It's not often that Nantucket residents find themselves lamenting our geographical location.
Sure the winters can be long, but how can you really complain when the furthest you are from a beach at any given moment is typically under 10 minutes.
We live on a quaint, nostalgia-fueled hamlet just a boat or plane ride away from several of the country's most bustling metropolises.
We enjoy some of the best summers imaginable with all the land and sea sports and activities you could desire, while still getting to experience the sweetness of four seasons.
When it's boiling in Beacon Hill, we're typically 10 degrees cooler, and the reverse in the winter.
Yes, Nantucket Island can often seem like the perfect combination of all geographical factors. That is until that unfortunate time of year comes around when the clocks roll back and we find ourselves emerging onto Main Street just shy of 4:30 pm to almost complete darkness.
Quite literally, the sun is not on our side during the winter months.
And although our friends on the western-most position of the time zone don't suffer from our afternoon darkness problem, regardless of your state of residence this winter we can commiserate on the misfortune of feeling like the sun has turned against us.
This winter, National Grid has announced that given the ever-increasing price of natural gas, electricity rates are set to increase - maybe even double.
In fact, all data included, it looks like the average National Grid customer will face at least a 64% increase year-over-year beginning now.
Not exactly the holly jolly start to the season you were expecting? Fortunately, all hope is not lost. Don't give up on our friendly sun just yet.
If you'll consider our geographical blessings for another moment, our local, state, and national governments have all made huge announcements regarding tax incentives and payback programs for those looking to go solar.
The town of Nantucket, for example, will pay their residents $6,000 just for applying solar to their properties.
The state of Massachusetts has a variety of solar incentive programs including the Residential Renewable Energy Income Tax Credit, a property tax exemption program, and a solar loan program.
At the federal level, the solar tax credit recently announced by the Biden administration is a dollar-for-dollar reduction in the amount of income tax you would otherwise owe and can be claimed on federal income taxes for 30% of the cost of a solar system you paid for. For example, if your solar system were to cost $30,000, the federal government will give you a $9,000 credit ton your income tax.
With all these factors combined and at your disposal, there has never been a better time to go solar. And when thinks are looking bleak - like, Pitch Black Before the Work Day Is Even Done, bleak - it's always best to look for the sunshine.
