Now two-and-a-half years off the grid, Ships Point resident Rotraut Knopp can depend on one thing: when the power goes out, she keeps going.
“When it’s dark around me, my house shines bright.”
Knopp, 73, has been living without electricity supplied from BC Hydro since Oct. 30, 2014, when the company cut off power to her trailer after she stopped paying her monthly legacy meter fee for her analog meter.
Following a month of propane heat and oil lamps, Knopp installed solar panels from Cumberland-based Hakai Energy Solution.
Now, after a few years of adjusting to solar, Knopp said she doesn’t look at the investment as a money-saver, but rather as a requirement for the lifestyle she chose.
“I bought it because I didn’t want to be attached to BC Hydro. I see it as something I need - like a car or a house - I don’t get money back but I use them all the time. I have power when the power goes out; I don’t want to be cut off in the wintertime.”
Because of health implications, Knopp refused to have a smart meter installed, and had been paying the usage portion of her hydro bill, but refused the monthly fee.
In spring 2014, the B.C. Utilities Commission approved BC Hydro’s request for a monthly charge of around $30 for reading an analog meter and administration fees.
Knopp said she owed more than $150 in fees, but the idea of paying to restore the service or installing a smart meter was not an option.
She explained depending on solar power has given her a sense of empowerment, and she admitted to learning more about consumption and the weather.
“It’s all quite fascinating; you get to know the climate, and I know how to work things out. I can tell now after these years how much (power) I will need, and when I need to use the generator.”
With a detailed log, Knopp keeps an eye on her usage, as she has had to replace the batteries on the unit.
Since her switch, Knopp knows of a few other friends who have converted their homes to solar energy, but she noted it isn’t for everyone, particularly those who have dark areas on their property or a significant amount of tree coverage.
“Overall, it’s going well, and I’m learning a lot.”