Whether it’s to save money or the environment, or both, many people are turning to the sun to power hot water, heat or electricity.
Fred Greenhalgh, online marketing manager and sales associate with ReVision Energy, said the company installed more than double the number of solar electric systems in 2010 as it did in 2009. He said the solar systems have become more competitive in recent years and technology has improved.
Pierre Janelle, owner of The Edgewater Motor Inn in Old Orchard Beach, had solar panels to heat hot water installed in his 36-room motel in 2009.
Janelle estimates that since the installation, his heating oil bill has been reduced more than 25 percent. He said going into the project, he thought there would be around 20 percent reduction.
Janelle said he originally figured the solar panels would have a 12-year payback.
“The payback gets shorter as the price of gas goes up,” said Janelle. It has been reported that the oil supply will peak in 2014, said Janelle.
Janelle said he had solar panels in the 1980s for about four or five years, but he removed them because they kept breaking down. He likens the improvement of solar technology to the advancement of computers.
Janelle said that when there isn’t a high demand for hot water, he diverts it to heat the swimming pool.
“It’s an investment up front, but it really works,” said Janelle. Once it’s paid off, “Then you’re just producing free energy.”
Bill Riggs had a solar hot water and radiant heat system installed in his Biddeford Pool home and estimates the investment will pay for itself in about 10 years.
Riggs said that installing solar panels helps cut down on global warming and reduces dependency on oil, but it is also makes economic sense.
Both Janelle and Riggs described their solar hot water systems as preheating water used in their business and home. The system offsets the fuel needed to heat water. As the water circulates through the solar panels, it heats up and the heat is captured and used to heat the hot water tank, according to Janelle. Instead of heating 50 degree water to a suitable temperature, it could mean heating 100 degree water to a suitable temperature, depending on the sunlight.
The water that circulates through the solar panels is not the same water that is heated in the hot water tank and comes out of faucets, said Janelle.
Both Janelle’s hotel and Riggs’ home are near the ocean, and in stormy weather subject to high winds. However, both said the panels have held up.
Federal and state rebates have made solar panels more attractive to buyers.
According to information provided by Peter Roehrig of Efficiency Maine, a division of the PUC, the Maine Thermal Solar Energy Incentive Program offers residents and commercial entities up to a $1,000 rebate. The Residential & Commercial Photovoltaic Electrical Systems offers up to a $2,000 rebate, he said.
Steven Fennell, owner of Saco Solar Store, which installs solar systems, said that in addition to state rebates, those purchasing solar systems can take advantage of federal rebate program that pays a tax credit of 30 percent of the cost of the system.
In addition to heat and hot water systems, Fennell has installed solar electricity or photovoltaic systems. In solar electric systems, energy can be fed back to the grid and people are billed for energy used that is in excess of what they produce. For systems on homes that are “off the grid,” such as a camp, or island home, extra energy can be stored in batteries for use on cloudy days, said Fennell.
“Any time you can displace fossil fuel use, it’s a good thing,” said Fennell.
Steve Thomas is involved in multiple energy saving and solar power initiatives,
including York County Renewable Energy.
Thomas said that for $1 spent on fossil fuel, 90 cents goes out of state.
“That just hit me like a bowling ball,” he said.
Thomas, like others, said in recent years, the price of solar panels has gotten more affordable. He said that typically, solar panels should last about 30 years and the payback period for solar hot water systems is about 10 years. He said if there are trees near the home blocking sunlight, solar panels can be installed nearby the house in a better location. Thomas recommends that panels be installed on a roof with at least a 10-year life.
Fennell said that modern systems, unlike older systems have pre-engineered systems and installers are not assembling a “mish mash” of parts.
“It’s a pretty straight forward thing as far as installation,” said Riggs.
Solar panel systems have minimal maintenance, said Fennell.
“Once it’s installed properly, it’s pretty much a hands off system,” said Fennell. “It just runs.”
Fennell said that solar power is a more attractive option for many. Solar power is more reliable, he said, and wind power, with moving parts, requires more maintenance, said Fennell. Also, the payback period can range from 25 to 50 years. Local ordinances may require certain setback for turbines based on their height, and erecting a tall wind turbine may be a challenge.
Thomas said some people may think that Maine is not a good location for solar energy, however he and Fennell both said photovoltaic systems, which generate electricity, work better in cooler weather. Thomas and Greenhalgh both said that the sunshine in Maine is comparable to the French Riviera.
— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.
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