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A Geneva man has found a way to make his electric utility meter at his home actually move in reverse. In return, he may get credit from the city on his bills.
Two weeks ago, Tom DeBates installed a solar panel — or photovoltaic — system on his house on Summit Street that could produce 2.8 kilowatts of electricity. Geneva residents receive their electricity from the city, and his residential solar panel system has become the first to attach to the city’s grid.
His system could produce so much power that he’s expected at times to produce more energy than he’s using. When that happens, he plans to give electricity to Geneva’s grid, rather than taking from it.
“It is grid-interactive,” DeBates said. “Under some conditions where I’m using more power than I’m generating, I buy power. Under some conditions, I make more power than I’m using, and sell some back.”
DeBates approached the city with his plan last fall. He began his career as a general contractor in 1983, but came to a turning point in 2001 when he completed a small solar project at the St. Charles Club. He realized how feasible solar technology can be, and began installing the panels full-time. He’s had individual residential and commercial projects in Berwyn, Wheaton and St. Charles.
On bright, sunny days in his own home, DeBates has the potential to make more energy than he’s using.
“We’re harnessing nuclear fusion (from the sun),” he said. “The source of our energy is 93 million miles away.”
But when there’s long stretches of cloudy days or if DeBates uses a lot of electricity at night, he’ll buy power from the city’s grid.
However, Geneva officials are trying to figure out how to bill him when he gives electricity back to the city. The city classifies DeBates’ home as a small power generation plant.
“I can only get credit for what I use,” DeBates said.
That means he won’t get paid by the city, but he probably won’t have to pay much of an electric bill.
Geneva Public Works Director Dan Dinges said the billing agreement is being fine-tuned and probably will be discussed at the April 25 City Committee of the Whole meeting.
Geneva officials want to have a billing system for solar-powered homes in place as Dinges sees the trend potentially growing in popularity.
A Geneva man has found a way to make his electric utility meter at his home actually move in reverse. In return, he may get credit from the city on his bills.
Two weeks ago, Tom DeBates installed a solar panel — or photovoltaic — system on his house on Summit Street that could produce 2.8 kilowatts of electricity. Geneva residents receive their electricity from the city, and his residential solar panel system has become the first to attach to the city’s grid.
His system could produce so much power that he’s expected at times to produce more energy than he’s using. When that happens, he plans to give electricity to Geneva’s grid, rather than taking from it.
“It is grid-interactive,” DeBates said. “Under some conditions where I’m using more power than I’m generating, I buy power. Under some conditions, I make more power than I’m using, and sell some back.”
DeBates approached the city with his plan last fall. He began his career as a general contractor in 1983, but came to a turning point in 2001 when he completed a small solar project at the St. Charles Club. He realized how feasible solar technology can be, and began installing the panels full-time. He’s had individual residential and commercial projects in Berwyn, Wheaton and St. Charles.
On bright, sunny days in his own home, DeBates has the potential to make more energy than he’s using.
“We’re harnessing nuclear fusion (from the sun),” he said. “The source of our energy is 93 million miles away.”
But when there’s long stretches of cloudy days or if DeBates uses a lot of electricity at night, he’ll buy power from the city’s grid.
However, Geneva officials are trying to figure out how to bill him when he gives electricity back to the city. The city classifies DeBates’ home as a small power generation plant.
“I can only get credit for what I use,” DeBates said.
That means he won’t get paid by the city, but he probably won’t have to pay much of an electric bill.
Geneva Public Works Director Dan Dinges said the billing agreement is being fine-tuned and probably will be discussed at the April 25 City Committee of the Whole meeting.
Geneva officials want to have a billing system for solar-powered homes in place as Dinges sees the trend potentially growing in popularity.
“As the prices for solar come down, I think there’s going to be more interest,” Dinges said.
He pointed out how some hardware stores, such as Menards, are already selling small solar panel units. If more people have solar panels installed, Dinges said it could reduce costs for the city.
“It reduces their (property owners’) bills, but it also reduces our bill because we’re not buying as much,” Dinges said. “We can actually reduce the amount we would need.”
In the meantime, DeBates said he’s excited to begin receiving his electricity from the sun, but realizes it could be a while before he sees a return on his investment.
“The cost-savings will be long-term,” DeBates said.
