Local businesses, residents switch to solar power to harness energy

Local residents and business owners are choosing to install solar panels on their roofs in order to harness natural and renewable energy and reduce their electric bills.

The savings may take years to achieve because installation costs are still high, but the investment will pay off in the long run because utility costs will continue to rise, plus it helps to protect the environment, said Newbury Park resident Mark Harris, who eight years ago had a 4.2-kilowatt solar panel system installed on the roof of his 2,500square-foot home.

Since then, Harris said, he pays an average of $130 per year to the utility company. "About $1 per month goes to actual electricity, and the rest is for administrative fees," he said, adding that his bill would be at least $200 per month without the solar panels.

The local resident said he uses power-saving appliances and fluorescent light bulbs to reduce electrical usage. He doesn't use his air conditioner, but he does have a pool, which requires power to heat and clean.

Harris said he saved about $14,000 when he installed his rooftop solar energy system because he took advantage of a government rebate program that refunded half of the initial installation expenses in 2000.

Solar power is beneficial for local businesses as well, said Meagan Ponder of Westlake Villagebased Solar Electrical Systems, which has been in business since 1982.

The local solar power company has installed more than 1,000 residential and 250 commercial solar power systems in the region.

Kish Rigging Inc., a Moorpark-based business, had a solar photovoltaic system installed on its roof this week.

"Concern for our environment is our principal motivation for installing our system," said Ed Kish, owner of Kish Rigging. "We feel a responsibility as citizens and as a business to put energy back into the grid."

Solar power is a good financial investment in the long term as well, he said. "With current tax incentives, we expect the system to pay for itself in four and a half years," Kish said.

The 49.2kilowatt system installed on the Moorpark business is designed to produce as much power as required during peak demand. Right now Kish pays about $1,400 for electricity each month, so the company owner anticipates he will save a lot of money, he said.

Kish Rigging, incorporated in 1985, is a full-service production rigging company, providing rigging services for television and corporate events.

Based on a 12-month average, 85 percent of Kish Rigging's power will be supplied by the solar energy system, said Ponder.

Solar panels generate electricity when exposed to the sunlight. They spin the electric meter backward and provide free solar electricity during the day and at night, according to the solar electrical systems dealer.

Installation costs depend on individual electric usage and service area. For example, a 3kilowatt system in California would reduce the majority of a $100 per month electrical bill.

The local company uses solar energy to power its own operation.

"Strangely enough, we are the only Southern California installer that has a commercial solar electrical system installed on their facilities," said Greg Johanson, president of Solar Electrical Systems.

"We currently have an 18kilowatt system on our roof and pay a couple hundred dollars per month, where our same-sized neighbor is currently paying over $1,400 per month for the same spaces' energy," he said.

Having solar panels on the roof also diminishes temperatures inside during the summer, Johanson said.

"Most people don't understand the financial benefits of a solar electrical system; typically the return on investment (is) within five to seven years . . . and then the systems have a positive cash flow for the next 15 years guaranteed," he said.

Rebates available now may not be offered next year, said Ponder. The biggest one, involving a 30 percent federal tax credit, is set to expire at the end of the year and hasn't been renewed yet, she said.

However, the state is moving forward with its own incentives. Earlier this week, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed Assembly Bill 1451, which extends a current property tax exemption to 2016.

"I've never seen such a effort to make anything so affordable to the public; after 30 years in the business, people are waking up to what a wonderful feeling it is to generate your own electrical energy," Johanson said.

The state has mandated that the state energy mix be a minimum of 20 percent renewable energy by 2012, and each year the rules are getting tougher.

After-rebate costs for a solar powered system start at about $12,000 for a home and go up from there, depending on individual electrical usage. Homes require about 300 square feet of solar collectors.

Commercial systems start at about $ 50,000 for a 1,200square-foot system.

Rebates and costs for installation go up from there, said Johanson.