We are LIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Left to right; Brian, John, Rich, Fred and Matt, all part of the Freedom Renewable Energy crew from Derry NH who took us live today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks you guys are the best!!!!!!!!

Lots, LOTS going on here today!!!  Our house is a hub of activity centered on mounting our 14 210 Evergreen solar panels, it's close to a 3Kw system....this is a dream come true for me.   I've wanted solar panels since the oil embargo in 1973...and now thanks to the INCREDIBLE crew at Freedom Renewable Energy, Derry, NH we are LIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Yup we are live!!!!!!!!!!  I'll post LOTS more photos tomorrow that commemorate our exciting and historic moment with more detail...it's 7pm and I'll sort through all the great photos we took today.

I can't imagine a better company doing the work on our alternative energy farm.  Their heart and mind are in the right place, they use local materials and suppliers whenever they can and they have innovators at their helm.

http://www.freedomrenewable.com/

Our solar panels are from a company in Marlboro, Massachusetts. Evergreen Solar uses the smallest carbon footprint of any solar panel manufactured.  Brian, a principal in Freedom Renewable Energy explained the process of using silicon in the panels.  Typically silicon is sliced thinly, Evergreen uses a technology in which there is NO waste of silicon.  Their manufacturing process uses  a 30% smaller  carbon footprint than their competitors.

  Click Here for Evergreen Solar Panel Technology

Our inverter is manufactured by a company in Lawrence, Massachusetts , Solectria Renewables.  They are located in an old mill building along a canal in Lawrence that was converted into commercial space back around 1990..the ultimate in recycling of buildings....how appropriate.   

Most of the business relationships they have are with local suppliers, part of Brian's approach to running his business...I love it!!!!  After both my husband and I were "downsized" out of jobs it has been my personal mission to try to make choices that support local business.

Here are some closeup shots of the Solar Tree Mount, incredible engineering!!!!

 

The DC load center has been "Doucette-isized".....I was overwhelmed with joy when I first set eyes on it!!!!!  WOW!!!!  It's safe, secure and accessable!!!!! VERY COOL Design!!!!  The photo below is of Mike who helped with circuit design and planning.  Rich Doucette is the mastermind behind this functional center that will run our 700W off grid center.  The DC wires will come in from our PV array  to the solar controller then to the battery bank and inverter.