Geneva, Ohio resident Ray Ake is ecstatic about his 4.7 kW rooftop solar energy system. Ake wanted his solar energy system to reduce his carbon footprint as well as to economically support his electrical load.
"I think it's an appropriate technology that makes good common sense," said Ake.
Ake's journey to go solar started with his environmental leanings. "We grow a lot of our own food. I really like the environmental impact of the panels on our carbon footprint. And we also like not paying for our electrical bill year-round. So it works well for us."
Mr. Ake's 4.7 kW solar power system is powered by 18 Canadian Solar CS6-P 265 poly-crystalline solar panels. He has one SMA Sunnyboy TL string inverter. His panel efficiency is 16% while his inverter is 96.7% efficiency. His solar energy system generates around 6,000 kWh of electricity per year. This is enough power to offset the burning of three tons of coal per year. At $0.13 a kWh that means he is saving around $800 a year off his electricity bills.
"I'm anticipating a payback period around 7.33 years. We're getting around a 100% offset of our electricity bill. The size of the installation is not sized to be for a year-round house.We're snowbirds. We winter in Georgia and summer in Ohio." The system was installed and finalized in January of 2015.
The equity that has been added to the Ake household is approximately $14,500. It should be noted that the added equity value to your property is based on a rate of $3.11 a watt from the latest research but it is always a good idea to contact your realtor and get an appraisal.
Ake is gratified to hear that he is offsetting 3 tons of coal from being burned. "We lived without electricity for five years at one point. Of course we were a little younger. We had children and they didn't watch TV for the first part of their life. They didn't miss it, believe me."
He had been looking online for companies to install his solar energy system decided to stop by YellowLite offices. "I spoke to you folks, had a good impression of you, and decided to go with your company. I liked the company and think that Cody did a great job. I had no issues at all."
