Sunetrics began installing our Photo Voltaics solar panels yesterday and finished the job today.
Despite all the weather forecasters predicting thunderstorms in the middle of the day, Mother Nature held off so the guys could finish the job.
First they installed the bolts to attach the panels to our roof. We also asked for aluminum flashing to prevent leakage. Maybe we didn't need it but we talked to a roofer and he said it might be a good idea.
Then came the wiring to bring the energy from the roof to the Hawaiian Electric meter box.
This is where Art will be going to check every hour to see how much money he might be saving.
Then the panels had to be carefully brought up over the 2nd floor.
It's a good thing it wasn't very windy.
John and Dominic had a beautiful, sunny day to do their work.
And there they are; half of them anyway. The other half is on another part of the roof.
Curt did the final touches on putting the system together to monitor the micro-inverters that are connected to the solar panels.
It's really lovely to know we are now getting clean energy from the sun. I wish we'd put up a couple more panels though so I could be a sun hog.
We, the people of the planet, thank you! What a good deed, and now it's done!
ReplyDeleteLove the pics, especially the lifting of the panel, mid-air.
Good the guys had a safety harness, but was it attached to anything?
And who was it up there on the roof taking photos??
Enjoy, and may you feel full of energy!
How cool! I wish we had enough reliable sun here to do that.
ReplyDeleteThat must have cost an arm and a leg! Interesting.
ReplyDeleteWe will probably have to replace our solar panels on the roof, as they are 15 years old and are getting rusty. The panels are for our water heater. David says we save at least $50 (electric bill) per month.
what an accomplishment..hurrah for you guys!
ReplyDeleteWonderful, Kay. I'm so impressed. You and I and Art will have to lecture Dick on the subject. Our neighbor has had solar panels installed recently. We live in the sunniest part of Canada, so it only makes sense.
ReplyDelete-- K
Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel
Dina: Sharp eyes! Art was taking those photos. He did notice that they weren't using the ropes to tie themselves to the roof. I asked Curt and he said they're afraid that they'll trip on the ropes and that would be even more of a problem. Hmmmm...
ReplyDeleteGigi: It's true that they're not cheap, but the state of Hawaii gives you 35% up to $5,000 PER system and Obama's Energy Tax Credit takes off 30%. The rest can be made up by what you save within about 7-9 years or something like that so you actually pay only about a third of the cost. It's too good to pass up right now. OH yeah. Art just said, "You are doing it for the environment,too."
Send me some sun! We have SNOW!
ReplyDeleteWell done! It's so good to know you're saving money and doing some good for the planet :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful job! You guys are an inspiration. So Art was on the roof again taking photos? Tut tut.
ReplyDeleteHeehee,I think I would check every hour too! What fun!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations,I'm so happy for you. Every time you use energy,you can do so with a smile now:)
Well done to you both. You will notice the savings too. I love your sense of humor Kay (and your adorable header photo too of the three generations of gorgeous girls).
ReplyDelete"This is where Art will be going to check every hour to see how much money he might be saving." That made me laugh out loud.
This is all very interesting. I'm not sure how well solar panels work in Oregon but we're certainly a "green" state working to save the environment.
ReplyDeleteKay, that is so wonderful! Enjoy all the extra $$ you will be saving on your electric bill :)!
ReplyDeleteWayyyyyyyyyyyy cool!!!!!!! I envy you!!!!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!! I had also solar panels installed! And it's very important. The first solar panels were destroyed by lightning, but now I have new ones. Our electric metrebox and inverter are inside and in the attic.We haven't got as much sunshine as you have,but it still is worth while having solar panels! It's good for planet Earth. So thank you for your contribution.
ReplyDeleteSolar energy is something we could do here too. But somehow it´s not catching on yet. Maybe because the systems they do offer are soooo expensive and we don´t get any tax credit of payback´s here. But sun is something we have about 300 days a year!
ReplyDeleteHow neat! Good for you in helping out Mother Earth!
ReplyDeleteWow. You did it! It makes so much sense for you there. I'm not sure we would get enough pay back here. But doing it for the planet is a real and true and generous reason. We thank you.
ReplyDeleteWe've had solar for three years. When we put them in we thought the payback would be ten years, but with the rates going up it will be seven years.
ReplyDeleteOnly four years to go and our electricity will be free. The panels should last 20 years. Long enough for us! And think what this will add to the resale value of this house, should we ever have to sell.
Every year people don't put them in they are losing money.
This is so great. Thank you for doing it.
ReplyDeleteI would love to do this..I wonder if we get enough sun here... of course we just put on a new roof...
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