Resident goes solar, electric bill drops to nothing

A year ago Roger St. Laurent decided he was going to make his carbon footprint smaller.

He started off by adding two solar panels to heat his water. Soon his cost saving ambitions grew and he added 22 solar panels to power his entire house.

His last electric bill was $6.47.

"It's unbelievable," said St. Laurent, a retired Sebring resident.

"I told my wife was this a good idea or what."

His 2,800 square-foot Sebring home is an energy saving machine. In the family room, beside the solar panel circuit board, hangs St. Laurent's first zero balance electric bill.

"Its common sense, you save money in the long run and you help the environment," he said.

When thinking about utility bills, electricity is the most expensive. It powers just about everything in our homes - air conditioners, refrigerators, water heaters and lights.

But making the switch to help the environment and save money takes a hefty investment.

The $42,000 St. Laurent spent for his photovoltaic system was well worth it he said. He estimates that in seven years the investment will pay for itself.

Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, St. Laurent and people like him are being reimbursed by the federal government. Over a period of three years St. Laurent is eligible for $19,800 back in income tax for his investment.

In 2009 the state Legislature said it would give homeowners rebates for their investments in solar panels through a $14.4 million Solar Rebate Program. But the state has no money.

"The state, in their infinite wisdom, didn't think that people were going to do this," St. Laurent said.

He is one of 10,025 people on a waiting list for their entitled rebates, totaling $12.2 million, if the program is ever funded.

"The Florida Legislature did not appropriate any funding during the 2010 regular session for the Solar Rebate Program and the program will sunset end June 30, 2010," said Brittany Cummins, spokesperson for the Governor's Energy Office.

St. Laurent is optimistic that the state will uphold the promised rebates to customers and is hopeful that the initiative will come from Gov. Charlie Crist.

The Deep Water Horizon's oil spill spurred Crist to announce a special legislative session to reconsider banning oil drilling off Florida's coast and to discuss reviving the state's renewable energy legislation.

This is good news for people on the waiting list.

"A lot of people have called in ... and they are still waiting for their rebates," Debra Higgins, rebate customer service representative with Sunbelt in Sarasota.

Higgins said that everyone who applied for the rebates by June 4, 2009, have been paid.

Higgins anticipates that the electricity rates will rise and customers who did invest in solar energy will see their savings even faster.

St. Laurent sees big savings

April of last year St. Laurent used 45 kilowatt hours a day on average. This year in April, he used zero kilowatt hours of energy day.

In one month he saved the equivalent of not driving 9,315 miles or planting 104 trees.

"It's not the big things but the accumulation of the little things that make a difference," St. Laurent said.

Although the solar panel system brings in the most savings, St. Laurent has scores of other green ideas rolling.

His home is lit by 13 watt light emitting diode (LED) lights, which are the equivalent to 60 watts. His toilets use 50 percent less water in the flush.

"It's not like I'm living in a cave," St. Laurent said.

This year he installed argon gas glass windows, which keep 50 percent of heat and cold from entering his home. To regulate temperatures inside the home, the windows are lined with UV protection film and the attic is insulated with special foam.

"I wanted to leave an investment that my son and his family can benefit from after I'm gone," he said

"It's a financial thing and helps mankind."

FAST FACT

April of last year St. Laurent used 45 kilowatt hours a day on average. This year in April, he used zero kilowatt hours of energy day.