Solar Panels are Installed

The selected vendor, SolarCity, installed the 4.5 KW system, which is sized to supply all of our electrical needs -- building up credit in sunny times, that we will then use in those less sunny times.

Given this is our "last house," the math on the investment was easy, particularly as the rebates -- an immediate 24% back from the local utility and then a further 30% tax rebate at the end of the year -- basically halve the price.

Mounting racks are set up

Panels are prepared

Then mounted


Panels are angled at just 5% for aesthetic reasons, so they cannot be seen from the street -- resulting in a slight reduction in efficiency. Also the boxy item is one of three skylights, its sill raised to ensure the panels are not seen when looking up,