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Michael Lussier works on wiring his solar power arrays that track with the sun, generating electrical power for his home |
WHEN MICHAEL Lussier gets the electric bill for his Spotsylvania County home these days, there's a smile on his face.
Unlike those who'll owe hundreds to provide everything from heat to light, Lussier says he's on a streak of three months without having a bill to pay at all.
It's not that this 41-year-old homeowner in the Mastin's Corner area of Spotsylvania has figured out some sneaky way around the electric company's billing system.
No, he avoids a bill by generating all the electricity he needs many months of the year.
In some of his best months, this alternative-power pioneer, who has solar- and wind-based systems, is at times generating more power than he can use.
At those times, the excess is fed into the power grid, providing him with what, in some months, amounts to a credit on his account.
It hasn't come easy or cheap.
The government employee, who works in computer network operations at the U.S. Senate, has worked hard to build his own power system.
Over the past few years, he's wired and installed two large banks of solar panels on his five acres, equipping the 4.3-kilowatt, 42-panel system with tracking mechanisms that constantly move the panels to keep them aligned with the direct rays of the sun.
That's complemented by a 1.8-kilowatt wind generator that operates atop a large pole behind the house, where Lussier lives with his wife, Stephanie, and two children.
Even though that's enough to power his home in the best months--solar cells generate more power in colder months--the homeowner isn't quite done yet.
"I'm going to replace one of the older banks of solar panels with newer ones next year that will get the system up to 6.8 kilowatts altogether," said Lussier. "That'll put us in pretty good shape."
The handy homeowner worked long enough doing electrical work after high school to acquire the skills needed to connect the various inverters, panels, generators, batteries and more with more than a mile of wire.
The creation of these systems, which are tied to computer monitors that allow Lussier to track his power generation and usage at every instant, is a big investment.
"I've got about $60,000 in it so far, and next year, the upgrade will add to that," he said. "But it does make me feel pretty good when I look at the electric meter and it's turning backward."
With tax credits and what he figures so far to be a 75 percent savings on electric bills annually, it will take awhile to recoup his investment, if that ever happens.
"I do it to save money and electricity, but also because I've enjoyed creating this system," he said. "It makes me feel good to know we're creating the power that we use right here on our property."
It's also nice to know, he says, that if storms or accidents cause power outages on the grid, he and his family won't be without.
Lussier said it was another interest of his, ham radio, that brought him to the remote corner of Spotsylvania and started his interest in alternative power.
He was living in the Breezewood section of the county, and was getting some flak about the tall antenna his radio required.
"I knew then it was time to move," he said. He acquired the property at Mastin's Corner and put up an antenna there before the house was built.
Finding out he couldn't get electrical service installed until he had a house under construction, Lussier put up a small wind generator and a small solar panel--enough to operate his radio.
That was the beginning of an interest that soon had him exploring a solar water-heating system and eventually, the solar panels and upgraded wind generator.
Along the way, he's become a sales rep for the solar panels he uses, gotten one of the first county permits for such an extensive system and impressed a power company rep concerned about the system's grounding.
"With this much involved, I wasn't taking any chances," said Lussier. "The system has 11 ground wires."
Lussier said the solar panels are easy to maintain.
"The rains keeps them washed off," he said. "I get out a broom and rake any snow off that falls. Other than that, there's just an occasional leaf or hornets' nest."
Those with an interest in alternative energy sources don't have to match his system to make a difference.
Smaller investments, things like solar water heaters or small banks of solar panels on a house's roof, can make a difference if enough people try them.
"It's pretty nice to see what even those can do for your bill," said Lussier, noting that instead of paying $210 as he had in a previous April, this year's bill for the month was just $11.47.
Progress indeed from a pioneer who may have opened a door for many to follow.
To reach ROB HEDELT:
Email: rhedelt@freelancestar.com
