Solar update

I emailed the company for solar again, and exchanged several email, and talked on the phone to two people. There are a couple issues that will effect the end results. Ist of all is a tree. It is a large tree in our backyard, that provides some shade to the room. That will have to be significantly trimmed. Okay, trimmed is an understatement. There are some major branches that will need to be terminated. Then, if we will be supplying solar for my wife's parents and ourselves, we will need 2 arrays, with double of the supporting equipment. The 3rd is there is a strong likely hood the size (and flatness) of the roof may limit the number of panels we have on it, thereby not producing enough energy to get some of NYCs financial benefits. This also means, it is likely to be too small a system to do a lease.
Now, leases are good for immediate financial benefits. This just means it will need to be an investment instead. I will be receiving an estimate soon, and then we can look at the numbers and see if it will work out for us.
Yes, a home equity loan could be a simple solution, however,  my wife's parents are slower into accepting new technology.  Case and point, my wife got her mom a cell phone (It didn't really cost much to add her to our plan) and it took her a year before she started using it  regularly. She is still not making the best use of it, but getting better. And we've been talking to them about switching from standard (overpriced) telephone to unlimited to save them money. And that has resulted in their current, extra over priced plan they are in now, not heeding our advice.  But the cell phone proves you can teach 'an old dog new tricks', so does the different phone plan. But it takes more time to help them do it right.
If you did want to help us, in a way that is <a href="http://1bog.org/r/mccsl/">Click here.</a> so we can get some money for the system, and you, if you decide to go solar yourself, will have $500 towards your very own system. And there is also a lot of information about Solar there too, and the programs (some ending soon) that will help you make the switch.