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American Morning

California Energy Crisis Solution: Solar Power?

Aired June 12, 2001 - 09:31   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: California may not be out of the woods just yet, but its energy crisis is easing up. Wholesale electricity prices and natural gas prices are now down. Many experts credit conservation and alternative energy sources for that. And when it comes to alternative sources, some residents now are looking toward the sun.

CNN's Thelma Gutierrez explains that.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

THELMA GUTIERREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Springtime in Los Angeles.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Solar Electrical Systems.

GUTIERREZ: The solar business is booming: from solar energy, to heat swimming pools...

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Our crews are working six, sometimes seven days a week.

GUTIERREZ: ... to solar electrical systems to power appliances.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We call this Y2K squared.

GUTIERREZ: California residents like Gary Ono are turning to the sun to cut back on what he says are ridiculously high electric bills, bills that total more than $1,800 a year.

GARY ONO, SOLAR CUSTOMER: It's a lot of money. Come summer, you know, when you have to turn the air conditioner on, the bills just double.

GUTIERREZ: So the Onos had these solar panels installed on their roof. And take a close look at what's happening: Their meter is actually spinning backwards, which is very good for the Onos.

MRS. ONO, SOLAR CUSTOMER: We should not have any electrical bills.

GUTIERREZ (on camera): But solar systems aren't cheap. The Onos paid $18,000 for theirs. As an incentive, the state gave them a $5,800 rebate. So their system ended up costing about $12,000.

ONO: We hope to recover and come out even in about five to six years.

GUTIERREZ (voice-over): The Onos are retired. They live on a fixed income. But they say their solar system is a long-term investment. And when it comes to alternative energy, they say the big question is how much you're willing to sacrifice today for tomorrow.

Thelma Gutierrez, CNN, Los Angeles.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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