Neighborhood Watch

A Friendly Source of power
Burbank Leader: May 15, 2009 by Christopher Cadelago

BURBANK — Robert Beher hasn’t had a power bill that topped $5 for the past five years.

Every month, while most meters charge forward, his meter ticks in the opposite direction thanks to a 2.09-kilowatt solar photovoltaic system atop his 1,300-square-foot home.

“I was satisfied with the decision I made,” said Beher, whose home includes a personal computer and plasma television. “And I am still very happy with it.”

As part of a program that began 10 years ago, Beher was the fifth Burbank Water and Power customer to add solar panels to his property, a number that grew to 15 by 2007.

“Since, the program has exploded from my perspective,” said John Joyce, the utility’s solar support program manager.

Spurred by increased rebates, the utility has funded 36 projects with a total capacity of 1,428 kilowatts, he said. The solar panels are situated throughout the city, including atop car ports, homes and small businesses, an airport hanger and movie studio stages.

All of the activity has led to the city surpassing three gigawatt hours of local solar energy, enough to power nearly 6,000 homes for one month.

“It’s only going to grow, especially as it becomes even more cost effective,” said Councilman Dave Golonski. “Solar is particularly efficient in our region because peak demand corresponds with the daylight and the sun.”

Ten years ago the council established the city’s first solar photovoltaic incentive program called Solar Support.

The program offered residents an up-front incentive of $3 per watt installed up to $10,000. Commercial customers were funded based on kilowatt hours generated. READ MORE