SUMMER SOLAR SOLUTIONS to SAVE MONEY!
Is your Air Conditioning System your worst enemy in the Summer Months? Why so?  Please don't tell me  your system is not equipped with a Variable Speed DC-Inverter. And please don't tell me your system is still using a dual-speed or even worse, a single speed compressor or one of those leaky window units !!  Really? You have one of those?!! 

Ok, enough of the soapbox speech. It isn't my intent to make you feel bad about your HVAC system, or your impending high electric bills, well sorta, but that's not the point. I do want you to  know you have options. So I really don't want you to feel any worse than you already are.(Especially since you haven't seen your June Electric Bill yet.)  So here's some advice to make sure you understand what's happening, and give you motivation to change the way you think about Solar Power and Air Conditioning. Changes  that will really save you Big this summer.





Think DC-Inverter , Variable Speed Compressor and Air Handler!
There, now you know, and you can't say you never knew. Knowledge is power, and now you're empowered to search online for suppliers of Ducted or Mini-Split Variable Speed Compressors and Air Handlers, which are extremely energy efficient and extremely compatible with Solar Power Systems. Some are even designed for direct Solar Input from Micro-Inverters into the outdoor Condenser Unit  AC Breaker.

I know what you're thinking? Why didn't I just list some examples here!  I could have, but I don't want to influence your decision making process, since I'm a Solar Air Conditioning Dealer. (You know, conflict of interest!) And, I don't want to do all the work for you for the simple reason, when you complete the research yourself, you'll appreciate it more, ....right?


Ok, Ok,..... I guess I could give you just a  sneek peak at one of the systems that I personally feel is one of the best on the market. It ties in directly to your Solar Power System and is a "true" Solar Air Conditioning System. (Not one of those suspect systems with the refrigerant running through an absorption panel on the roof??? Huh?)

So check this out!

And if you're interested, send me a note at tech@sensor3.com and I will be more than happy to help you design your very own high performance, energy saving, solar air conditioning system, at the best price possible.


It will not only keep you cool during the summer, but it'll cool off those HIGH SUMMER ENERGY BILLS instantly. Besides, It's Summer! Blast your Air Conditioning as much as you want. Stay Coooool! You've got SOLAR POWER and a Solar Air Conditioning System!

For All of My Cold Weather Friends!

Here's a really good read straight from ITEK Energy's Website.  If you still have a hard time wrapping your mind around the merits of solar electric, this is a must read. Solar works in places you'd least expect, like Seattle, Washington!  According to Itek, . . . "Washington is blessed with cool long summer days which results in more efficient solar production. The cooler temperatures we experience allow solar panels to perform at higher efficiencies than they do under hot desert sun.  With Washington State’s adoption of a net metering program in 1998, solar system owners are able to bank their summer production and pull upon the credits during the winter months. The rain for which Washington is so famous also plays a role in keeping solar systems free of dust throughout the year.

In addition to the ability to net meter your annual solar production, Washington State’s incentive program for locally built products is one of the most robust in the nation.  With current state incentives, system owners can make $0.54 for every Kilowatt hour they produce with solar.  It is this ability to make money on your energy rather than continuously spending money that allows system owners within Washington State to pay off their solar systems in as little as 6 years!

One of those most convincing pieces of evidence supporting solar energy’s potential within Washington State is the case study comparison between Washington and Germany’s annual solar potential.  Hamburg Germany has an average yearly solar potential of 2.96 kWh/meter^2/day whereas Seattle has 3.64 kWh/meter^2/day. Despite having less of a solar conducive climate than Washington Germany has been the world leader in installed solar capacity between 2000 and 2011.  Proving for those folks who ask about “How Solar Works in Washington” that there is a positive and informed answer."

Winter Solar

Did you know that "sunny and cold" environments provide optimal operating conditions for photovoltaic (PV) solar panels? Unfortunately, you won't experience daily averages of  5+ sun-hours in such locations. However, the point is, solar works even in places like Fairbanks Alaska. Taking it a step further, solar even works in the Pacific Northwest. It may come as a surprise, but Seattle, Washington and the surrounding areas have a growing community of PV supporters. My home-town, is no stranger to pushing the limits when it comes to being green. Besides, we are the "Evergreen State".

Not So Sunny Seattle and the Seahawks are Solar
It's football season, so I can't pass up the opportunity to promote my team and highlight their "green" factor at the same time. Snuggled up alongside I-5 sits Century Link Stadium, home to the Seattle Seahawks and 3750  rooftop solar panels. The panels cover 2.5 acres and generate over 830,000 kWh of electricity. While it's true, Seattle isn't the most ambient of cities, especially when compared to places like the Bahamas, we do know that solar electric systems can  operate with reflected and diffused sunlight as well. 

In an article published August 4, 2014 by John Roach at www.nbcnews.com,  it was noted in the comments by Brian Palmer that . . .
"Seattle is one of the most overcast cities in America. It is infamous for how rainy it is," the software engineer said. Yet, he added, it is just as cloudy in Germany, which leads the world in the number of solar-powered homes. If it works there –- and it does –- it will work in Seattle. Palmer's neighbor has had a solar system on his home for several years. Palmer's 6.48 kilowatt system cost $30,380 fully installed. 

Fortunately, "grid-tie" solar prices have come down dramatically, and on average, a 6.48 kilowatt PV system installed today would round out at about $21,000 installed before federal tax credits and utility incentives. In the Caribbean, a grid-tie PV system, featuring industry leading Enphase Micro-Inverters, after freight and duty, can still be installed as low as $3Watt, www.P3Powertech.com

Making Money On Solar?
In the case of Palmer, from Seattle, Washington, "The federal government will give him an income tax credit for 30 percent of that bill. As a resident of Washington with Washington-made equipment, he'll also receive $0.54 for every kilowatt-hour of solar energy his system produces up to $5,000 a year. What's more, the local utility will purchase his excess electricity at the retail rate, which in Seattle is currently $0.11 per kilowatt hour at peak demand. With all of the incentives factored in, Palmer reckons it'll take ten years to pay off the home equity loan he used to pay for the solar system and about $40,000 for a new energy-efficient home heating system, insulation, and to seal leaky windows and doors. "I would rather be paying that money toward paying off this investment," he said, "than just having it pour down the sink." 

Sink Factor
Palmer's observation brings up a very good question. What is the long-term utility expense of property owners that decide not to utilize alternative energy? We'll call it the "sink factor". A well thought out investment will hopefully pay dividends over time, however, an electric bill is, well, . . . money down the drain. The path to owning your own power generation system is quite easy these days. Subject to credit scores, you'll find $0-Down financing is readily available to "purchase" your PV system. Leasing is an entirely different topic, that we'll leave for another day.  Most experienced, Licensed PV installers and Contractors will provide a site survey and installation estimate at no cost. For peace of mind, 5-Year Labor and 20+ Year PV Module production warranties are typical offerings by reliable installation professionals.  But, here's the rub. Do nothing, and and average monthly electric bill of $150 turns into a "sink factor" of $18,000 over 10 Years. Fortunately, when energy reduction measures are put into place, such as LED Lighting, Solar Heatpumps, Solar Air Conditioning, Solar Thermal or Heatpump Water Heating, the value of your property increases, electric consumption takes a nosedive, and so does the size of your renewable energy system. Higher efficiency=Smaller PV System=Reduced Initial PV Investment. Even the cost of going 100% off-grid has been reduced in recent years. Renewable Energy Self Generation (RESG) is no longer a luxury, it's essential and pays big dividends.

                                                                                    RESG Starting Small

Renewable Energy Self Generation: It's not a bad idea to start small. Instead of expending 100% of your "energy dollars" to your local utility company, even a small investment in a renewable energy system that you "own" will pay big dividends. Did you know just two 280 Watt PV modules, for a total of 560Watts, can power all the LED lighting and Ceiling Fans of an average 3-bedroom home? And just one 245AH Battery and 1,000 Watt inverter will power those fans throughout the night? The cost? Too low to mention here, but to learn more about RESG and Starting Small, and perhaps installing your very own PV system, register for RESG - Starting Small, a Free Webinar scheduled for Saturday, December 5th, 2015 from 2:00 - 3:00PM EST . Register at  https://www.fuzemeeting.com/fuze/42bfe75d/31153278


So What Can I do with 1,000 Watts?
A system of 1,000 Watts doesn't sound like a lot. However, if you offset a portion of your  "essential" loads and power them off-grid with a renewable energy system, those circuits  become independent of the Grid. The key point with this solution is that your essential loads are now isolated from the negative impacts of power outages! With a 1KW hybrid renewable energy system using MicroInverters and a secondary "battery-based" inverter, you could operate your essential  LED Lighting Loads, Flat-screen TV, Cell Phone Chargers, Tablet and even an electric blanket 100% off-grid. It's certainly not a large system, by an measure, but "you own it!". You can always add to it, expand it and increase PV and Battery capacity.  For example, pictured at right are Enphases Micro-Inverters secured to a roof-top racking system with flashings (1). Electrically the system is tied into the Main Distribution Panel or SubPanel. Each Micro-Inverter also seamlessly communicates through an internet monitoring system (2), allowing viewing of your solar system status and production on your computer (3), tablet or smart phone. The complete system with racking, batteries, inverters and wiring is much less than you can imagine. We'll review this system in detail during our Free Webinar, RESG - Starting Small, on Saturday, December 5th. The idea behind starting small is that you don't have to be held back because of the high initial cost of a traditional PV system. You can start with a few PV modules, and add additional modules, up to a total of 17 per string. The point is,  . . . start small, and grow your system as your finances allow.

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Making Solar Power solutions available for everyone.