Peekskill resident shares his passion for solar energy

John Neering, an environmental science teacher and Peekskill resident, loves sharing his excitement about solar energy so much that he not only agreed to share his story with Solarize Peekskill (www.SolarizeWestchester.com/Peekskill) but to open his solar home for a tour and Q&A session on Saturday, April 29 (see details below). Here's his story:

"As an environmental science teacher and advocate for the Earth’s environment I am always looking for ways to conserve energy and maintain a sustainable lifestyle. Twelve years ago I had the opportunity to purchase a home solar photovoltaic system that would not only lower my carbon footprint but also provide an economic return to my family as well. Though the upfront financial cost was high, I knew that I would be rewarded in the long term with tremendous cost savings that would provide a windfall many times the price paid for the solar system. I was also gratified that my family was benefiting the environment by greatly reducing the amount of greenhouse gases and other pollutants into our atmosphere.

Granted it was a big decision to finance such an endeavor and a leap of faith to switch to a relatively new source of energy. Some of my neighbors thought me crazy at the time and may have worried about the aesthetics involved with solar panels on my roof for all to see. It was a risk I was willing to take, and I was so pleased with the value my new system provided that six years later I got another solar PV system installed on the roof of my home’s addition. Each year I bring my environmental science students on a field trip concerning alternative renewable energy. Each year my students report that the two systems look chic and modern and they would not mind seeing them on a neighbor’s roof!

It is especially gratifying to see each month a statement from my solar provider telling me how much electricity my family produced and how many trees my family saved! With the excess electricity I produce I am also able to charge my electric car and heat my home for part of the winter. Those practices have provided even great savings for us and making the family even more sustainable in concert with the Earth.

I am a tremendously strong advocate for the implementation of solar PV systems for both residential and commercial properties. It just makes so much sense both on an economic scale but also in reducing the negative impact we humans can have on our vulnerable environment."

If you'd like to attend John's solar open house and info session about Solarize Peekskill, this Saturday, April 29 from 11am-2 pm (you don't need to be there the whole time!), please RSVP to nicola@abundantefficiency.com to receive the address.

For more information about the Solarize Peekskill opportunity, which ENDS June 5, please see www.SolarizeWestchester.com/Peekskill.