"Seeing the Light" Means Dollar Signs for MT Couple
Monday, August 13, 2007
A Montana couple who "saw the light" is saving big bucks on their energy bills. Joan and Cliff Montagne in Bozeman noticed lots of available sunlight on the property when they remodeled their home, so they installed solar panels and a solar water-heating system. Joan says many days, they generate extra energy that they send to the energy grid, and when they need a little more juice, they tap into the system.
"I do try to run the dishwasher and the washing machine when the sun's out. It just makes you think a little bit more."
Montagne reports that their energy bill is about $12 a month. She adds that state, federal and energy company incentives and rebates helped off-set installation costs. The energy bill just passed by Congress will offer even more incentives for Montanans to install solar power systems.
Montagne says people drop by and call to ask about their solar panels almost every day, and that's just what she wanted to have happen. She has long been a conservation activist.
"This house was built as an educational tool -- that's been my husband's career. And people can make their own decision."
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