Ikea introduces solar-powered lighting ...

CleanTechnica.com posted an article on Ikea's new line of solar lighting. The Swedish furniture superstore is a leader in green furnishings and lighting and it looks like they have no intention of losing that lead. The lights range from $6.99 to $19.99 in price. Here's a link to the $19.99 worklight.

Google enters the smart grid arena

Google previewed its new smart grid technology last week, PowerMeter. What's the advantage of a smart power grid? The big advantage of a intelligent power grid is more efficient utilization of available power. For example, under heavy power loads a smart grid could request smart grid enabled appliances to go to a lower power state, saving the consumer money and keeping the power grid safe. It can also highlight inefficient appliances for the consumer.

Here's two links about the PowerMeter technology:

The Google PowerMeter site
Green Wombat post on Google PowerMeter

Not the Shrub's energy and environment plan ...

What difference a change in administration makes! President Obama's energy and environment plan is a quantum leap from President Bush's lack of a plan!

Another great NOVA program, The Big Energy Gamble

Always informative and factual, the PBS series NOVA, highlights the aggressive green energy plan of California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. California has the 6th largest economy in the world (yes, the state by itself!) and critically needs sources of clean, reliable power, therefore the Governor has embarked on an aggressive plan to greatly expand renewable power in the state's energy mix. Could this be the model for President Obama's energy plan? I certainly hope so and with even more aggressive measures!

Check out clips from Dr. Steven Chu, formerly of Lawrence Livermore Labs, now the US Energy Secretary and a friendly "green" competition between Ed Begley (St. Elsewhere) and Bill Nye ("Bill Nye the Science Guy®"). You can link to the program at "The Big Energy Gamble" on the PBS website.

Solar array is cleared for use

The W L&I inspector cleared the solar array for use on Thursday. Amazingly, she asked my wife why no one called her to inspect the changes last Friday! The Brother's Electric folks called her several times on that Friday and where here most of the day. Obviously the Washington Labor & Industries division of the state government can't even afford to charge their cell phones!

The next step is to get the production meter from Puget Sound Energy installed. That could take up to another week or so, but usually less. Once the meter is plugged in the Clugston household will be producing power :-)

My solar power hits a snag -- the electrical inspector!

Well my solar power setup looked all ready to go until the electrical inspector inspected the system. Mary Ness, of the Washington State Dept. of Labor and Industries, cited two complaints, one was arguable either way, the second I found confusing. Apparently Dave Cozine has worked with inspectors that allowed photographs in lieu of climbing the roof  to inspect connections. Mary does not, and wanted the panels removed so she could inspect the Enphase quick-disconnects. I think we've resolved this issue, but we'll see Monday when the inspector comes again.

The lesson I take away from this is have your installer call the inspector before the install begins and ask what they want to see. Dave, who has a spotless record and excellent references, has worked with 47 different inspectors with few snags. But there are no standards between inspectors. There probably should be, but L&I hasn't set any in place.

Photograph of the completed solar array

Here's a photo of the completed 2 kilowatt solar array.

[caption id="attachment_93" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Photo of completed 2 kilowatt solar power system"][/caption]

Kudos go to Brothers Electric and Solar for a quick and professional job. If you want a solar power system installed in the Tacoma - Seattle area definitely give Dave Cozine a call! I'll be adding more information to the main Earth, Sky, Stars website on the steps for installing a solar power system. I'll also detail how to approach your homeowners association about such a project (hint: lots of detailed information!).

With any luck the incoming Obama administration will give a big boost to solar power installs and make solar power even easier to obtain.

Solar Power system is up and running

Of course some sun would be nice, so we're off to a slow start :-( But the system is now on the grid and producing power. As soon as Enphase sets up my website I'll post a link to it so anyone can monitor the power output. Here's a photo of Dave Cozine, his son Alex, and Tim moving a module to its new home on the roof.

[caption id="attachment_88" align="alignleft" width="199" caption="A Sanyo 200 watt module heads for the roof"][/caption]

Sanyo solar modules arrive!

The photo-voltaic (solar) power system is now sitting in my garage! Hopefully, when the weather breaks on Thursday, Dave Cozine and crew can get them installed. Here's a photo of the modules.

[caption id="attachment_82" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Sanyo 200 watt modules arrive"][/caption]

For each of the 10 modules (200 watt x 10 = 2,000 watts) there is an Enphase grid-tie inverter. Unlike most systems where there is a single, central inverter, the Enphase converts 32vdc to 240vac at the solar panel. If you lose an inverter you only lose the output from one module. Here's a photo.

[caption id="attachment_81" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Photograph of Enphase grid-tie power inverter "][/caption]

Suppose Climate Change isn't real -- other reasons to become more efficient ...

OK, what if all the Climate Change experts are wrong? Are there other reasons to become more power efficient? How about National Security and our economy? Check out this report from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce entitled, "Transition Plan for Securing America's Energy Future."  It'd be a real "bummer" if one of America's so-called friends pulled the plug at an inopportune time.

Replace those old Christmas lights with new LED lights

A quick way to save power this Christmas is to ditch your old Christmas lights for new LED lights. The web site http://www.holidayleds.com/ not only sells LED holiday lights, they will take your old ones and recycle them. And if recycling doesn't make you feel cheerful enough, Holiday LEDS will send you a 15% off coupon for new lights when you recycle the old ones.

Other bonuses: you'll have more money to pay for Xmas gifts in January (lower power bill) and your new lights will last longer :)

Solar Power System Installer chosen ...

The winner is Brothers Electric & Solar ! Quite frankly either of the two solar installers I talked with were fine. The other installer, Puget Sound Solar, also has excellent references and competitive prices. I chose Dave Cozine (owner of Brothers Electric) because he's nearby and had excellent "word of mouth" from the recent Tacoma Solar Home tour ( a great way to check out existing installs).

The system itself will be 10 Sanyo 200 watt modules (a single panel is a module), 10 Enphase 32vdc inverters, an Enphase energy management unit, and Unirac mounting hardware. More details on the system in upcoming posts ...

PV (Photo-Voltaic) System install -- roof completed

Well the old roof is history and the new roof is installed -- clearing the way for solar modules. Jeremy and Sean, of Puget Sound Solar, came by to do the site assessment. They cranked out a report with their site assessment tool (a Compaq handheld hooked to a fish-eye lens). Dave Cosine from Brothers Electric came by later to look things over. Both have sent estimates as of 11/05/2008. Looks like 2kw will run us around $17k. Worth it if the solar array slows Global Climate change!

The next step is getting approval from the Homeowner's Association. Stay tuned.

Installing a 2kw Photo-voltaic system, a new adventure

I've finally decided it's time -- time to do what our leaders refuse to do, lead. If we, America, don't soon take action to reduce our dependence on foreign oil we risk damage to our economy, environment, and our children's future. My family's first step will be be to install a 2kw photovoltaic system on our house's roof. We've already taken some simple steps, like exchanging incandescent light bulbs for compact fluorescent or LED bulbs, but this will be a major and expensive project. I'll chronicle the process each step of the way on this blog. I'll also point out solar installers and equipment suppliers as I come across them.