Environmental Heros - Energy Capitalists
Solar energy is expensive, yet economic. It does not increase the amount you spend for electricity. It only changes the way in which you pay for it. Instead of depending on massive corporate utilities and fossil fuel producers and paying their profits, you invest in your own private energy utility.
It is a lot of money. But perhaps you are already invested in stocks - capital investments in corporations. Invested in a PG&E or Exxon or Standard Oil or Enron? Instead of hoping their board of directors will invest in sustainable, non-polluting technologies, move your investment to your own home solar photovoltaic generator.
A photovoltaic system is quite likely the largest economic impact an individual can have on the environment - yet this massive diversion of resources from polluting to sustainable technologies is available to any individual with little or no net cost. An investment in the future, it is the choice you can take to make a difference.
Two of those who have made that choice are Ann McGowan and Rochelle Glaser, both of Carmel Valley. Ann added a 2 kilowatt system on a south-facing roof as part of a recently completed remodel. In addition to the direct benefit of replacing electricity from PG&E with electricity produced on her roof, Ann says she has a new-found awareness of her energy usage, which has further reduced her consumption. She loves seeing the meter spin backwards, as she feeds energy into the grid for her neighbors to use, while earning a credit on her electric bill. The first bill after completion of her system was only $4, a giant decrease from her pre-PV charges.
"In an effort to encourage the use of alternate power sources and reduce the use of non-renewable resources", Monterey County has recently taken measures reducing the costs for the homeowner and expediting the permiting process. When Ann decided to go solar, it was not as easy and her permit was significantly more expensive. To help others, she contacted Supervisor Dave Potter, who asked the Monterey County Planning Department to review their fees and procedures. Yvonne Christopher of the planning department championed the changes, revising the fee structure and permit process. It is very heartening to see the responsiveness of the planning department to the concerns of the county's citizens.
Rochelle Glaser's Photovoltaic Power System - the first of two sub-arrays is completed.
Rochelle's system of 44 multi-crystalline silicon panels sit in two rows facing south across the valley. July 1 she celebrated the county's inspection of the system with a champagne brunch for a few of her close friends and the installers of the system, bringing each of the new arrivals out to the meter to watch it spin backwards. Her system, one of the first approved after the change, was inspected by building department officials who attended a recent workshop about solar photovoltaics as part of the county's new push for renewables.
Rochelle and Ann both installed PV because "it's the right thing to do. It helps the environment and doesn't hurt your pocketbook. It brings a smile to your face when you think about it."
A Ground-Mounted Photovoltaic Power System - near Carmel Valley Village.
A Trellis-Mounted Photovoltaic Power System - Carmel Knolls.
