Home owner pays only $7 a month for electricity

Reported by: Kyle Burke Email: kburke@abc15.com Last Update: 1/03 2:32 pm
How a Valley couple pays just $7 a month for electricity

One Valley saves big with solar power SURPRISE, AZ -- Leo and JoAnna Mankiewicz actually smile when they receive their power bill each month.That's because it is usually only about $7.The couple converted their home to solar power back in 2005, and ever since then have been reaping the benefits.The system cost about $22,000 when it was put in, but APS paid for half of the cost, so then after the tax rebates, the couple only actually paid about $8,000."In the time that we've owned it, it has, up to this point in 2009, it has now paid for itself," said Leo, "Now it's just all gravy."The system will produce about 12 kilowatt hours on an average winter day, and in the summer it can be as much as 20 kilowatt hours.For about 9 months out of the year, the couple only uses about 5 kilowatt hours each day.Because the system is tied directly into the city power grid, any power above and beyond what the couple uses goes out to the city, and the couple gets credited for the extra power.They accumulate those credits and use them during the peak summer months.The couple is able to maximize the benefit of the solar power by conserving their energy usage with energy efficient appliances, dual pane windows and extra insulation throughout the house.Because of the abundance of sunny days, Leo and JoAnn believe that Arizona should become a leader in the conversion to solar power."I think the better solution is the distributed energy production where you have one on every house, one on every building," Leo said. "There should be one on every school and public building."
Copyright 2010 The E.W. Scripps Co. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.