Creating Your Personal Power Plant
Part 7
Final Reflections
Follow along as President Greg Garrison goes solar in this mini-blog series.
Over half a year has passed since I embarked on this ambitious journey to build my personal power plant, and the transformation in how I relate to energy has been nothing short of profound. My original motivation was to build security and sustainability into my energy profile — a proactive action to find stability in a chaotic world. I did find that and more. My home, once a consumer of energy, has metamorphosed into a hub of renewable energy production and an example of sustainable living. As the owner of Northeast Solar, I have seen and heard our clients talk about their energy transformation and how it has made a difference in their relationship with energy. I understand more fully what they were describing — because I am living it.
For example, as we transition from spring to summer, I’ve been closely observing the massive oak tree in my yard. Its relatively bare branches cast a shifting pattern of shadows over my solar array. Due to this shading, the dips in energy production during the day are fascinating to track in real-time, a testament to the delicate interplay between nature and renewable energy technology. Yet, despite this, I am not concerned about the impending summer season. My solar production will be sufficient to build credit on my electric bill for the winter season. Even as the days get hotter, the mini-split systems, installed last October, are ready to ensure quiet comfort while using little energy. And while I prefer to keep my windows open to enjoy the fresh air until it gets really hot, the thought of not having to wrestle with heavy window air conditioners brings a certain peace of mind.
Maintaining my power plant over these past few months has been surprisingly hands-off. Contrary to what some might imagine, solar and mini-split systems require minimal routine maintenance. For the mini-splits, an annual or biannual professional cleaning should be done along with filter replacement. We recommend the company, We Clean Heat Pumps (easy name to remember) to do this cleaning. For the solar array, there is no maintenance required. Mother Nature will wash the solar panels, and all the components are sealed against the elements. Other than scheduling the mini-split cleaning, my involvement is mostly passive.
However, 'passive' doesn't equate to 'disconnected'. On the contrary, I find myself more in tune with my home's energy dynamics than ever before. I interact daily with my system, but not in the form of tinkering or tweaking. Instead, I find myself absorbed in the data displayed on my Enphase Enlighten app. I track the solar array's production, observe my home's electrical consumption, and estimate the duration my battery will power my home after the solar array has ceased its daily generation.
Impressive Statistics
Here are my energy numbers for the first four months of 2023:
January: Produced 169 kWh, Consumed 766 kWh
February: Produced 336 kWh, Consumed 702 kWh
March: Produced 604 kWh, Consumed 654 kWh
April: Produced 640 kWh, Consumed 340 kWh
These figures illustrate a fascinating shift. As the days have grown longer and warmer, my home is transforming from a net consumer to a net energy producer. Thanks to my battery, I am 95% independent of the electrical grid. This impressive level of self-sustainability is achievable not because I have created my own personal power plant but rather because I am a low consumer of energy.
My new relationship with energy is about more than numbers on a screen, though. It's about understanding the balance between consumption and production, managing the energy I produce, and striving for a more sustainable lifestyle. It's about reducing my
carbon footprint and being more conscious of the energy I use. Ultimately, it's about living with energy in a way that respects our planet and its resources.
My new relationship with energy is about more than numbers on a screen, though. It's about understanding the balance between consumption and production, managing the energy I produce, and striving for a more sustainable lifestyle.
The Best Team for The Job
Reflecting on this journey, I am deeply grateful for the privilege that I have to be the owner of Northeast Solar, to have the resources to invest in my home at this level, and to be working with a team that embodies the ethos of "Good work done well for the right
reasons.” The expertise of Northeast Solar's team was instrumental in realizing my vision of a personal power plant. I am thankful to David, my partner and NES’s Master Electrician, Phil, NES’s installation supervisor, and to the skilled and efficient installation teams led by Fana, Jeff, Chris, and Bob.
I know signing the employee paychecks at Northeast Solar ensures a certain level of attention to detail and respectful interaction during my installation. Through their efforts during my installation, I've come to understand why our clients consistently compliment us on our teams and why Northeast Solar maintains a five-star rating. Our team's passion and commitment to quality resonate in every project, ensuring an excellent experience for our clients and the successful realization of their solar dreams.
Invest in Sustainability
In this moment, we stand at a crossroads in our relationship with energy. We've long taken for granted its ubiquity, a ceaseless undercurrent to our lives, rarely acknowledged until it's absent or becomes expensive. Yet, the reality of our profound interdependence with energy demands that we reassess this relationship. We must recognize that access and equity in the journey toward building personal power plants
are not universal. As the owner of Northeast Solar and the author of these blog posts, I am acutely aware of my privilege in this respect. I understand that not everyone has the resources to embark on this journey.
However, investing in renewable energy systems like solar power, energy storage, and mini-split heat pumps is a powerful step toward creating more sustainable and resilient communities. By choosing Northeast Solar for these investments, you ensure that your
energy dollars circulate within our local community, bolstering its economic sustainability while also reducing our collective environmental impact.
Despite the disparities in resources, it's our shared responsibility to champion initiatives that make renewable energy more accessible to everyone. Northeast Solar has taken steps towards this goal through its partnership with Phippen Adams, a philanthropic couple that has installed a megawatt of solar energy on local nonprofits supporting lower and middle-income communities.
Final Thoughts
The time is now to transition towards more sustainable lifestyles, and if you're ready to start your journey towards energy independence, Northeast Solar is here to guide you every step of the way. Together, we can reshape our relationship with energy, fostering a future where it's not just ubiquitously available, but is equitable, sustainable, and consciously acknowledged.
This is just the beginning...
In future posts, I will continue to explore my connection to energy in even greater depth. The journey doesn't end with installing a personal power plant — it's merely the beginning of a lifelong commitment to conscious energy consumption and sustainable living. As part of this commitment, I plan to conduct an energy audit, reevaluate my transportation options, and stay informed about emerging technologies that might further enhance my home's energy efficiency. Stay tuned!