Solar powered farm harvests sun's energy

Electricity powers appliances, electronics, lights and, now, bikes and cars. When we plug our devices into wall outlets, that power typically comes from electrical utilities and distant power plants. More and more, the sun and wind generate electricity for businesses and homes on site.

Jon Mills and Peggy Bissell have 33 solar panels on their farm in Bow. Banner Power Solutions in Burlington installed the system. Co-owner and general manager Eric Hull said going solar comes with a few advantages.

“The main benefit is being able to offset the cost of power,” he said. “The price of electricity rises, on average, between three and four percent annually.”

Hull finds that people are searching for a way they can have control of their energy generation. He said individuals who live in the northwest usually have an eco-friendly state of mind. Bissell believes that having solar generated electricity is being accountable and frugal.

“It’s creating something where nothing would’ve been created without it. Making something out of the sunshine, that to me is cool,” she said. “Getting an eight-dollar electric bill every month, that’s not too bad either.”

Their solar system installation was a two-and-a-half-day project. Paying to switch is made easier by plugging into federal investment tax credits, filed with income taxes. The ITC provides solar customers a 30 percent federal tax credit claimed against the tax liability of residential, commercial and utility investors in solar energy property.

Hull noted the real money savings: “If a system costs 24,000 dollars, a customer is eligible for 8,000 dollars of federal tax credit.”

Mills is pleased with the mechanics and the savings. He said it will be great in the winter because their home heating is primarily electric. The couple is happy with their decision.

Bissell cautions that siting is critical. Not every home or lot will fit. “For us, it was ideal because we got the right face and the right direction. For a lot of people, if you live in the woods and you got a roof that doesn’t face south, it isn’t very practical,” she said.

Hull has seen an increase in customer interest in the last five years. Curiosity with solar rises as more systems get installed. Banner Power Solutions has installed solar on close to 200 sites.