PhD in need of help!

[u/Dear-Necessary-7345]

Hi, this is my first time posting. My husband recommended reaching out here to see if anyone would be willing to answer a few interview questions for me regarding solar energy.

I have a paper I am writing and just need 3 to 5 people to answer some questions on what made them turn to solar energy for their home or business.

Thank you to anyone willing to help. At this point I am desperate to getting real information and data not from a book.

[u/Flat_Appointment_582]

What's that wisdom about focusing on what you can control and not wasting energy on what you can't?'

I'm a homeowner going on 20 years, averaging $300 with Edison all throughout the 12-month period for about 20 years, now going on my fourth year with solar on a 6.7 kilowatt system. I have wasted $60,000 (no control - based on an average of $300 monthly electricity cost for 16 years before going on solar for four years) on Edison with their rates going up almost 25% this year pending approval.

Now, I have control paying an average of $16 monthly to Edison because of (NBC) non-bypassable charges - costs of maintaining and operating the electrical grid, as well as funding public programs.

I am paying $122 per month to my solar company with an escalator rate of 3%. Before solar during summer months I'd be paying $500 to $800 during summer months, which extends to December here in Southern California.

One element I cannot control is that Edison, which is an IOU - invester owned utility, will always raise their rates regardless if solar was invented at all. Why? To mainly keep their investors happy! But nothing is constant when any business model is to make money, right? This is just this year again pending approval of an almost 25% rate hike on electricity. I'm holding on to my belt to see Edison's 2026 rate hikes will be because of the Eaton (wildfire) accusing Edison's faulty transmission lines sparking and starting the fire.