Power House: Betts powers 2,800-square-foot home through solar energy

By Bryan Macias/For the Avalanche-Journal
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Story last updated at 4/20/2010 – 12:38 am

Jim Betts of the 1400 block of Monticello Avenue said the solar panels on his 2,800 square-foot house produce the energy he uses during the day, while the electricity he needs to draw from the power company at night is paid for through credits he earns from excess voltage production. He has a 100-percent solar-powered house.

“It’s free, it doesn’t create CO2, and you’re putting less demand on the grid,” Betts said, referring to the network, or grid, that is the system by which electrical power is distributed through a region.

He said that while he doesn’t usually pay out of pocket for electricity, he usually still receives a bill for assorted taxes and fees from his power company, the South Plains Electric Cooperative. That bill that usually amounts to about $19.

 In addition, during heavy use periods such as a Christmas visit from 15 family members, Betts said he may pay small amounts.

In February, Betts said, his system generated the 400 kilowatts of power used in his home plus an additional 680 kilowatts of energy. He said his power consumption was lowered and the surplus increased by the installation of energy-efficient appliances and light bulbs in his home. This extra energy does not go to waste.

“For every kilowatt he used, he was producing two,” said Cris Been, president of Therma Breeze Inc., the company that installed the solar-power system on Betts’ house.

Betts’ initial plan was to have 75 percent of his home’s electricity come by way of solar power, but the high efficiency of newer solar panels allowed him to move that number up to 100 percent at a fraction of what it once cost.

A system known in the energy industry as net metering allows Betts to send excess energy he produces back onto the grid. The co-op then credits him at retail price for the energy he has produced. The credits offset the cost of  electricity used at night when his system is not producing power.

Additionally, the co-op charges Betts a discounted rate for electricity because of his status as a “green” customer.

Despite the advanced technology of the solar-power system, Been said, the assembly requires little upkeep. He said all the panels really require is to be washed once in a while if dirty — although dirty panels usually only decrease by efficiency 2 percent to 3 percent.

“It’s as close as you can get to maintenance-free,” Betts said.

As good as this may sound, Betts said the system was not without cost: a little more than $46,000 to be exact, including sales tax. Betts said he was helped by a federal tax credit for 30 percent of his purchase, but found no other incentives to help cover the cost of switching to renewable energy.

“Unfortunately for the state of Texas, there are no incentives,” Betts said.  “There are no tax incentives. There are no programs available for the local resident statewide.”

He compared this to California, which offers incentives on the state, city and even county levels for those wishing to invest in renewable energy for their homes or businesses.

Despite the cost, Betts said, he had calculated that the system would pay itself off completely within three or four years.

“A lot of people just don’t know,” Betts said. He said when he mentions the price tag, most people assume he will be paying off the system for the next 10 or 12 years. When he explains, most are shocked.

“These kinds of things just don’t depreciate,” Been said. He said the solar panel system will retain its value and add to the value of the home, both of which are a plus.

Nonetheless, Betts is happy with the solar-power system installed on his house and looks forward to seeing more people taking advantage of systems like this. He said at least one neighbor has come by to ask about getting a solar system of his own.

“To me, this is just dollars and cents,” Betts said. “I’m trying to save money. I want to be a good steward with my finances and the resources that I readily have. I’m saving money, and the good additional point is that I’m reducing CO2, and I’m reducing demand on the grid and doing my share to try to conserve what resources we have.” 

Been also pointed out that cheaper systems are available for individuals wishing to take smaller percentages of their power from the solar-power system.

Been said that Lubbock Power and Light does not allow its customers to install and use distributive power sources such as solar panels.

Chris Sims, public information officer at LP&L, said that though the company has not taken a position on the matter, one important note for customers is that LP&L cannot give credit for or buy excess energy from customers. He said this would violate the company’s contract with Xcel Energy, the sole provider of energy to LP&L, and added that buying power from customers could make for an unstable electrical grid.

“If we buy from a wholesaler, we’re guaranteed the amount of power we need,” Sims said. He said without guaranteed power and a constant voltage, the grid could become unstable,  leading to increased problems.

Currently, Lubbock customers are unable to switch between the two power companies. Both are run on separate lines that do not cross and operate in different portions of the county.