Arkansans Getting Off Grid Following Power Outages
By: Josh Berry
Updated: January 10, 2013
Central Arkansans are trying to get off the grid. They're turning to alternative forms of energy in an effort to stay away from future power outages like the ones suffered over the holidays.
One industry in particular has been flooded with inquiries. Customers on the grid of the local energy provider are looking to move away from what some people say is an unreliable source.
Nancy Corwyn drives a hybrid car and her husband drives a Prius. Their home was built energy efficient as well 18 years ago.
Corwyn explained, "My carbon footprint is lower and that means a lot to me."
Pushing the green envelope though, they just installed a new set of solar panels last November.
Beyond just looking cool, their first months bill in December saved them hundreds only totaling $50.
Her system however only helps lower the bill. It doesn't store energy leaving her in the dark when the power went out.
Pamela Speraw runs Sun City Solar Energy. She says her phone's been ringing off the hook with people in Corwyn situation.
"We have had a tremendous influx of calls for solar battery backups since the power outages here in Little Rock," Speraw said.
Speraw's local competition, Bill Ball runs Stellar Sun and agrees.
He said, "Every time there's bad news my phone rings whether it's power outages, rolling blackouts."
They're both in the business of grid-tie and even off the grid solar energy systems. The off-grid system uses a battery back-up charged by solar panels like the one's on Corwyn's house. However, Corwyn doesn't have one.
"That's definitely moved up on our priority list," she said. "We had three days without power."
In addition to powering your home, the solar panels can even turn your tied-in meter backward crediting your bill.
It's a complicated and sometimes expensive process acquiring solar energy and in some cases can take a while to make your money back.
For more information on Sun City Solar click here. For Stellar Sun here.
One industry in particular has been flooded with inquiries. Customers on the grid of the local energy provider are looking to move away from what some people say is an unreliable source.
Nancy Corwyn drives a hybrid car and her husband drives a Prius. Their home was built energy efficient as well 18 years ago.
Corwyn explained, "My carbon footprint is lower and that means a lot to me."
Pushing the green envelope though, they just installed a new set of solar panels last November.
Beyond just looking cool, their first months bill in December saved them hundreds only totaling $50.
Her system however only helps lower the bill. It doesn't store energy leaving her in the dark when the power went out.
Pamela Speraw runs Sun City Solar Energy. She says her phone's been ringing off the hook with people in Corwyn situation.
"We have had a tremendous influx of calls for solar battery backups since the power outages here in Little Rock," Speraw said.
Speraw's local competition, Bill Ball runs Stellar Sun and agrees.
He said, "Every time there's bad news my phone rings whether it's power outages, rolling blackouts."
They're both in the business of grid-tie and even off the grid solar energy systems. The off-grid system uses a battery back-up charged by solar panels like the one's on Corwyn's house. However, Corwyn doesn't have one.
"That's definitely moved up on our priority list," she said. "We had three days without power."
In addition to powering your home, the solar panels can even turn your tied-in meter backward crediting your bill.
It's a complicated and sometimes expensive process acquiring solar energy and in some cases can take a while to make your money back.
For more information on Sun City Solar click here. For Stellar Sun here.
Comments
Guess where my Tax refund is going. At lesat I can make a start to getting away from Entergy
Sheila S.
January 10, 2013 at 7:58 pm
