First solar panels rise in Bluffton's Rose Hill community
Solar panels now grace a home in Bluffton's Rose Hill community, following the installation of one of the largest home solar systems in Beaufort County this week.
The gated community is only the latest to embrace the sometimes-conspicious form of renewable energy. Sun City Hilton Head lifted its ban on solar panels in May.
While Rose Hill had plenty of questions about the 42-panel project for a home on Sumter Street, Wind Turbines of South Carolina assured the community it would be as aesthetically pleasing as it is environmentally friendly, said Sam Kirkland, co-owner of the Bluffton-based company.
"They were very, very receptive," Kirkland said. "I think, frankly, there will be an explosion of interest as folks see the panels go up."
The 12-kilowatt project was completed Wednesday evening at the home of Beaufort County Associate Probate Judge Heather Galvin and her husband, Bluffton attorney Greg Galvin. The panels, all-black to blend in with the design of the roof, should produce about as much energy as the home uses, Greg Galvin said Thursday.
Though they cannot sell extra energy back to Palmetto Electric Cooperative, the couple will receive a credit toward their utility bills for the year, Kirkland said
"It's pretty neat," Greg Galvin said. "I'm thinking it also may cool down our house a little, because it's acting as a shield from the sun's rays."
Galvin presented the project to Rose Hill in June, according to Wind Turbines co-owner Greg Courtney.
Beaufort County building codes inspectors will review the panels this week, and Palmetto Electric will inspect the system Monday or Tuesday before replacing its meter, Kirkland said.
The 42 panels make it one of the largest solar energy systems in the area, Kirkland said. He knows of only three other systems in Beaufort or Jasper counties that produce 10 kilowatts or more, though there are several others producing less than five.
Wind Turbines of South Carolina has installed only one other project in the county, a residential system on Lady's Island, Kirkland said.
He declined to say how much the Galvins' project cost, though he added that solar-panel systems range in price from $3.15 to $3.75 per watt, and his company is on the lower end. That would put the home's system at a cost of at least $37,800.
Greg Galvin said the 25 percent South Carolina tax credit and 30 percent federal tax credit for installing solar energy systems made renewable energy a more attractive option.
He said it should pay for itself in about seven years, or sooner if Palmetto Electric substantially increases its rates.
He's looking forward to tracking his production online starting next week.
"It's pretty exciting," Galvin said.
Follow reporter Rebecca Lurye on Twitter at twitter.com/IPBG_Rebecca.
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This story was originally published July 30, 2015 at 1:12 PM with the headline "First solar panels rise in Bluffton's Rose Hill community."