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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 27, 2005
RPU and Bills/Grebe participate in Minnesota Renewable Energy Society’s 10th Annual Solar Tour
ROCHESTER, Minn.— On October 1, 2005, thousands of solar-powered homes and businesses across the United States will open their doors and invite the public in for a look. It’s all part of the American Solar Energy Society’s (ASES) National Solar Tour. The use of solar power in homes, offices and schools is becoming increasingly common as owners look for ways to cut energy costs and increase energy independence.
This year’s tour will include RPU and their first co-generating residential customer, Ray Bills and Coralee Grebe. They will open their home at 618 23rd St NE Rochester to the public to demonstrate their use of solar power on October 1 from 10:00 a.m. to 5 p.m.
In April 2004, 14 photovoltaic (PV) panels were installed on the south facing side of their roof top in northeast Rochester. Each panel is rated at 185 watts which equates to a maximum hourly output of 2.59 kilowatts (kW).
To Ray and Coralee this means lower electricity bills. April, May, and June 2005 proved to be cash positive months because their PV system produced more electricity than they needed and their electric portion of their utility bill included positive dollar amounts in their favor. They received a credit from RPU for the electricity that their PV system generated. “Sure the money is nice, but the real satisfaction comes from doing our part to keep literally TONS of pollutants from the air we breathe” said Bills-Grebe. Unlike conventional sources of electricity, the solar power generated by the Bills-Grebe’s PV system is pollution free. According to Patty Hanson, the program manager at RPU, “While initial cost was a challenge, this project has been a win for the customer, a win for the environment, and a win for RPU.
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Directions to Bills/Grebe: Take Highway 63 to Northern Heights Dr NE. Take the only turn going up the hill to the first left, 7th Ave NE (take the left) and then take the very next left on to 23rd St NE. The Bills/Grebe house number is 618. Signage will be on the front yard.
Solar tour maps for all participating buildings and the general descriptions will be available for download at www.solartour.net. Additional information: info@mres-solar.org or call 612-308-4757
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