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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2009-10-15, Page 12Twenty solar panels on his roof is Dr. Maarten Bokhout’s way of giving back. In addition to the solar panels, Bokhout has installed solar water heaters on his roof as well, all in an effort to ease the burden on the planet due to current demands for unrenewable resources. Approximately four years ago, Bokhout installed what would be the first piece of his solar power puzzle. He installed 20 110-watt solar panels on his roof and one year later he installed two solar water heating panels. To this day, however, while the water heater services his home well, he has refused to be paid back for the power he is feeding back into the energy grid through his house’s panels. “This way I can be part of the process that benefits the future. That’s what I can contribute,” he said. “Hopefully what I’m doing can show some insight into how to do more with what we have and now I have a way to demonstrate it.” Bokhout says he has been interested in solar power since he first heard about it when he was a child. He said that his knowledge of using the sun for power happened around the space race and it was something that stayed in the back of his mind ever since. “A lot of these measures are possible,” Bokhout says. “People just need to be prepared to think differently.” Bokhout acknowledges that not everyone necessarily has the resources he does because of his profession (he currently works in Clinton as a family physician). Once his expenses became reasonable, he said he finally had a chance to do something with solar panels and jumped at the opportunity. Now, however, with his children through school, he felt he had the means to experiment with solar panels and to this day, he says, he has yet to have a problem with any of the technology. Solar technology, however, isn’t the only way Bokhout has increased the efficiency of his Blyth-area home. There is also extra insulation in the walls, ceilings and windows and he also uses an energy-efficient wood heater to heat the house. Over the course of his life, however, there was no moment of awakening or a moment of realization with renewable energy, he has also thought this way he has looked at the planet as something that needs to be preserved, notexhausted, so when given the chance, he has made the most of it. “I don’t think people appreciate that we’re raping the Earth to get the food for today,” he said. “Unrenewable resources are unrenewable for a reason. We’re endangering our food supply and our resources because of what we’re doing right now.” Bokhout says that a more sustainable way of living is essential for the position we have found ourselves in with regards to the planet and that people may have forgotten with the recent break in fuel costs. “When fuel costs went up just after Hurricane Katrina, that was the excuse and people expected them togo back down,” he said. “It isn’t that way and while we’re experiencing a break now, they’ll be back up soon because of the demand.” Bokhout also says that he and other residents of Huron County can find themselves in an advantageous position when it comes to renewable energy. Not every household in Ontario has the means to facilitate renewable energy. On most houses in the country, however, there is space to work with if people begin to think differently. Bokhout says that while the problems facing the human race can’t be solved immediately, what PAGE 12. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2009. Giving back Dr. Maarten Bokhout got into the solar energy game about four years ago and has been giving power back to the grid ever since. He refuses payment for the power he puts back in, saying that he looks at it as his contribution back to the world. (Shawn Loughlin photo) Giving back to the grid one family’s contribution Wingham 519-357-4300 Qualifying models for EcoEnergy Grant and Home Renovation Tax Credit www.comfortcentre.com Receive up to a $1000 REBATE* with purchase of qualifying Lennox® home comfort products. Call Us Today Offer expires 11/30/2009. * Rebate offer is valid only with purchase of qualifying Lennox products. ©2009 Lennox Industries Inc. See your Lennox dealer for details. Lennox dealers include independently owned and operated businesses. One offer available per qualifying purchase. BLAKESTYLE DESIGN & DRAFTING - Residential and Agricultural Building Design - Certified Building Plans - Realistic 3-Dimensional computer generated models to help see exactly what your new building or renovation will look like from all angles 519-887-8102 CHRIS BLAKE 519-955-2343 KRAEMER CONCRETE LTD. “Do It In Concrete” R.R. #1 Brunner, ON 519-595-2343 888-746-4525 220 Industrial Park Drive Brussels, ON 519-887-8763 Jim Kraemer Paul Kraemer By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen Continued on page 13