Stuart and Pat MacRobbie asked us to install the first grid-tied pv system in Clallam County in April of 2003. The system was composed of 18 Sharp 165 watt pv modules, 12 of which were on a tracker in the front yard. This tracker would eventually find a home back here at Power Trip Energy after Pat asked us to increase the size of the system and move it to the new home’s roof.
Lee Doughty was the first person in Jefferson County to have Power Trip Energy set up a grid-tied pv system at his home. We were not contractors at this point, and had Lee hire Puget Sound Solar to expertly perform this installation. The installation used 18 Sharp 165 watt poly-crystalline modules and an SMA SunnyBoy 2500 inverter.
In 2006, Lee had us increase the size of the system. Lee also journeyed to Belleveue, into the very heart of the beast, to meet with a VP at PSE who was in charge of the billing statements and explain how they were unclear for grid-tied pv customers. Eventually, PSE has simplified and clarified their statements, and all utilities should look to PSE’s example as to how to provide a statement.