CityView Magazine - Fayetteville, NC
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/17354
Be Healthy, Be Strong, Be in Charge • Management of a healthy lifestyle, with education and preventative care • Special emphasis on women’s health issues • Management of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, thyroid problems and heart disease Dr. Kalpana A. Krishna, board-certified internest Ramsey North Medical Clinic 5603 Ramsey Street 910.488.MEDS (6337) www.ramseymeds.com contemporary cedar-sided home. The Darlings first read about solar energy in an article published by South River EMC, which eventually led them to Alternative Energy Concepts. The Darlings initially planned to install solar units on the roof but eventually decided on a level area of grass near the pond in order to maximize the amount of sunlight. Other, smaller panels were placed on the roof to power a solar water heater. Once the installation was complete, four rows of eight modules were mounted in the yard, each using photovoltaic technology in which particles of sunlight called photons are absorbed. This process causes electrons to flow and generate electricity. The electrical current is measured and then transferred to a grid connected to South River. The system can produce as much as 40 kilowatts a day, and the Darlings sell all of the electricity generated to South River for approximately five cents per kilowatt/hour. They also partner with NC GreenPower, a non-profit organization that promotes the use of renewable energy to improve North Carolina’s current power supply. The Darlings receive as much as 15 cents per kilowatt from NC GreenPower for each kilowatt/hour they sell to South River. Between the two organizations, the Darlings say they earn twice as much for their electricity than what they use. The Darlings will admit that their system is larger and more expensive than what the average consumer would consider – about $41,000 for the grounded solar modules and $6,800 for the solar water heater – but they expect that both will have paid for themselves in less than 10 years. Federal and state tax credits help, too. Even if families aren’t willing to incur such an expense, the Darlings suggest starting with a solar water heater and moving toward larger panels. Their greatest hope is that Fayetteville will soon become conscious of the environment and invest in alternate forms of energy. “I don’t think there should be a school or a hospital built that does not have solar power incorporated into it,” Randy says. “It’d be nice to see Fayetteville on the cutting edge of that stuff.”CV 20 | Oct/Nov • 2010