Solar power gaining support, use as alternative energy source

Missouri's use of coal to generate electricity is hurting the environment and emptying people's pocket books, according to a new study by the Union of Concerned Scientists.

"Missouri exports dollars to import coal," said Ron Burke, Midwest office director for the Union of Concerned Scientists in Chicago. "Missourians are spending $1.3 billion a year on out of state coal. That is money that is leaving the state that could be spent, we think better, on homegrown energy like wind and solar."

According to the "Burning Coal, Burning Cash" study, Missouri ranked sixth highest in the nation in per-person spending on imported coal, at $190 per person annually. Most of the coal burned by utility companies in Missouri comes from Wyoming, the study said.

"To tackle this climate change issue before it's too late, we need to ratchet down our emissions fast and the best way to do that is by investing in clean energy technologies," Burke said.

Dr. Alan Journet, conservation biology professor at Southeast Missouri State University and a member of the Union of Concerned Scientists, has been following climate change patterns for years. He's also the facilitator of Southeast Missouri Climate Protection Initiative group.

Local wetlands particularly are being affected as average temperatures rise and water evaporates, drying them out, Journet said. In the United States, climate patterns once found further south are quickly shifting north. There are a number of birds, including the American goldfinch, that will soon no longer be found in Southeast Missouri as a result of this, Journet said.

Jim Maginel explains how the battery backup system in his basement stores the extra solar power produced at his home for use later. (Melissa Miller)

About five years ago, Jim and Mary Maginel of Olive Branch, Ill., decided to take what some may consider a drastic step toward reducing their dependence on electricity produced by coal. They have been living off their own homegrown energy ever since installing their own solar electric system.

"We live very comfortably," Jim Maginel said. "We have a computer, an air conditioning unit and a deep freeze. We don't have a television, but we've never had one in our married life."

They consume about 5 kilowatts of electricity per day, although their solar electricity system will produce three times that. The Maginels' home is not connected to traditional utility lines, so they live "off the grid." However, their solar panels often produce more electricity than they need and that excess power is stored in a battery system for use later.

"We look at it as a climate change issue, a personal health issue and a national security issue," Jim Maginel said.

He said solar panels are becoming more affordable, costing about half what they were five years ago when the Maginels built their house. They recently added six more solar panels to their original six to be able to charge an electric car in the future.

"I believe we are making a difference because we live this way out of choice and do our best to educate people about it as often as possible," Mary Maginel said.

There are more tax credits available now for using solar power than when he first installed his system, Jim Maginel said.

Jeff Clinton of Tex Electrical in Gordonville started studying solar power instillation a few years ago and his business now specializes in educating customers about these incentives.

"There is so much money out there if you want to go find it," Clinton said.

He said he's planning to build a home for himself with solar power and other energy efficiency measures, using the incentives to pay half the cost of the house.

Homes and businesses installing solar power may receive 30 percent of the cost of the system as a federal tax credit, Clinton said.

AmerenUE also has put several incentive programs in place as a result of Missouri's Proposition C, adopted in 2009. Proposition C requires Missouri's investor-owned utility companies to use an increasing amount of renewable energy, reaching at least 15 percent by 2021.

Customers considering any type of self power generation should contact their power company, said Bill Barbieri, manager of renewables for AmerenUE.

AmerenUE customers using solar power can take part in a net metering system, where Ameren will credit customers' bills for the solar power they produce. If the system produces more power than the customer is able to use, AmerenUE will buy it from customers at wholesale rates.

AmerenUE also offers a solar rebate program, paying $2 per watt to customers installing solar panels up to 25 kilowatts.

"An average residential customer is installing a 2 kilowatt system, so they'd receive a $4,000 rebate," explained Barbieri. The maximum credit would be $50,000 and the program is available for both residential and business customers.

"This technology is obviously still an expensive technology. To help customers who feel strongly about using this technology, these programs can help offset their costs," Barbieri said.

Clinton's company is hoping to capitalize on these programs and is now working with local farmers in hopes of putting in Missouri's first solar power farm.

"It's an opportunity for farmers to lease land they can't grow crops on, but would be perfect for solar power," he said. "The utility company will give you money to put in the panels and they'll give you money to buy the power back from you."

Clinton also is planning a seminar next spring to talk about incentives and tax credits available for using solar power in Southeast Missouri.

mmiller@semissourian.com

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