began August 5, 2003 to gather renewable energy from the sun to suppy our household electricity.
Electricity powers our refrigerator, double-oven, stove top, microwave -- even coffee foam maker -- clothes washer and dryer.
On sunny days in San Mateo, California, solar energy provide more than we need. Then the meter goes backwards.
Our 2.5 kilowatt system feeds electricity back into the power grid to serve other energy needs of the community.
Each month our electricity bill is $5.95, the minimum service charge, as we often generate more energy than we use.
Recent full-year "true-up" bills in our 2,000 square foot home have been $133, $142, $122, then $156 in 2014 and 2015.
Higher energy costs increased our annual electricity bill to $263 in each 2017 and 2018 -- still only 75 cents per day.
Beginning October 2016, we changed from PG&E to Peninsula Clean Energy for cleaner electricity at lower rates.
When the sun isn't shining, 50% of our electricity will now come from renewable sources -- wind, solar, geothermal, and hydropower.
Also in 2014, our NATURAL GAS usage decreased 50% after eliminating heating duct leaks and using a 10% higher efficiency furnace.
WATER use decreased even more -- 67% -- by (1) saving shower heat-up water for toilet flushing and (2) saving washing machine water for bushes and trees.
We saved 23,936 gallons of water during the first four summer months.
