Nov 07 - Columbian

With a Pacific Northwest winter around the corner, some people are reaching for a sweater or cranking up the furnace another notch. Walt Royle of Vancouver is warming up with two wall heaters -- powered by solar electricity.

The eight solar panels mounted on the roof of Royle's house in The Heights can generate 1,300 watts of electricity. In the summer, that's enough for him to run two air conditioners simultaneously.

That much electricity would power 13 100-watt light bulbs. Or 56 compact fluorescent bulbs, each about as bright as a 100-watt incandescent bulb.

All for free, after the cost of the system. "I'm smiling all the way," Royle said.

With equipment and installation costs, free electricity doesn't come cheap. Royle's system cost him just under $10,000 -- and he did the wiring himself.

Solar electric systems typically cost $8 to $10 per installed watt, said Camas-based solar installer John Zagunis, making a typical 3,000-watt system $24,000 or more.

A number of local, state, and federal programs help defray those costs. Washington offers up to $2,000 per year in incentives on solar electric systems. There's also a federal tax credit of up to $2,000 for households that use solar electricity.

Clark Public Utilities offers loans of up to $20,000 for home solar electric setups. In addition, the electricity these systems produce literally subtracts from a customer's monthly electric bill.

"Say they use 2,000 kilowatt hours and they generate 1,000," said utility spokesman Mick Shutt. "Their bill from us would be for 1,000 kilowatt hours."

Produce more than you consume and the utility ends up owing you. "The meter runs backwards," Shutt said.

Of course, most solar energy enthusiasts like the systems for more than their possible money savings. They cite the environmental benefits of using renewable energy and the "cool" factor of solar technology.

"I used to be an electrician," Royle said, "so it's always been fascinating to generate my own power. (But) the environment is top for me."

Having an electrical system as reliable as the sun means Royle never has to feel around in the dark for a flashlight. "If the power should go out in the wintertime, I know I have a backup system."

While long, sunny summer days produce the most power, solar systems still work under cloudy skies.

"The last rainy day we had here, I was still generating 200 to 400 watts off my power," Royle said.

Solar hot water systems do even better than do solar electric ones, Zagunis said.

"Economically, with hot water you get more energy," he said.

They're also cheaper. A solar hot water system for a typical household costs $5,000 to $6,800 installed, Zagunis said. And that's before a $2,000 rebate, offered by Clark Public Utilities through the end of this year, is applied.

Solar hot water systems use sunlight to heat water that is then fed into a home's water heater tank. They typically produce about half of a typical household's yearly water needs, including nearly all the demand in warm months.

Even in winter, solar systems preheat water from 40 or 45 degrees to 60 or 70 degrees, Zagunis said. That means less energy -- and less money -- to heat water for a toasty shower.

Solar systems have been catching on in recent years, Zagunis said. His company, ACT On Solar, has done 10 in the last two years, he said.

The reason is as clear as daylight.

"It just makes sense," Zagunis said. "It's a natural form of energy."

Justin Carinci covers neighborhood news and issues. Reach him at 360-737-4006 or justin.carinci@columbian.com.

Did you know?

In terms of solar energy, Washington isn't as cloudy as it may appear. Solar water heaters can generate all the hot water a typical family here needs between May and September, and provide smaller amounts in winter.

Solar hot water systems cost between $5,000 and $7,000 to purchase and have installed. Solar electric systems can run $25,000 or more, depending on the amount of electricity they produce.

Clark Public Utilities offers a $2,000 rebate through the end of 2006 on installed solar water heaters and loans of up to $20,000 for solar systems. For more information, visit www.clarkpublicutilities.com/Residential/solarPrograms .

Homes with an unshaded, south-facing roof make the best candidates for solar systems, although solar collectors may be placed on the ground, mounted on poles or even sheds.

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