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This is a couple of months old, but deserves wider circulation, so here goes...Dedicated to the naysayers who troll this DG...
Professor honored for energy innovation By Deanna Woolf Dec 5, 2005 *** {Dr. Alvin} Compaan, professor and chair of physics and astronomy and director of the Center for Materials Science and Engineering, and his wife had thin-film solar panels installed on the roof of their newly built house in Holland, Ohio. The solar panels provide the power for the house and a battery-operated electric truck that he uses to commute to the University, a trip of about 20 miles per day. *** Because of Ohio's net metering utility regulation, the Compaans pay Toledo Edison only for their net usage. "We sized our photovoltaic array at 4.3 kilowatts to be able to generate as much electricity as we use for the house and the truck," he said. "So far, after 11 months, our net electricity usage has cost $36." And if the power lines go out, their system is designed so that the house can be plugged into the truck batteries for power.
To the Compaans' knowledge, their solar house and vehicle are the only such setup in the world.
The Compaans moved into their home during December 2004. They estimated the solar home saves 11,000 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions each year and the electric pickup truck saves about 400 gallons of gas each year.
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