PROTECTING THE ENVIROMENT AND SAVING MONEY IN THE LONG RUN

There's an interesting story in today's Orlando Sentinel about one case where a homeowner saves money by using solar energy to power his house...and sells the leftovers to the local electric utility.

With fuel prices continuing to head upward, and electric bills rising as a result, we need to seriously look at alternative methods. This fellow seems to be doing it right.

But it comes at a price. The solar panels, eight batteries, other related equipment, and extra insulation for his home cost $41,000. The owner says that it should eventually pay for itself, in ten to 20 years...maybe sooner if prices continue to rise.

It's not the only way that he's working to save energy: He also has a electric-hybrid Toyota Prius, which the EPA rates at up to 60 MPG for highway use.