Meter spins backward

Potterhill’s net zero energy houses begin in the upper $140,000 price range.
At a model home in Northside, valued at $225,000, a geothermal unit powers the heating and cooling system and hot water heater, while about a dozen solar panels generate electricity.

Insulation is made from recycled newspaper, and low-emission windows help keep extreme heat out in summer but allow heat in during winter.

On cool sunny days, the home’s electric meter actually spins backward – as the solar panels generate more electricity than the home needs, Rolfes says.

Owners of net zero homes will still receive monthly electric and gas bills – but those costs can be offset by money that Duke Energy will pay homeowners to purchase their Solar Renewable Energy Credits.

Energy suppliers in Ohio, including Duke, are required to produce a certain amount of power from renewable sources. To meet those requirements, the utility can purchase credits from homeowners who use solar energy to power their homes. Kentucky energy suppliers don’t offer the same perks.

At the model home in Northside, monthly gas and electric bills from June through January have rounded to about $63.01 – the grand total having been offset by two checks worth $606 from Duke Energy to purchase the home’s solar credits.

As the weather warms up, Rolfes says she expects to receive up to $606 more from Duke by July, with utility costs falling around $500 or less for the first six months of this year.

“At the end of the year, homeowners will have paid nothing or nearly nothing for their utility bill,” Rolfes says.

Author: Zhejiang Haining Tiange Solar Energy Science Technology Co., Ltd.
website: www.sunnyrainsolar.com
main product: Solar energy,Solar water heater,Solar collectors，Compact solar water heater