Homeowner harnesses power of the sun
American Patriot saves residents cash with solar systems
Summerlin resident Paul Huettner has been researching solar energy options for his home for the past three years. When he found the perfect combination of lower pricing, NV Energy incentives and tax credits, he decided to install at 5 kilowatt system with the help of American Patriot Solar.
The customer service executive has done extensive research on the benefits of solar energy.
“I’ve wanted a solar system for a long time. My two main reasons are to be green and to reduce my utility costs.” Paul Huettner HoMeoWNeR
“I’ve wanted a solar system for a long time,” he said. “My two main reasons are to be green and to reduce my utility costs. I’ve been researching it for several years and until now it was not cost effective. I also looked at the differences between leasing and purchasing a system, and found that for me there was no benefit to leasing.”
Once he determined that it was the right time to purchase a solar system, Huettner’s years of research paid off.
“I knew from previous years’ usage that I needed a 5 kilowatt system,” he said. “About three years ago they cost approximately $40,000 to purchase. But the cost of the systems have gone down, in part due to competition and improved technology. There are also financing options, government rebates and even net metering that are now available. It made the decision an easy one and I was able to buy one for approximately 35 percent of what I would have paid just a few years ago.”
Huettner said the price for his new solar system was approximately $21,000, nearly half what he found three years ago.
He qualified for a 30 percent federal tax credit that he expects to save him ap- proximately $7,000.
“That brings the cost of my system down to approximately $14,000. I averaged my (power) payments and was spending about $3,500 per year. Now I’m paying less than half and that includes the loan payment for the system, which has just a 3 percent interest rate.”
Huettner worked with AP Solar and its installation company US Renewable Energy Development to purchase and install his new system.
He said he found the company and its representatives efficient and reliable, unlike the company he originally hired.
“Before I found AP Solar, I engaged with another solar company, but they went out of business before they installed the system,” he said. “I was impressed with AP Solar’s customer service, communication and responsiveness. They even installed my system quickly. The only thing I waited for was the net meter to be installed.”
Now that the system is in place, Huettner said he generates the equivalent of energy “rollover minutes” similar to those with wireless companies. “The net meter is a replacement meter to the traditional one you see on the outside walls of homes,” he said. “A net meter records the extra power my system generates and allows me to use it during months that I need more.”
Huettner’s commitment to decreasing his carbon footprint has extended beyond his solar energy system. “I converted my house to have all LED lightbulbs and installed energy efficient appliances,” he said. With these small changes and his new AP Solar system, Huettner expects to replace his entire energy usage with solar after the system’s first full year in operation. “Working with AP Solar made the whole process fast and easy.”
American Patriot Solar is a solar energy company based in Southern Nevada. American Patriot Solar systems are installed by its installation company, US Renewable Energy Development (license No. 0075882), also a Las Vegas-based company. To schedule a free in-home consultation and analysis of your solar energy opportunities, call American Patriot Solar at 702-227-9205 or visit www.apsolar.com.
All customers who schedule an inhome solar energy consultation will be entered in a monthly drawing for a fiveday/four-night cruise for two to Mexico, the Bahamas or the Western Caribbean, in addition to local dining certificates.