lifestyle?
Well, the rooftop solar blocks some of the summer heat that was getting trapped by my roof before. That heat was creating more warmth in the home. And with rooftop solar, that heat is being absorbed by the panels instead. It’s a good thing because it also reduces the requirement for air conditioning. I’ve noticed with two sets of solar panels on the roof, that the temperature in the house is slightly more reasonable.
You’ve mentioned how adding rooftop solar is doing your part to reduce your carbon footprint and how this investment will be a legacy. Can you speak more about that?
If you look at the things that we are experiencing as a society, as a human race, climate change is going to have a larger and larger impact in the future. At 77, I won’t see the worst of it. But our grandkids are going to experience much more than we have now. Serious weather events, in my belief, are going to increase because of climate change.
When I die, my home will be sold. And that rooftop solar is going to be working long into the future as long as it’s maintained. Our grandkids are my partner’s and they have their own rooftop solar system. So, from a legacy standpoint, I mean a legacy to society.
How has solar financially impacted you?
Well, our electricity bills now just reflect the tie in fee, which is $9. And I’ve got free electricity for the rest of my life.
It was one of those things where I had the money in the bank. So, what could I spend it on? And so this was a decision that I made to spend that money on the new system. I just simply paid for it, so I will get some payback from the federal income tax I file next year. And that’s a small thing that I don’t even consider to be an incentive. The incentive for me is to do what I consider to be right. For the world, not necessarily directly for myself. I can afford to do it, so I did it.
What made you choose Namaste Solar specifically?
They were responsive to my inquiries and immediately made themselves available to do the work that I needed to do. It was simply based on an internet search for solar providers who are available in the Denver and Lakewood area now. The other solar installers I contacted were not responsive.
I also wanted to go with a more established company, not one man working out of his garage. I’m sure that’s a satisfactory process for some people, but I wanted something considered to be a professional operation.
So, Namaste Solar had a good web presence and were responsive. Plus, the people who actually showed up on my doorstep were knowledgeable and professional.
What was your experience like working with us?
The experience was very good. The installers showed up with all of the equipment and supplies that they needed. They didn’t have to make any trips back to the shop to pick up something, which occasionally happens with work that’s done in the residential environment. Everything that was required showed up on schedule. There was never any delay in the process.
Gary was your salesperson. What was your experience like working with him?
I found out that Gary’s been at Namaste Solar for a long time. He knew everything that needed to be known, or he knew, without hesitation, who he needed to connect with to answer the question or solve the problem.
If you were recommending someone explore the benefits of solar in three sentences, what would you say?
Do the math. Make sure you can afford the system. And lastly, consider the social impact of your decision. Because in my opinion, that’s the most important consideration. Is this decision good for someone outside of my family and my situation? Is this a good choice for society?
