Update 2012

So far this year started out with a couple of really good jobs. I have been teaming up with some of my competitors on some of their projects.

The first one was a solar project in Grelickville on E. Grandview Rd. It is a 12 panel system mounted on a pole. Here is a picture of that system and how big it is. It is a 2.58kw system with an average monthly production of 309kwh a month. I did not provided the equipment for this system but was the installer only.













The second big project was located out on the Old Mission Peninsula. There is a big windmill out near the end that you can see on Center Rd. out near the lighthouse. but you have to be looking for it.

The interesting thing about this project is that it was off-grid and then they installed the grid onto the property.



So what I had been hired to do is change it over to grid interactive so that the windmill, Bergey, can put the excess power back on the grid. But here is the kicker, there is 3 sources of power to deal with windmill, grid, and generator. Getting them to all interact together was one of the most complicated jobs to date. I used an Outback Radian Inverter . This inverter is what is called a hybrid inverter. It's Outbacks latest inverter. It's a 8000w battery charger and grid interactive inverter. Nice piece of equipment.

Also for this year I have 2 up coming solar projects as a result of Consumers Energy Feed-in tariff. (EARP)

One is a 20 panel system on the roof up in Northport and the other is 22 panel system on the roof on Crystal Lake in Beulah. So be watching for pictures about that soon.

I have been getting lots of calls about off-grid systems. Just quoted a system on an island near here. I will be doing my first international install in Northern Canada next month. Customer here in Traverse City has hired me to come to his place and install solar panels to his house that he has off-grid. So be watching for pictures of that soon too.

The best place to stay informed is on my is, Facebook . I update stuff several times a week on there. So go to that link and like my page.

That's all the fun and exciting things happening here for now. So stay tune.

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.