BUSINESS INVESTS IN SOLAR POWER SOLAR CELLS CUT POWER COSTS BY AS MUCH AS HALF.

Byline: Nicholas Grudin Staff Writer

VALENCIA - Everybody loves the sunshine, but Santa Clarita aerospace manufacturer Paul Akian has been enjoying the rays more than usual for the past week.

Akian has installed more than 40,000 square feet of solar panels on the roof of his air-filter manufacturing plant in Valencia. He expects to nearly halve his electricity costs immediately, and to recover all of his overhead investment in just five years.

``We believe we will save between $6,000 and $7,000 per month,'' said Akian, as he strolled on the expansive roof of his warehouse, now half- covered in slanted, shiny panels. ``And it requires no maintenance except for washing.''

Akian's business, Western Filter Corp., is benefiting from the state's Self Generation Incentive Program, which offers significant tax credits for companies that invest in solar systems. With those breaks and similar federal credits, it was the easiest $875,000 that Akian ever spent.

And if everything goes to plan, Akian will double the size of his solar power system in the years to come.

``I look at this as a business issue as well as an environmental issue,'' he said.

Akian's sprawling solar panels will generate more than 200 kilowatts per hour, nearly half of his company's peak usage of 500. And when the plant is closed on weekends, the energy produced by his panels will be fed into Southern California Edison's power grid and recorded as credits for his company to use at a later date.

So, not only is Akian saving himself money, but he is also taking pressure off - and in some cases, giving electricity back to - the strained power grid that gave out in 2000 during the California energy crisis.

``The purpose of the self-generation incentive is a peak reduction program; anything that reduces peak load helps the state out,'' said Howard Green, SGIP manager for Southern California Edison.

According to Green, Akian is one of a growing number of business owners realizing the efficiency of solar systems.

``I am absolutely booked solid - in the first year (2000), we had 50 applications. The next year we had 80. Last year I had 115. And now I'm almost to 100 and it's only April ... California's program is the leading program in the United States.''

Akian's solar system is the largest ever installed by California Green Designs, a private contractor that specializes in industrial and residential systems.

Green Designs executives tout Akian's project as an example of how businesses should address rising energy costs, as well as environmental concerns.

``Solar energy is safe, quiet, maintenance free and clean. And after five years, it's free,'' said Sevan Varteressian, president of the Encino-based company.

What deters many companies and residences from pursuing solar energy is the cost, experts say, but California's credits are making it not only feasible, but highly advisable.

Nicholas Grudin, [phone]

nicholas.grudin(at)dailynews.com