Columbia resident Len Berkowitz was one of the first Howard County residents to take advantage of a new county tax credit program for installing solar panels on his roof to heat the water in his house.

After about six months, Berkowitz, who owns Great Panes glass studio in Historic Ellicott City, is feeling the benefits of the investment.

Q What made you decide to outfit your house with solar panels?

A I wanted to go all the way with electricity and water, but I live in a town house, and the square footage wasn’t enough [for electricity]. We are still checking into the possibility of doing that.

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But there was more than enough [square feet] for solar. I have a south-facing house, so I get sunlight quite regularly.

Q What was the process for researching and installing the solar panels?

A We contacted a local company called [Jessup-based] Chesapeake Wind and Solar and asked them to check the feasibility.

They have a meter that has a sunscope on it, so we went on the roof.

[The Chesapeake Wind and Solar representative] sat there for about two minutes, pulled out a calendar that reads how much sun you get year-round and said it would work fine.

We might have a little trouble between fall and winter, because there are still leaves on the trees and the sun is lower, but other than that, it wouldn’t be a problem.

Q What did the system cost?

A I think the total projected cost was $7,000. That was pretty much the going rate for the area, and I wanted to work locally.

Q Why is this important to you?

A I wanted to reduce my energy consumption and the cost of it and to be off the grid, so to speak, and out of the consumerism of our society. Those are the two main reasons to do it, and I have accomplished both of those goals.

We are averaging about a 40 percent reduction in electricity. It’s a significant savings. I am shocked actually. ... And we have more than enough hot water.

Q Tell me about the tax credits you took advantage of.

A Guy Guzzone initiated a solar tax credit just before he left office on the County Council [last fall]. He told me at a meeting during Ken Ulman’s campaign that he had done that, and I went the next day and called the county. When I went to get the paperwork, they hadn’t developed the outline for the paperwork yet, so I was put on a list.

The credit was $1,500 for solar water heating. And then I applied for a state rebate of just over $2,000, and they send you a check.

There were also federal tax credits of $1,500 for federal taxes, so I took all three.

I don’t think it will take a very long time for me to be in the positive on this, that’s for sure. But I certainly think if everyone did this who could, we would certainly reduce our consumption a lot more.

AT A GLANCE

Solar hot water panels absorb the sun’s heat and transfer the heat to a nontoxic antifreeze solution, which flows through the panels.

This liquid transfers its heat to the water used for showering, cleaning and doing dishes.

Source: Chesapeake Wind and Solar LLC

smichael@baltimoreexaminer.com