Richard Beilstein – AZ

Solar saves Arizona homeowner thousands in energy expenses

By: Gabe Hutchison

Tucked away in Topock, Arizona, just north of Lake Havasu City, homeowner Richard Beilstein is making use of the state’s most abundant resource — the sun.

Richard’s energy demand is high. The retired engineer has a 1,800-square-foot home and a 2,000-square-foot machine shop on his property. In Topock, where summer temperatures average over 100 degrees, keeping both cool is expensive. In 2022, he went solar to lower his energy expenses and reduce his reliance on utility electric power.

“My bills were starting to get to be $600–$700, [even] $800 a month in the summer,” shared Richard. To offset these costs, he installed a 24-kilowatt solar array. To get the maximum value out of the energy produced by the system and keep his house cool during grid outages, he added a 24-kilowatt-hour battery backup. Richard saved on the upfront cost of his installation through the 30% solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC). Solar systems, including the optional batteries, are eligible for the credit. The ITC lowered his cost to go solar by $25,000.

Becoming his own source of power is paying off, the system is offsetting 100% of his net energy needs. “Over the year I don’t pay anything,” said Richard. “I would probably be paying $7,000 per year without solar.” His batteries are having the desired effect as well. Excess electricity produced during the day is stored, allowing him to keep his air conditioning running at night without drawing additional power from the utility grid.

Reducing this financial strain is helping Richard to make the most of this stage of life. “I’m retired so I can enjoy my life, and I’m not saddled with that horrible bill every month,” he said.

After experiencing the benefits of energy independence, Richard hopes solar becomes more accessible for Arizonans. “How do we get the benefits to the people, especially in Arizona?” he asked. “Most people are retired here; they don’t make a whole lot of money. This would supplement their income tremendously.”

To date, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) provides the best answer. The IRA helped Richard lower his costs and also expanded access to solar energy for individuals who cannot benefit from incentives like the ITC. The legislation provides funding for grants to low- and moderate-income households, promotes community solar initiatives, and assists nonprofits and local governments in developing solar solutions for underserved communities. Together, these measures aim to make solar energy more accessible and affordable for a broader range of individuals.

Richard is eager to see the promise of this expanded access take root in his community. “I live in Arizona. The greatest resource that we have here is sun,” he reflected. “Why wouldn’t we share this resource?”