Seeing A lot of Solar Hot Water on Our Trip
My family and I have been on a trip out in California the last few days. On our drive from Modesto to San Francisco we’ve seen a lot more solar water and pool heating systems than we have solar electric. This is a bit of a surprise, but we’re thrilled! In the family of solar energy systems, water heating is a bit like the younger Cinderella, doing most of the work but getting the least recognition.
A brief review of our vision
My wife Robin and I started Inspiramental Company because we were hopeful that renewable energy might be part of the solution for a happier, cleaner, and more resilient way of life. Life has a million curves but in them all there are basic needs, water, food, clothes, a place to sleep at night, a place to work, and a way to get there. A place or a program to teach our children the best ways to find, water, food, clothes, a place to sleep at night, a place to work, and a way to get there.
Inspiramental’s Services | What We Do
Another sunny day, flat out gorgeous! I’m grateful for that, I’m grateful for the jobs ready for me to quote, I’m grateful for the many friendly and encouraging people who stopped by our booth at the fair.
I realized during the fair that Inspiramental Company’s presence is way too subtle; we only had a few signs and no brochures or literature other than our business cards to take away. Our business cards include our website, but then our website only lists half the stuff we do. In light of that I’m going to write a blog listing the services that we offer.
This list includes brief comments about each product or service. I plan to explain these systems further on our website but in the meantime, please contact us for clarification.
True South and the PoleV2
True south is the ideal direction to face solar panels for maximum performance in the northern hemisphere. True south may also stand for truly appreciating the energy that flows into our environment from the southern sky. Mounting solar panels on a single pole is the easiest way to accomplish a true south orientation. The benefits gained from finding this True South is so great we had to develop our own poles (and a company by the same name) and provide them for our customers.
2011 Great Darke County Fair
We’re preparing for Inspiramental Company’s third year at the Great Darke County Fair! It really is a great fair! People come from counties around to peruse the exhibits; some of the exhibits take two weeks to erect. We’re caught up in the spirit of the fair too and try to go all out to display our products and services as well as working solar energy models for the curious.
2011 Green Energy Ohio Tour
Get ready for the 2011 Green Energy Ohio Tour which takes place Oct. 1 and Oct. 2. The tour features a wide variety of renewable energy systems across the state. If you are considering adding solar to your home or business this is a great opportunity to talk with those who have already invested in these technologies.
Stalking the Walk
We know about walking the talk, and we try, however, we have yet to apply at our home many of the technologies that we promote. We have 400 watts of Solar PV and a few solar ovens. We have an evacuated tube solar hot water collector that we still haven’t installed. We also have a pole mount for a 400kWh/month solar electric system that we haven’t bought panels for.
Darke County Fair 20 – 28 August 2010
This is the fair where we exhibit the latest Inspiramentalisms. Last year we had our new stand alone solar electric with battery back up on display. That is to return, plus, we’re adding solar hot water and a solar oven to the exhibition.
See you there!
Light of Day
Even on cloudy days there’s a good bit of light. That’s why the science of lighting buildings naturally is called ‘day-lighting’ rather than ‘sun-lighting.’ Daylight is one of my favorite things. I’m really intrigued by the practice of purposefully designing windows and skylights into buildings to optimize the light of day. Especially because of the positive psychological effect of natural light, but there’s more; natural light doesn’t require electricity and the coal to make it (which, by the way, is another psychological plus).
Organic Gardener Adds Solar Electric in Oxford, Ohio
Mr. Harv Roehling of Oxford, Ohio, retired teacher of math and grower of organic lettuce and other fine vegetables, was keen to add solar electric to his list of environmentally conscious accomplishments.
We’re very glad that he called us out to explain the options and bid his project! Harv wanted a 4-5kW solar electric system. A ground array was the most logical choice as the roof of his house faces east and west and his barn roof was a bit far from the main electric panel.
Harv also said that he would like to be able to adjust the array seasonally for ideal tilt.
We built two poles and installed them in March. On each pole we installed (10) 230 Watt REC PV Modules (PV is for Photovoltaic). We talk more about the PoleV2 here. In the garage we installed a Solectria string inverter to add sine waves (Alternating Current) to the constant (Direct Current) coming from the Solar PV mods. From there the electricity is connected to his electric distribution panel where it can be used for his needs or pushed back through the main service wires on to the grid for a credit from Duke Energy.
Harv said he couldn’t be happier! We are grateful to have had the opportunity to help make his vision real! As of the beginning of July he has produced, along with his delicious lettuce, 2050 kWh of electricity from the sun’s energy.
