Sun's energy powers farm

Dec 06 - The Herald-Tribune, Ind.

Many consumers realize the benefits of protecting the earth's resources, and some are hoping to become more energy independent. Mark Haverkos is one of those people.

About five months ago, he had a solar-powered electrical generating system installed on the family's Stockpile Road, Batesville, farm.

In addition to making sure "my aging aunt has continual power here," he was prompted to make the conversion because "of the fact that it is a better way to live on the earth, it's not pollution producing, it gives me energy independence and I'm not tied to the precepts of the grid."

Prior to changing over to solar power, Haverkos did check into another energy source: wind. "It is the most common and affordable, but sitting down here in the valley, it doesn't work."

The veterinarian got in contact with a gentleman from Vermont "who has been installing these solar systems for 20 years .... He basically designed the system, and I went over it with him." It took about a week to install.

"There are people who do it locally, but the reason I went with him was he was experienced and a friend of mine here knew him."

After the system was completed, Haverkos had to get in touch with the utility and the inspectors. He pointed out it was the first one in the Rush Shelby Energy district to be installed. In addition, "it was interesting because the Franklin County inspectors had never seen one either."

The system is "set up to be completely free of the grid. There is a large battery bank in the barn," he reported. "If taken care of properly, the batteries will last eight-10 years and the panels (on the barn roof), around 20 years.

"Rush Shelby Energy also allows me to sell any power I don't use back to them. The only reason I'm hooked up to the grid is because I'm selling back to them .... By a simple turn of the switch, I am set up for solar power.

"When the solar energy comes on, the first thing it does is meet the needs on the farm. Any additional power goes to charging the batteries and then it sells back to the grid."

He says the system is "relatively maintenance free, which, of course, was another thing I liked."

With the exception of having to make a few adjustments when the power went off a few weeks ago, he has not run into any problems. "It's a good, quality system. I didn't want to cut any corners and so far it has performed admirably."

Haverkos says his energy bills have been lower than before he used solar energy and "as a financial incentive, there is still the 30 percent tax deduction for the installation."

They system is "very easy to use, and the guy who installed it told me over the past five years technology has improved by leaps and bounds. There is more manufacturing of supplies and the quality of the equipment has improved.

"The drawback is the initial expense .... but I like it for the fact that as an individual I'm living greener on the earth, and certainly in the future if we have rolling blackouts, I'll look like a genius."

For more information on the solar-powered electrical generating system, persons can contact Haverkos at 934-2410.

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