In the summer of 2014, the Denton family of Campbell River installed a grid-tie solar PV(photovoltaic) system on the roof of their home.
Their goal was to reduce their carbon footprint as much as possible by covering their south facing, second storey roof with solar panels.
They were able to fit 21 – 305 watt solar panels, giving them a 6.4kw(kilowatt) system. It’s been just over a year since the system was energized, and the numbers are in.
Over the last 12 months the Denton family has been able of offset 60 per cent of the energy used in their 3000 square foot home, as well as provide all of the fuel for their electric car.
“Yes, it may take me 15-20 years to recoup my costs,” says Dave Denton,” but I figure I am earning five per cent on investment and that beats the bank any day.”
To date, the Denton family has helped prevent over 6.6 tonnes of CO2 emissions from being released into our planet’s atmosphere. Combine that with the 1.16 tonnes the electric car has saved over the last 12 months, and you get an impressive 7.76 tonnes of CO2 not in our air.
“This is great news for us all, and a shining example of the current possibilities with solar in our area,” says Jarek Kubacki, owner of Campbell River’s Small Planet Energy Inc., who completed this project.
Kubacki adds, “The Denton’s and other renewable system owners can have peace of mind that they are part of the solution in adjusting the course of climate change.”
For more information on this project, other local project or solar in general visit www.smallplanetenergy.ca or call Jarek with Small Planet Energy Inc. at 250 202-7574.