Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Solar in Winter.



Today is a good example why solar is a bad idea on the roof. The panels I installed over in Glen Lake are not working. Why you ask? It is because of the white stuff that falls from the sky, SNOW. Because we got a little snow over night it has covered the panels and now they are not going to work until that snow is removed. But since this system is so low to the ground it is easy to take a brush and just pull the snow off the panels. But even so I am standing on a snow bank to reach these panels. Just goes to show you how big this system is. The bottom of the panels are above my head when I am standing on the ground. If they were on the roof you would have to climb up there and risk the chance of falling off the roof. I have fallen of a roof before and it is no fun trust me. When these panels are exposed even when it is cloudy like today they can produce a significant amount of power for the day. Link to the solar data website.

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Glen Lake Solar Project

 

The Glen Lake solar project is complete. Here is a picture of the solar panels in the up right position. You can access the solar panels data by clicking this link. The information on this link is in 5 min. uploads. But you can go back and see the history of the solar production. Enjoy!
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Friday, January 15, 2010

Solar anyone?

 
 


This is my solar project that I am currently doing out in the Glen Lake area. We are not done yet, we have a couple of more days before it is in full operation. We still have to install the mechanism that makes the tracker move back and forth following the sun. I also have to connect the wires in the panel and then it will be ready to go.
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Monday, January 11, 2010

Energy Audit



Back a few weeks ago I wrote a blog posting on how I was going to get a home energy audit done on our house. Well we just finished our energy audit yesterday. As soon as I receive the official report I will share it on my blog. But while we were doing the audit I produced a video to show how TJ Ewing did a home energy audit. It was quit interesting to see where the cold spots are in the house. The areas where we thought would be the problem were not there at all but in other areas of the house. If this something that you would like done for your house then you can find TJ Ewing on the web at Empowerment Energy Analysts or call (231) 218-3521. Also if you buy a renewable energy system from me, you will receive a home energy audit after the system is installed showing you how you can maximize that new investment in your home.

Hybrid Renewable Energy



This is my hybrid system that I have at home. So I do have a wind turbine and solar already here at my house. This small system has been working really well for me. I have been really surprised how well it keeps the two batteries charged up. Now I have not let this system run for a long period of time to see how long it would last before the batteries ran out. But I will try this, this Summer and get back with you on well it did. Hope you enjoy my small video and if this something of interest to you feel free to give me a call. (231) 715-1170