Description:

Grid tied PV and PV back up For pictures and description please go to http://www.mtholyoke.edu/~jhoward/solarenergy.html The house was built in three sections. It has large southern facing windows so that the gas furnace seldom turns on during a sunny day. The PV system was used for a 12 v back up and is being added to and connected to the grid.

Other Benefits:

Fixed energy costs for car, house and water heating land electricity. Plus no concern over gas shortage for the car.

Maintenance Requirements:

Chevy Volt none, Love it! Very little on the rest.

Efficiency or Sustainability Improvements:

Loose Fill Fiberglass Energy Star Appliances, Passive solar house, Recycled Materials

My Motivation:

Two years in the Peace Corps, India.

Advice:

You can make this change slowly if you do not have the money all at once. I did the PV in six installments over five years.

Experience with Installer:

PV Squared unsatisfied Solar Store of Greenfield very satisfied

Additional Notes:

Please see --- https://www.mtholyoke.edu/~jhoward/solarenergy.html

Open House Info:

DIRECTIONS to John Howard's Dove Cottage: To 15 The Knolls (it is between 11 and 13) 413-536-5973 From the NORTH: Travel south on Interstate 91 to the first Exit for Northampton. At the first light turn left on Damon Rd. Go the the end and turn left at the _T_ on Rt 9 E then below From NORTHAMPTON Take Rt. 9 E. (towards Amherst) to 47S which is a right turn at the first traffic light after the bridge over the Conn. RiverP. About a half mile after big "Entering S. Hadley" sign turn left on Pearl St. (at the top of the hill). Go a half mile plus and take the first right on Woodbridge St. Go half mile and take second left on The Knolls Rd. Mine is the fifth on the right (the dirt drive going up). . From AMHERST - take Rt. 116 to S. Hadley. A half mile after Gagney's gas station and package store, turn right on The Knolls Rd. You will be turning sharply, up hill, on a street that's hard to see. The turn is just past the second "40 MPH" sign after Gagney's gas station. Once safely on The Knolls Rd. go 100 yds. to the top of the hill and take your first left. When the road turns right after another 100 yds. Go straight into the dirt drive. From the SOUTH: Travel north on Interstate 91 to Route 202 (Exit 16, Holyoke/ South Hadley). Head north on 202 through Holyoke across the Connecticut River, and around the rotary to the exit marked South Hadley Center-Amherst, Route 116 north. At S. Hadley Center (Mt Holyoke College) take Rt 116 north (to Amherst). About 1/2 mile past the post office in S Hadley Cr. Rt 116 makes a sharp right and you go straight on Woodbridge St. Go about 1/2 mile and take your third right on The Knolls Rd. Mine is the fifth on the right (the dirt drive going up). From the EAST: From the Massachusetts Turnpike/I-90, coming from the east Take Exit 5 (Holyoke/Chicopee) and bear to the right. At the end of the ramp, turn left on Route 33 for five miles to Route 116. Turn right onto 116 and drive approximately 1.5 miles north to the S. Hadley Cr. At S. Hadley Center (Mt Holyoke College) take Rt 116 north (to Amherst). About 1⁄2 mile past the post office in S Hadley Cr. Rt 116 makes a sharp right and you go straight (around a dangerous island with flashing light) on Woodbridge St. Go about 1⁄2 mile and take your third right on The Knolls Rd. Mine is the fifth on the right (the dirt drive going up). From the WEST: From the Massachusetts Turnpike/I-90, coming from the west Go North on Interstate 91 and follow directions above for from the south My '06 Prius has a 4 kW Enginer plug-in kit. It gets 71 mpg and can run on all electric for 10-15 miles. Roof PV charges it.

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