Sometime in the early part of 2010 I was doing research on how to build a solar electric back up for our pellet stove. As I researched it, I found that it was going to be fairly expensive to do well. Along the way, I also uncovered the state, federal and utility incentives to installing an inter-tie system. Once I understood how much of the system (about 70%) would be paid for through incentives, the decision seemed already made.
After several campaigns to reduce our energy consumption in the metroplex, our electrical consumption was down to about 420KWH for the lower unit and 165KWH for the upper unit.
About three years ago we had investigated solar hot water heat, but had a very bad experience with a local contractor who took over a month to do the site assessment and then refused to return our phone calls with questions about the quote and the system he was proposing. Other things got in the way, and we just let the project drop.
Several of our friends had used Rebecca Lundberg at Powerfully Green for installations and were very happy with her work. We have been absolutely thrilled with her and her partner Dan Williams. They have answered all our crazy questions, and been incredibly resourceful, committed, helpful and creative in dealing with our installation. I cannot recommend their team high enough.
We were originally considering a roof-only installation which would have been considerably smaller (about half) than the 3.24KW system we are installing.We also considered build an "awning" off of the back deck, but decided against it because it would have been ugly and shaded key garden beds.
As we worked through design options, we had heard that the state was about to close applications because the money was running out. Rebecca and Dan submitted the paperwork for the state rebate, and we began the waiting phase. Without the state rebate it would have been difficult and significantly more costly to install; the project would probably have been called off without that rebate.
Powerfully Green came through with an excellent proposal: to double the potential of the system by building a backyard pergola. Rebecca and Dan had just installed a pergola with good success. After reviewing their proposal, we decided to go for the larger system with the pergola.
So our 3.24 kW system will be 18 Silicon Energy 180 watt modules with 9 modules flush mounted on house roof and 9 mounted on pergola in yard. We'll have a Power One 4.2 inverter. In addition to building the Pergola, they will be switching out our old fuse-based AC main panel and replacing it with a breaker style system.
Silicon Energy's modules are manufactured in Washington State, and will soon be made in Minnesota!
Total installed cost including all permits: $34,995.00
less 30% federal tax credit $10,498.50
less Minnesota State Solar-Electric Rebate of $5,670.00
less Xcel Energy rebate of $7,290.00
= $11,036.50 net cost
This will be a little higher because we are installing an outside outlet on the pergola for charging our eGo electric bike, and adding a TED monitor.
Photos coming soon!
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