Charlie and Catherine Reichner have a solution to rapidly increasing electricity rates: solar energy.

Through Heat Shed, Inc., the couple has been in the business of selling and installing solar panels exclusively for the past seven years or so.

Although there has been enough interest in their product to keep the Reichners in business, Catherine Reichner expects things to pick up shortly, as the federal government has passed a 30 percent tax credit to urge residents to go green and Pennsylvania, too, is busy hammering out the details of its own rebate program.

"The cool thing about solar is the minute you put it on the roof, it produces," said Reichner. "You don't have to wait for them to build another plant. The solar panels don't emit anything. They're not emitting pollutants into the air. It's clean. It's maintenance free. It's really cool stuff."

Heat Shed is based out of Revere, though the Reichners have been willing to travel for a job. For many years, the Reichners entertained invitations to perform work in New Jersey. The Garden State offers incentives for homeowners to go green.

Pennsylvania began following New Jersey's lead this summer, though Reichner doesn't expect to see a noticeable difference in participation until the beginning of 2009.

So far, Heat Shed has installed solar panels at six or seven Doylestown locations and even paid a visit to Peace Valley Nature Center.

Although solar energy is more expensive up front, Reichner said it will eventually pay dividends a few years down the road. Reichner indicated her most recent electricity bill was for -$150. Solar energy users build up credit with the electric companies in spring, summer and fall.

"We think once the first of the year comes around, we'll be busier than we can handle," said Reichner. "We try to keep our prices down, so more people can do it."

Reichner said Heat Shed receives around 10 phone calls per day inquiring about solar panels, not to mention a ton of web site hits (heatshed.com). Reichner classifies Heat Shed as a "mom-and-pop" business.

"Our goal is to get as much [solar panels] up there as we can for people," said Reichner.