Community Green Energy Announces Winner of 2009 Solar Roof Sweepstakes

Jan. 19, 2010 - PRLog -- Community Green Energy announced that, after 9 months and almost 190,000 entries, the winner of the Solar Roof Sweepstakes is David Siegfried of Vienna, Ohio. Mr. Siegfried will receive a 1 kilowatt solar panel, converter box, mounting hardware and all wiring necessary to integrate it into the electrical system of his house.

As was true for many of the entrants in the sweepstakes, Mr. Siegfried is no stranger to green energy; he currently uses a small wind turbine to supply some of his electric use. “Well, maybe TINY wind would describe the current system better than small wind,” he says. The Siegfrieds will use their solar prize to partially power their house, an 1882 registered two-story farm house and barn. "We are energy conscious," said Siegfried. "fluorescent bulbs throughout the house, energy efficient appliances, and newer LCD TVs set to High Power Save. Everything we can do to knock a bit more off our grid use and our monthly bill is a plus all around."

"We were pleased to see, based on feedback from the sweepstakes, how many people are either currently using, or considering using, green energy," said Community Green Energy president Fritz Kreiss. "It's a clear indication that interest in small-scale green energy is strong. The sweepstakes also helped to promote awareness of the DSIRE Web site (www.dsireusa.org), the online database of government incentives supporting green energy. It's all part of Community Green Energy's mission to promote small-scale green energy right now."

Mr. Siegfried has visited the DSIRE site since being announced as the winner of the Solar Roof Sweepstakes, and in doing so may have found a way to turn his 1k win into a 2k win. "I found that Ohio is offering a $3.00 per watt grant for systems that are 2k and up. We may be able to work it that by combining the Solar Roof Sweepstakes prize with state incentives, and using a local installer, I can double the value of the prize and maybe even pay for the installation costs. It's pretty exciting. The current financial situation in this country has had a direct impact on my family this year, and money to invest in the house is pretty tight. This could end up making a big win even bigger."

"We didn't expect that this sweepstakes would turn into a lesson on the value of government incentives for green energy, but there you have it," adds Kreiss. "Incentives work, especially in tough economic times. It's money well spent."

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Community Green Energy is an independent organization founded to finance green energy installations in communities throughout the country through local Initiatives. Businesses, organizations and government institutions who join their local Initiatives help fund the Initiative through day to day business transactions. In return, they receive free green marketing credits and access to new customers and cost savings. Community Green Energy uses the funds to finance and promote green energy installations in the local community. Learn more at http://www.communitygreenenergy.com