WSIL-TV 3 ABC
Top Stories
Last updated 8:51 am CT February 09, 2010.
Solar Energy Tour
Some local home owners spent the day teaching others how to reduce their carbon footprint and their electric bill.
As concerns about the environment go up, so does the price of energy.
"As much as we can we recycle and do all the different things we can to help our environment, but the big thing is the cost of energy" says concerned home owner Willie Cave-Dunkel.
Now people are looking for an alternative that trims their energy bills and preserves the planet for future generations.
"Renewable sources like wind and solar are very important so that they have a nice life to inherit" Michelle Muldoon says while holding her baby boy.
Across the nation as part of energy awareness month 5-thousand homes and businesses let others get a first hand look at how they're harnessing the sun's energy.
Including some solar home owners right here in Southern Illinois
"It's readily availible and actually inexpensive" says Aur Beck solar panel technician.
Experts say the average installation of this technology costs about 25-thousand dollars, a lot of money for most, but some say it pays for itself.
"Well I've never had an electric bill" says Beck.
A converter box translates solar power into electricity for household uses and vehicle batteries store energy for a power outage or for a cloudy day.
"I love the idea that you can put something out in light and make electricity" says Beck.
Making solar power an idea that some say, just makes sense.
"Everybody should be doing it" Beck says.
By: Christen Craig
ccraig@wsiltv.com
Now: 1265729606
