Do I do off-grid systems?

The other day someone brought to my attention that they were not sure if I do off-grid systems. The answer is yes I do. As a matter of fact I have been getting a lot of requests for just that type of system.

I'm currently working with several people that currently live off- grid or are considering it. Yesterday I started a project that was off-grid and now is being converted over to be grid interactive. So I can go either way on systems.

I have a system that I just finished a few weeks ago that was an AC coupled system with battery backup. The solar panels were grid interactive and the battery charging system interacted with that solar grid- tied system.

There was a man in the area that has over 200+ systems that are off grid and those customers of his have been contacting me to either repair or replace parts of their systems.

I personally will be taking about 60-70% of my house off-grid later this summer. I have been slowly collecting the parts I need to make this happen. I will be using solar at first to power my system. Later the following year I'll be installing a small wind system.

So to answer your questions I am very capable of doing off-grid systems.

20 days left

We only have 20 days left to get that Consumers Energy Earp application turned in so that you can get excepted to participate in the feed-in tariff for solar power for residential only. So far I have one person planning on getting into the program.

You will be paid .259¢ a kWh of electricity that is produced.

Lets do the math:

I'm going to use a 12 panel system mounted on the roof.
Cost installed $14,900.00

30% Federal tax credit $4470.00

System cost is $10,430.00

System average production over a year around 300 kWh a month. $78 a month from the feed-in tariff. $936.00 a year.

Now divide the total kWh dollar amount a year by the system cost after the Federal tax credit.

Your system will be paid off in 11 to 12 years.

Solar panels last 40 plus years. The panels and inverters that I use all have 25 year warranties.

So what are you waiting for? Lets get you signed up and make it happen.

Another Consumers Energy Feed-in Tariff coming soon!

If you missed out on the last feed-in tariff you have another chance. Consumers Energy is going to start another residential program again first of next year or even by the end of this year. I was told that they could be excepting applications as soon as after the meeting in Grand Rapids on December 8th.

One thing to keep in mind the application needs to be submitted right away. I am currently starting a list of people that have an interest in doing this kind of project. You can contact me through my website. I was able to get three customers into the program last time, because we did their applications within that first week of being announced.

I will be attending that meeting and should have more information to pass a long as soon as I get back that day. You can either find it here on this blog or my company Facebook page

For more information about the Consumers Energy EARP here is a link to that website.

Second chance for a possible feed-in Tariff!

Well if you missed out on the first Consumers Energy feed-in tariff. You may have a second chance to get in on it. Granted the tariff cost will be a lot less then the first time but still better then a sharp stick in the eye.

The first time they were paying up to .62¢ a kWh for all the solar systems power that it produced. This time they will be paying up to 26¢ a kWh or low as .20¢ kWh for a solar systems power that it produces.

The Michigan Public Service Commission tells Consumers Energy to expand their solar program.
Here is the article that I first saw about this programs possible expansion.

The last time you had to apply to get into the program, which I am sure will be the same way again. Which it filled up fast, in less then two weeks time.

Once you were approved for the amount of solar you were willing to install you then had a year to install it.

The three customers that I had applied all got approved for the program. But I got their applications in right away.

I know personally I will be installing an array on my Beulah property as soon as the program becomes available to do.

I have a very reliable source that says it could be as soon as July. So if you are interested in having solar this would be a good time to make that happen. I am currently forming a list of people that would like to be contacted if and when this program becomes available.

You can email me at jdstrattonelectric@gmail.com or call me at (231) 715-1170 to get on that list. Don't wait because the program will fill up fast.

What's new at J.D. Stratton Electric, Inc.?

I would like to start by saying I have started the year off with a bang. On New Years day I started my first solar project for the year. Three days later it was finished. As soon as I have link to the Enphase site I will post a link. This is a 4kw system. It will produce about 430 kwh a month. I installed 18- Schott 225watt solar panels. I have a several more solar projects on the books for later this year. The owner of the house also is doing a blog about their experience as they build their LEED Platinum house.


I also now carry a full line of Briggs and Stratton whole house gas powered generators. They have generators that start at 7kw and go up from there. So if you are always losing power at your home or business I now have a solution for that problem. I can do the whole install for you. Just call today for your free in home visit to find out what generator is right for you. Mention this blog and receive a free maintenance kit for your new generator purchase.


I just found out today that I am now able to sell the Evance 5kw wind turbine. This turbine will produce around 670kwh a month or 8095 kwh annually. This 5kw turbine is the size that most people, on average, need to power their homes. If you know of someone looking for a turbine this size have them give me a call.

So as you can see there is a lot of great things happening around here for 2011 so far. If there is anything that you would like to talk about for your own personal home or business, give me a call. All estimates and visits are free. I would love to take to you today.

Solar mounting systems pros and cons.

I have been giving this a lot of thought lately about what is the best way to mount solar panels. Do you use the roof, a pole, or ground mount? So I thought I would lay out the pros and cons of each system. You can be the judge.

Roof mount

Pros:
1. The roof keeps the panels out of the yard.
2. It's the cheapest way to install the panels.
3. Less likely to have to get a zoning permit.
4. Looks nice.

Cons:
1. Reaching them to clean them.
2. They get hotter on the roof. Which heat is the enemy.
3. Harder to keep clean especially in the winter.
4. Harder to fix.
5. More dangerous to install.
6. Panels are at fixed angle.

Pole Mount

Pros:
1. Easier to work on.
2. Panels stay cooler.
3. Less snow build up.
4. Can change the angle of the panels.
5. You can use a tracker on it.

Cons:
1. More work to install.
2. Cost more than a roof system.
3. Takes up a portion of the yard.

Ground mount (very similar to pole with some exceptions)

Pros:
1. Easier to work on.
2. Panels stay cooler
3. Less snow build up.
4. Lower to the ground.

Cons:
1. Cost more to install then pole mounted.
2. Uses more yard space then a pole.
3. Panels are fixed like a roof system.
4. Most labor intensive of all the mounting systems.

Here are few examples of the pros and cons of the different solar mounting systems. I personally like using the pole mounted system. The panels work better, it's easier to install the equipment on and the way we install them it's a nice and clean installation. Most of the systems that I have installed currently are of this type. Some of the customers were questioning the installation before it went in. But once we were done they were happy with the look after it was done.

For more information about renewably energy systems for your home I recommend subscribing to Home Power Magazine. This is a great resource of information.

Living off the Grid is not right for everybody.

It always seems when I turn around there is always an article in some newspaper about how some guy has been living off the grid for 20 years. I always think to myself that it is so cool. I would like to do that too. But then I get to thinking are you nuts.

Now I am the type of person that could do that but I'll be straight up with you, I am freak-in lazy. Living off the grid takes major dedication. It is not for the average person. For example you need to have some kind of mechanical ability. Batteries have a lot maintenance issues and are very dangerous. They give off toxic gases that are not good for you.

I know that if I lived of the grid and the first time the system failed and my wife couldn't get any water that would be the end of living off the grid. Beside off grid living is not for the poor. The stuff that is used to make this happen is very expensive.

Now the average guy, which I am an average guy, on the other hand can still enjoy the benefits of being close to being off the grid without all that dangerous stuff and monkeying around with batteries.

The first thing is you really need to take a good look at your power usage. You need to figure out how you can reduce to around 500- 600 kWh a month of power usage. That seems to be that magic number for an affordable system. I blogged about this very issue awhile back.

Well how do I know what I use a month? I tell people that then need to get some type of monitoring system for your electricity usage. I really like the TED system

With this monitor you can dial your energy usage right in by the minute. Helping to obtain that desired power usage level.

Next thing I would tell them get an energy audit done. This generally is a cheap way to find out where your energy is going. Once the auditor has come and done a report for you Then you can focus on fixing some of those energy issues.

Once you got your energy usage under control then we can figure out a good renewable energy system size. By reducing it will save you thousands in a new system.

After your new system is installed you can live virtually off the grid without all the hassles of being off grid.

Now back to the guy off the grid, those guys are few and far between and generally are so far back in woods some where it doesn't make sense to be on the grid. If you are that person call me I can help you out with that off the grid system.