After lots of planning, meetings, setbacks.and frustration, we are finally getting our solar panels installed. We've been working on this since February, meeting with the solar company, dealing with the bank (fun), getting our well tested (don't ask), each delay pushing us further down the list. But finally, last Friday, the work began.
This is the rack, or the supports for the panels. This went in last week and took a day. As you might be able to tell, our roof is fairly steep. I've never been up on it, and don't ever plan to be, but these guys clambered around and got everything in place. FYI, the pipe in the middle of the roof is for our wood-burning stove.
Here they are adjusting the racks. To the lower right, you can see a tree stump. This is a maple tree we had planted some time ago, but it had to come down for the solar installation to work. Apparently, solar panels don't work very well in the shade.
Also, on the left, you can see our dog on the front porch. Hi, Cedar!
Nearly done putting all the panels in place. Each panel is pre-wired, so they can simply join the connectors once the panels are in place. The work goes pretty quickly, considering how big an installation it is.
A closer look at the final panel going in. It's pretty exciting to think that what had been just a flat expanse of asphalt shingles is now going to be providing most of the power for our household. If their projections are accurate, our electric bills will plummet into the teens. Pretty neat, huh!
And here is the box which will soon connect all those beautiful panels on the roof with our local power company. In essence, we will be electricity generators selling power to the company.
A special thanks to Aur Beck and the crew at
AES Solar who are putting us in touch with the sun. We are excited to be taking this step, and look forward to many years of clean, safe, affordable energy from our new panels. Be sure and ask us about them when you see us. It will give us something to talk about besides the bees!
.jpg)