Michael Strizki is able to heat and cool his house year-round and use power-intensive appliances like a hot tub and a wide-screen TV without paying any utility bills. His traditional-looking home in western New Jersey is the first in the country to demonstrate that a combination of solar and hydrogen power can produce enough electricity for a household. This project, known as the Hopewell Project, is raising awareness about US energy security and the environmental impact of burning fossil fuels. Gian-Paolo Caminiti from Renewable Energy International believes that there is a psychological benefit in taking action against climate change. Strizki operates a 3,000-square-foot house using electricity produced by photovoltaic cells on a nearby building, an electrolyzer that converts solar power into hydrogen, and hydrogen tanks for storage. During the summer, the solar panels generate more electricity than needed, which is stored as hydrogen for use in the winter. Strizki also uses the hydrogen to power his fuel-cell car, which is environmentally friendly. Solar power is a small contributor to US energy needs, but is growing in popularity and becoming more affordable. As the cost decreases and the search intensifies for clean alternatives to expensive and polluting fossil fuels, some analysts believe that solar energy is set for significant growth 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 around $500,000, with $225,000 funded by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities. New Jersey, a strong supporter of renewable energy, has a goal of having 20 percent of its energy generated from renewables by 2020 and currently has the second largest number of solar-power installations in the US, after California. The state's utility regulator endorsed the project as it aligns with the state'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 and resources from various commercial sponsors, including Exide, who donated $50,000 worth of batteries, and Swageloc, an Ohio company that provided stainless steel piping worth around $28,000. Strizki also contributed about $100,000 of his own money. While the initial cost may be prohibitive for most individuals, Strizki and his team emphasize that the project is meant to be easily replicated at a lower cost. After covering the initial research and design expenses, the estimated cost for replication would be around $100,000, according to Strizki. However, Marchant Wentworth from the Union of Concerned Scientists believes this cost is still too high for widespread replication. In order for such installations to become widely adopted, they would need to have the capability to sell extra power to the grid, creating a revenue source that could attract investment, according to Wentworth. Caminiti suggests that the cost of the hydrogen/solar system comes out to around $4,000 per year when the $100,000 cost is spread out over the expected 25-year lifespan. This is significantly higher than the average $1,500 per year that the typical American homeowner spends on energy, as reported by the federal government. Even when factoring in an average of $1,000 per car annually for gasoline costs, the renewable energy option is still more expensive than a combination of grid power and gasoline. For Strizki and his team, the importance of the house goes beyond just financial considerations. It represents a commitment to energy security in a time when the government is trying to decrease reliance on fossil fuels from the Middle East, and it is also a way to maintain a lifestyle without contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. This project is a passion project for Strizki, who has dedicated his life to improving the planet.