Sun powers borough house

Hightstown resident expects to save $750 a year in electricity costs by using a solar electric system in his home.

Posted by the Windsor-Heights Herald on 10/15/04
BY MICHAEL ROSS
STAFF WRITER

HIGHTSTOWN — Chuck Joseph slashed his electric bill by nearly half this month with a home utility modification funded largely by the state.

Atop his Hausser Street home is a $37,000 solar electric system that he expects will save him about $750 a year in electricity costs.

Installed last month, the system qualified for substantial financial incentives under the New Jersey Clean Energy Program — an array of statewide energy efficiency and clean energy generation programs.

"What makes this economically feasible is the state of New Jersey has this incredible rebate program that pays for 70 percent of it," Mr. Joseph said.

The program, which has been described as one of the most aggressive renewable energy plans in the country, offers up to 70 percent in rebates on the installed cost of residential solar electric systems.

With the help of a home equity loan, Mr. Joseph fronted the remaining 30 percent, or roughly $11,000, to install the system, believing the investment will yield a favorable tax-free return.

"If you had money you wanted to put into the stock market, you're better off putting it into your home," Mr. Joseph said, adding he expects to yield a 7 percent annual return in electric costs saved.

The 51-year-old astrophysicist hosted an open house on Oct. 2 as part of The Northeast Sustainable Energy Association's 2004 Green Buildings tour — a tour of more than 300 homes and other buildings throughout the Northeast featuring renewable energy and energy efficiency systems.

"I thought, let's give my next-door neighbors a chance to come and talk turkey to learn about the program," Mr. Joseph said. "I don't want people to get the impression that you have to be a scientist to get solar electricity."

Spurred by rising energy costs, and thinking energy prices will triple over the next five years, the Rutgers University professor began looking into solar power in June and shortly thereafter, received a complimentary consultation and estimate from Sea Bright Solar LLC of Sea Bright.

"It'll reduce his overall electric bill by a minimum of 60 percent," Brian Kelly, president of Sea Bright Solar said in Monday telephone interview.

Mr. Kelly said he considers three criteria when calculating how much money a home can save — the amount of electricity required, the size of the electric bill and the amount of space available for the system.

He said solar electric systems range in price from $5,000 to $70,000 and beyond, however, the out-of-pocket expense for homeowners is substantially less.

"The state rebate is actually the best in the country," Mr. Kelly said, adding the rebate covers the costs of installation including all materials and labor.

Mr. Kelly characterized Mr. Joseph's $11,000 out-of-pocket expense as average and said some of his customers have invested as little as $2,000 and as much as $20,000 in solar electric systems.

He said Sea Bright Solar pre-qualifies homeowners for the state rebate and that once approved, the company will float the 70 percent (later to be reimbursed by the state) as part of their turn-key service.

Mr. Kelly said the system installed at the Joseph residence comes with a five-year installation warranty and a 25-year (at 80 percent of output) manufacturer's warranty.

"People's interest has really increased over the last few years," Mr. Kelly said. He added that solar electric systems have a two-pronged benefit — zero pollution and substantial energy cost savings.

"When I set this up, I said let's do it so it's hardly visible," Mr. Joseph said.

The two solar panels, or arrays, mounted on the roof of the home are inconspicuous. One array, affixed atop the garage, faces south while the second array, affixed atop the back of the home, faces west.

According to Mr. Joseph, the units generate approximately 6,000-kilowatt hours per year of the 10,000 required to run the home. The remaining 4,000-kilowatt hours come from the Jersey Central Power and Light Company.

Mr. Joseph said the system is grid-tied to JCP&L and that it automatically takes electricity from the grid when it's not producing enough to power the home, such as at night. When the system produces more electricity than needed, such as during the summer, Mr. Joseph said the system automatically supplies power back to the grid.

Mr. Kelly characterized the exchange as "net-metering." He said JCP&L bills Mr. Joseph for power taken from the grid and credits him for power supplied back to the grid.

Mr. Joseph can monitor the net-metering simply by reading his electric meter. When the meter's dial rotates to the right he's taking power from the grid. When the dial rotates to the left he's supplying power to the grid.

Mr. Joseph said people should calculate solar electric power savings on a yearly rather than monthly basis when considering if it's right for them. He added that the system saves close to 1 ton of carbon dioxide per year, "so it's environmentally a good thing."

"I am worried that in the not-too-distant future, energy is going to become a crisis again," Mr. Joseph said. "I think it's important for people to realize they could save some money and help the environment at the same time."