Wind is one form of energy gaining ground. Kansas City Power & Light’s Spearville Wind Energy Facility has 67 turbines that are capable of producing clean energy for a year for 33,000 homes.
Green Living
Power Aids
Going ‘off the grid’ is more realistic now than ever, with geothermal, solar and wind power options.
BY
Kimberly Stern
PHOTOGRAPHY
Lyndall Blake, KCP&L

While many consumer trends tend to be products of advertising, marketing and media, the alternative energy movement is gaining confidence, in large part, because of the awakening of the collective conscience. 

Certainly, the mainstream media is making us more aware of climate changes, but it’s no longer just the so-called “hard-core environmentalists” sounding the warning bell; people everywhere are concerned about the depletion of natural resources and are taking action toward conserving the planet’s ecosystems by trying to lessen their carbon footprint.

When it comes to generating electricity and heating and cooling residences of all shapes and sizes, many Kansas City homeowners are researching renewable sources like passive solar, photovoltaic (PV), geothermal heat pumps and even wind-generated energy to determine what makes sense for their lifestyle, location and budget. 

Asa Collier, one of the owners of Blue Sky: Wind, Solar and Home in Lawrence, a showroom dedicated to using environmentally sensitive products and   systems, has a long-standing tradition in the solar energy field.  “My dad did high-end solar-thermal home remodels and was on the cutting edge of different building systems,” Asa recalls. “I grew up being influenced by what I saw him do.

“Solar is a tangible solution to our energy dilemma,” he observes, adding that “homeowners can power all of their electrical needs from a single solar system.” 

Asa acknowledges the solar energy arena has become more sophisticated over the years, with nods to solar electric or photovoltaic (PV); its basic building block is the solar cell. Simply defined, the PV cell converts light energy into electrical energy.

For example, attractive roofing tiles that look similar to slate are available and can be integrated into a large roof system. “They’re strung together to make a PV ‘module,’ and then many modules are linked together to form an ‘array,’” Asa explains. 

In addition, he says that passive solar panels once considered an aesthetic eyesore are getting smaller and more streamlined, thanks to advanced technology. “Upscale consumers are looking at solar systems as attractive upgrades to their homes, both in terms of investment and reducing use of non-renewable energy,” Asa says. Many of his clients look at the big picture and know that several years down the road they’ll realize a return on their investment because they won’t pay increased energy costs. Asa says a solar system that’s congruent with the average energy usage of a home (775 kilowatt hours per month) has a typical 25-year warranty and costs approximately $40,000.

Dave Wagner, manager of commercial and residential sales for KCP&L, says PV arrays are connected to the electricity grid through a direct current inverter, in combination with a net metering and tariff arrangement. In essence, KCP&L buys back energy not  consumed, averaging about two-and-a-half cents per kilowatt hour for Kansas and Missouri customers.

Geothermal power is another option for heating and cooling. It’s generated by heat stored beneath the earth’s surface and   delivered through a ground-source heat pump. Dan Thibeau, owner of ECS Geothermal in Kansas City, explains that people usually purchase a geothermal system for sheer energy efficiency, but they usually discover an added perk.

“Customers rave on the comfort level of geothermal for all seasons because there’s a more constant, even temperature in the home, it doesn’t dry air in the winter, and it effectively dehumidifies air in the summer,” Dan remarks. “Plus, a geothermal system’s maintenance is considerably less than conventional heating and cooling units.”

There are several different ways to implement geothermal energy: through a vertically installed earthloop (preferred when land space is limited and rocky soil conditions exist) or a horizontal loop (the least expensive to install, it’s preferred when adequate land and soil conditions exist).  An earthloop install for ponds, with a minimum depth of eight feet and a quarter-acre surface, is available, too.

An average geothermal system costs $8,000 to $10,000 more than good conventional systems and generates a positive cash flow on the first day of operation, with a whopping 12 to 17 percent return on investment, Dan says. In fact, he’s had a system in his 3,000-square-foot home for 15 years and has never had a monthly electric bill of more than $200, even with heating and operating a hot tub. 

Another available form of renewable energy that’s getting press is electricity generated by wind turbines. Dave says wind turbine energy is more suitable for areas that are neither densely populated nor have lots of mature trees, as they can obstruct a turbine’s operation. “Typically, a generator requires a 200-foot expanse, and the units are taller than most homeowners associations or city ordinances may permit,” he says. But Dave says there are wind customers on large acreages who have signed up for KCP&L’s net metering program.

For homeowners who want to get involved in a local organization that educates and promotes renewable energy sources, the Heartland Renewable Energy Society (HRES) sponsors an annual Fall Renewable Homes Tour, an Energy Fair and various specialty workshops throughout the year. Builder David Roberts, an officer and volunteer of the non-profit Missouri and Kansas chapter of the American Solar Energy Society, says involvement in the group is an opportunity to become connected with others interested in sustainable energy. 

“We educate individuals about the key concepts in achieving energy efficiency through a variety of methods like passive solar and PV,” he says. HRES members also network with professionals, like architects, builders and consultants, who provide environmentally friendly products and services to homeowners. HRES has quarterly meetings and a broader annual meeting.

When it comes to investing in any form of alternative energies, Asa encourages homeowners to consider first and foremost that it’s the right thing to do for the environment. “You just can’t go wrong,” he says.