Photo by Mike Brothers
Owner Mike Fowler, foreground, checks solar panel for connection while Sullivan utility lineman Kim Miller makes sure the connection to the city power grid is safe.

Dual System Pays Back

•October 5, 2016•

By Redi Kilowatt
for the News Progress

Mike and Donna Fowler live in the first home in Sullivan operated on dual solar power and conventional electrical service.

The city of Sullivan installed the dual operation service meter Sept. 30, and the solar panels were activated moments later for a system that Mike can monitor from his smart phone.

It was a journey with an unlikely beginning.

“My wife and I needed to remodel our kitchen, so we went to a home show in Springfield for ideas,” Mike began.

A retired member of the IBEW, Fowler admitted he was always interested in solar farms and solar electricity.

While shopping for kitchens with Donna, Mike met a guy with a solar systems booth set up at the home show.     Login or Subscribe to read the rest of this story.