MICHAEL
ARENSON
Pacific Solar Company
Did you know you can run your electric meter
backwards?
With a grid-connected solar electric system, you can
get all the electric power you need directly from the sun, and exchange
power with PG&E.
Silicon Valley engineer J.B. Compton has lived in his
Santa Cruz Mountains summit home since 1976. "Ive lost power
continuously for 25 years and Im tired of it," Compton said.
Thats one reason why he installed a 10 kW (AC) solar electric system,
with battery back-up. "Now Ill have power all the time, 24 hours
a day, even if the PG&E grid goes out," he said.
The solar electric system was installed by Pacific
Solar Company of Redwood City. Pacific Solar has installed many solar
electric systems throughout the San Francisco and Monterey Bay areas.
Compton and his wife Janice are delighted with the
performance of their new solar electric system. "Weve been
reading the electric meter every day. Right now our solar electric
system is covering our whole electric bill."
The economic advantages are another reason Compton
went with solar. "Id like to break even on my electric
bill," he said. He estimates a payback for the system in 50 months,
based on increased home value and lower electric bills.
The Comptons solar cell array is mounted on the
hillside in front of their modern energy-efficient home. It powers
nearly all of their electrical appliances and equipment, including their
water well, lights, refrigerator, clothes washer and computers. A
synchronous inverter converts the DC-power from the array into AC-power
compatible with utility and household uses. The battery back-up power
system provides electricity to most of the house when the PG&E power
is out. Electricity is stored in eight deep-cycle batteries, and can
carry the home for several days if there is no utility power.
This is the largest solar electric system in our
area. Compton took advantage of the economy of scale by installing the
largest system he could while still qualifying for the maximum rebate
from the state to pay for the solar cells.
The California Energy Commission is offering cash
rebates on renewable energy electric systems, including solar. The
rebate pays $3,000 per kilowatt, or up to 50 percent of the purchase
price.
Californias net metering law allows a utility
customer to send power back into the utility grid at full retail value.
For more information, call me at Pacific Solar
Company, 831-427-9070.
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