From Sunlight to Savings: A Rooftop Solar Success Story

By Sara Vinson, Sustainable Newton Co-Founder & Secretary

Mike McQuaide is our second Sustainable Star of 2025. Mike is a professor emeritus of sociology at Oxford College and a former Sustainable Newton board member. Mike and his wife Stacy Bell installed solar panels on their historic Oxford home in 2023. We asked Mike some questions about the decision to go solar, the process and the results that they’ve seen.

What inspired you to install rooftop solar panels?
We were inspired to install solar panels for several reasons.  When we learned about the many positive consequences of solar panels in reducing greenhouse gasses we also learned about the number of trees that would have to be planted to sequester the same amount of gases that the solar panels would save in emissions.  Our 5.67 kW, 14-panel system will reduce carbon emissions equivalent to planting 580 trees.  Put another way, they’re the equivalent of 56,000 car miles avoided.
We all contribute to global climate change. Installing solar panels was one decision we could make to reduce our carbon footprint.

How did the Inflation Reduction Act tax credits and rebates influence your decision?
We had been considering solar panels for our house for awhile  When the 30 percent incentive to install was restored under the Inflation Reduction Act, we decided to move ahead with the solar installation. This is an important incentive and it played a key role in our decision to install the panels. For us, this tax credit was more than $6,500 in a reduced federal income tax bill.

What was the installation process like? Were there any challenges or surprises?
Alternative Energy Southeast is the company that installed the panels, and the installation of our fourteen panels was flawless.  I highly recommend AES to anyone who needs a reliable partner in their decision to install solar panels. Alternative Energy Southeast was also the installer that worked with Sustainable Newton on the Solarize campaign back in 2019. They’ve installed panels on friends' homes nearby.  The installation crew was friendly and professional.  Their work was done promptly and effectively, with no unpleasant surprises or disappointments of any kind. Everyone I know is more than satisfied with their service.

How has switching to solar impacted your energy costs?
AES had made predictions regarding the savings we would have as a consequence of installing the panels, all of which have come true.  I’m happy to report that we have enjoyed considerable savings in our electricity bill because we’re purchasing less electricity and selling some electricity back to the city of Oxford, our electricity provider, each month. However, the true financial savings are less from the electricity that we sell back to the provider and more from the electricity that we avoid purchasing. 
 
On average, our monthly electricity bill has declined by approximately 35 percent. Our savings over 25 years is currently predicted to be about $29,900.  The AES team said that the return-on-investment period is approximately seven years.

​What advice would you give to other Newton County residents thinking about going solar?
Based on our recent experience with solar panels, we would advise people in Newton County to consider the long term positive consequences put in motion through solar generated energy.  When you are ready to significantly reduce your carbon footprint for your children’s and your grandchildren’s sakes, please work with one of the reliable solar panel companies and make your stand for a sustainable future.

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