HANOVER TWP. — Nathan Chamberlin has always been fascinated by the power of the sun.

The 33-year-old business owner said he has always been interested in solar energy, citing a project he did in the third grade as his first step toward the industry. What then seemed like a dream to harness the sun’s energy turned into an adult dream to get into the solar panel business.

For four years, his company, Extreme Audio and Video, offered home theater and automation services such as lighting control. With customers often requesting systems that reduce energy usage, and with a desire to make his business more “green,” he said it was just a natural step to go solar.

So he created a new business division, Extreme Solar and Alternative Energy Solutions, to order and install solar panel systems on homes and offices across the region.

The systems are pricey, with one capable of producing about 7,000 watts of energy averaging $40,000. Most home systems are about 4,000 watts and can power about one-third of the home, Chamberlin said.

Despite the steep price tag, he argues that the actual cost is minimal if spread out over a 30-year mortgage. With energy costs like electric and natural gas continuing to increase, he said residents can secure a locked-in price for solar energy that will be the same as long as the sun shines.

“Everyone has it in their mind that this is so overly expensive that they can’t afford it, but if you look at the cost you are paying to Duke (Energy) already, it is very similar to the cost of this system broken up over your mortgage,” he said.

There also are state grants available that will pay $3 per watt of the system, up to $25,000 for residential and $150,000 for commercial users. A federal tax credit also is available for up to 30 percent of the cost, minus any state grants.

“There are a lot of incentives out there to offset the cost, and once it is paid off, the system starts paying you,” Chamberlin said. “Realistically you’re paying yourself your utility bill instead of paying your bill to the utility company. And in terms of property value, it goes up.”

For more information on Extreme Solar or Extreme Audio, call (513) 895-0697 or visit www.extremeaudioand video.us.

The business is located at 1867 Millville-Oxford Road, Hanover Twp.