Meter runs backward at storage facility

Installation of a solar power system paid off in a big way for the owners of a Lyon County storage facility.

Ron and Sharon Palmer, owners of Pack-it, Stor-it, Park-It in Fernley say their utility bills averaged about $600 a month to light the facility, outside signage, and power an on-site manger's residence. In October contractor Hamilton Solar completed installation of a 110-panel photovoltaic facility the Palmers believe it's the largest solar facility in Lyon County and the Palmer's next utility bill was a credit of $873. Subsequent bills were credits of $800 and $770.

"The meter is running backward," Ron Palmer says. "We are generating more electricity per month than we are using."

Cost for the solar facility was around $138,000, and the Palmers received a rebate of $51,000 from NV Energy and an additional grant of $41,500 from the federal government. Ron Palmer estimates the facility will pay for his out-of-pocket expenses in 50 to 60 months.

The facility, which uses propane for heat at a cost of about $3,000 per year, also plans to eliminate its use of gas and switch to electrical heat generation. The Palmers estimate they will be saving about $10,000 annually from reduced energy consumption.

With room to expand the 600-unit facility, Palmer says he could have a 1,000- to 1,200-unit facility and virtually no utility bills, which significantly adds to the value of the property.