Description:

Grid Tied PV Self-installed micro inverter based grid-tied 5.2 kW solar array on workshop powers home, a home based business, and charges the 2012 Chevy Volt. Solar building heat in super insulated workshop uses 4 4' X 8' collectors and an 80 gallon storage tank backed up by propane and wood stove. Heat recovery ventilator used in winter months. Solar DHW in house feeds propane on-demand water heater. Solar charged electric lawn mower conversion started with a 22" Craftsman gas mower. Solar heated, super insulated workshop. Solar domestic hot water for home feeds tankless heater. Solar powered gas lawn mower conversion, Super efficient Staber washing machine. Many energy saving and monitoring devices. More info: www.arttec.net

Efficiency or Sustainability Improvements:

Spray Foam Closed Cell Energy Star Appliances, Heat recovery ventilation, Instantaneous hot water, Passive solar, Radiant floor heating, Rain Barrels, Super Insulated Walls/ Roof

My Motivation:

To live sustainably.

Advice:

Microinverters offer substantial benefits such as per-panel performance data and about 8% increased efficiency compared to string inverters

Experience with Installer:

I engaged neighbors and friends to help install the system and they all enjoyed learning how a solar power system works and goes up.

Additional Notes:

Had to install on a west facing (270 degree) roof since we did not have any south facing roof surface. This required about 25% more panels, and it worked out fine.

Open House Info:

By appointment (207) 443-8942 from Route 1 N of Bath bridge Take Route 127 NORTH at yellow blinking light in Woolwich. 4.5 miles turn right on Old Stage Road .5 mile turn right on Delano Road 61 Delano is 2nd on right - brown workshop and cedar shingled house with wrap around porch.

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