Which is more environmentally friendly: trees or solar? : Short Wave

To solar or not to solar? That is the question for today’s episode of Short Wave’s monthly series Nature Quest.

For many people, solar is alluring as an alternative to fossil fuels. But is it still worth it to make the switch if your electric utility already largely runs on renewables? And what if there is a big cedar blocking direct sunlight over your roof?

Those are the conundrums facing Short Wave listener Darcey Hughes, who wanted to know if she should cut down a towering cedar tree in her side yard to install solar panels on her roof. We called up five solar experts to weigh in. Below, is the resulting three-step plan anyone can follow to figure out when solar panels are worth it.

Considerations for Solar Hopefuls

Step one: Find a trustworthy solar installer. Solar panels can still generate electricity in indirect or partial sunlight, so it’s worth getting an expert assessment of your property. Kevin Lucas from the Solar Energy Industries Association recommends getting quotes from multiple installers if possible. Get a second – or third – opinion. And talk to someone who has experience in your local area. Amicus Solar Cooperative is one of many sites geared towards finding an expert.

Step two: Break out a calculator. The upfront costs of solar can be pretty steep! Before you install anything, make sure you’re getting the full bang for your buck. Check if your state offers solar rebates, incentives, or net metering (when the utility company uses excess energy generated by your solar panels and gives you a discount on your electricity bill in exchange).

Step three: Consider community solar. Shared solar projects – where a group of neighbors finance solar installation together – are a good solution for people whose individual property is not a good fit for solar panels. Check out Solar United Neighbors or Co-op Power for more information about how it works.

Have a question about your local environment? Email us your question at shortwave@npr.org.

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This episode was produced by Hannah Chinn. It was edited by Rebecca Ramirez. Tyler Jones checked the facts. The audio engineer was Robert Rodriguez. Sam Paulson composed and produced our Nature Quest theme music.