Author Archives: Kevin Wilcox

Installing the 3KW addition

Posted on July 8, 2014 by Kevin Wilcox

The 3 KW expansion required the addition of 6 more Renusol racks.  Each pair secured four 265W Suniva panels.  The rails themselves were fastened to the roof using EcoFasten GF flashing at 4 points.  Every other rail landed on an … Continue reading →

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The 3KW expansion

Posted on March 20, 2014 by Kevin Wilcox

It’s started!  I got an estimate for $8,850 yesterday and am meeting with our contractor on the 25th to submit my down payment/go over logistics.  We will be using the same panels/inverters/mounting system and once again, I’ll be doing the … Continue reading →

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Beating myHarmony.com for the Harmony Ultimate

Posted on February 8, 2014 by Kevin Wilcox

The Harmony Ultimate is a great remote, but the folks at Logitech have deliberately dumbed down our ability to program it.  Case in point, precise activity control.  There is no way you can add a precise startup sequence containing input … Continue reading →

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Another big leap for supercapacitive batteries.

Posted on November 4, 2013 by Kevin Wilcox

I ran tracked this down after hearing an article on NPR this morning.  There has been a major leap forward in supercapacitor based energy density using straight-forward manufacturing techniques.  Expect this technology to start hitting all facets of the electrical … Continue reading →

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Today’s talking point.

Posted on October 6, 2013 by Kevin Wilcox

RFID Chip Now Being Issued In Hanna, Wyoming As Part Of New “Obamacare” Plan Read all about this at nationalreport.net!  Or don’t if you support a different view…… The point here is simple. The internet is a compelling tool. While … Continue reading →

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A letter from Elon Musk

Posted on October 5, 2013 by Kevin Wilcox

We received this letter from Elon Musk in our inbox yesterday. October 4, 2013 About the Model S fire By Elon Musk, Chairman, Product Architect & CEO Earlier this week, a Model S traveling at highway speed struck a large metal object, causing … Continue reading →

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Test driving the Tesla Model S.

Posted on September 28, 2013 by Kevin Wilcox

Yesterday we took this car for a spin.  Its a Tesla Model S with the 85K+ performance package and all the toys you’d expect in a luxury automobile.  I’m a tough customer too since I’m used to the performance, luxury, … Continue reading →

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Monitoring Array Output with TED

Posted on September 20, 2013 by Kevin Wilcox

Monitoring array output is pretty simple with my TED5000.  Once I extended the computer room circuit up to the attic, I installed a new MTU, clamped the circuit taps around the array hot wires and registered everything using the web interface. … Continue reading →

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Distributed power and the Utilities. Change is in the wind…

Posted on September 16, 2013 by Kevin Wilcox

I ran across this one while randomly surfing yesterday and I must say that its content couldn’t be more timely.  Distributed Solar installations such as the one I’m building have the potential to change the very nature of energy distribution … Continue reading →

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The 1KW system is up and running!

Posted on September 15, 2013 by Kevin Wilcox

The array was commissioned without a hitch last Friday.  It was a fairly simple process too.  Essentially, the WE Energies engineer had me switch on the disconnect then he waited for the meter to register energy production.  After five minutes, … Continue reading →

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