A handful of West Seattle residents joined homeowners with solar power across the country recently and opened their doors to citizens curious about solar energy.

Participants in the 12th annual National Solar Tour hoped to inspire others to reduce energy use. The American Solar Energy Society sponsors the event.

West Seattle homeowner Stephanie Brown, a solar power enthusiast, converted her 1910 farmhouse into an energy-saving catalyst. Relying on the sun for power and heat not only helps the environment, but also saves Brown money on energy bills. Her Seattle City Light bill from March 2, 2005 was $132.33 cheaper than the previous year because of the solar upgrades. She also gets a check from the government through solar-incentive programs.

Installed on Brown's roof are photovoltaic cells, which absorb sunlight and convert it into electricity. Once the light has been absorbed into the cells the energy flows through an inverter to convert power from DC to AC, a form the house can use. Brown's photocell system cost $16,545 and was installed by Puget Sound Solar. The equipment is low maintenance and is hosed off about three times in the summer to ensure maximum energy production, she told visitors.

Assuming electric rates stay at their current levels and tax incentives continue past 2011, Brown says she will break even in about 26 years. Despite initial costs she has "absolutely no regrets."

Net metering allows solar power to work in the Northwest by storing energy the system makes during long summer days and then using it during nights and winter days. The electric meter will spin backward when the home isn't using the energy generated. The meter tracks how much energy is saved, and with these readings the government can determine how much money will be credited. As Brown points to the meter she proudly chimed, "I'm a power generating system right now because my meter is running backward."

Brown also has a solar hot water heater. In a Solar Washington's handout, an average household with good solar access can generate 50 percent to 70 percent of its hot water from the sun.

Using pre-heated water means the conventional hot water system doesn't have to work as hard saving energy and money. According to Brown, without solar technologies a hot water tank needs to raise the water's temperature about 75 degrees to get desired temperatures. In a solar tank, however, water is already stored at 130 to 160 degrees. In the winter it's around 60 to 90 degrees, leaving minimal work for the traditional system.

Brown spent $6,855 on her solar water tank and admitted, "cloudy afternoons really cut into production," then let out a hearty laugh.

Photovoltaic cells and solar hot water systems are eligible for a tax credit through the Solar Incentives for Washington State Residents. Brown's lowest electric bill, which comes every two months, was for $6.51 in August 2005. Her highest bills are typically around $116.09, her bill from March 2, 2005.

While giving the tour of her energy systems Brown said, "the thing thrills me because it's a simple and easy thing to do." Other projects she has done is replaced the single-pane, aluminum frame windows with double-pane vinyl and added extra insulation in the attic.

Jeremy Smithson, founder of Puget Sound Solar, also opened his home for the tour. Not only do he and his wife, Pamela Burton, own an electric car, a 1997 Solectria Forse, but an electric bike too.

Like Brown, the Smithsons have photovoltaic cells on their roof as well as a hot water collector.

The home also is well insulated, making it quiet and warm. The interior is filled with second-hand materials such as wooden panels, windows and cabinets made from old doors. Their brick flower planters outside were made using brick from the old chimney before the roof was remodeled. "Jeremy doesn't mind buying old stuff and cleaning it up," said his wife.

Solar energy is not just a trend, but could possibly be the answer to some major environment issues. Currently the United States relies on coal, oil and natural gas for energy. These are all nonrenewable fossil fuels, meaning there is a limited supply. Fossil fuels help promote greenhouse gases, air pollution, and water and soil contamination. At some point fossil fuels will be too costly and environmentally draining to obtain. Solar energy, on the other hand, will never run out.

Homeowners can take some inexpensive and easy steps to help reduce energy use. The American Solar Energy Society pamphlet suggests replacing incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent or LED lights and replacing old appliances with energy-efficient appliances.

Smithson advised that insulation is the first step in minimizing energy because it can "reduce the heat load by two-thirds." In other words, a heavily insulated house can cut heating costs up to two-thirds.

Brown also suggested starting out small, but once a bigger project is ready to be tackled the hot water system should be first on the list because it's cheaper to install. She recommends having an expert install it.

Brown said she hopes that in 20 years, people walking past her house will point it out and note that she was one of the early users of solar power on a grand scale.

Perhaps the saying should be, "The early bird catches the sun."

Julia L. Rice is a student in the University of Washington Department of Communication News Laboratory and may be reached via wseditor@robinsonnews.com