Updated: 1828 EST, 24^th December 2015

Our solar PV array is up, operating, and generating. It consists of 29 SunPower X-Series X21-345 panels (specs below), generating 345w at peak, with optimizers. The generation capacity is 10 kW. The array is optimized for our high tree situation. Its controller reports results from each cell. The optimizers mean a panel can be used even if but a fraction is illuminated, something which aids in our wooded setting.

(Click on image for a larger picture. Use browser Back button to return to blog.)

(Click on image for a larger picture. Use browser Back button to return to blog.)

It was installed by RevoluSun of Burlington, MA, who navigated the permitting and inspection process of the Town of Westwood, and did an awesome and very neat job. The electrical cables are neatly tied, and the reporting signal cable to our Internet router was finely done. I highly recommend them.

(Click on image for a larger picture. Use browser Back button to return to blog.)

(Click on image for a larger picture. Use browser Back button to return to blog.)
That’s Xavier, an electrician from RevoluSun, way up atop the roof in the background. And, of course, the proud environmentalists, Jan and Claire, in the foreground. Photo was taken by our neighbor, Nina.

The panels are unusually situated, being on 3 faces of the roof: 19 on the main face, 5 each on two faces, oriented roughly southeast and southwest. The layout is intended to make maximum use of daylight, get around tree shading, and is slightly overprovisioned to do so.

(Click on image for a larger picture. Use browser Back button to return to blog.)

(Click on image for a larger picture. Use browser Back button to return to blog.)

I will take it down, shortly, to complete its initial test. Electrical inspection on the 28^th of December remains. Connection to the grid and a new meter by Eversource, our utility, remains.

(Click on image for a larger picture. Use browser Back button to return to blog.)