FOX41.com Louisville News Kentucky Indiana News Weather SportsSolar power can save energy in the long run

Solar power can save energy in the long run

It's an investment that could save money in the long run -- solar power.  There's a new company in town that sells solar power systems to local businesses and homeowners.

As Dan Hofmann of RegenEn Solar explains, "Solar energy is a viable energy source.  It's not an environmentalist's dream, it's not hocus-pocus, its a real source of energy."

It may be 93 million miles away, but the sun provides an infinite amount of energy.  Now, with conventional energy prices increasing and concerns about man-made pollution, consumers seem more willing to look at solar energy as an alternative.

Hoffman says, "The energy we use in Louisville, 90% of the electricity we use is powered by coal.  That's a dirty source of energy and a solar panel system is a source of energy that once it pays for itself, you have free energy essentially for a lifetime."

Dan Hofman has just opened the new company that sells solar panel systems.  He says installing solar power is cheaper than most people think:  "If you have a smaller home, then your killowatt usage is going to be less.  So it could be $10,000 after tax credits.  If you have a larger home, it could be $20-$25,000 after tax credits."

Gill Holland is about to have Hofman's company RegenEn Solar install such a system at his Highlands home after he purchased a similiar system for his business from an out-of-town dealer.  "So even the solar panels now are about 30% less expensive than than they were when we bought them a year ago," Holland says.

And he says many days his solar powered system provides all the energy his workplace needs:  "On a year-to-year basis including the winter months and everything else, we're still 68% energy self-sufficient."

The federal government provides a 30% tax credit for the purchase of a solar system.  Many states add to that with their own credit, but in Kentucky residents are only eligible for a $500 rebate.

Still, Hofmann is getting a lot of calls.  "There's a lot of interest, people are surprised we're here, they're unfamiliar with the product, there's a lot of education involved."

Hofman is offering a 15% discount on solar panel systems in addition to the 30% federal tax credit.

There's more information about solar power at the News Link above.