Oct. 5--Homeowner Matthew Stowell of Dublin loves it when AEP raises rates.

That's because the 24 solar panels on his roof generate all the electricity he needs, and then some.

Whatever he can't use goes back into the power grid and is purchased by AEP at a wholesale rate. The more electricity costs to generate, the more he makes.

According to his latest bill, the company owes him $50.

"I used to not use the air conditioner very much because I'm a cheapskate. But this summer, I used it all the time," said the 39-year-old teacher, who had his system installed in December by Third Sun Solar and Wind Power of Athens.

"It really is like having your own little power station."

Stowell's two-story home was one of 29 local stops on the sixth Ohio Solar Tour, a three-day event organized by Green Energy Ohio to educate people about renewable energy.

The tours, held across Ohio and other states this weekend, include visits to homes, businesses and farms. Solar electric, solar thermal, wind and geothermal applications are on display.

One local stop was the governor's house in Bexley, where solar panels on a carriage house provide outdoor lighting. Another was Whole Foods Market on the Northwest Side, which recently converted a catering van to run on the store's used vegetable oil.

Tour organizers said rising energy prices and environmental concerns are making this year's tour the most popular yet.

"People want to do the right thing environmentally, but also want the savings," said Sarah Straley, program manager for Green Energy Ohio, a nonprofit group that promotes renewable energy.

About 50 people walked into Stowell's backyard yesterday to see the panels on his roof. They wanted to know how much they cost, what they look like and whether they work.

"All my life I've been thinking about this," said Bob Chapman, who owns a Ford dealership in Marysville and is considering solar panels to generate electricity and a thermal hot-water system for his house near Dublin.

"I want to see if I can set my house up to be energy-independent."

Stowell took the plunge after visiting homes on last year's tour.

He chose photovoltaic panels that cost $41,500. That was offset by an $18,000 state grant and a $2,000 federal tax credit.

Stowell expects his $21,500 out-of-pocket expense to pay for itself in 10 to 12 years.

"To me, that's like the price of a small car," he said. "It's a better investment than the stock market right now."

Another benefit: His conversion has kept 5 tons of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere -- the system he installed keeps track.

"While the financial payback takes a little while, the environmental payback is immediate," Stowell said.

For more information, go to www.greenenergyohio.org.

jsheban@dispatch.com

"It's a better investment than the stock market right now."

Matthew Stowell solar-panel user

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