Our Solar Project Has Started

On Friday they started installing the conduit that will hold the wires. They installed the cut off box. So if need be, the feed to the grid can be shut off. The pipe that runs down the side of the house was painted to match our siding. You can hardly see it.

The Electrician made the measurement and talked us through their plans for Monday. I really like that. So far all the installers have been very informative and experienced. These are people who are Masters and have had their own businesses. Now working for the Solar company we are using. Most of them had to seek a company to employ them because the work , due to our economy, just wasn't there to continue with their own Business. I think it was a good move for them. Continuing to use their skills while in this recession and helping with the Green alternative is a great choice. Having these type of workers are far better than just some newbie that has had a year or two training. When you are spending thousands of dollars on a project, it really makes a difference in the workmanship. It needs to be done right the first time. We are very pleased with yesterdays workmanship.

Our Solar Panel Decision

Making the decision which solar panels to use was a difficult task. We looked at many Brands. Checked out the performance, Manufacturers' rating, the panels' output, warranties, workmanship and above all (for me) the cosmetic appeal. There were some good ones out there. All the panels we were interested in were Monocrystalline, meaning that it is made up of one layer of conducting crystals. Years ago they made them with several layers, thinking at that time it would harvest more energy. Of course now with today's technology we can harvest more energy with using only one layer. Although we check out many manufacturers, I will list only the three we were seriously looking at.
First company we were introduced to was Schuco, a German company. Schuco has been in the United Sates for a little over three years now. Their panels have a 210 watts output per panel with a minimum output of 207 watts. The panels have a 90% output guarantee for 12 years and an 80% guarantee for 25. They are a very good company with a great reputation.
Second one was Suntech. Their output per panel was 180 with the same 90% and 80% output guarantee. I did not like the looks of this one. You know the lady of the house rules. It's all about Looks... Looks...Looks. Oh yes, performance counts but Looks over rules.
SunPower was the third one investigated, This was the best in our view and the one we went with. Sunpower has several sizes of panels ranging from 210 to 230 watts output. The panel we decided on was 225 watts output. The size of the panel was ideal for our installing area. Making the number a panels needed perfect for our site. There was a 10 year product warranty where all the others were only 5. Output guarantee is the same for all of the panels, that is really standard for solar panels. This company also has a monitoring system included with the panels. I spoke about that in an earlier post. Oh about the Looks..well it is the Photo above. Nice and clean,we will have them mounted with no gaps for a very smooth look.They are en route as I type this post. They will arrive at the installation Company we chose.

The Men of Change.

I saw this video and thought, out of all these men, did they help or hurt the environment? It became clear that these men did change the things we do and our technology in the world. However did their decisions bring us here today? From the chariots to the automobiles, from industry to nuclear, from sky to the moon and from the small business to big business. All of these things contribute to the environment we live in today. Every decision made effected Our lives. Yet we see in the Video, the faces of the Men that wanted to rule our world. Reading into their faces with our hindsight! The knowledge of foresight unattainable to them. Look at the faces so we do not forget..they helped change the way we live and how we think!



I viewed this video at Is this Really happening? He has a different view about the video. Check it out.... give him a visit... Link above.

A Solar Family is About to be Born

I know you are wondering how the solar is going. Well, we are all set and waiting on the State. You see the Federal government changed the rules, and why not they like to change things. With a New fiscal year starting in October, this was the time to make changes for the states to receive the money. The State has to make sure all the i's are dotted and the t's are crossed in order to get the funds from the Government to pass on to the consumer. Our savings will be close to 5000.00 so we wait! That kind a money is worth the wait. We are really hoping to get this done this year. Every thing else is done and ready. Once the State opens the applications acceptance then we are a go.
After writing the above yesterday, we received a call that the state is now accepting applications. That means it's a go. Today we will be meeting with the company and signing the agreement. We will be ready to go. Will post photos as the work gets underway. We will be the Second Solar Family Home in our immediate area. Oh I like that. It's always great to lead the Pack.