We can stroke this one off the list – the ladder inside the vertical culvert is done.  Bryan was at the bottom of the vertical culvert on December 8, 2010.  It feels good to get this element of the project completed.  Finally.

As well, we finished off the solar installation and now we need to get connected to the grid.

Excellent progress …

The ladder and safety post are now mounted securely inside the vertical culvert.

View from the bottom of the vertical culvert (17 feet to the surface).

We put a wooden plywood deck inside the vertical culvert so we could add the electrical and other components safely and quickly.

The cast aluminum ring and manhole cover fit nicely over the vertical culvert.

Panels inside the East Mechanical room ...

Panel open with spacers over deadfront, with labeling. Ready for inspection ...

Our solar permit, which needs to be signed off and closed.

Although we are connected to the grid, this permit should be closed.

Bryan had picked up the Sequoia Vacuum SV-700 unit today and positioned it in the garage.

Initially, we didn’t think that a central vacuum was important. The more we started the learn about the value of indoor air quality, the more we understood the importance of a central vacuum with an external exhaust.

Then, of course, we dug into the cyclonic vs. filter system and determined that we wanted to keep the outside of our house clean.

While evaluating central vacuum systems, we found that the leader in central vacuum systems is Sequoia Vacuum Systems, which is located in Menlo Park, just the other side of Palo Alto.  Earlier, we had worked on installing the collection pipes for the central vacuum system.

IAQ 8.2 Indoor Contaminant Control (1 point each, maximum 2 points).
Select from the following measures:
a) Design and install permanent walk-off mats at each entry that are at least 4 feet in length and allow accessibility for cleaning (e.g., grating with catch basin).
b) Design a shoe removal and storage space near the primary entryway, separated from living areas. This space may not have wall-to-wall carpeting, and it must be large enough to accommodate a bench and at least two pairs of shoes per bedroom.
c) Install a central vacuum system with exhaust to the outdoors. Ensure that the exhaust is not near any ventilation air intake.

Sequoia Vacuum System's SV-700 unit installed in our garage.

The City of Monte Sereno reviewed our photovoltaic solar panel installation and signed off on all the components that Real Goods Solar are responsible for.  The one remaining component is a cover for the 200 amp electrical panel in the East Mechanical room.

Although the cover is required, there is no current flowing through our electrical system as we are not connected to ‘the grid’.

We were honored to have Bob Sobota and Eufermiro Cariaga from Schneider Electric, and Jim Laberty of Lighting Systems tour our project site today.  Bryan met Bob Sobota when Bryan attended the C-Bus training course in Palm Desert in March 2011; Bryan had hosted Jim’s visits to our project site previously, and it was Eric Westphal and Jim that recommended that we engage Randall Whitehead Lighting Solutions to design the lighting throughout the house.  Eufermiro and Bryan met for the first time today.

Bob works in the lighting controls division and Eufermiro is in the Juno Lighting Group.  Jim Laberty is the local distributor for both C-Bus lighting controls and Juno lighting.

Changing Our System to 100% Micro-Inverters

Solar photovoltaic panel installations are new and evolving.  One of the technology elements that is continuing to evolve is the inverter.  Usually, an entire array of panels (or string of arrays of panels) are connected to a single inverter.  The inverter takes the DC and converts it to AC.

For our installation, we changed the design from a mix of one string inverter (for 32 panels) and 16 micro-inverters, to 48 micro-inverters.  Changing to all micro-inverters reduces the conductors (wiring), increases the efficiency of the electricity generation, and increases the safety of the overall system.

One of the challenges with micro-inverters is that not many people understand how these systems work.  Liam Ryan, from Real Goods Solar, explained the details to Bryan.

Before Operating, Micro-Inverters Require a Connection to the Grid

Generally, when solar photovoltaic panels are exposed to sunlight they produce electricity.  The panels create direct current (DC) electricity and that flows to the inverter.  In the case of a micro-inverter, the transmission of DC is only a couple of feet as the micro-inverter is mounted to the panel.  The micro-inverter then creates alternating current (AC) which is connected to the building’s electrical system.

Enphase micro-inverters are ‘UL-listed’ as they have been certified (tested and approved) by Underwriters Laboratories.  Products certified by Underwriters Laboratories are identied with a UL Mark.  According to Underwriters Laboratories’ web site:

The UL Mark on a product means that UL has tested and evaluated representative samples of that product and determined that they meet UL requirements. Under a variety of programs products are periodically checked by UL at the manufacturing facility to make sure they continue to meet UL requirements. The UL Marks may be only used on or in connection with products certified by UL and under the terms of written agreement with UL. In addition to these marks, UL also provides access to the marks required in a number of other key world markets.

Liam explained that the Enphase micro-inverters in our system cannot convert the DC current to AC unless the micro-inverter has recognized the 60 Hz wave form has been stable for five minutes.  The 60 Hz wave form is present in the electrical grid throughout the U.S. and Canada.  Thus, the micro-inverter cannot create AC current unless our system is connected to the grid.

In addition, Liam explained that the micro-inverters will stop creating AC current immediately upon losing recognition of the 60 Hz wave form.  The software in the Enphase micro-inverters is what recognizes the 60 Hz wave forms and then controls the output.

Underwriters Laboratories has certified the Enphase micro-inverters that we are using.

Consequently, although we have our entire solar photovoltaic system built, installed and inspected, we cannot create electricity until we are connected to the grid.  There is no electricity present in our system.

Roseanne Prevost-Morgan and Matt Knobbe of Real Goods Solar dropped by our site to take a quick look at the installation. Bryan, of course, took their picture on the Upper Flat roof.

One of the benefits of the Enphase system is the Enlighten web-based service that shows the status of each solar photovoltaic panel.  Although Liam Ryan completed the initial configuration yesterday, Bryan added some additional details today so the reporting is robust.

Link to Enphase Enlighten System

Our Enphase Enlighten system portal is as follows:

http://enlighten.enphaseenergy.com/public/systems/j8aJ30045

The link above allows us to see the status of each individual panel so we can monitor the performance of the entire system.

Please note that the Enlighten system portal will not be dynamic until the City of Monte Sereno approves our solar installation, which should be on Monday, September 12, 2011 and Pacific Gas & Electric allows our system to be connected to their distribution system.

Real Goods Solar completed the installation of our solar photovoltaic system today.  It rocks!  The team from Real Goods Solar is exceptional and we endorse them 100%.

Taking Deliver of our FSC-Certified Siding

Our FSC-certified siding was delivered today.  In following our principle of sustainability, we are using FSC-certified wood materials whereever possible.  We spoke with Robert Spalding from Roseburg Forest Products and he recommended that we use their FSC-certified Douglas Fir siding, manufactured with grooves every 8 inches, as it would be a close match to the original siding on our Eichler.  Chris Tritschler, from Channel Lumber, coordinated our order as we wanted clear siding, with no blemishes.

The 41 sheets of siding were delivered to the job site today.

Darryl Arrived Today

Bryan’s younger brother, Darryl, arrived today on a flight from Calgary.  Darryl has not visited us in California for several years and it was great to host his visit.  Bryan coordinatated a test drive in a Tesla (go figure).  While in the Tesla showroom in Santa Row, Bryan looked at one of the bodies of the Model S, which will be manufactured at the former NUMMI plant in Fremont, California.

On the test drive, they brought a color sample back to the job site.  We wanted to see how close the Fusion Red was to the color of our (powder coated) red front door.  Take a look at the photo below and let us know what you think.

Completing the Installation of Our Solar Photovoltaic System

With the spacing of the four arrays on the Upper Flat roof established yesterday, the team quickly completed installing the remaining 28 panels.  After a team photo, Liam Ryan and Bryan McFarland focused on completing the wiring connections and then configuring the system.  Matt Knobbe joined them to complete the installation certificate (CF-6R-PV).

Just as the system was being tested, Devon Kelly, from Builder’s Energy Services arrived at the job site to verify the installation for the rebate application.  Devon is a HERS rater and will verify the installation, perfor4mance and shading specifications as set forth in our rebate application.

The Enphase Envoy unit registered all 48 solar photovoltaic panels and recorded the generation of electricity through the system.  Liam, using a notebook at the job site, configured the orientation and layout of the solar photovoltaic system.  The final configuration that will be accessible via the Internet can be completed tomorrow.

So, the construction and installation team has now ‘passed the baton’ to Roseanne Provost-Morgan, who will file the applications for the rebate and all associated documentation (e.g., interconnection agreement with Pacific Gas & Electric, etc.).  After the City of Monte Sereno signs off on our solar building permit, Ro will submit our rebate application electronically.

It is a race to the finish line!

Installing the remaining 28 solar photovoltaic panels on the Upper Flat roof.

Bryan McFarland, on the roof over the Garage, directs his team.

The arrays are now in place ...

Load center to shut off the array on the East Gable and North Gable is hidden behind the post on the West side of the North Gable.

Completing the wiring to the load centers on the Upper Flat roof.

A quick photo of the installation team from Real Goods Solar!

The Channel Lumber delivery truck arrives with our 41 sheets of siding.

For the siding, we decided on 'Clear' grade.

FSC, of course ...

Al, Nep and Bryan unloaded the 41 sheets of 19/32 siding by hand into the Garage quickly ...

Our HERS rater, Devon Kelly, recording his findings on the Upper Flat roof.

Liam Ryan registered the Enphase micro-inverters directly from our job site.

The Envoy unit, located in the East Mechanical room, showing our solar photovoltaic system is producing electricity at a rate of 8,290 kW. This is one of the largest residential systems that Devon has verified.

A Tesla Model S, currently in the showroom on Santana Row in San Jjose.

Bryan's younger brother, Darryl, holding a Fusion Red color sample against our red front door. We think the color is a close match - what do you think?

Darryl enjoyed the test ride in a Tesla Roadster 2.5 Sport.

The deadline to complete the installation of our solar photovoltaic panels is approaching rapidly.  The team from Real Goods Solar is determined to meet the deadline.

The Operations Manager from Santa Cruz, Dana Farquhar, came to our project site today.  Dana is coordinating the team from Real Goods Solar and ensuring the the construction manager, Liam Ryan, has the resources he needs on site to meet the deadline.

Bryan McFarland ensured the arrays on the Upper Flat roof were spaced correctly, so no array would cast a shadow on the adjacent array.  We wondered if Green Building with Autodesk’s BIM software could be used to design the spacing between the arrays using its three dimensional capabilities.

The electric distribution panels are now enclosed and all of the components will be completed for our solar panel inspection, which is now scheduled for 1:00 pm on Monday, September 12, 2011.

The white stickers for our Nissan LEAF arrived in the mail from the DMV.  Bryan got the LEAF washed, put the stickers on, and had it waxed.  We’re ready to use the carpool lanes now!

The first pallet of solar photovoltaic panels arrived today. Our complete system will include 48 of these panels.

We purchased Sanyo's HIT-N215A01 panels. These panels are rated to generate 215 watts of power.

Liam Ryan (left) and Dana Farquhar, Operations Manager for Santa Cruz, review the installation on the Upper Flat roof. Dana is ensuring that our project has the appropriate resources from Real Goods Solar and Liam will configure the Enphase inverters.

Our solar photovoltaic panels will be seen briefly by people as they drive North on Winchester Boulevard.

Our solar photovoltaic array design has a total of six sets of 8 panels each. The Real Goods Solar team lined up one panel on each of the four arrays on the Upper Flat roof to ensure they were spaced correctly so eacharray would not cast a shadow on the adjacent array.

The spacing between the arrays on the Upper Flat roof were established today. The remaining seven panels in each of these four arrays will be installed tomorrow. We'll make the deadline!

The array on the North Gable is complete!

Side view of the completed array on teh North Gable.

View from behind the swimming pool of the completed array on the North Gable.

The covers are in place on our 400 amp electric panel. The solar photovoltaic system will have the shut-offs inside this cabinet, so it has to be ready for the inspection on Monday.

After having the LEAF washed at the carwash on Lark Avenue, Bryan put the white stickers on as required. Ready for its first wax ...

Our LEAF looks infinitely better with the white stickers!

Our newly waxed LEAF, waiting patiently for the charging system to start at 12:10 am tomorrow morning.