California taking power of sun mainstream

On a sunny winter morning, Reg Gage’s electric meter is spinning backward — and that’s good. It means the 36 rooftop solar panels are producing more electricity than his new five-bedroom house is using.

The surplus electricity goes out to the "grid" — back to his utility, Pacific Gas & Electric Co. — and Gage gets a credit that lowers next month’s bill.

"Any savings you can get you need to take, because energy is very, very expensive," says Gage, 61, a high-school math teacher. "I don’t anticipate the energy crisis getting any better. I think it’s going to get exceedingly worse."

By John Ritter, USA TODAY

Full Story: http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2006-03-08-california-solar_x.htm