Solar-powered investment saves energy, money

Oct 02 - The Columbus Dispatch, Ohio

Even on a raw, rainy day like yesterday, Phil and Jody Hawley still were able to make electricity and save money.

Their newly installed solar panels that have covered a portion of the roof of their Upper Arlington home since April have generated electricity even on the ugliest of days and, in doing so, cut their power bill.

The panels also produce renewable energy credits that generate income for the couple.

"These are great investments," Phil Hawley, 62, said of the panels and other energy-saving steps that he and his wife have taken. "You get the great feeling of knowing you're doing something good for the environment."

The Hawleys' home is among the 261 homes, businesses, schools, parks and other buildings across the state that are on this year's Green Energy Ohio Tour, which finishes today.

The 9th annual tour, formerly known as the Ohio Solar Tour, highlights homes and buildings that use alternative energy sources such as solar panels, wind turbines and geothermal systems or have items such as high-efficiency water heaters or LED bulbs to cut energy consumption.

It is not uncommon for people who visit sites on the tours to then install solar panels in their homes, said William Spratley, executive director of Green Energy Ohio.

"People are curious and then they get serious," he said.

For the Hawleys, their quest for energy efficiency began when they swapped out conventional water heaters for a tankless system a few years ago.

They also installed efficient LED lights in their kitchen, and a ceiling fan in their bedroom to slash air-conditioning costs.

The investments haven't been cheap. But the Hawleys think the cost will pay off, and not just in the form of a greener planet.

For example, they spent $39,000 for the solar panels for their sprawling home. But after tax credits and grants, the Hawleys' costs ended up being $12,000 to $16,000.

The Hawleys should save about $1,000 in electricity costs over a year.

They also will make about $2,000 a year by selling renewable electricity credits to American Electric Power. They expect to recover the total cost of the project in a few years.

Chris Richey installed solar panels on his Westerville home by himself. The total cost after the tax credit: $4,465.

Richey, 33, estimates his monthly electricity savings so far at $10 to $50, depending on the season. He also figures that he can potentially make $1,200 a year by selling his renewable electricity credits.

"It's only going to get better because electricity costs are going to go higher," he said.

Next on the shopping list for Jody Hawley, 60, is a barrel that can be used to collect rain from rooftops for use later in watering plants. Meanwhile, the solar panels have become a great conversation piece in the neighborhood, Phil Hawley said.

"When we show it to anyone, they say, 'That's the coolest thing I've ever seen.'"

For more information on the Green Energy Ohio Tour, go to www.greenenergyohio.org.

mawilliams@dispatch.com

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