The Common Ground neighborhood, on Lopez Island, WA receives its electricity from solar photovoltaic (PV) panels that convert sunlight directly into electricity. Each of the homes is supplied by a 3 kW array of solar panels, all physically located on what looks like a 300-foot common ground-mounted rack system. It is actually 11 separate systems, situated along the southern boundary of the site. The office and rental units are connected to a separate PV array installed on the roof of a shed near the LCLT office.
Each 3 kW array is comprised of 15 Evergreen 205 Watt Modules, making 165 solar panels in total for the supply to 11 homes. A grid-intertie inverter converts the direct current (DC) electricity from that arrays solar panels to 240 volt alternating current (AC) electricity. The AC electricity from each inverter is passed through a production (kWh) meter, and then connects into each homes electrical panel. Each 3 kW system is wired with a disconnection to assure the safety of the utility workers when they work on the power lines.
The local power utility, OPALCO (Orcas Power and Light Company), offers a $1.50 per installed watt rebate, capped at $4,500 per household system. OPALCO also provides net metering, which credits residents for energy they produce. The OPALCO rebate combined with net metering, a .15 per kWh state rebate, and a generous grant from an anonymous foundation, makes solar electricity an economical choice as well as a good environmental choice.
A conservative production estimate for each 3 kW system is 3075 kWh/yr, or a total of 33,825 kWh/yr for Common Ground. It is enough to provide each households annual electricity needs if the household is conscientious about electricity use.
The warranty on the Evergreen PV modules is 25 years. The warranty on the inverters is 10 years. Of the 11 household 3 kW systems, two were installed by Power Trip Energy and the other nine systems were installed by Common Ground residents, LCLT staff, volunteers, interns.
Music is by Brandon Vance and Mark Minkler
For more information:
http://www.lopezclt.org/Lopez CLT
Box 25
Lopez WA 98261
360.468.3723
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