The Associated Press
HARTFORD, Conn. — Dmitri Donskoy figures
he'll save only $20 a month on his electricity bill after solar panels
are installed on the roof of his home under a state-subsidized program.
But he shrugs it off because the green energy appeals to his
environmental concerns.
Donskoy, a software developer in Prospect, said he was
motivated to go solar after Connecticut officials killed a wind turbine
proposed for the town last year.
"It was partly sparked by my annoyance of the cancellation of the
windmill project," he said. "There must be a way for us to contribute."
Installing solar panels could cost, on average, $35,000, according
to a state energy agency spokesman. Donskoy says he's leasing because
he doesn't have thousands of dollars to spend, instead paying a solar
company $58 a month for his electricity.
"The savings didn't motivate me. It's really the environmental aspects," Donskoy said.
Solar energy is seen as one way to save in Connecticut, where
residential electricity costs were the third highest in the United
States in 2010, exceeded only by Hawaii and New York, according to the
U.S. Department of Energy. Solar represents a fraction of the state's
overall energy supply, but backers hope it will grow.
Connecticut ratepayers are subsidizing a state solar power
initiative that has spent $2.5 million to install rooftop solar panels
for 209 homes. At least one solar energy company has set up shop in
Connecticut to scout for business.
On Friday, the Clean Energy Finance and Investment Authority
announced it will spend $10 million for 5.6 megawatts of additional
residential solar panels.
Spokesman David Goldberg, said state
subsidies represent about one-third of the total cost of solar panel
installations. Homeowners and businesses pay $4.3 million to install or
lease solar panels.
The goal is to generate up to 30 megawatts of residential solar
power in 10 years — with a potential cost of $90 million. Goldberg says
backers believe that can be achieved sooner.
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