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Date: 05/08/2003
Ah! Look! The magic Akeena Truck has arrived bringing us magical mysteries!
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Date: 05/08/2003
Spiffy little sign so that people walking by our house and wondering what the heck is going on and who is doing it.
Also you can see on our little fronch porch, wedged between the drain pipe and a vertical beam is the work permit pouch so that in case any officious Redwood City person or nosy neighbors wants to dispute our putting things on our roof that at least the city has approved of it and they can complain to them.
Also you can see on our little fronch porch, wedged between the drain pipe and a vertical beam is the work permit pouch so that in case any officious Redwood City person or nosy neighbors wants to dispute our putting things on our roof that at least the city has approved of it and they can complain to them.
DCP_2326.JPG
Date: 05/08/2003
The arrived with a bundle of papers for us to read, sign, agree to and, then give them big checks of lots of money.
Clee reads everything. All of it. I then have to explain parts of it to her.
She is only the second person to read all the paperwork that Akeena sent along. They were impressed by her thorough nature.
I think she is amazing.
Clee reads everything. All of it. I then have to explain parts of it to her.
She is only the second person to read all the paperwork that Akeena sent along. They were impressed by her thorough nature.
I think she is amazing.
DCP_2327.JPG
Date: 05/08/2002
Two of the PV Array installers from Akeena take a tour of roof to get more measurements so that they can install the rails that the solar panels will mount on.
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Date: 05/08/2002
Another angle of the two installers comparing the dimensions of the roof with the layout plan that they have.
This is the master bedroom/bathroom/work room side of the house. You can see the PG&E entrance for both the electricity and the gas. The inverters and cut off switches for the solar array will go between the master bedroom windows and the bathroom window on that open expanse of wall.
This is the master bedroom/bathroom/work room side of the house. You can see the PG&E entrance for both the electricity and the gas. The inverters and cut off switches for the solar array will go between the master bedroom windows and the bathroom window on that open expanse of wall.
DCP_2329.JPG
Date: 05/08/2002
Here you can see three of the anchors that they have attached to beams in our roof. On these anchors they will attach a rail. The solar panels attach to adapters that fit on to these rails.
On the main 'going solar' web page you can find the mechanical drawing of this attachment will work.
On the main 'going solar' web page you can find the mechanical drawing of this attachment will work.
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Date: 05/09/2002
Here is a view of the mostly southern exposed roof. You can see several of the anchors that they have placed.
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Date: 05/09/2002
Here you can see that they have finished installing the rails on the front of the house.
These rails will be used to mount 8 solar panels. If you go to the "going solar" web page you can check out the layout of the entire array.
These rails will be used to mount 8 solar panels. If you go to the "going solar" web page you can check out the layout of the entire array.
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Date: 05/09/2002
Here is one of the installers getting ready to attach more rails to the anchors on the southern exposed roof.
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Date: 05/09/2002
Here I climbed up the ladder to take a picture of some of the rails on the southern exposed roof. There will be a total of 16 panels mounted on the southern exposed roof of which this section will hold the most.
Where the Akeena installer is standing is where two more panels will be mounted on rails with a reverse tilt so that they also face at the same orientation as one of the roofs.
Where the Akeena installer is standing is where two more panels will be mounted on rails with a reverse tilt so that they also face at the same orientation as one of the roofs.
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Date: 05/09/2002
Here is another picture that is just to right of the previous one. You can see that there is another set of two rails. I believe that those rails will hold four panels and the rails beneath it will hold eight.
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Date: 05/09/2002
Another shot of the same, just for making sure that one of them came out well.
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Date: 05/09/2002
Here is a shot that is further to the right. This is the other southern exposed roof. On those rails they will be mounting four panels -- this gives us the sixteen panels all in this orientation.
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Date: 05/09/2002
"Hey Julio.. does your cell phone work here? I only get 1 bar."
"Gee, and the sprint guy said he checked this place.."
(I had written "Joe" up there instead of Julio originally. I did not know either installer's name. But Clee did. Is she not amazing?)
"Gee, and the sprint guy said he checked this place.."
(I had written "Joe" up there instead of Julio originally. I did not know either installer's name. But Clee did. Is she not amazing?)
DCP_2339.JPG
Date: 05/09/2002
On the south western roof, of which one you saw in the previous photo, and this one we will be mounting 16 panels.
Here are anchors for two rails to hold a single panel.
Here are anchors for two rails to hold a single panel.
DCP_2340.JPG
Date: 05/14/2002
Five days since the last photo the installers from Akeena have finally returned! This time they brought ACTUAL SOLAR PANELS!
The all caps there should tell you how excited I was.
This was the first time the person on the left side of the picture, John, was at our house. He had just looked at the power meter and was talking to Clee when I happened on the scene.
He said he had not seen a power meter running that fast in a very long time. He looked at the house and estimated 2k square feet and wondered what we could be doing in here that would chew that much power.
Clee told him we had a rack of computer servers. He nodded saying something to the effect of "yeah, that would do it."
(Actually our house is about 1,300 square feet)
You can see Julio preparing to unload stuff from the van on the right side of the picture.
The all caps there should tell you how excited I was.
This was the first time the person on the left side of the picture, John, was at our house. He had just looked at the power meter and was talking to Clee when I happened on the scene.
He said he had not seen a power meter running that fast in a very long time. He looked at the house and estimated 2k square feet and wondered what we could be doing in here that would chew that much power.
Clee told him we had a rack of computer servers. He nodded saying something to the effect of "yeah, that would do it."
(Actually our house is about 1,300 square feet)
You can see Julio preparing to unload stuff from the van on the right side of the picture.
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Date: 05/14/2002
Once again, they are doing more measurements. There will be quite a few panels on this south western exposed roof.
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Date: 05/14/2002
Ooo! Another picture of the toys! Hee hee hee..
There are two panels per box, so that makes this 16 panels.. each capable of delivering 185watts!
There are two panels per box, so that makes this 16 panels.. each capable of delivering 185watts!
DCP_2343.JPG
Date: 05/14/2002
They finally opened one of the boxes. Those just look glorious!
Actually, the panels we were going to have, before Redwood City's anal fascist control freaks said that too many gaps would look too ugly for the city, were lower power. They looked prettier I thought as they were a very deep blue and the entire panel was one color. These cells, as you will see more of in the upcoming photos are almost black and the white gaps between them make them look like the older fashioned pv arrays instead of the "newest model" that they actually are.
Actually, the panels we were going to have, before Redwood City's anal fascist control freaks said that too many gaps would look too ugly for the city, were lower power. They looked prettier I thought as they were a very deep blue and the entire panel was one color. These cells, as you will see more of in the upcoming photos are almost black and the white gaps between them make them look like the older fashioned pv arrays instead of the "newest model" that they actually are.
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Date: 05/14/2002
You are going to see a lot of shots of these panels so get used to them.
These panels are actually just an aluminum frame with some sort of plastic that the cells are mounted on, with small connections between the cells. They are covered with a piece of glass. Apparently they only way about 37.5 lbs.
These panels are actually just an aluminum frame with some sort of plastic that the cells are mounted on, with small connections between the cells. They are covered with a piece of glass. Apparently they only way about 37.5 lbs.
DCP_2345.JPG
Date: 05/14/2002
You may have noticed in an earlier picture that we know have a different Akeena sign in front of our house. Do not ask us.. we do not know why they took away the other one and put this one instead.
It is out towards the street more so people can see it. It also has the URL, phone number, and the Akeena motto.
At least I think it is their motto.
It is out towards the street more so people can see it. It also has the URL, phone number, and the Akeena motto.
At least I think it is their motto.
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Date: 05/14/2002
More pictures of the panels!
Behind the panels against the garage door with all the tools you can see three boxes which are white with some sort of blue trim at the top. These are the three SMA Sunnyboy 2500 inverters for our array.
Behind the panels against the garage door with all the tools you can see three boxes which are white with some sort of blue trim at the top. These are the three SMA Sunnyboy 2500 inverters for our array.
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Date: 05/14/2002
Dig the cool long view angle shot.
You can start to see how the traces between the cells are connected together.
You can start to see how the traces between the cells are connected together.
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Date: 05/14/2002
Here are all sixteen panels unpacked, leaning against the wall of the southern facing roof. You can see the a/c unit behind the panels.
Actually where these panels are is where we plan on putting the generator.
Fie on your PG&E! You have worse power reliability then I did growing up in the relative boonies of Vermont!
Actually where these panels are is where we plan on putting the generator.
Fie on your PG&E! You have worse power reliability then I did growing up in the relative boonies of Vermont!
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Date: 05/14/2002
Oh, did I mention that each panel will generate 185watts of power?
Go to the "going solar" page to get details on just what that means and under what conditions.
Go to the "going solar" page to get details on just what that means and under what conditions.
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Date: 05/14/2002
Ah, yes. I mentioned the three SMA Sunnyboy 2500 inverters. Here is a better shot of them in their boxes. Apparently they had bought nine of these as the "qty9" tends to indicate.
On top of them are two cut off boxes. I believe what will happen is the pv array will feed in to one box. That box will feed in to the inverters. The inverters than feed the resultant A/C in to the other cut off box, which then feeds in in to our grid intertie. This way you can isolate the various components.
On top of them are two cut off boxes. I believe what will happen is the pv array will feed in to one box. That box will feed in to the inverters. The inverters than feed the resultant A/C in to the other cut off box, which then feeds in in to our grid intertie. This way you can isolate the various components.
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Date: 05/14/2002
"Let me make sure this rail is actually in here right."
I think he is installing the mounting bracket that a panel will mount on to.
I think he is installing the mounting bracket that a panel will mount on to.
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Date: 05/14/2002
Ah ha! A big ugly piece of ply wood has appeared on our beautiful grey/blue siding! What could this be for?
Hm.. the plywood does kinda stand out. Of course the inverters will stand out too.
We are thinking we may want to paint this panel after the work is done, matched to the color of the siding.
I was thinking also painting grey lines on it so that it matches where the siding sheets join each other.
Another thought that I had would be to paint some weird patterns on to the plywood that would integrate with the SMA inverters. Perhaps some nicely detailed diagram of the power flow through the various components illustrated in several languages, human and alien.
Clee wrinkled her nose at that.
It turns out that Akeena will paint it a base color so that it more or less matches the house for us. I suggested a slightly lighter color base so that we can do our illustrations on top of it.
Oh, hey, if you look down the neighbor's driveway, and up beyond their garage you can see the apartment complex behind our house and you can just make out the solar PV array on their roof. I wonder how much power it generates.
Hm.. the plywood does kinda stand out. Of course the inverters will stand out too.
We are thinking we may want to paint this panel after the work is done, matched to the color of the siding.
I was thinking also painting grey lines on it so that it matches where the siding sheets join each other.
Another thought that I had would be to paint some weird patterns on to the plywood that would integrate with the SMA inverters. Perhaps some nicely detailed diagram of the power flow through the various components illustrated in several languages, human and alien.
Clee wrinkled her nose at that.
It turns out that Akeena will paint it a base color so that it more or less matches the house for us. I suggested a slightly lighter color base so that we can do our illustrations on top of it.
Oh, hey, if you look down the neighbor's driveway, and up beyond their garage you can see the apartment complex behind our house and you can just make out the solar PV array on their roof. I wonder how much power it generates.
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Date: 05/14/2002
Oo.. panels are going on the roof.
You can see the rails that they will be reverse tilt mounting some panels on here. You can also see the brackets on both sets of rails.
There are actually four panels in this picture.
Beneath this you can see our spiffy deck with the breakfast nook and one pair of the outdoor speakers.
George Neville-Neil found the wires coming out of the dryer vent immensely amusing for some reason.
You can see the rails that they will be reverse tilt mounting some panels on here. You can also see the brackets on both sets of rails.
There are actually four panels in this picture.
Beneath this you can see our spiffy deck with the breakfast nook and one pair of the outdoor speakers.
George Neville-Neil found the wires coming out of the dryer vent immensely amusing for some reason.
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Date: 05/14/2002
A closeup of the rails on the south western facing roof.
I wonder where the people in that plane are traveling from. I wonder if they are flying to SFO.
I wonder where the people in that plane are traveling from. I wonder if they are flying to SFO.
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Date: 05/14/2002
Look! Some of the sixteen panels have vanished!
Did I mention there were quite a few pictures of solar panels?
Did I mention there were quite a few pictures of solar panels?
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Date: 05/14/2002
In its beauty! 185watts baby!
You can see some of the crystaline nature of the panels here.
One of the reasons these panels generate more power than their prettier predecessors is that these use a mono-crystaline structure. The other panels used a poly-crystaline structure.
I probably got that wrong as I am just typing up these comments so that there is something here. You can look them up on the net to get the details if you want.
You can even buy them from some places.
You can see some of the crystaline nature of the panels here.
One of the reasons these panels generate more power than their prettier predecessors is that these use a mono-crystaline structure. The other panels used a poly-crystaline structure.
I probably got that wrong as I am just typing up these comments so that there is something here. You can look them up on the net to get the details if you want.
You can even buy them from some places.
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Date: 05/14/2002
This photo is a bit fuzzy. Sorry.. my camera does not do a good macro version and I had not even set it in to macro-zoom mode.
Here you can see that each cell is divided in half and each half has a main lead going up and down the cell. One end is positive, the other negative. Going in to each main lead are a bunch of sub-leads at right angles.
Between each cell there appears to be a simple solder joint joining them together to the cells above and below them. This gives the array a bunch of columns of cells in series joined in parallel.
Here you can see that each cell is divided in half and each half has a main lead going up and down the cell. One end is positive, the other negative. Going in to each main lead are a bunch of sub-leads at right angles.
Between each cell there appears to be a simple solder joint joining them together to the cells above and below them. This gives the array a bunch of columns of cells in series joined in parallel.
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Date: 05/14/2002
A somewhat less fuzzy picture of the cell in the top right hand corner, where the serial number tag is.
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Date: 05/14/2002
Woo! You can see that they have mounted three of the four panels on one of the southern facing roofs. You can also see that they have a panel just "hanging out" on the front waiting for mounting.
Boy, rose bushes in CA are just NASTY weeds. They have huge thorns and look how large that yellow rose bush on the side of hour house has gotten!
Boy, rose bushes in CA are just NASTY weeds. They have huge thorns and look how large that yellow rose bush on the side of hour house has gotten!
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Date: 05/14/2002
Another picture of the same scene from looking directly at the front of our house. More or less.
You can now see our messy mass of rose bushes that needs to be tamed.
You can now see our messy mass of rose bushes that needs to be tamed.
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Date: 05/14/2002
Ah! Remember that piece of plywood?
Here you can see the three SMA inverters and the two cutoff switches.
The box on the right will have the panels feeding in to it via a conduit. On the left bottom side of each inverter is the d/c input. On the right bottom side is the a/c output. You can actually see the a/c output junction as that little black cap on the bottom of the top inverter.
There will be another box on the right that all of the inverters feed in to. That box will then feed in to the switch box on the right. The resulting a/c power will then be tied to the meter that is to the left of this picture.
Here you can see the three SMA inverters and the two cutoff switches.
The box on the right will have the panels feeding in to it via a conduit. On the left bottom side of each inverter is the d/c input. On the right bottom side is the a/c output. You can actually see the a/c output junction as that little black cap on the bottom of the top inverter.
There will be another box on the right that all of the inverters feed in to. That box will then feed in to the switch box on the right. The resulting a/c power will then be tied to the meter that is to the left of this picture.
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Date: 05/14/2002
Close up of one of the inverters. We ordered the ones without the little monitoring panel that they can each have.
However, each has an RS485 line that will be fed inside in to a Sunny Boy Controller which will then feed in to my rack of servers so we can monitor and record the power these babies generate.
Oh, yeah, SMA is a company in Germany. Hence the text is both in English and in German. Except for the product name "Sunny Boy."
However, each has an RS485 line that will be fed inside in to a Sunny Boy Controller which will then feed in to my rack of servers so we can monitor and record the power these babies generate.
Oh, yeah, SMA is a company in Germany. Hence the text is both in English and in German. Except for the product name "Sunny Boy."
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Date: 05/14/2002
This is the switch that all of the PV panels will feed in to.
I love that big handle.
I love that big handle.
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Date: 05/14/2002
Hm.. a little fuzzier. The handle on this one is no where near as impressive as the previous unit. Looks a bit wimpy.
This is the switch that will take the output of the inverters and feed it in to our meter.
This is the switch that will take the output of the inverters and feed it in to our meter.
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Date: 05/14/2002
A nice angled shot of one of the inverters. You can see the smaller puny switch box just beyond it.
Yeah.. that is German alright. English: "string inverter." German: "Stringwechselrichter."
Yeah.. that is German alright. English: "string inverter." German: "Stringwechselrichter."
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Date: 05/14/2002
A shot from a little further away so you can get a feel for how far apart things are.
I will be putting up a little video clip showing you how fast that meter is spinning.
Another run-amuck rose bush here too!
I will be putting up a little video clip showing you how fast that meter is spinning.
Another run-amuck rose bush here too!
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Date: 05/14/2002
And yet another shot so you can compare. Remember that shot from early on in this photo essay. I should super-impose those two so you can get a better "before" / "after" shot.
Note: there will also be 8 solar panels on this roof.
Note: there will also be 8 solar panels on this roof.
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Date: 05/14/2002
I took one of the panels and flipped it over so you could see how it was put together.
From the front it looks like one solid unit, but it is actually pretty flimsy looking on this side.
Just an aluminum frame. The white sheet is some sort of plastic/vinyl sheeting. it is very thin and flexible. You can even see the impressions of the individual solar cells on it. The wires have mating ends so you can string these together very easily.
I took pictures of the text but it is unreadable. I will take better pictures later.
From the front it looks like one solid unit, but it is actually pretty flimsy looking on this side.
Just an aluminum frame. The white sheet is some sort of plastic/vinyl sheeting. it is very thin and flexible. You can even see the impressions of the individual solar cells on it. The wires have mating ends so you can string these together very easily.
I took pictures of the text but it is unreadable. I will take better pictures later.
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Date: 05/14/2002
Woo! I will get a better picture tomorrow.
185watts!
You can read some of the details about how this panels total output is measured.
The cells operate better when they are kept relatively cool. This is why solar panels are better for areas like the bay area, or even much further north of here than they are for desert areas.
I imagine it is like a metal. When it gets to hot its crystal structure goes all erratic and it simply can not produce or carry a current.
185watts!
You can read some of the details about how this panels total output is measured.
The cells operate better when they are kept relatively cool. This is why solar panels are better for areas like the bay area, or even much further north of here than they are for desert areas.
I imagine it is like a metal. When it gets to hot its crystal structure goes all erratic and it simply can not produce or carry a current.
DCP_2371.JPG
Date: 05/14/2002
Um. yeah. Says that if you play with the wires make sure you cover the surface of the panel because as long as it is being "irradiated" those lines are hot!
Neat concept. It just sits there in the sun and... power comes out of it. That is just so cool.
Neat concept. It just sits there in the sun and... power comes out of it. That is just so cool.
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Date: 05/14/2002
All those pictures from the ground were getting boring. Here is a picture of the rails on the front of the house and the panel just hanging out waiting to be installed.
Look at those plugs! Light is hitting it, that means there is power available right there, right now!
Here you can also see a better image of the brackets on the rails that the panels mount on to.
Look at those plugs! Light is hitting it, that means there is power available right there, right now!
Here you can also see a better image of the brackets on the rails that the panels mount on to.
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Date: 05/14/2002
I turned around about 160 degrees and you can now see the other rails on the southern facing roof and four other panels that are just hanging out.
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Date: 05/14/2002
I figured we had no pictures of our gazebo from this angle, so I would take one. You can see a little of the expansive roof that will be covered with panels from here too.
Boy. Our backyard has really turned in to a jungle.
Boy. Our backyard has really turned in to a jungle.
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Date: 05/14/2002
Remember those rails on the southern facing roof over the garage? Here you can see the three panels that have been mounted on them.
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Date: 05/14/2002
I frequently take pictures in both landscape and portrait orientations just to be safe.
This is one of those occasions.
This is one of those occasions.
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Date: 05/14/2002
And in case you wanted a more vertical, looking down orientation here is one of those.
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Date: 05/15/2002
Oh boy oh boy.. The next morning the Akeena truck has returned.
I wonder what it could have inside? Perhaps another 16 PV panels?
I wonder what it could have inside? Perhaps another 16 PV panels?
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Date: 05/15/2002
Look! They are unloading oblong boxes!
The angle may seem a little weird on this picture because Clee took it from inside the house. Apparently going out to take a shot was a bit too much.
It is a good angle except for the rose bush.. they grow like weeds I tell ya.
The angle may seem a little weird on this picture because Clee took it from inside the house. Apparently going out to take a shot was a bit too much.
It is a good angle except for the rose bush.. they grow like weeds I tell ya.
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Date: 05/15/2002
Yup! Another sixteen panels. Here you see Julio inspecting the panels as he unpacks them.
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Date: 05/15/2002
Not much later we can see that they have actually installed all four panels that will go on this southern facing roof.
Clee pointed out that the right most panel at its top overhangs the roof edge - which is a thing the fascist Redwood City control freaks find objectionable so it may need to be moved.
Clee pointed out that the right most panel at its top overhangs the roof edge - which is a thing the fascist Redwood City control freaks find objectionable so it may need to be moved.
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Date: 05/15/2002
A close up of the side mounting brackets
for the panels.
Hm. I need to fix that drain pipe. Also need to clean out the gutters. Amazing the things you notice.
for the panels.
Hm. I need to fix that drain pipe. Also need to clean out the gutters. Amazing the things you notice.
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Date: 05/15/2002
Wow! Look at the pile of solar panels! You
know how much money those cost? ^_^;
know how much money those cost? ^_^;
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Date: 05/15/2002
A slightly different angle on those same panels stacked up against our house.
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Date: 05/15/2002
Woo. You can see the edge of a panel mounted on the southern facing roof. You can also see the rails where they will mount two panels on a reverse tilt to the left of the breakfast nook's umbrella.
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Date: 05/15/2002
I guess Clee was trying to show just how wild the jungle has gotten. Either that or there is cat buried somewhere in this picture.
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Date: 05/15/2002
John, from Akeena, is beginning to hook up the conduits for the cables. He went to home depot and got a nice grey to paint the plywood with so it does not stand out like a sore thumb so much. Nice job.
I want to still paint over it with a full diagram of what is going in at least 5 languages.
I want to still paint over it with a full diagram of what is going in at least 5 languages.
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Date: 05/15/2002
Good thing our neighbors' do not need to drive in and out of their driveway during the day.
I have to keep wondering what they think about all this and how this set of components mounted on our house look.
I have to keep wondering what they think about all this and how this set of components mounted on our house look.
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Date: 05/15/2002
Another view of these four panels and the rails on the front of the house.
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Date: 05/15/2002
Here is a closeup of the internals of one of the Sunny Boy inverters. Neat, huh?
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Date: 05/15/2002
"You are saying we can not attach the flux capacitor here?"
"No, that new regulation says it can only be installed in cool looking vehicles."
Apparently the man in the suit talking with John is Barry Cinnamon from Akeena. Unfortunately Clee and I were out to lunch and missed the chance to talk to him.
"No, that new regulation says it can only be installed in cool looking vehicles."
Apparently the man in the suit talking with John is Barry Cinnamon from Akeena. Unfortunately Clee and I were out to lunch and missed the chance to talk to him.
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Date: 05/15/2002
Here John and Julio try to figure out a solution as to how to mount the fourth panel. Apparently they were unable to find an appropiate beam in the roof to attach the rails to.
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Date: 05/15/2002
Julio diligently at work installing the eight panels to go on the front of the house.
Initially we were trying to put sixteen panel on these roofs facing in this direction. One on each of the small roofs and another six around the 8 you see here. It would have all fit but the fascist control freaks of Redwood City thought the gaps would look unsightly and a bit hodge podge.
Initially we were trying to put sixteen panel on these roofs facing in this direction. One on each of the small roofs and another six around the 8 you see here. It would have all fit but the fascist control freaks of Redwood City thought the gaps would look unsightly and a bit hodge podge.
DCP_2397.JPG
Date: 05/15/2002
More pictures of the inverters on the side of our house.
Over the course of this entire project you should be prepared for a number of redundant photos. There is more than one photographer and "when in doubt, take another picture! They are cheap!"
Over the course of this entire project you should be prepared for a number of redundant photos. There is more than one photographer and "when in doubt, take another picture! They are cheap!"
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Date: 05/15/2002
John has more of the conduit placed - as well as a small junction box that will bring all the leads from the three different conduits in to one.
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Date: 05/15/2002
Another landscape photo of the inverters, junction box, and switch boxes.
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Date: 05/15/2002
"Can you hear me?"
Here Julio is calling in for advice on how to
figure out how to mount the 4th columns of panels.
Here Julio is calling in for advice on how to
figure out how to mount the 4th columns of panels.
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Date: 05/15/2002
Here you can see on the larger southern facing roof that they have mounted all three panels. The other day I thought four would mount here. Looks like I was wrong.
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Date: 05/15/2002
In the early photos I had a shot from this angle of just the rails. I figured I should take a comparsion shot with the panels actually installed.
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Date: 05/15/2002
Ah, in this picture you can actually see one of the neighborhood cats relaxing just to the right of the wheeled teak cart.
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Date: 05/15/2002
Here you can see Julio tightening the clamps between two panels on the front of the house.
It looks like they have figured out how to securely mount the rails so that they can affix four panels across here.
It looks like they have figured out how to securely mount the rails so that they can affix four panels across here.
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Date: 05/15/2002
A zoomed out photo of the same thing -- Julio fixing panels on to rails.
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Date: 05/15/2002
It looks like John has gotten all the conduit between the inverters, junction box, and switch boxes and is now adding a length of conduit to bring the resulting a/c power over to the meter.
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Date: 05/15/2002
Another closeup of the inside of an inverter, from the other side this time.
Those are some nice sized capacitors.
Those are some nice sized capacitors.
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Date: 05/15/2002
Hm. The breaker panel inside our main breaker box looks so... small.
Heh.. you can not see how fast the meter is spinning here. ^_^;
Heh.. you can not see how fast the meter is spinning here. ^_^;
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Date: 05/15/2002
Here. I promised you a clearer picture of the specs sticker inside one of the solar panels.
Mmm Mmm.. up to 5.75 amps.
Frying power!
KoG says that 350milliamps is enough to fry a person. So, could kill someone with one of these panels in full sunlight if you were not careful.
All that power just sitting there. Neat.
According to some data we found the most dangerous current level is from .1 amps to .2 amps. This causes ventricular fibrillation. Above .2 amps the heart muscle contractions are so severe that the heart just clamps during the shock. This makes a victim's chance of surviving better. Curious. You have a better chance of surviving a .3 amp shock then a .15 amp shock.
Mmm Mmm.. up to 5.75 amps.
Frying power!
KoG says that 350milliamps is enough to fry a person. So, could kill someone with one of these panels in full sunlight if you were not careful.
All that power just sitting there. Neat.
According to some data we found the most dangerous current level is from .1 amps to .2 amps. This causes ventricular fibrillation. Above .2 amps the heart muscle contractions are so severe that the heart just clamps during the shock. This makes a victim's chance of surviving better. Curious. You have a better chance of surviving a .3 amp shock then a .15 amp shock.
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Date: 05/15/2002
Hm. It occurs to me in the web version of the photo you can not actually read this.
Tells you not to be stupid, basically. I find the part where it says "Do not wear metallic jewelery which may become cause of electric shock during installation" interesting. Hm.
"Keep module away from children." oh yeah.. grab those leads -- bad idea.
Tells you not to be stupid, basically. I find the part where it says "Do not wear metallic jewelery which may become cause of electric shock during installation" interesting. Hm.
"Keep module away from children." oh yeah.. grab those leads -- bad idea.
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Date: 05/15/2002
Hm. This back view will eventually become a lot more interesting when the finish mounting the panels here.
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Date: 05/15/2002
A picture of the front of the house at the end of the day. You can see that all eight panels have been mounted on the front of the house.
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Date: 05/15/2002
Closeup again of these four panels. 5:21pm (according to the camera) and still getting a goodly amount of sunlight.
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Date: 05/15/2002
Woohoo! All 8 panels on the front of the house. Being the most mounted at one time in one place you are going to see a lot of pictures of these panels.
Just warning you.
Just warning you.
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Date: 05/15/2002
Closeup of these 8 panels. Picture is a bit fuzzy because the sun is just off to the left a bit.
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Date: 05/15/2002
Here is how far the conduit project got at the end of the day.
It will be fun to illustrate this panel.
Maybe we can get some Quenya. I wonder how they write "Photovoltaic string inverter?"
It will be fun to illustrate this panel.
Maybe we can get some Quenya. I wonder how they write "Photovoltaic string inverter?"
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Date: 05/15/2002
Just in case you have not seen enough pictures of the cool inverters and their connecting conduits.
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Date: 05/15/2002
Okay, time to go up on the roof and look at these puppies.
It is kind of funny that this southern facing roof will have 12 panels on it, but most people will not see them as they are not visible from any other place except our neighbor's house.
It is kind of funny that this southern facing roof will have 12 panels on it, but most people will not see them as they are not visible from any other place except our neighbor's house.
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Date: 05/15/2002
Hm. I did not like the framing of that last picture so I took another one. Just in case.
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Date: 05/15/2002
A view looking down upon the eight glorious panels on the front of the house.
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Date: 05/15/2002
Turn around and we can see the four panels on the southern facing roof over the garage.
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Date: 05/15/2002
You know, leaning at an angle and staring through a camera view finder on a tilted roof is a very unsettling thing. You body begins to naturally lean to correct the tilt of the roof. However that makes your footing unstable. So you need to take these pictures quickly if you have this problem.
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Date: 05/15/2002
A closer in shot of these three panels. The camera is at a bit of an odd angle. It only becomes disturbing if you look at the angle of the trees.
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Date: 05/15/2002
Oh, for those of your curious about how the mounting brackets work. They can slide along the groove in the rail, and you tigthen their lip down against the side of the panel. The brackets between panels have lips on both sides so they can hold two panels at once.
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Date: 05/15/2002
Time for the cool angled shots. Okay, so being fuzzy they are not so cool. I put them in here because this is the sort of shot you see every now and then.
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Date: 05/15/2002
A closer in shot looking down at the eight panels on the front of the house.
You can see the heads of the in-between-the-panels brackets here.
You can see the heads of the in-between-the-panels brackets here.
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Date: 05/15/2002
Trying to do more of those up-close cool looking shots. However the the way the light shined on the rippled glass pretty much ruins the effect.
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Date: 05/15/2002
Another one from this angle. I said you would be seeing a lot of shots of these panels.
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Date: 05/15/2002
Apparently Clee noticed I was missing from inside the house and then saw the ladder I had put up.
This is as far as she got. It was quite a bit windier up here than it was down in the yard.
This is as far as she got. It was quite a bit windier up here than it was down in the yard.
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Date: 05/15/2002
This expanse of roof will have sixteen solar panels on it! This is for that before and after shot.
You also get another good shot of the gazebo from above.
It is a very cool looking gazebo.
It will be even cooler when it gets a hot tub. Well, except it will be warm... but .. you know what I mean.
You also get another good shot of the gazebo from above.
It is a very cool looking gazebo.
It will be even cooler when it gets a hot tub. Well, except it will be warm... but .. you know what I mean.
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Date: 05/15/2002
I figured since I am up here I would take another shot of our unruly back yard. I should have climbed down that roof more to get a better shot. Perhaps tomorrow.
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Date: 05/15/2002
This northern facing roof will have eight panels flush mounted on it. Not a very good orientation.
If we had had our way, they would be on the front roof but nOooOooo.. that would look unsightly.
Akeena originally had them as a reverse tilt which would push the efficiency up since they would get a better exposure.. but noOoooo.. reverse tilt visible from the street looks too ugly for the beautiful posh Redwood City.
If we had had our way, they would be on the front roof but nOooOooo.. that would look unsightly.
Akeena originally had them as a reverse tilt which would push the efficiency up since they would get a better exposure.. but noOoooo.. reverse tilt visible from the street looks too ugly for the beautiful posh Redwood City.
DCP_2441.JPG
Date: 05/15/2002
Oh hey! Look at this, another shot looking down on the 8 panels on the front of the house.
Ut! Looks like the camera strap got in to the picture too. That is that black fluzzy blurry thing at the bottom right of the picture. You can also see my shadow spread across the panels.
Ut! Looks like the camera strap got in to the picture too. That is that black fluzzy blurry thing at the bottom right of the picture. You can also see my shadow spread across the panels.
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Date: 05/15/2002
Since I was up at this peak, I figured I would take another picture of these three panels.
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Date: 05/16/2002
And on the 5th day they ran more conduit.
Basically like the power line enters through the eave, so will the conduit that the power lines from the pv panels go in to.
This goes down to that big switch box.
Basically like the power line enters through the eave, so will the conduit that the power lines from the pv panels go in to.
This goes down to that big switch box.
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Date: 05/16/2002
A closer in picture of John and Julio preparing to drill a hole to run the conduit through.
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Date: 05/16/2002
Look at our neat and tidy pv array! Panels akimbo!
Kinda funny when you look at it in mid-construction like this. Julio spent the day hard at work trying to arrange panels on the major expand of southern facing roof.
Kinda funny when you look at it in mid-construction like this. Julio spent the day hard at work trying to arrange panels on the major expand of southern facing roof.
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Date: 05/16/2002
Julio considers his work like a master sculptor about to lay his tools to his raw materials.
As you will see in later pictures he managed to pull off a neat bit of laying out.
As you will see in later pictures he managed to pull off a neat bit of laying out.
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Date: 05/16/2002
A closeup view of the rails and panels akimbo just above the breakfast nook.
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Date: 05/16/2002
Just what is he doing up there, anyways? Such a look of concentration!
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Date: 05/16/2002
Here we get yet another view of the inverters, exposed.
You can now actually see the conduit going from the switch box on the left up towards the roof. This is where the power from the pv panels will come in.
You can now actually see the conduit going from the switch box on the left up towards the roof. This is where the power from the pv panels will come in.
DCP_2450.JPG
Date: 05/16/2002
A portrait shot of the same inverters exposed again. Here you can actually see the conduit poking its head above the roof.
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Date: 05/16/2002
Looks like the long string of panels on the southern exposure roof are being installed. Woo hoo!
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Date: 05/16/2002
A view of the same string of panels from further back so you can get a little more of the context.
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Date: 05/16/2002
Ah, another shot. Remember how I said there would be a lot of pictures of pv panels. We still have a lot more to go too!
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Date: 05/16/2002
Looking to the left of the previous shot you can see the rest of the rails where the panels will be attached.
Is this not exciting?!
Is this not exciting?!
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Date: 05/16/2002
Ooo! Looks like John has run the conduit all the way from the right switch box to the breaker box. Looks like he has also run three wires from the switch box through the conduit.
If you look at the switch box, junction box beneath it, and in the three inverters you can see that he has also run some of the wires in there as well. This will be so sweet.
If you look at the switch box, junction box beneath it, and in the three inverters you can see that he has also run some of the wires in there as well. This will be so sweet.
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Date: 05/16/2002
Hm! John and Julio are deep in discussion about the layout of the panels on this southern exposed roof.
Hm. I still have not re-attached that drain pipe.
Hm. I still have not re-attached that drain pipe.
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Date: 05/16/2002
Too bad we can not use more of our front roof.
The main issue is that we need to run the panels in strings of eight and you want all the panels on a single string to have the same orientation so that they get the same amount of solar radiation at the same time. This means even though we could fit perhaps four more panels on this front roof that would not be enough.
The initial design had sixteen panels which on the front roof. However the fascist city planners for Redwood City considered the layout of the panels unsightly. There were too many gaps and some were landscape while others were portrait so they would not allow us to lay them out like that.
The main issue is that we need to run the panels in strings of eight and you want all the panels on a single string to have the same orientation so that they get the same amount of solar radiation at the same time. This means even though we could fit perhaps four more panels on this front roof that would not be enough.
The initial design had sixteen panels which on the front roof. However the fascist city planners for Redwood City considered the layout of the panels unsightly. There were too many gaps and some were landscape while others were portrait so they would not allow us to lay them out like that.
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Date: 05/16/2002
One of the things Julio had to do today was slide the four panels that were on the southern roof over the garage over about a foot because we were worried that the fascist city planners would object that a panel sticking out beyond a roof edge was unacceptable.
This was one of the problems with the original design. So there was room and it was better to move it now then have them inspect it, have us move it, and then wait for them to come and inspect it again.
This was one of the problems with the original design. So there was room and it was better to move it now then have them inspect it, have us move it, and then wait for them to come and inspect it again.
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Date: 05/16/2002
Do I see success? Yes, I think I do. The problem was that the top right corner of the right most panel was visible from the other side of the roof.
This is _bad_ according to the Redwood City planners.
This is _bad_ according to the Redwood City planners.
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Date: 05/16/2002
Look at that.. you can no longer see the edge of the fourth panel from the front of the house. That should satisfy them.
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Date: 05/16/2002
And even better from here. Looks like our house only has a measley eight panels.
In a casual drive by you are likely to only see 1/6th of our actual PV array.
That depresses me. You should see that we have a huge array.. but instead it looks kinda puny. ;_;
Bah.. Palo Alto wannabe's! Anti-solar planners!
In a casual drive by you are likely to only see 1/6th of our actual PV array.
That depresses me. You should see that we have a huge array.. but instead it looks kinda puny. ;_;
Bah.. Palo Alto wannabe's! Anti-solar planners!
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Date: 05/16/2002
There is a male tabby cat that is now hanging out around our deck quite a lot. It seems that almost no cat will use our teak chairs unless they have the cushions on.
This cat's usual sleeping place is actually where all of the pv panels are currently stacked against the house. Apparently this is his new resting place.
This cat's usual sleeping place is actually where all of the pv panels are currently stacked against the house. Apparently this is his new resting place.
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Date: 05/16/2002
Here is another picture of the inverters and all the conduits.
I took this picture when I got home from work not knowing that there had already been copious pictures taken of the work in progress.
Well, not much to say about that.
I took this picture when I got home from work not knowing that there had already been copious pictures taken of the work in progress.
Well, not much to say about that.
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Date: 05/16/2002
Here is a portrait shot showing you all of the conduit involved. Woo woo! It goes to the power panel.
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Date: 05/16/2002
Yum! Tasty wiring. All the greens tie to the grounding bar. Red and black go to the switch.
This is all fed from the junction box directly below this switch box. In that junction box is where the wires from the three inverters are all joined together. It feeds out the conduit to the right which loops around down below over to the meter that is way over on the left.
This is all fed from the junction box directly below this switch box. In that junction box is where the wires from the three inverters are all joined together. It feeds out the conduit to the right which loops around down below over to the meter that is way over on the left.
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Date: 05/16/2002
Time for Scanner to go up on the roof and see what has been done today.
I took a new picture of these panels because they have now been shifted to the left to hide their ugly edge from the city planners.
I took a new picture of these panels because they have now been shifted to the left to hide their ugly edge from the city planners.
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Date: 05/16/2002
Ah and here we have a string of seven panels! At least from this angle it looks like seven panels.
Longest single run on the house so far.
Longest single run on the house so far.
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Date: 05/16/2002
Here is a better view of the four panels that have been moved over a bit.
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Date: 05/16/2002
I thought my hand shook when I took that last picture. Must be because I was so overcome with emotion!
Turns out both pictures are fine. ^_^;;
Turns out both pictures are fine. ^_^;;
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Date: 05/16/2002
Ah! Here we get a view from the top of the run of seven.. no.. wait.. that is not seven.. that is eight panels!
They managed to fit eight panels on this run. Cool! If you go to the final plan there had been seven panels here. I guess the measurements of the roof vs. the actual panel size was not quite accurate. This is excellent.
Let us see how this unfolds. If they can manage to put four panels where they had previously put three panels then we could save having to put two panels on the northern expose roof above the kitchen in a reverse tilt! They would just be part of this twelve panel run. This plus the four on the garage roof would make two strings of eight, all in the same orientation. The most favorable orientation at that.
They managed to fit eight panels on this run. Cool! If you go to the final plan there had been seven panels here. I guess the measurements of the roof vs. the actual panel size was not quite accurate. This is excellent.
Let us see how this unfolds. If they can manage to put four panels where they had previously put three panels then we could save having to put two panels on the northern expose roof above the kitchen in a reverse tilt! They would just be part of this twelve panel run. This plus the four on the garage roof would make two strings of eight, all in the same orientation. The most favorable orientation at that.
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Date: 05/16/2002
While I was up on the peak of our roof I figured I would take a picture of the soalr array that is on the apartment complex next door.
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Date: 05/16/2002
Hey, while I am up here, why not take another shot looking down on the gazebo, deck, and backyard.
You can see that the tabby is still taking a nap on one of the teak steamer chairs.
Those two rails you see in this picture are the ones that would have two reverse mount panels on them. If they can manage to fit four panels immediately to my left they would not need to use those rails at all.
You can see that the tabby is still taking a nap on one of the teak steamer chairs.
Those two rails you see in this picture are the ones that would have two reverse mount panels on them. If they can manage to fit four panels immediately to my left they would not need to use those rails at all.
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Date: 05/16/2002
Pomru saw the ladder and just had to see what was up here.
You can see the glorious run of 8 panels on the right.
You can see the glorious run of 8 panels on the right.
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Date: 05/16/2002
Time for a whole bunch of those close up low angle shots of the run of eight panels. Maybe one of them will be cool enough to use somewhere else.
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Date: 05/16/2002
Hm.. how about here, if we turn on the macro setting maybe we will get some of the closer in stuff in focus.
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Date: 05/16/2002
ut! Another cat. This is an all black cat with yellow eyes, and a white mark on his next.
Very scaredy. You look at him funny and he runs away.
However he does like to hang out in our backyard.
Very scaredy. You look at him funny and he runs away.
However he does like to hang out in our backyard.
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Date: 05/16/2002
Here you can see the rails where three pv panels were initially mounted. It may be possible to mount four panels there.
Both this shot and the previous shot give some good detail on how the between-the-panel brackets hold the panels in.
Both this shot and the previous shot give some good detail on how the between-the-panel brackets hold the panels in.
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Date: 05/17/2002
Saturday, May 17th! Turns out that Akeena was a bit further behind schedule then they expected so Julio and another installer worked some overtime on Saturday.
Here you can see them cutting off extra length of on the two panels that are above the kitchen on a northern exposure roof.
Here you can see them cutting off extra length of on the two panels that are above the kitchen on a northern exposure roof.
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Date: 05/17/2002
They also installed the single panel that is on the south western exposed roof above the utility room.
I plan on putting a restractable awning on this part of the roof as well. That should be later in the summer.
I plan on putting a restractable awning on this part of the roof as well. That should be later in the summer.
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Date: 05/17/2002
Here the two installers are continuing to work on the rails here. It looks like they need to extend the rail in order to install a second panel here.
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Date: 05/17/2002
Ah, yes, they are adding an extension to the rail that is already there so they can add a second panel.
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Date: 05/17/2002
Scanner had to go up on the roof again to see what things looked like from up here.
These eight panels are still here. You can see the two panels on kitchen's northern exposed roof. You can also see the single panel on the utility room's south western exposed roof.
Clee poked her head up as well.
These eight panels are still here. You can see the two panels on kitchen's northern exposed roof. You can also see the single panel on the utility room's south western exposed roof.
Clee poked her head up as well.
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Date: 05/17/2002
They also cut off the excess rail on the eight panels on the front roof of the house. It looks even spiffier with it all trimmed like this.
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Date: 05/17/2002
Another view, a little further back, of the run of eight panels and two on the northern exposed roof.
Since they put eight panels here, and two on the northern exposed roof still we were wondering if they were going to put only two panels on this southern exposed roof. Perhaps not. You can see that there are three panels still there, just not attached to the rails.
Since they put eight panels here, and two on the northern exposed roof still we were wondering if they were going to put only two panels on this southern exposed roof. Perhaps not. You can see that there are three panels still there, just not attached to the rails.
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Date: 05/17/2002
Here is a view looking down on this single panel facing south west.
Oh, you can see more of the deck and the jungle that is our backyard.
Oh, you can see more of the deck and the jungle that is our backyard.
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Date: 05/17/2002
Here is a closer view of these two panels on the northern exposed roof.
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Date: 05/17/2002
While I was up here Clee dragged up the spark arrestor she had gotten.
By the way, this is as far up the ladder as she would ever go. A lot more stable on the roof..
By the way, this is as far up the ladder as she would ever go. A lot more stable on the roof..
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Date: 05/17/2002
"Maybe if I wedge it in like this..."
Turns out the spark arrestor she got was for a chimney smaller than ours, or larger than ours (it could fit mulitple sizes.. just not the size of ours.)
Turns out the spark arrestor she got was for a chimney smaller than ours, or larger than ours (it could fit mulitple sizes.. just not the size of ours.)
