H T WATTS
It’s Annual Meeting time!
Bring the kids and join us Saturday, Oct. 7, at the Sallisaw High School Gymnasium as we celebrate 75 years of service. Members will be able to enjoy entertainment from the Oklahoma Moon Band, visit with the Board of Trustees, meet toy mascot Willie Wiredhand, and enjoy special guest, Katelyn Stamper, as she sings our National Anthem. Registration is open from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., with the meeting beginning at 10 a.m.
Members will receive an official notice in the mail
with meeting details. Remember to bring the notice with you to the meeting to receive your $20 electric bill credit and to register for the prize drawings. The first 1,500 members to register will also receive a gift bag with some “goodies” inside.
Kids between 2 and 16 years of age can register for a gift to be given away during the prize drawing, and we will have a kids’ zone with free face painting and a chance to meet the Willie Wiredhand mascot. We hope to see you there!
WATTS INSIDE
from D.C.
to consider
rooftop
SEPTEMBER 2023 Published monthly by Cookson Hills Electric Cooperative, Inc.
Youth Tour winners return
>> page 3 Eight questions
before installing
solar >> page 4
Ellen Mattison, Manager of Accounting Services
Kristie Cash, Manager of Office Services
Rockey Oldham, Manager of Broadband Services
Jeremy Stubblefield, Chief Technology Officer
Brad Martin, Director of Member/Public Relations and Economic Development
Dallin Shaw, Director of Engineering Russell V. Barber, General Counsel
Cookson Hills Electric Cooperative, Inc. welcomes members to submit photos, and articles which will be subject to editing. Cookson Hills reserves the right to publish or modify any article. Companies and individuals featured in the Hot Watts newsletter do not necessarily reflect the official policy, position, or view of Cookson Hills.
Cookson Hills Electric Cooperative, Inc. is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
If you find your account number hidden in this issue of the Hot Watts, you’ll receive a $25 credit on your electric bill.
8 Questions to Consider Before Installing Rooftop Solar
By Abby Berry
“Free energy from the sun and lower electric bills… Where do I sign up?”
The benefits of installing rooftop solar panels may seem like a nobrainer, but the reality is, not every home (and homeowner’s situation) is always right for solar.
There are several factors to consider before pulling the trigger on a rooftop solar system, like determining if your home will receive enough sun to achieve your goals, finding the right contractor, negotiating contracts and other important details.
Investing in solar for your home is a major decision. If you’re considering rooftop solar, CHEC can
help.
Here are eight questions to consider before installing rooftop solar panels.
1. What are my goals? If your primary goal is to save money on electric bills, you may be able to achieve this through an energy audit, which can identify areas of the home for maximum energy savings.
2. Is my roof suitable for solar? Your roof should be in good condition before installing solar panels. If your roof is old and in poor shape, it may need to be replaced before panels can be mounted.
continued on page 4 >>
bit.ly/CHEConFB (case-sensitive) Cookson Hills Electric Cooperative, Inc. Headquarters Office PO Box 539 • 1002 E. Main Stigler, OK 74462 • 800-328-2368 Branch Office PO Box 587 • 1800 KOA/Power Drive Sallisaw, OK 74955 • 918-775-2211 Pay-by-Phone: 1-888-678-1937 www.cooksonhills.com Alternate Emergency Only: 918-552-0016 BOARD OF TRUSTEES Joe Ogle, President District 6 Rocky Woods, Sr., Vice President District 1 Ronnie Pevehouse, Sec/Treasurer District 7 Dan Callahan, Trustee District 2 John Dillard, Trustee District 3 Dart Drummonds, Trustee District 4 Mike Rose, Trustee District 5
STAFF Juli Orme, General Manager Mark Blaylock, Director of Operations — Stigler Marty Huff, Director of Operations — Sallisaw
2 | September 2023
open
Substation Feeder 1 – STI 1, 2, 3, 4 2 – ENT 1, 2, 3, 4 4 – TEN 1, 2 5 – SAL 1, 2, 3, 4 6 – MUL 1, 2, 3, 4 12 – NIC 1, 2, 3 13 – VIA 1, 2, 3, 4 14 – LIB 1, 2 15 – AKI 1, 2, 3
and feeder numbers can be found on
electric bill.
New zones
now!
Substation
your
CHEC Youth Tour winners
return from unforgettable trip to Washington, D.C.
The Top Four 2023 Youth Tour scholarship recipients recently enjoyed an all-expenses paid trip to Washington D.C. These outstanding students, along with other students representing electric cooperatives from all over the United States, spent time visiting the White House, Ford’s Theater, the Holocaust Museum, Arlington National Cemetery and many other historic sites as part of the six-day trip. The Oklahoma delegation of over 70 high school juniors also had the opportunity to hear from the state’s senators and representatives who represent Oklahoma in the nation’s capital. Sen. Markwayne Mullin led them on a private after-hours tour of the Capitol — a one-of-a-kind experience.
In addition to the trip, each of these students will receive a $1,000 scholarship.
46903
Next year’s contest will be opening soon. If you know a high school junior who might be interested in participating in next year’s Youth Tour, contact Brad Martin at 800-328-2368 or bmartin@cooksonhills.com
Join us for our Annual Meeting Saturday, Oct. 7! Registration opens at 8 a.m. and the meeting begins at 10 a.m. at Sallisaw High School gymnasium. More details to come. www.cooksonhills.com | 3
Pictured from left: Luke Hallum - Muldrow High School, Katie Moore – Vian High School, Darryl White –Stigler High School, and Jathan Brockman – Vian High School.
8 Questions to Consider Before Installing Rooftop Solar, continued
Additionally, your roof should receive a lot of sun to make the most of a rooftop system. Consider how much sun (and shade) the roof receives and if any trees will need to be removed. Solar panels perform best when facing south, so keep this in mind as you think about where the panels will be mounted.
3. How long will I own the home? If you’re considering rooftop solar, you’re likely planning to stay in the home for several years. But if you plan to sell the home at some point down the road, consider that not all potential buyers will want to maintain a rooftop solar system. If you enter a contract to lease the system, carefully review the terms and what those mean if you decide to sell the property.
4. Lease or purchase? Purchasing a rooftop solar system outright is expensive, which is why many homeowners opt to lease their solar panels. However, federal tax credits can help cover some of the costs for a new system, up to 30%. Regardless of how you decide to finance the solar system, make sure you get several quotes from qualified contractors.
Speaking of contractors, there are several factors you’ll want to discuss with them upfront.
5. Can the contractor provide up-to-date documentation? It may seem obvious but be sure to request proof and documentation of the contractor’s licensing, permitting and other credentials. Comb through company reviews, check the contractor’s status with Better Business Bureau, etc.––do your homework on the front end before signing a contract.
6. Does the contract seem reasonable and fair? If you decide to hire a contractor to install rooftop solar,
carefully read the fine print of the contract. Do the system performance calculations seem realistic? Does the project timeframe sound reasonable? Negotiate the contract terms to fit your goals and needs.
7. Who will maintain the solar panels? Determining who is responsible for maintaining the solar panels will depend on who owns the system. If you lease the system from a solar installer, it may be their responsibility. Periodically, solar panels need to be cleaned as dirt and debris can impact panel productivity. Parts may also need to be replaced, so it’s important to know who will take on these responsibilities.
8. How will I work with CHEC? The first step you should take is contacting CHEC if you decide to install solar. The system must be connected to the electric grid, so you’ll need to sign an interconnection agreement. We can walk you through the steps, including how our solar rates and fees work. Visit www.cooksonhills.com for a general overview of how you can work with us on connecting your new rooftop solar system.
For many homeowners, solar panels are a great way to help the environment and save on electric bills––but there are many factors to consider before diving in and installing a system.
As with any major home project, do plenty of research upfront, and contact CHEC if you have questions or decide to move forward with installation.
We’re your local energy partner and can serve as a helpful resource throughout the process.
Abby Berry writes on consumer and cooperative affairs for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the national trade association representing more than 900 local electric cooperatives. From growing suburbs to remote farming communities, electric co-ops serve as engines of economic development for 42 million Americans across 56% of the nation’s landscape.
