On the market: Solar homes (Calif.)

[jpak]

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/money_co/2010/03/on-the-market-solar-homes.html

A plan unveiled Monday by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa proposing a $2.50-per-month rate hike as of April 1 for Los Angeles Department of Water and Power energy consumers could result in electric bills rising 8.8% to 28.4% over the next year. Although some customers will turn off the lights and hope for the best, an increasing number of Southland homeowners are insulating themselves against rising costs with green options.

“I call it my green hedge on energy inflation,” says Ray Wyman Jr., 54, of his decision to install a 4.2-kilowatt photovoltaic solar system on the roof of his 2,000-square-foot home in Orange in June 2009.

The business writer’s peak season electric bills with Southern California Edison topped $180 in 2009. Since going solar, Wyman’s monthly electric bill is 92 cents.

“That covers my connection fee and tax,” he said. “As long as I am in positive territory on my power bank, I don’t pay anything. But even when the panels were hobbled by the rain in December and January, our bills were still 92 cents.

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[w4rma]

1. Is he the same mayor pushing for public school privatization? (nt)