Running A Household On The Sun—

Solar Install Runs Head Of Meadow Home

By Kendra Bobowick

Peter Alagna’s footprints March 19 left impressions on thawing ground as he crossed his Head of Meadow backyard to check on a recent installation.

Looking at his new array of solar panels, he said, “I think it’s the biggest in town.” Canted on an angle like bleachers and facing the sky to catch optimum light are 48 freestanding solar panels arranged in a unit measuring roughly 40 feet wide, and 20 feet high. The sea of panels is propped on posts to lift it above ground.

Switching his electricity meter over that afternoon, he and Trinity Solar salesman consultant Bill Nastri and installer Mike Mazzamurro watched the dial and noticed, “The meter is actually going the other way.” Rather than consuming energy at that moment, the house was producing, Mr Mazzamurro explained. In many cases, the Alagnas’ utility bill will reflect a credit because their house generated energy back into the grid. Depending on the season, heating needs, daylight, etc, the new system will cover “just about all that the house uses all year,” said Mr Nastri.

“He is overproducing,” added Mr Mazzamurro.

“I could get as much as 90 percent of energy consumption on those panels,” Mr Alagna said. “During the spring and the summer that meter will run backwards.” He anticipates that the utility company will owe him money. Mr Mazzamurro agreed.

His solar installation was not motivated by money, however. He loves the environment. “I have a real affection for it,” he said. A bumper sticker on his car says, “Conserve,” which he walked past to reach for a bottle of champagne and plastic cups on a shelf in the garage. With Mr Nastri and Mr Mazzamurro, the three turned the corner to call for Rosalia Alagna who followed her husband and company into the yard for a toast.

Soon holding her own glass of celebratory champagne, she said, “I love the idea of solar power.”

As the group stood in the uninterrupted sunlight soaking into the panels behind them, Mr Alagna made his toast: “I hope this is an incentive, a job well done, I hope it encourages others.” He urges neighbors to look at the financial and environmental benefits of solar energy. Mr Alagna said, “When I heard the incentives, I signed up right away.” His $73,580 solar purchase is covered largely by state and federal incentive programs.

A longtime resident and former Water Pollution Control Authority chairman for Newtown, Mr Alagna thinks green. “I had been wanting to do this for a long time,” he said. At a recent event in Norwalk, he met Mr Nastri. With a brief review of the solar items for sale, Mr Alagna said, “I invited him over.” He now has a backyard, freestanding installation on his roughly three acres, where it receives the most sun exposure.

Visit the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund at www.ctcleanenergy.com and learn more about incentives and programs.