By Anthony Rifilato
"At 9 a.m., the electric meter stops and runs backwards until about 4 p.m., " said Peskoff. "There's a good feeling you get when your meter runs backwards."
The meter moves backwards because last month Peskoff fitted the roof of his home with 34 solar panels. The mirrored panels soak up the sun like a tanner on Jones Beach and energize a large percentage of his home. That means his television, toaster and lights are all powered in part by the sun.
Peskoff, an 18-year director of the New York City Transit Authority's Metro Card Division, said that although he's environmentally conscious, his primary motivation to use an alternative energy source was cost efficiency. He was convinced several months ago when he saw what the Long Island Power Authority was offering.
LIPA recently launched a Solar Pioneer Program to encourage the use of clean solar energy among Long Island homeowners. The program offers incentives such as tax exemptions and reimbursements for the cost of the solar panel system.
Begun in 1999, the Solar Pioneer Program is part of LIPA's Clean Energy Initiative, a $170 million multi-year program pushed by Governor George E. Pataki to lessen the State's dependence on fossil fuels in order to encourage the use of alternative energy.
Peskoff's system cost around $37,000. But with LIPA incentives, which pick up five dollars per watt on Pekoff's 4100 watt unit and a $3,750 New York State tax credit, he only has to pay off about $8,700.
"It benefits the environment and if more people use these, LIPA doesn't have to build more power plants," Peskoff said. The panels have a 25 to 30 year life span and are maintenance free. The solar set-up, also known as a photovoltaic system (PV), isn't visible from the front of his home and doesn't mar the appearance.
Peskoff, who lives with his wife and two young children, said the system hasn't gone unnoticed.
"The neighbors ask about it and the kids think it's cool," Peskoff said.
LIPA is hoping to get other residents interested in solar energy.
By 2010, The SPP's Long Island Solar Roofs Initiative -- part of a community partnership -- is seeking to have more than 10,000 solar energy systems on the roofs of Long Island. Several business and community organizations have partnered with LISRI to get the word out.
"I think there's a misconception by the public that there is not enough sun in Long Island," said Kathleen Whitley, program manager for Long Island Shines, a non-profit energy watch dog group. "But we are above average for year round sun light and right behind Arizona."
Michael Lowndes, LIPA's director of media relations, said the goal is to create an awareness among people who would never consider solar energy.
"It may give people pause because the cost may be daunting," Lowndes said. "Whether or not it becomes a mainstay depends on how fast the technology advances. Several years ago it was very expensive, but that's changing."
LIPA has eased that burden and the excessive cost of the technology by implementing incentives. LIPA has a list of contractors who sell and install the systems, arranged a six-percent interest financing package with area banks, and increased its rebate in August to $5,000 per kilowatt.
"We increased the rebate recently which underscores our commitment," said Lowndes.
The panels not only cut electricity costs for homeowners, they help ease Long Island's energy woes.
The excess electricity generated by homeowner's solar panels are fed right into the LIPA power grid, benefiting all Long Islanders.
In addition to those benefits, there is the environmental contributions as well. Solar electricity produces no emissions, makes no noise, and being a natural resource, is abundant.
"Anything that brings in electricity is a win-win situation," said Lowndes.
