Description:

6.8 kW, 16 x QCell Q.Peak Duo L-G8.2 425W modules, 16 x Enphase IQ 7A microinverters, Enphase Envoy, Consumption and production monitoring, Iron Ridge ground mount rack, SnapNRack Series 200 rack connectors, APA heilical anchors.

Other Benefits:

Allows me to reduce my annual natural gas bill by $400 annually to fuel furnace and water heater. Reduce carbon footprint. Set a good example.

Maintenance Requirements:

I wash the panels off when oak pollen accumulates in the spring, when leaves drop in the winter, and bird droppings as necessary.

Efficiency or Sustainability Improvements:

Replaced 18-year old 14-SEER AC and gas furnace with more efficient mini-split heat pump to cool and heat. Will be replacing 18-year old gas water heater with an electric tankless water heater. Replaced windows two years ago. Insulated the attic over 15 years ago.

My Motivation:

Prepaid for electricity for the next 25 years to avoid price increases. Reduced annual natural gas bill by $400 annually to fuel furnace and water heater. Reduce carbon footprint. Set a good example.

Advice:

Please see the blog I wrote for Defenders of Wildlife: https://defenders.org/blog/2021/03/going-solar-sunshine-state, and the blog I wrote for SolarNeighborsUnited: https://www.solarunitedneighbors.org/success-stories/kent-tallahassee-fl/.

Experience with Installer:

Here is my review of Integrated Green Technologies of Tallahassee, FL via their Google Map Page: "IGT Solar really came through for us. We interviewed and received quotes from national and local firms. IGT came highly recommended by friends. We are happy to have selected an established local company which helped us deal with several complicating issues on site. IGT was competitive on price and installed the best equipment - sixteen of the highest producing panels on the market matched with the best Enphase microinverters on a ground-mounted rack. IGT installed panels more powerful than we contracted for which is wonderful bonus. IGT staff are a pleasure to work with. Their staff and crews are professionals and did excellent work. IGT worked overtime and pulled out all the stops to install my system by the end of December. They delivered on their commitments, and responded timely to my many questions throughout the process. I'll be calling IGT when I purchase an electric vehicle and need to add panels and batteries to my PV system."

Additional Notes:

A ground mount in my side back yard north of our house was sited due to tall oak trees to the southeast, south and west of the house that shaded most of my roof exposed to the sun. I had remove about 12 tall mature oak trees to the east and southwest of the array. I hired a firm to use ground penetrating radar locate the septic lines in my drainfield over which I placed the ground mount over. This allowed the helical piers to be drilled to avoid disturbing the septic drainfield lines. I had to relocate a wooden picket fence about 8 feet due to positioning of the array and to avoid the drainfield lines. I have planted nine mid-story trees and over two dozen bushes to provide visual buffering for neighbors.

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