
Going solar in the Blue Ridge Mountains
One Virginian’s story about putting solar panels on his home

In April, I took a trip to visit my mom and stepdad who still live on the land of my childhood. Turns out they had just put solar panels on their house! Naturally I had to figure out what drove their decision and how they are feeling about it. So, here’s my interview with my stepdad, Rick Hall.

Rick Hall was born in Texas, where his dad was stationed with the U.S. Navy. Rick and his family moved every few years while he was young. Rick says people that are “military brats” get exposed to a lot of life and different types of people. It’s an experience that opens your eyes, he says. Over the years, Rick continued to move, working as a swimming pool salesman, chef in restaurants, and eventually award-winning winemaker.
Today Rick’s retired from winemaking and has settled down with my mom, the artist Starroot, in the Blue Ridge Mountains (“paradise” as he puts it). He says this is home now.
When Rick and my mom decided to build a house they incorporated passive design features that would save money, save energy, and help them be comfortable. That design also included more active features, including a solar hot water system and radiant floor heating. But, when maintenance issues associated made the solar hot water system cumbersome and the system fell into disrepair, Rick and Starroot decided to switch over to a solar electric array instead.

Why go solar?
When I asked Rick what factors drove their decision, he said that foremost for him was a desire to do their part to help the environment. That’s what initially gots the wheels turning. Then, when they looked into it, they realized that going solar can save a lot of money because Virginia is a state that has net-metering.
It’s great for the environment and there’s an economic benefit. It’s a no-brainer. You can’t go wrong.Rick Hall
solar owner

When I asked him what he thinks prevents others from making the same decision, Rick said some people are held back by initial investment. They might not know that there are large tax credits available today that can help. He said the 30% federal tax credit really helped them move forward and that raising awareness of the benefits of solar is critical.

Solar panels: How federal tax credits can help you pay for them
Rick has been surprised by the simplicity of the system and how fast it was installed. He said he thought it would have lots of components that he would have to familiarize himself with, but that it basically takes care of itself.
There’s an app for that
Then Rick pulled out the app on his phone where he monitors his solar system’s production and how it compares to their home energy use. He said that having actual numbers can trigger hiscompetitive side and he finds himself flipping off light switches and taking other actions to push their use down so they can power more of their lives with the clean solar energy that their panels harness.

Rick’s advice to others: “If you’re at all thinking about taking some action to help the environment, look into going solar. You can help our environment. You can help our national grid stability. You can make money in the long run. Take a look at the numbers and do the math. It’s hard to not do this.”

How To Go Solar
Rick says their next step is to replace the remaining gas appliances in their home. They started this journey by replacing all lights with LEDs and immediately noticed an impact on their electric bill. He says there’s lots they can do behaviorally, but that replacing gas appliances – such as their gas stove and furnace – are the next big step in their journey to make their home a clean energy home.

Clean Energy Home Toolkit
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Johanna Neumann
Senior Director, Campaign for 100% Renewable Energy, Environment America
Johanna directs strategy and staff for Environment America's energy campaigns at the local, state and national level. In her prior positions, she led the campaign to ban smoking in all Maryland workplaces, helped stop the construction of a new nuclear reactor on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay and helped build the support necessary to pass the EmPOWER Maryland Act, which set a goal of reducing the state’s per capita electricity use by 15 percent. She also currently serves on the board of Community Action Works. Johanna lives in Amherst, Massachusetts, with her family, where she enjoys growing dahlias, biking and the occasional game of goaltimate.