Port Townsend Solar

Port Townsend is the home of Power Trip Energy, and the community has a well-earned reputation as a hotbed of solar installations – we’ve installed more solar power systems in Port Townsend than just about anywhere else. Solar works well in PT; the North OIympic Peninsula averages approximately 3.5 hours of full sun per day. That is about 70% of the sun resources of southern California. This makes grid-tied solar installations very popular here. Power Trip Energy has installed many solar PV systems in Port Townsend over the years; here are a few of our latest projects:

Fort Worden Commons, 47kW, Port Townsend, 2018

Fort Worden Commons, 47kW, Port Townsend, 2018

Fort Worden PDA is ambitiously pursuing energy efficiency upgrades to their buildings and included a solar array in their long-term planning. Power Trip Energy installed a 47 KW array composed of 144 SunPower 327 watt modules on the Fort Worden Commons, which will produce over 50,000 kWh a year.

This project was unusual for us in that we served as a sub-contractor to an ESCO.  Energy Service Companies specialize in taking a holistic approach to a facility’s or campus’ energy use and helping their clients navigate energy efficiency projects, renewable energy, help procure funding through grants or rebates, and serve as general contractors to coordinate the various aspects of the projects.  In this case the Fort Worden PDA hired University Mechanical Contractors from Mukilteo as their ESCO and UMC helped procure some state funding to help with these efficiency projects.

Fort Worden is a jewel of Port Townsend which means so much to us, and sees so many visitors each year from all around the world.  We are proud of our work with the PDA and UMC to help preserve and contribute to the park’s economic sustainability through clean solar energy.

by | Oct 2, 2018

Residence, 7.37kW, Port Townsend, 2018

Residence, 7.37kW, Port Townsend, 2018

Our installers always love a challenge and with this roof, we needed to work around skylights and vents to accommodate the solar modules. Even so, we were able to install 22 SunPower 335 Watt Modules that will produce over 7,900 kWh. For this home, that will supply 94% of the annual usage. With continued conservation, this family could easily see 100% production of clean energy. 

by | Oct 2, 2018