Solar Electric - part 2

We finally got our solar panels installed. This is the house before.

The first thing they had to do was put some bracing in the attic. This was part of the delay. Getting approval from the structural engineer. The panels weigh about 150 lbs and he was concerned with load in the winter time. Better be safe than sorry.

The solar panels. There are 16 but they actually come 2 together, so only 8 boxes. They are about 5' X 5' approximately.

Here is the back side. Each panel has a microinverter (bottom left). The solar panel turns the suns rays into DC power. The micro inverter converts it to AC Power.

Here you can see one of the panels ready to go on roof. Takes 4 guys. 2 on the bottom and 2 on the roof.

With the panels comes additional electric sub panels. There is also an additional meter to measure the amount of solar power generated.Here are the brackets installed on the roof to hold the panels. Some solar systems have a much more elaborate racking system. This system is actually called Solar in a Box and is much easier to install.

Here is a closeup of the panel. You can see the wires that are used to hook it to the remaining panels and ultimately the electric panel.

Another view of the mounting hardware along with the first panel at the far end of the roof.

Almost done. Only 1 more panel to go after the one they are working on. Took less than 6 hours to mount the panels. The electric hook up was much longer.

Solar Electric part 1

Deb and I have decided to put Solar electric panels on our roof. With all the incentives and rebates plus the reduced energy bills the system will pay for itself in less than 5 years. And the best part it is good for the environment. Unfortunately we had a couple trees in the front yard that needed to come down. This one is a large oak. At least I don't have to deal with all the acorns in my front yard any more. Before view looking at both trees from the driveway.

The oak is coming down. Here the bottom branches are removed.

He actually climbed up the tree to remove some of the branches and the top section of the tree.

A little closer up.They put all the branches in the wood chipper. They were going to take them away but later I decided to keep them.

Getting ready to grind the stumps below the grade level.

The finished product. We plan on planting a few flowering trees like perhaps a few crape myrtles or similar. They won't grow tall enough to be a shade problem.

Here is a video of the first tree coming down.

Will update you as the process goes on. Will probably take 2 - 3 months.

Christmas 2010

Decided it was time to update the blog. What better time than Christmas. We have a really cute little "Charlie Brown" Christmas tree near the jacuzzi. We thought we should decorate it as such. We even added solar lights so we could enjoy it in the jacuzzi. Unfortunately the picture isn't that great. I put up some lights on the outside. Something we couldn't do at the condo. They looked great at night.

Our tree. We found a place that had trees for $20. The tree was beautiful and was still very green when we took it down after Christmas.Some of the other decorations. Andrea wrapped the picture frames again but I didn't include a picture here.The cats even have their own special Christmas collars. Supprisingly they kept them on. Very hard to get a picture of the two of them together.

Beanand Dexter
We also had Christmas with the grandchildren. This year it was at my daughters in Londonderry. It is always so much fun and they are getting more into each year.

Here is John waiting for "present time".

Paige received three necklaces including one from grampa. Here she is showing them off.

Grace watching someone open a present.

And Caleb waiting his turn. It was a beautiful Christmas and I think everyone had a great time as usual.

Jacuzzi - Part Two

Well the jacuzzi is here and we are loving it. I tried to take pictures as well as video of the delivery. Unfortunately, the videos took up too much memory and so I couldn't get as many pictures as I wanted. Then the videos wouldn't download to my computer. We had someone else taking video so when I get a copy of it I will put it on here.

The jacuzzi was supposed to arrive @ 11:00 am. It was closer to 12:30 pm. Unfortunately the crane arrived at 9:00 am. Yeah!! The jacuzzi arrives.


Yes it is ours!!

The crane getting ready to lift the jacuzzi from the truck up to the back yard.

Deb watches with much anticipation while our friend Tony shoots the video.

That was unfortunately the last picture I could take. But here are some more I took later.

Isn't it pretty? Time to celebrate.

And time to party.

Grandchildren

All 4 grandchildren came to visit Grampa and Debbie at their new home. First was Paige and Grace. Unfortunately, I did not get a good picture of Paige. It is very hard to catch any of them to take a picture. I do have several shots of the backs of their heads.
This is little Gracie. Not exactly sure what she was doing.
The grandsons came over next. I had a chance for a great shot of Caleb staring down one of my cats but again missed it. This was right after that.

The boys checking out the new hot tub pad. We also played bubbles with all of them.

Again not sure what Caleb was doing but at least it is not the back of his head.

Little John trying on a new hat.

Deb and I got to join all of them on their vacation to Lincoln, New Hampshire. We went to Clark's trading post. We rode the train and scared of the old wolf man then we saw the bear show.

Here is Paige and Grace on the train.

Paige and Caleb.

The boys really liked the sand box.

The night before we saw them at John's timeshare. This is a very typical look for Grace.

Caleb being silly eating pizza.

Paige being silly with the bike helmet. Not sure this is the correct way to wear it.

John just being silly.

As I said it is hard enough to get a picture of one never mind all 4. We did manage to do it though. Aren't they just the best looking grandchildren in the world?

Stay tuned for Jacuzzi part 2.