Originally constructed in 1982 by the Solar Energy Research Institute, this passive solar home in Westminster, Colorado was designed to take maximum advantage of the Sun. Already a highly energy efficient home, the homeowner decided in the spring of 2006 to reduce his fossil fuel consumption by adding a PV system. With the introduction of the 4.7 kW array, the home now receives 90% of its total electrical needs from the sun.

The array consists of twenty-eight Sharp 170 watt modules and a Fronius 5100 inverter. A web-enabled data monitoring system from Fat Spaniel tracks the system’s real-time performance. For a look at the how the system is working, visit http://view2.fatspaniel.net/FST/Portal/

The array produces about 585 kWh’s per month. Nearly $600 in energy savings a year is being realized, while an estimated 14,147 lbs of CO2 are being abated annually by the array. The owner, a long-time solar enthusiast, noted “I’ve been interested in beating the utility system for years. With the introduction of the rebate program, I knew my dream would come true”

  Click here to see  the real time production of this system!!

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