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home on solar energy, using the huge panel he plopped down in the front yard.
He has traded small solar systems to Brazilian missionaries in need of a dependable power source, getting plenty of good coffee in return. And to make a little money, he began selling low-voltage Christmas lights and providing electricity for events using solar batteries.
His work brought him to the attention of David Gilmour, a retired professor at the University of Puget Sound who was planning to build a home in Idaho.
With some trepidation, Mr. Gilmour said, he hired Mr. Thompson to equip the house for solar energy. After spending $70,000 for parts and labor, Mr. Gilmour's home also has reverse meter readings, along with plenty of hot water and a heated floor.
"It works very well," he said, adding that he had learned Mr. Thompson's strengths and weaknesses, including a generous nature, a short fuse and terrible business acumen.
"He's an old hippie," Mr. Gilmour said. "He's irascible and can get angry quickly at people's lack of information.
"It's because of so many years of frustration," he added. "But he's only concerned about the world finally getting savvy."
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