Michael Strizki is able to heat and cool his home year-round, run various appliances, and even power a hot tub and wide-screen TV without having to pay any utility bills. His house in New Jersey is the first in the US to demonstrate that a mix of solar and hydrogen power can provide all the necessary electricity for a household. The Hopewell Project, located near a town of the same name, is a response to growing concerns about US energy security and the environmental impact of fossil fuels. Gian-Paolo Caminiti of Renewable Energy International, the project's commercial arm, believes that taking action against climate change can have a positive impact and provide a sense of fulfillment. Strizki operates a 3,000-square-foot house using electricity from a 1,000-square-foot roof covered in photovoltaic cells, an electrolyzer that converts solar power into hydrogen from water, and hydrogen tanks to store the gas for later use. During the summer, the solar panels generate excess electricity which is stored as hydrogen for use in the winter when solar power alone is not enough to meet the house's needs. Strizki also uses the hydrogen to power his fuel-cell car, which is environmentally friendly. Solar power currently only accounts for 0.1 percent of US energy needs, but the number of photovoltaic installations is increasing and the cost of solar panels is decreasing annually. As the cost of fossil fuels continues to decrease and the search for cleaner alternatives accelerates, some analysts believe that solar energy is on track for a significant expansion in the next five to 10 years. The New Jersey project, which was completed in October 2006 after four years of planning and construction, had a total cost of approximately $500,000, with $225,000 funded by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities. New Jersey, a strong advocate for renewable energy, has a goal of obtaining 20 percent of its energy from renewables by 2020 and currently has the second largest number of solar-power installations in the US, behind only California. The state's utility regulator supported the project as it aligns with New Jersey's renewable energy objectives, according to Doyal Siddell, a spokesperson for the agency. He stated that the solar-hydrogen residence project presents a significant opportunity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming. The project received support from various commercial sponsors, including Exide and Swageloc, who provided equipment and expertise. Strizki also contributed $100,000 of his own money. While the initial cost may be prohibitive for many, Strizki and his team emphasize that the project is meant to be replicated and that the prototype's price is higher than what imitators would pay. After covering research and design expenses, the estimated cost would be around $100,000. However, this price is still considered too high for widespread replication, according to Marchant Wentworth of the Union of Concerned Scientists. In order for such installations to be widely adopted, they would need to have the capability to sell excess power to the grid, creating a source of income that could attract investors, according to Wentworth. Caminiti argues that the hydrogen/solar system costs about $4,000 per year when the $100,000 initial cost is spread out over the expected 25-year lifespan of the equipment. This is significantly higher than the average US homeowner's annual energy expenditure of $1,500, as reported by the government. Even when factoring in gasoline costs of around $1,000 per car annually, the renewable energy option remains more expensive than a combination of grid and gasoline. For Strizki and his team, the significance of the house goes beyond just financial considerations. It represents a commitment to energy security in a time when the government is aiming to lessen reliance on Middle Eastern fossil fuels, and it symbolizes a sustainable lifestyle that does not contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. Strizki, who is 51 years old, views this project as his life's purpose, stating, "I have devoted myself to improving the environment."