Produce your own electric power - photovoltaic power - Brief Article

Sunset, Oct, 2001 by Peter O. Whiteley

Electrical contractor Stephen Lyons, owner of Sine Electric in Santa Rosa, California, says a typical installation costs from $8,500 to $10,500 for every kilowatt it produces. Several states offer rebates to lower the cost of photovoltaic systems. The California Energy Commission, for instance, recently increased its cash rebate program to $4,500 per kilowatt or up to 50 percent of the system installation cost (whichever is lower). Alaska, Mizona, Oregon, and Washington also have programs with financial incentives for photovoltaics. Check with your local utility company for programs in your area.

Ultimately, you'll need to consult a qualified system contractor to determine the sizing, siting, and cost of your system. Check the yellow pages under Solar Energy, or ask your utility for references, then get bids and check qualifications. A building permit may be required for installation of photovoltaic systems, and gridtied installations require coordination with the utility company.

To learn more about photovoltaics, visit the following websites: www.californiasolarcenter.org, www. consumerenergycenter.org, and www.eren.doe.gov.