this post was submitted on 13 Mar 2026
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Climate
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Discussion of climate, how it is changing, activism around that, the politics, and the energy systems change we need in order to stabilize things.
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Here in NM, many of my neighbors have solar panels on their roofs. It makes sense on the surface, but I don't think many of them sprung for the batteries, which are pretty expensive. Since most of them work during the day, you know, when the sun is shining, all they're powering directly is their refrigerator, and whatever else runs when they aren't home. So, they're relying on the buy-back program from PNM to offset the monthly finance charge for the installation, and hopefully lower their electric bill.
They also have the additional cost of removing the solar panels when the house sells, if they lease the panels, because often the solar company won't transfer the lease, and bonus, they don't want the panels back.
The guy across the street has solar panels, without batteries, I asked, and told me his electric bill is "just" $60 a month. Of course, he didn't mention whatever he pays a month for the installation, assuming he financed it.
My bill is $70 a month for two people, no solar panels. I didn't tell him that.
The best use for solar panels is in the summer time powering air conditioning and heat pump heating. Depending on the climate in NM, this might not be the best use time for it.
Batteries dont need to be Elon Musks version. Deep cycle lead acid works just as well.