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CNN Live Sunday

Some Californians Generating Their Own Energy

Aired June 03, 2001 - 18:18   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.
STEPHEN FRAZIER, CNN ANCHOR: In California, as we've learned during the past few weeks, residents are paying some of the most electricity bills in the nation. But not everyone is. Some people are generating their own energy to power their homes. CNN technology correspondent Rick Lockridge is taking a look at some homeowners who are off the grid.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: As you can see, we have a full size electric refrigerator.

RICK LOCKRIDGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Bob Foster and his wife Mary Beth are quite the power couple in their remote Southern California subdivision.

BOB FOSTER: Why would you want a big old TV if you are trying to scrimp on power? Or three or four computers? We said we want to live here like ordinary people.

LOCKRIDGE: But unlike other Californians, the Fosters don't worry that power shortages will leave them in the dark. They've built their own power company.

FOSTER: Now, we have a house that's completely powered by solar.

LOCKRIDGE: There is no power grid here on this mountain side 60 miles from San Diego. So, the 80 or so families who live in this community must each generate all their own juice.

FOSTER: Right now, the sun is beginning to set. We're generating about 9 amps.

LOCKRIDGE: But a full days power supply has already been stored in these golf cart batteries, they've spent about $15,000 on their solar system and a rarely used backup generator.

Going solar is expensive. Each 50 watt panel cost $300. Artist Fay McQueen has 8, barely enough to get by.

FAY MCQUEEN, SOLAR POWER USER: I can maybe watch TV for two hours. I don't want to run it all the way down.

LOCKRIDGE: But the satisfaction of being off the power grid. A little bit down the mountain side, the musical Joneses are trying to do more with less.

Supporting their bluegrass band, David's violin-repair business, and a small winery, with just eight 40 watt panels and a small LP generator.

DAVID NOEL JONES, SOLAR POWER USER: And it can be interesting. When people are here late at night we tell them, always keep a flashlight nearby, or if the lights go off, just stand still. We'll get it back on.

LOCKRIDGE: Scientist keep telling us that in the near future, advances in solar cell and fuel cell technology will enable every household to have its own power plant. At that point the people who live here will have the perfect right to say, what took you so long?

Rick Lockridge, CNN, Southern California.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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