Secord Residence, 1KW, Off Grid, Marrowstone Island, 2005
1 KW Sharp PV off-grid.
1 KW Sharp PV off-grid.
Clallam PUD’s House on Wheels was the brain-child of now retired Dave Johnson, and is used as a model home exemplifying renewable energy and energy efficiency methods. This 1 kw system was designed to be grid-tied and also have battery back-up in order to provide off-grid power for fairs or other events.
This was our first grid-tied pv project on Bainbridge Island, which would eventually become one of our most-supportive communities. Thanks to Mike and Robin for being on the Solar Home Tour for many years. This was the first project we did using the Sharp 208 watt modules, and we began to become wattage junkies after growing to understand how larger wattage modules resulted in more pv being installed faster.
This system required some creativity to make all of the sub-arrays the same pitch, the upper array is partially pitched up and partially pitched down, bridging two different roof angles to achieve this. Bob Dash has been a very effective voice in favor of grid-tied pv.
This was the first project completed by Power Trip Energy once Steve joined the company, we incorporated, and became electrical contractors. This was also our first installation utilizing the S-5 clamps on a standing seam metal roof.
This project is very dear to our hearts, since Wildberry Farm is the home of the Cochrane Family. We completed this array the day before the 2004 Solar Home Tour, commencing a tradition of last-minute installations at our own property in order to use them as examples and educational tools. In this picture Holly is 1 year old and already preparing for her second Solar Home Tour. This barn is dates back to the 1920’s when this land was originally split off from Yep Suey’s Dairy and became a separate farm. It had been sinking and settling into the ground and in 2003 we had raised the barn and poured a slab underneath. The southern wing is newly rebuilt stalls, and the first grid-tied pv array is 6 Sharp 165 watt pv modules, on a SunnyBoy 1800. Humble beginnings – the old garage seen to the right has been demo’d and a new addition to the home occupies that present space. See subsequent solar installations at Wildberry Farm here.
Port Townsend’s first tracker, this was also a battery-based system using a Xantrex SW-2548 and the special GTI interface to make it grid-interactive. Architect Chris Stafford was a leader in implementing many ecological building technologies.
This home also had several other great energy efficient characteristics, beautiful finish work inside, and a sweet view of Sequim Bay. Of note, this was the final Power Trip Energy installation performed by Puget Sound Solar. After this project, Steve and Graham Carr joined the company, and we became electrical contractors performing all aspects of the installations. This project was also during our initial phase wherein we sold the equipment at our wholesale cost, choosing to promote the technology and learn about the equipment without a profit on our first 5 installations (which became the first 8.) Tragically Dr Meyers, who loved fishing, was lost at sea shortly after this project. In 2014, we heard from the current occupants of the house that the system was not working. The 10 year old inverter had failed, and we were able to install another previously owned SunnyBoy 2500 to get the system performing again. Inverter replacement after 10 years for project that was sold at cost – free of charge. Making clean power from the sun – priceless.
This home had many cutting edge energy efficient aspects in addition to the grid-tied pv system.
This is the second grid-tied pv project in Clallam County. Carol and Gary proved to be excellent advocates for grid-tied pv with the local utility and local Labor and Industries office.