Green Energy in Lima - Hometownstations.com-WLIO- Lima, OH News Weather Sports

Green Energy in Lima

The wind and sun are energy sources everyone is familiar with, but few are taking advantage of. This week, Green Energy Ohio held a tour to show Ohioans how businesses and home owners are taking advantage of the wind and sun.

240 solar panels, providing 180 watts each, now sit in the front yard of home owner Henry Gerad. Henry's solar panels make up the largest residential solar array in Ohio, making his home an important stop on Ohio's Green Energy Tour. Henry's decision to install solar panels just one year later in 2011, had little to do with saving money, but rather a general concern for the future of his grandchildren.

On Saturday, the Gerad residence was one of three solar energy locations being toured, with stops in Perrysburg and Maumee. Yellow Springs Renewable Energy, who installed the solar array on the Gerad residence, has seen an increase in interest for solar panels, saying there are two factors that drive people to green energy, the environment and cost savings.

Compared to energy rates from last year, Henry and his wife have saved more than four thousand dollars from January through September of this year. With all of the savings, the Gerad's look to have their solar panels paid for in seven years, with each year after that resulting in an income.