Installation of the panels and electronics

So, we've got a crew of four installing the hardware for the solar system...brackets, racks, panels, inverter, and the connections.  They feel they'll get done today. At first they were a little nervous about the three story building, then they realized that the roof is only slightly pitched (15 deg) and consequently easy to work on.

brackets and racks for panels

So we're rocking!  As I wrote this, I got an email from the the company, O3 Home Solar, that we are ready to start the next step, connecting the system to the grid and dealing with the power company.  Moving along indeed.

UPDATE:  Tim and I discovered an issue.  We did not get the system that allows us to draw power during a blackout.  He was right that our contract didn't call for it.  So I called the office and spoke to Ronnie.  Between the two of them we figured out a solution and settled it very quickly and professionally.  It takes another service call, but we got it handled.  Yay.

[any further updates will be new posts]

Here Comes the Sun (doo bee doo bee)

Subtitled: Going Solar

Coming this Tuesday, December 17, 2019, we will have solar panels installed on our roof.  We are staying on grid for now and doing the buy-back option. Reliant/Oncor have a good buy-back program...we've been told.  We'll see how everything works.  Let's face it, it's not what we're used to and will take some adjustment.  We know some folks in town who have them from another company, but they've promised to help us with the rough bits we'll come to.

I'm going to post pictures, videos, Facebook streaming videos,  and narratives as we get them in and as we adjust to the panels.  Some things should stay exactly the same on our part.  Some things will change.  They're not a miracle, just another energy source.

For those of you who don't know, we intended to use solar from the beginning.  We're 90% + electrical for that reason.  In the future, as storage systems improve in quality and price we'll think about adding that to our system, but for now it's just a no go.  Anyway, I'll keep you posted.  Not every day, of course, but more frequently than usual at first.  After a while it will only be when there is an issue or a victory.

Thanks for reading.  I'll definitely have stuff on Tuesday.

Game delayed on account of rain... sort of

A month later and the roof is still not finished. Aaarrrgghhh! Between weather delays, "help" delays, and my body falling apart, things have not gone smoothly. I have about half of the stripping done for the metal roof. I plan to get the rest up this weekend so that I can order the metal to be ready for Spring Break. Fingers crossed.

Raise the roof! It's just a frame of mind.

Okay! After a long and tortuous road, I have finally finished the roof joists in the back. Two and a half stories up and at a 45 degree angle life can be precarious. But with help (Keith and Greg), we got it done. Now to strip it for the metal roof and get that in place ASAP.

Check this site: http://nickelchurch.shutterfly.com/ for more pics.

Joist to the world...

Alrighty... I'm half done putting up roof joists almost completely by myself. OK, Greg helped me get one wall plate up, but the rest is all me. I may be getting back my "Monkey Man" status if I keep on climbing up the ladders and scaffolding like I have been. I should get the rest up this weekend. When I get 100% done, I'll post the pics from start to finish of the roofing process.

After a wind-induced mishap that damaged a nice piece of furniture, I replace the heavy door to the back with a home-made one that's much lighter. It will keep out the wind and rain but won't cause a problem.

BTW...Charles is getting married one month from today. See more on "Lamb's on the Go", my other, older blog.

Steel thinking about it

The roof is half done. Looks like really good work. The roof is quite solid underneath. Gonna be great!

While looking at metal for pillars in the basement, I saw beams that might do for the ceiling in the main hall. That might allow me to be rid of the pillars in the middle of the floor. If it's not too expensive...maaaaybeee.

There will be a slowdown of work on the building as school is about to start. That means work only on weekends and some evenings. I'll just do what I can. I want to be done with the inside work by April '11.