I am interested in the fact that PG&E credits you at 4 times during peak time vis off peak. I’ll certainly work to get that in Michigan because 44% of what I produce does go into the grid during peak load time.

Solar Energy Results 12-15-06 to 12-15-07

Why did my wife and I install a 2K solar photovoltaic (PV) energy system* on our house? Because we feel strongly that we need to reduce our carbon footprint. We believe that the huge amount of industrial and human activity is causing GW/CC. We feel it is our responsibility.

From December 2006 to December 2007.

• Our system produced 1,821 KWH of electricity.
• Eliminated 1 ½ tons of CO2 gas.
• 22 ½ % of our electricity usage.
• 56 % of the 1,821 we used while 44 % was sent into the grid.
• If our neighbors usage is similar to ours then our system is supplying 16 ½ % of their electricity. Pretty cool! Two for the price of one.

Because solar’s peak production is during the middle of the day we send the extra into the grid, I like to say to our neighbors. It is exciting to see the indicator arrow on the net- metering meter pointing towards the street indicating the grid is being fed our excess electricity.

• One of the beauties of solar is that the electricity doesn’t travel very far therefore
resulting in very little “line loss”
• Peak production coincides with Consumer’s peak summer loads created when many air conditioners are running. Helping reduce the peak requirement.
• Solar emits no greenhouse gases.

Consumers Energy pays us at the same rate they charge for the electricity we send to the grid less the electricity distribution charge of $.026594 KWH.

I believe that we all should be willing to pay something extra for clean energy that results in healthier air to breath. While on bright sunny days the air seems clean and fresh but it has health damaging pollutants and particles in it. Solar creates none! Rain also washes some of the pollutants out of the air and into our streams and lakes resulting in mercury in fish and more acidity in lakes and the oceans.

If you are interested in seeing our system just give me a call.

Ps. Our home is located in a woods which undoubtedly reduces the amount of electricity we can produce. I estimate in an open area we might produce 50% more.

Bob Stegmier, 616-866-4769

*Eleven 208 watt solar PV panels, roof mounted and 1-SMA 2500 watt grid tied inverter.

** I also believe that AESs (alternate energy supply) like me should be compensated extra, similar to what Consumers Energy is. Consumers Energy is charging 24% extra for “Green” energy they sell.

*** The State of Michigan should establish some incentives to encourage solar energy investment

Of course you are entirely within your rights to say it is none of my business and I certainly respect your right to privacy.

REPLY: It was about $70K installed

Loved your article, too bad it got lost. FYI and EEI (everyone else’s information) the rebate system is now in the hands or the utility providers in the State. The CEC doesn’t not handle solar rebates for existing buildings only new construction per the requirements of the California Solar Initiative. So anyone looking to add solar should contact their utility and start the process that the utility companies have set up.

A requirement before you can add solar is that you must have an energy audit. Anthony Watts I know you know that negawatts are much cheaper than solarwatts (sorry I had to say that), but there is no requirement to do anything the energy audit finds like replacing a typically oversized inefficient AC unit or inefficient refrigerator or get rid of the second refrigerator in the garage or dealing with all the extra phantom loads we all seem to be accumulating these days.

So in the interest of your readers, you should be referring them to their local utility company for information on rebates for installing solar systems on existing buildings. BTW solar is up on the agenda of the Redding City Council tonight.