Case Studies

Baker Residence - Austin, TX

• Background:
  When Jeri Baker and Diana Dauwalder decided to go solar in late 2008, they chose Solar Community as their installer based on great references, experience and customer service. After analyzing electric bills, we determined a 3.15kW system would reduce their bill by 80-90%.
• Details:
  Due to heavy shading on the roof, a pole mounted system in the backyard was deemed the best performing option for the family. An electrical service panel upgrade was required due to inadequate electrical service at the point of interconnection.
• Installation:
  After design review and engineering, permits were pulled and the installation crew began work. The Solar Community crew managed every step of the process from electrical service upgrade to trenching paths to cement delivery and dog management. Our goal is always the safest systems in the shortest time with the smallest impact on the homeowner's life.
• Summary:
  The total installation took 5 days from start to finish while the total process from initial contact to final inspection was just under two months. The bills were successfully reduced by over 80% and the system is monitored online using a Sunny Webbox and a cloudless summer day's power production is plotted below. Click here for the live view.
• Post Installation notes:
  Two years later the system has operated flawlessly and saved the family approximately $900. It has produced over 7,000kWh of energy and offset almost 5,000kg of CO2. A baseball-sized hailstone from a major hailstorm managed to shatter the glass on one of the 18 modules in the array. The system continued to work fine until it was replaced and all parts and labor were covered by the Homeowner's Insurance. The storm was one of the most damaging hailstorms in recent history and while hundreds if not thousands of roofs and windshields were replaced throughout the city, local solar contractors reported less than 6 claims.

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Cory Residence

• Background:
  Rachel and Klaus had built their dream home and looking forward to retirement when they came to us with a predetermined budget and the desire to offset their utility bills and have power during times of grid failure. After an extensive energy audit and analysis of the house the Solar Community team recommended a medium size solar PV system with batteries and a solar hot water system as the most effective method to achieve their goals with the allocated budget.
• Details:
  During the initial analysis the customer identified each appliance and circuit they wanted connected to the battery system. This included the refrigerator, a freezer, the office lights and computer and few other lights and small appliances throughout the house. With limited space on the roof we located an area in the yard for a ground mounted PV array, which left room on the roof for the solar hot water system.
• Installation:
  Solar Community used a combination of off the shelf racking (UniRac Tilt Leg and Rail) and custom concrete footings with Unistrut to create the mounting structure. Cement was mixed by hand because the driveway would not support a cement truck. An open shed was enclosed in order to house the battery bank and inverter/load center and an electrician was hired to rewire the household circuits for battery backup.
• Summary:
  The total installation took 5 days from start to finish and the total process from initial contact to final inspection was just under two months. The bills were successfully reduced about 60%. Here's a blurb from an email Rachel Cory sent after the system was installed, "Hi Jeff, ONCOR got our meter snafu cleared up. Our bill was $82.00 last month. Fantastic!!" This was down from $140 for the same month the year before.
• Post Installation notes:
  The system has been operating without incident for two years and the Cory's have since added more panels to the system. Today they feel strongly their money was well spent on the system instead of keeping in the market during the crash. Here's what she has to say:"I'm sure you're already telling folks who are retiring that when energy costs go up, their "investment" in solar will
  repay them nicely. It's like investing at 8% plus forever!!"

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Blackman Residence

• Background:
  We met the Blackman's at a local concert venue. He's in the wind industry and she's a singer/songwriter. The both like being green and saving money and when possible, showing their neighbors how it's done. After learning about local rebates and the federal tax credit, the Blackman's knew it was a no brainer to go for the largest system they could get a rebate for.
• Details:
  With frugal usage and constant travel their bills we're easily offset 80% by a 6.3kW system. The Solar Community team worked with the Blackman's to secure a low interest energy efficiency loan through a local credit union to help pay for the upfront cost of the system. We also worked directly with neighborhood HOA for approval and assuaged the fears of the neighbors regarding aesthetics. The low profile and all black look of the Sharp system was one of the deciding factors for the HOA's approval.
• Installation:
  Due to a steep and tall two story roof, the Solar Community Installation crew used a combination of giant ladders and thankfully the Blackmans balcony to get the panels where they needed to go. For aesthetic considerations in this high-end master planned community, all of conduit was painted to match the roof and side of the house.
• Summary:
  The total installation took 4 days and the total process around two months. The Blackman's were both on the road during the installation so we updated them with progress pictures. Here's what John had to say, "Also, I want to let you guys know, that you were really on top of your promises. You updated me about the schedule throughout the process and I expected the panels to be on the roof when I got home from my trip and they were. Sending the pictures half way through also provided a nice little customer 'happy moment.' So good job on managing expectations."

If you have any questions or want more information, you can contact us by email or just call us at 877.652.7674.