FOR SALE
continued from page 19
Small Pink House in Marathon - $ 90K
contact:
carolynzniewski@gmail.com
888.989.6900
432.371.2727
Terlingua, Texas
FM 170
River and
Mountain Bike
Tours
rentals & shuttles
desertsportstx.com
/desertsports
A LPINE G UEST Q UARTERS
Spacious • Downtown Alpine
Walk to Amtrak
Reservations online at:
AlpineGuestLodging.rocks
or 432.386.2398
home. The process was sim-
ple enough, she said: long
term cost and usage overview;
site visit; work out financials;
installation; and various fol-
low-up details. AEP switched
the meter, and the solar com-
pany inspected the roof for
total area, angle to the sun
and amount of sun vs. shade.
They also looked at the bill to
determine how much usage
there is, to install a big enough
system to supply all the elec-
tricity needs.
“A lot of people don’t want
to think in the future, especial-
ly about having a payment for
10 or so years, but most of the
time my meter is running
backwards, racking up cred-
it.” Macartney got a fixed rate
to do the install, which will be
paid off in 12 years. That
sounds like a long financial
commitment, but with a
meter that runs backwards,
there’s no electric bill, which
offsets the monthly loan pay-
ment. When the loan is paid,
the electricity is free. An extra
bonus, Macartney said, is the
panels provide shade on the
roof. “It was quick and easy
and affordable to install
solar,” Macartney said. “Why
the heck wouldn’t you?”
Solar used to be for the
wealthy, an indulgence, if you
will. But with the advance-
ment of the technology comes
a drop in prices, making a
term like “greener and clean-
er” take on a new meaning,
one of saving money as well as
being better for the earth.
There’s more solar output at
higher elevations, which
makes Alpine the perfect
place to utilize solar, AND
electric companies here still
give rebates.
Some people lament the
“eyesore“ of the solar plant,
although if you’re not looking
for it, it’s easy to miss – it’s
Wassermann Wranch
A beautiful slice of West Texas
Mention this ad for a free gift!
Murphy St
Mercado
100 W. Murphy St
Alpine
432 837 0914
Monday 9-6 • Wednesday- Saturday 9-6
Sunday 10 -2 • Closed Tuesday
20
non-descript and low to the
ground. But this is one
monocrop that doesn’t desta-
bilize the soil, nor does it suck
precious desert water out of
the aquifer. There are down-
sides and upsides to every-
thing and the risks and bene-
fits must be calculated in the
production of energy. We
could go back to hunter /
gatherer society, but seven bil-
lion people lighting home fires
would be destructive as well.
Solar may have “side effects”
like habitat disruption in sen-
sitive areas and bird fatalities,
but the solar farm near Alpine
is less dangerous than the con-
centrated form. We must look
at the bigger picture, one in
which,
according
the
National Audubon Society
(who are all about birds), cli-
mate change is ultimately the
most destructive force to
wildlife. There are no perfect
solutions, but there are, per-
haps, best answers. We just
have to find them.
Cenizo
Third Quarter 2017
Tours, the Wranch Store, and pictures with critters.
Donkeys, Alpacas, a miniature horse and a new
baby roo!
Summer hours Thur - Sat, 9am - 1pm
Or by appt 432-837-7345
10 Rim Road - Sunny Glen, Alpine
www.wassermannwranch.com
New
!
Roo