RED WING, Minn. -- Matt and Joan Majovski try to be environmentally friendly where they can. They drive small, fuel-efficient cars, switched to a push lawnmower, use a rain barrel and are thinking about getting Energy Star appliances.
But recently, the Red Wing couple took a somewhat bigger step in their efforts to conserve.
Thirty-two cobalt-blue glassy panels making up a solar power array were recently installed in the couple's backyard and will cut costs while producing "green" energy.
"It seems like the responsible thing to do in this age," Joan Majovski said.
And in the long term, the system should benefit more than the Majovskis.
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"It's zero emissions, it's silent energy, and it lasts for a long time," said Brian Allen, vice president of All Energy Solar, the company that set up the system.
When the Majovskis started considering solar, they were told the configuration of their house and yard would keep them from going the traditional route of installing panels on the roof.
But All Energy Solar suggested a different setup -- a ground-mounted system that would provide just as much energy for the home.
The system offers a chance to utilize solar despite small roofs or a lot of tree cover near a house, Allen said.
"Solar can be installed a lot of different ways to make it fit with your needs," Allen said, citing the yard setup and other options such as building a gazebo or shed with the panels on top.
The Majovskis got a variance from the city to install the ground setup.
Maintenance on the system should be little to none, Joan Majovski said.
In the winter, snow should melt and slide off the smooth glass panels, Allen said. And panels are more pitched to make the process even simpler.
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Snow doesn't hamper the system, Allen added.
"When it's cold out, the panels actually are more efficient," Allen said. "And when it's sunny and cold out, that's when we see our highest usage."
The most difficult part of the project was simply the time, the Majovskis said. A solar project can take up to three months just to organize on top of construction and inspections.
"It's the preparation beforehand that's the time-consuming aspect of solar," Allen said.
The projects must go through the electric utility company - in this case, Xcel Energy - as well as local governments if permits are needed. Also, since All Energy's systems are custom-designed, it can take up to six weeks to get all the pieces together.
And this summer, construction hit a few delays due to the weather, especially scorching temperatures.
The process took longer than expected, the Majovskis said. Originally, they expected to flip the switch on the system by the end of June, but it has been up and running for less than two weeks.
But now that they can take advantage of the panels, the Majovskis are excited to see the system in action.
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Inside, solar users see no difference in functionality or power, Allen said.
"It can provide so much (electricity) that it actually feeds electric back into the grid," Allen explained. Xcel buys back that extra power for the same rate the Majovskis pay, Matt said, and puts a credit on their tab.
Solar has recently become a more popular option in the Midwest, Allen said, especially with new financial incentives.
"It's something the state is promoting, and something Xcel's promoting," he said. Federal tax credits are available for the projects as well.
The solar system offers a web-based monitoring system that can be checked online anywhere, showing how much electricity they've produced and used, Matt said.
"We're more aware of our usage and turning off lights and those sorts of things," said Joan. "We really see how much (electricity) we do use."
Depending on the price for electricity, usage and other factors, the system should pay for itself within 10-20 years.
"So it's not a real quick turnaround," Matt said. "But this is the sort of thing we'd rather do than take a trip or something," he added. "We enjoy being here and working on the house."
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All Energy Solar and the Majovskis will hold a barbeque and informational night Sept. 9 and encourage anyone interested in learning more about solar energy to stop by. Red Wing City Council members and other local officials were invited as well.
