Powered by the sun

When the sun shines brightly at Smith Mountain Lake, many residents appreciate such pleasures as a boating excursion, outdoor dining and clear mountain views. Brian and Lisa Raub, who live in The Waterfront, appreciate one more thing: help with their energy bill.

“Usually, in the spring and fall when the heat or air conditioning is not on but the daylight hours are still fairly long, that’s when it is generating a lot of electricity,” said Lisa Raub, referring to the 5-kilowatt solar panel system the couple had installed at their home in 2010. “It all comes down to how bright the sunshine is on the panels and for how many hours at a time.”

The Raubs researched alternative energy sources for several years before choosing a solar method for their 10-year-old, 3,300-square-foot home.

“It became a greater consideration for us as the energy crisis developed, as the oil situation deteriorated worldwide,” Brian Raub said. “Even the use of fossil fuels is something that some people would like to see reduced. It also started becoming more economical to use alternatives, so we started to look into it.”

Investigation soon became investment after the couple crossed paths with Brian Brown, owner of Martinsville-based Renewable Engineered Systems.

“We asked him to come out to the property and take a look to let us know what it might cost us,” Brian Raub said. “When he told us what to expect, we said all right, go for it.”

Renewable Engineered Systems installed nine solar panels on the Raub’s roof in October of 2010. In December, the couple hosted an open house and ribbon cutting to celebrate what was the company’s first 5-kilowatt solar installation. In order to transfer the solar power properly, the Raub’s electric company, American Electric Power, installed a converter box at no cost.

Brown said he designs each system based on each client’s energy consumption and home size. He added that the systems, which typically start around $25,000 and can often be financed, require virtually no maintenance, have a 25-year guarantee and about a 50-year lifespan.

The Raubs estimate the solar system has decreased their monthly electric bills 40-60 percent. Since both work from home, the couple said their usage tends to be higher than average.

Brian Raub said though it is possible to transfer excess energy produced by their system back into the local power grid, that would be a rare occurrence.

“To have a net feed back into the grid over a month’s time, you would have to be away, or essentially not using the power as you collect it on a 5-kilowatt system such as we have,” he said.

Converting part of their energy source to solar was as much about environmental conservation as it was a financial consideration for the Raubs. Since it would take years to see financial gains from the system they purchased, the decision to install the panels went beyond lowering electric bills, Brian Raub explained.

“People say, ‘Well, it doesn’t make sense according to payback,’ and it doesn’t, not immediately. It’s not strictly an economic decision. For us it was also about lifestyle, a decision to lower our carbon footprint and reduce our use of coal,” he said.

As the cost of solar panels declines, the economics will become more attractive for homeowners, he noted.

“There are government tax benefits and incentives … and as electric company rates increase and time passes, the system saves you more,” he said. “[Renewable energy systems] also have a dramatic impact on for-sale houses because of the novelty. Nationwide, people are paying a greater premium for a solar house.”

Brown said in the year and a half since the Raubs’ installation, the area demand for solar panels has increased.

“Renewable energy is for people who have an eye on their investment,” Brown said. “The people who invest money to save money are the type to use renewable energy systems. Now, because of electricity costs ... it makes a lot of sense financially. People are very excited to invest money into a system for their home.”