The energy output of a 1 kilowatt solar energy unit is roughly equal to the burning of 170 pounds of coal.
Jim Brzezinski’s planning to harness some of that unlimited energy to fuel his Oxford Township home and live a greener life-style for the sake of his two small children.
‘Somebody’s got to take the baby steps to get this stuff started,? said the 37-year-old CAD engineer for Yazaki North America. ‘It’s going to save me money and it’s going to do my little part to save the world.?
By mid-May, Brzezinski’s planning to have a 4.5 kilowatt (or 4,500 watts) solar photovoltaic (PV) system installed and powering his 1,400-square-foot home on Olive Rd.
PV technology turns the sun’s light into electrical energy. The direct current electricity generated by the solar panels is converted to alternating current, the type of electricity accessed through a home’s outlets.
Two years ago, Brzezinski was considering erecting a turbine in his yard and using wind power to electrify his home.
But the township’s new regulations concerning wind turbines coupled with the fact that he felt it would be ‘kind of an eyesore? for his neighborhood changed Brzezinski’s mind.
‘They’re nice when you’re out on a farm with 10 acres, but a half-acre in the middle of (a high-density residential area) really wasn’t going to get me what I wanted,? he said.
Solar panels are more ‘passive? and ‘nobody’s going to notice it on top of a garage,? Brzezinski noted. ‘And I’ll get a lot more bang for the buck out of it.?
The 20 solar panels ? which will cover a 250-square-foot area ? he plans to have installed on his detached garage roof will generate 450 kilowatt-hours per month.
‘The average home in Michigan uses between 600 and 700 kilowatt-hours a month,? he said.
But the monthly electricity usage in the Brzezinski household is averaging about 480 kilowatt-hours thanks to some energy efficiency improvements.
For instance, Brzezinski converted all 18 of the standard 60-watt lightbulbs in his house to 13-watt compact fluorescent bulbs that throw the same amount of light. So, instead of consuming a total of 1,080 watts of power, his lights now use a combined 234 watts.
‘I drastically reduced my usage which allowed me to get a smaller (solar) system,? he said.
Brzezinski’s also looking into other energy-saving measures such as installing high-efficiency appliances.
‘I’ve got a 20-year-old washer and dryer. Those things are energy hogs,? he said.
Converting to solar energy won’t be cheap, but it will ultimately pay for itself now and in the long run.
The system Brzezinski’s planning to install will cost about $30,000 ? the average price of a new car.
However, thanks to the federal government and DTE Energy, Brzezinski will immediately recoup two-thirds of his cost.
From now through Dec. 31, 2016, the federal government is offering a 30 percent income tax credit on the purchase and installation cost (no limit) of solar energy systems, small wind turbines (residential) and geothermal heat pumps.
For Brzezinski, this credit will equal $9,552.
He’ll also receive a large cash payout from DTE Energy through the utility company’s SolarCurrents program. Learn about the program at www.dteenergy.com/solar.
Under this program, those who install solar systems in 2009-10 between 1 kilowatt and 20 kilowatts receive $2.40 per watt of installed capacity.
‘As soon as it’s plugged in, they’re writing me a $10,800 check,? Brzezinski said.
On top of that, DTE will pay SolarCurrents participants 11 cents per kilowatt-hour over the next 20 years. It will appear as a credit on their monthly electric bill.
That works out to about $50 per month for Brzezinski.
‘My average bill is $60 and they’re going to pay me $50. Not only is that money they’re going to pay me, it’s money not going out of my pocket,? Brzezinski said.
Over 20 years, those credits will cover the remaining $10,000 he initially invested in the solar system, plus another $2,000.
Brzezinski’s having Bauer Power, a company based in western Michigan, install his system. Bauer Power’s been providing renewable energy solutions for residential and commercial applications across the Midwest since 2005.
‘It’s not a fly-by-night company,? he said. ‘They offered the best prices and the most service.?
Brzezinski was most impressed by the fact that the company’s owner, Mark Bauer, spent two-and-a-half hours at his house surveying the site and answering questions.