Seattle Press on Line - Solar Electric Home Pumps Power to City

Solar Electric Home Pumps Power to City

Oct 25, 2001 -- Roosevelt resident Thomas Allsopp has found a way to avoid the rising cost of electric power: he installed a solar power system for his house. This is not unusual, but the agreement he struck with Seattle City Light is the first of its kind in Seattle.

Allsopp signed a "net metering agreement" with City Light, allowing him to get credit for power he contributes to the grid. When Allsopp's solar power generating system meets all his residential needs, the extra power will spill back into City Light's system. The net metering agreement means that his electric meter will actually run backwards when this happens, giving him a credit with the power company. At the end of the billing period, he will pay for the net difference between the starting and ending meter readings.

When Allsopp installed his system, a roof-mounted 1.5 kilowatt solar system, he also took advantage of a Washington State sales tax exemption for solar equipment and installation.

This could be a growing trend, as more people feel the need to become independent of rising power prices and as renewable energy sources like solar become more cost-effective. To find out more, contact the American Solar Energy Society at their web site, www.ases.org.

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