Description:

Our system was put in in phases. First we installed a 12.6 kW pole mounted system, then a 25 kW ballasted roof mounted system, then a 40 kW roof mounted system

Other Benefits:

Our pole mounted panels are very visible from the road and show our community that we are reducing our carbon footprint.

Maintenance Requirements:

The PV requires almost no maintenance although we do tilt our pole mounted panels twice a year to get maximum yield from the solar resource. Our battery back up system does require some maintenance but that's minor as well.

Efficiency or Sustainability Improvements:

The PV was just the first step. We insulated our entire building with spray foam. We collect used vegetable oil and burn that for heat in the wintertime (we also run a few of our vehicles on it). We get our hot water from a solar hot water system and we are currently installing a solar thermal powered chiller to cool our building in the summertime.

My Motivation:

We wanted to create a net positive building (in that we actually make more energy than we use) to be an example for the industrial community in NY. You CAN take an old energy wasting concrete block building and transform it to be a self sustaining, carbon neutral model of energy efficiency that pays you back again and again!

Advice:

There are a lot of programs to help business owners and homeowners become more energy efficient. Check out www.dsireusa.org to see what's available in your state. Decide what's going to give you the most bang for your buck - Insulation isn't a terribly exciting technology but it might save you the most energy in the long run.

Experience with Installer:

Choose an installer you feel comfortable with - are they local? do they hire local people? are they your neighbors? do they have ties with the community?

Open House Info:

Please come tour our building on October 13, 2012 - there is a lot to see and we'll have SunDog Solar representatives on hand to answer any questions.

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