By Jason Scott, Sentinel Reporter, October 18, 2009
Last updated: Sunday, October 18, 2009 8:35 AM EDT
No comments posted.
Kirk Weary of Carlisle estimates his energy costs will be reduced by 30 to 40 percent with help from the solar panel array he installed in his back yard. (Michael Bupp/The Sentinel)
Graphic courtesy of EPA
John Swartz of Your Energy Solutions LLC. Alternative Energy Products prepares the base of a solar panel array Friday morning at a house in Dickinson Township. (Michael Bupp/The Sentinel)
Kirk Weary of Carlisle is able to read the amount of solar energy he is creating with a computerized readout of all the information. (Michael Bupp/The Sentinel)
Click to enlarge
Photo Reprints ’Tis the season to be green.
With 2010 quickly creeping up and rate caps on electricity about to expire for much of the area, a growing number of homeowners are investing in renewable energy sources to save money.
Despite price tags of $20,000, $30,000 and even $60,000 in some cases, demand for things like solar electric and solar hot water projects, as well as geothermal heat pumps, is on the rise.
The big reason: Federal tax credits and state rebates, which are covering about 50 percent of the cost.
“It was a big chunk of money to lay out at first,” Jenni Mumfer, a Middlesex Township homeowner, said of the $30,000 roof-mounted solar electric system installed two weeks ago at her Shover Drive residence. “But with all the tax credits, we figured we better do it now. We may not get the chance to do it again.”
In the end, she figures the family will spend $15,000 on the 22-panel system. That’s money well spent on something that will produce roughly 40 percent of the electricity for the tri-level home the Mumfers have lived in for 10 years, she says.
The family also turns off its pool filter and central air conditioning during the day over the summer to conserve energy.
“We don’t really miss it,” Mumfer said.
Next level
When Kirk Weary built his home on Clemson Drive in Middlesex Township three years ago, he opted to have a geothermal system put in for his winter heating and summer air conditioning.
“The electric bill in the summer is very minimal,” he said. “In the winter time, it’s a little more, but you only have to heat the water.”
A geothermal system circulates water through underground pipes to heat and cool, using electricity and taking advantage of the natural constant temperature of the earth.
Looking to take things a step further, Weary began exploring other projects in January, including wind turbines and solar electric.
After weighing the incentives available at the state and federal levels for solar, he opted for a ground-mounted solar panel array, which went in at the end of September and includes 40 panels that are each 3-by-4 feet.
“I figured I might as well get free money,” he said.
The system stretches out 36 feet wide and 12 feet high.
Weary wouldn’t say how much he spent on the system but projects it will generate 30 to 40 percent of his overall electric needs at the house and that he should recoup his investment within six years.
Growing demand
Because of the incentives, Tim Hollinger, sales and design manager with Sun Lion Energy Systems of Lancaster, the company that installed Weary’s system, said there has been a large increase in business.
“At this point, we’ve had to expand our workforce to keep up with demand,” Hollinger said, noting two new full-time installer positions.
Even with a staff of 11, Sun Lion has jobs booked through February and into March, he said.
Aside from Middlesex Township, they have also completed jobs in Shippensburg and have one starting next week in Newville, according to Hollinger.
Even if you don’t plan on staying in your home to recoup the long-term investment, he added, which averages about 6.5 years, these projects can significantly increase the resell value of the home.
The Pennsylvania Sunshine rebate program started in May, offering up 35 percent on a first-come, first-served basis to owners of homes and small businesses looking to offset the cost of buying and installing solar-energy systems.
Households may receive one solar photovoltaic, or solar electric, rebate for up to 10 kilowatts of installed PV generating capacity plus one solar thermal rebate not to exceed $2,000, according to the program guidelines.
A small business may submit only one PV and one solar thermal application at a time and must complete the project and rebate process before submitting another application.
Federal tax credits are available at 30 percent of the cost on geothermal heat pumps, solar water heaters, solar panels, fuel cells and small wind energy systems.
No upper limit
The credits are available for existing homes and new construction, with no upper limit through 2016.
David Hoover, one of the owners of Your Energy Solutions in North Middleton Township, said things really started to pick up in the Carlisle area back in May with the Sunshine program.
“We are probably doing one install a week,” he said, noting that these have been predominantly ground-mounted systems.
The inevitable expiration of the rate caps has driven demand even higher, he said.
“People are starting to look to the future and say ‘Our rates aren’t going to be what they are today,’” he said.
For the foreseeable future, he projects business will remain very steady — at least until the state runs out of money.
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