Have kids, want to save power? Try this ...

One annoying thing about kids is getting them to turn lights off. Sure with CFL or LED lighting it's not that bad, but every little bit helps. So why not have the lights turn themselves off? Try one of these timer switches from Intermatic:

Intermatic electronic wall timers

One thing about electronic timers -- make sure they work with CFLs, some don't.

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!

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.

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]

LED light bulbs are becoming more reasonable ...

LED light bulbs continue to advance in output and drop in price. Check out the post at MetaEfficient.com that talks about the new ZetaLux line of LED light bulbs. 60 watts of light for 5 watts of electricity! Hard to beat that comparison. But wait, the article states that one light bulb costs $89.99, you can buy a lot of CFL lamps for that price.

The good news is the price has dropped to $49.99 and a LED will easily outlive an incandescent bulb. Look for more price drops in the future as the technology scales up. The ZetaLux and other LED lamps can be purchased at EarthLED.com.

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 :)