It was a journey. The Vasatkas attended several solar home tours, conducted their own research, and installed an upgraded electrical panel. Then, about eight years ago, the couple installed 30 solar panels —in two phases. The home now has 14 Solar World American-made modules of 240 Watt Mono-Crystalline. They purchased M-215 Enphase micro-inverters to create a system that generates more than 7,500 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity every year.
The solar electricity they generate powers their electric clothes dryer, stove, and lawnmower. It powers their new Tesla, which they charge between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. when they get the best rate from the electric company. "It only costs us one penny a mile to drive," Don says.
The couple's current energy costs? "That's a fun question," Don says. "I can't remember the last time we paid an electric bill. Oh, we might have owed something one month, but we had so much credit we used that." A blower door test revealed how much the house had tightened up. The couple enjoyed receiving energy rebates. Their Envoy, energy monitoring system shows them how much energy they save and where their use could be improved.
"It's fun coming home and seeing how the system performed that day," Don says. "It is working seamlessly, but just like any new technology, there is a learning curve on how to get the most out of it."
Lessons Learned
Snow in Minnesota can reduce the amount of sunlight reaching the panels. "I was told that since the panels are black, I should just let them clear themselves," Don says. He learned that there are exceptions to any rule. The south-facing roof on which the solar panels were placed has a slight slope. "When you get 12 inches of snow in December, it can take a while to clear off. Especially if it then rains and refreezes," Don says. He decided to buy a roof rake specifically designed to remove the snow from solar panels. If he partially clears the panels, the snow melts more quickly.
Now, about the maple tree. "We love our solar panels, and we love our trees, so we have a dilemma," Pat says. "The tree shades our solar panels for part of the day. We're tempted to take down the tree, but we love the tree and the shade." Even though "we might get 15% more solar production if the tree was gone," Don adds. "So we're constantly considering the tradeoffs," Pat continues.
The home currently has a gas furnace and gas water heater. "If those ever quit, we'll look at electric options," Don says. "But the furnace is only 12 years old."
Homeowner Recommendations
When considering an upgrade to solar, Don recommends that homeowners be open to learning new technologies—"their advantages as well as their limitations," he says. An energy monitoring or tracking system "is a great tool for watching how much energy you use," says Pat, who uses an app on her phone. "It helps you stay engaged with your system and your energy use. You can cheer yourself on!"
A tracking system can point out mechanical outages. "It pointed out that we had a problem with one of our inverters. Luckily the inverters were still under warranty, so we quickly got that fixed." Don suggests that homeowners, when considering solar, look closely at the financial aspects of switching to renewable energy, as well as the non-financial benefits.
"By integrating many strategies—roof insulation and solar, as well as a low-maintenance prairie garden in the front yard, composting, and irrigation from water collected in a rain barrel—we're working to minimize our environmental impact and costs," Pat says. "Little by little, things add up." In the process, the Vasatkas have become educators and advocates as well.
