HAC takes the solar
plunge!
The recent
installation of photovoltaic (PV) solar panels on our roof will reduce
the shop’s consumption of commercially generated electricity by 30-40
percent, averaged annually. (And reduce our electric bill by an equal
percentage.) These photos show the progression as the solar panels were
installed by REC Solar.
The installers arrive for work
laying in the framework
installing the panels
the final result
Here is a link to
our story in the Southeast Examiner for January, 2009.
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By participating in
PGE’s Net Metering program, the shop also sells unused energy back to
PGE, primarily during the summer with frequent sunny days.
This link graphically displays our solar power generation.
Our Toyota Prius
also has been upgraded by installing an auxiliary high voltage (HV)
battery pack, making it a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) capable of fuel
economy in excess of 100 MPG.
Our next project is
to install a vehicle charging station at the curb adjacent to the shop,
to be shared with our neighbors’ PHEV’s and EV’s (electric vehicles).
The best thing about our solar electric system isn't what it does
produce, but what is doesn't produce. When our solar electric system generates electricity, we are offsetting power that might
otherwise be generated by burning fossil fuels, which can generate
carbon dioxide and other pollutants. About 25% of PGE's electrical
generation comes from its Boardman site. Situated about 150 miles east
of Portland, the coal-fired plant uses 330 tons - or nearly three rail
cars worth - of pulverized coal dust an hour at full throttle. Each week
Boardman consumes four to five 115-car freight trains worth of
coal! For a recent interview with Jim Houser on HAC's solar
conversion, take a look
here. For more on hybrids, go to our Hybrid Technology page,
here. |
