2009 6th Annual

Solar Tour &Social

Real Solutions for Real People

Saturday • October 3, 2009

Social Social 9am-11am
Solar Tour 11am- 4pm
www.HoustonSolarTour.org

Presented by
The ASES National Solar Tour
American Solar Energy Society (ASES)
Houston Renewable Energy Group (HREG)
Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC)
City of Houston (COH)
 AD 9-5 9/5/08 11:13 AM Page 1
509-08-111 APS 3.5x4.6 Adv3:Layout 1 9/5/08 4:05 PM Page 1

12GREEN of urban

!
NATURE’S FREE ENERGY SPACE
acres
Lake! Visit the park for diverse
seasonal programming.
*Ask about our hassle Playground! C
IA L EVE
R
T SE R I E

N
E

S
A
Free Financing options*

SP
Water Features!

TS
Amphitheater! E
RT
AINM
E

N
EN

T
Dog Runs!
Public Art! H Y LIV SE M IL I E S
LT RIE S
A
I FA

We provide the following solar energy installations to your

N
HE

G
Home or Business. Great Food! N

&

N
TH R C
E PA HIL D R E

• Solar Electric Power • Solar Attic Fans For more

• Solar Pool Heating • Energy Audits information on
Discovery Green See. Touch. Hear. Taste. Explore.

• Solar Water Heating or for program

information and
Call now for your FREE in home Solar Energy consultation and updates, visit 1500 McKinney across from the
George R. Brown Convention Center
estimate to start taking advantage of nature's free energy. discoverygreen.com. 713-400-7336

PHONE:�� 713-595-6375 All of the seasonal programming events are FREE and open to the public.
WWW.APOWERSOLUTIONS.COM MEDIA SPONSORS: KPRC Channel 2 • Houston Chronicle • Comcast • Univision 45

RD ARCHITECTURE, LLC

Specializing in LEED and

green residential projects.
Designer of the first LEED
Gold Home in Houston.

Proud coordinators of the ‘08 - ’09 Houston Solar Tour

www.rdarc.com 713.432.7377

2 www.HoustonSolarTour.com
Why Solar? Inside
Solar Social......................................... 4
Last year I did a research project with my 10 year old daughter - an energy How Solar Systems Work..................... 6
time line. As we worked on it, one thing became clear, we’ve used an incredible Partner Profile ) HARC.......................... 7
amount of finite energy sources in a relatively short time. For ages people relied on About LEED......................................... 9
Solar Facts........................................ 10
human and animal power. Wind power pushed ships across the sea and ground Solar Incentives & Paybacks............... 12
grain. People harnessed water power for saw mills. And then the steam engine was Solar Tour Map............................. 12-13
invented. All of a sudden the world changed drastically. The industrial revolution, in The Economics ) Residential
part driven by the steam engine, was only a little more than 200 years ago. The first Solar Panels....................................... 16
Partner Profile ) ASES......................... 17
central coal power electricity plants were developed in the 1880’s. In 1902 the first
Partner Profile ) HREG........................ 22
production gasoline cars were made in the US. In the past 200 years an incredible
amount of change has taken place. Central Houston tour sites
Discovery Green.................................. 5
GRB Convention Center...................... 6
Imagine the next 200 years

PHOTO BY MARY FRANCES BLATCHLEY

City of Houston
I can not possibly predict what will Code Enforcement Bldg....................... 7
happen next, but I can be hopeful Burghli Homes...................................... 8
about the direction we will take. What Patterson Place III..............................8-9
Green Bank....................................... 10
I do know is that our current energy Girl Scouts Headquarters.................... 11
consumption habits have to change. Gimenez Residence........................... 14
Energy saved is just as valuable as West University Solar Water Heating... 14
energy made. Efficiency will become very important. Renewable sources of energy Eapen Residence............................... 15
Zercher Residence.............................. 16
must take the place of finite energy sources. Reardon Residence............................ 17
I sat, one afternoon, on the gulf coast at the end of this summer. There’s a Wareloft............................................. 18
balance there we can’t easily sense in the city. Pelicans and other seabirds are fish- Edgar Residence............................... 19
ing, and so are a few fishermen. The birds catch what they need and the fishermen Heigel Residence................................ 19
know not to exceed their limit for the day. It’s something they respect, because the Northeast/woodlands
limit preserves fish stock for next year’s fishing. tour sites
Preserving our finite energy resources and reducing global greenhouse gases Fong Residence.................................. 20
are important aspects of solar energy advocacy. We need to start thinking about the Hill Residence..................................... 20
Discovery at Spring Trails.................... 21
future and take only what we need. Generating power in a smart way is another Dean Residence................................ 22
challenge we face. We take the energy that comes to our homes for granted. In real-
ity, there’s a lot to consider when you think about what is at the other end of a light Solar tour classic site
Animal Farm....................................... 23
switch or thermostat.
I hope you enjoy the Houston Solar Tour - we are proud to be a part of the 2009 Board of Directors
American Solar Energy Society National Tour. Several organizations help to organize Tour Chair
the tour, including HREG, HARC, and the City of Houston. The efforts to put together Kathleen Reardon, LEED AP
the solar tour is an investment in the future; just as every solar system installed is an- Principal, RD Architecture, LLC
USGBC, HREG
other step in the right direction. Many thanks to all our volunteers and participants!
Tour Site and Volunteer Chair
Teri Mercatante
Kathleen Reardon, 2009 Houston Solar Tour Director Green Building Consultant, Greenology
USGBC, HRE

How to Take the Tour - It’s Free Sponsor Chair

Aaron Knape
President, Tri-Solar, LLC, HREG
The ASES Houston Solar Tour is a self-guided tour. Look over the sites in this
tour guide, gather a few friends to carpool with and visit the projects that interest you. Or, Marketing / Brand & Interactive Strategies Chair
Mary Frances Blatchley
you can opt to take the organized group Metro bus tour (visit the HREG table at the Solar Principal, forGreen Marketing & Design
Social to learn more). Enjoy spending the afternoon learning about solar systems and
Marketing / Public Relations & Media Chair
energy efficiency. Tour sites are open from 11am to 5 pm. Pam McConathy
The Houston Solar Tour is part of the American Solar Energy Society’s (ASES) Principal, Foresight Communications Group
national solar tour event, “the largest grassroots solar event in history.” Last year close Solar Social Chair
to 140,000 attendees visited some 5,000 buildings in 3,000 participating communities Susannah Devine
Designer, RD Architecture
around the USA. Please be sure to sign up at the social or at a tour site so we can keep
track of how many people have attended the 2009 Houston Tour! COVER PHOTO BY Dennis DeSilva

The annual ASES Houston Solar Tour is made possible by the participation of many volunteers and both in-kind and paid sponsors. If you or your company would like to participate,
please contact Kathleen Reardon at (713) 432-7377 or email her at kathleen@rdarc.com.

Affiliate of ASES.org 3
 2009 ASES Houston Solar Tour
Solar Social at Discovery Green
Saturday, October 3
Grace Event Lawn, 9-11am
1500 McKinney, Houston, TX 77010

Meet companies and organizations of Houston’s renewable
energy community as we kick-off the Houston Solar Tour.
Visit the first two tour sites!
• Discovery Green’s Alkek Building
• George R. Brown Convention Center solar system kiosk
For more information visit the Standard Renewable Energy
table.
Talk with non-profit groups about what they are doing in
your community!
Organizations include: the Houston Renewable Energy Group
(HREG), the US Green Building Council (USGBC), Mothers for
Clean Air (GHASPMFCA)
Learn about Houston’s involvement with the US Department
of Energy (DOE) and find out ways to help the City of Houston
reach its goal as part of the Solar Houston Initiative.

Sign up for a free bus tour! Take a walk!

METRO will be on site to transport you to and from some of Read interesting facts and a bit of history about “green” build-
the tour sites. For more information and to sign up, visit the ing and renewable energy as you walk through the USGBC’s
HREG table. Green Building Maze.

Don’t forget the door prize!!!

Find out what kids are learning about renewable energy!
Sign up at the HREG table for FREE giveaways such as a
– Spring Woods Middle School – Katheryn Rose
Solar Attic Fan from Alternative Power Solutions and a $500
Get a breakdown of the inner workings of a photovoltaic
gift certificate to Lighting, Inc., plus more!
solar panel.
Paid parking options include covered parking @ Avienda de las
– Betsy Ross Elementary School – Bethel Nwachukwu
Learn how wind and sun can create energy to power our Americas ($10)
homes and communities.
– TXU – Solar Academy
TXU Energy Solar Academy is partnering with National Energy
Education Development Project (NEED) to implement their na-
tionally recognized solar energy education program into Texas
schools. Find out how TXU brings an interactive solar
learning experience into the classroom.

Eat!
Sample brownies from Ruggles Green,
Houston’s first green
certified restaurant.

4 www.HoustonSolarTour.org
discovery green
1500 McKinney Street, Houston 77010

Renewable Energy System: Solar Electric, 49.92 kW System

Installer: Standard Renewable Energy
Date Installed: February 2008
Approximate Energy Provided: 71,686 kWh per yr.
Approximate Cost Savings at 20 cents/kwh: $14,337.20 per year

Description of installation
Standard Renewable Energy was selected by the City of Houston to conduct the
installation for Downtown Houston’s first major public park of 12 acres. The 250
BP 195 watt donated panels are mounted on the Alkek and Lake House Build-
ing roofs produce over 35% of the park’s electricity needs. A single 50 kilowatt
SatCon inverter converts DC current to AC
electricity for the facility’s lighting, hot water, and
cooling needs.
Stop by the Alkek building and see the
online solar electric monitoring system that SRE
installed, which showcases the current, past,
and cumulative energy production of the system
as well as the corresponding environmental
impact. The Alkek building is located near the
Gateway Fountain off the Andrea and Bill White
Promenade. Visit the SRE booth at the Solar
Social to get more information.

Owner’s Notes Discovery Green Park

has really set the tone for “Green” things to
come in the solar industry in Houston with Mayor Bill White and Standard Renewable
Energy leading the way. Opening week April 13th, 2008 over 30,000 came to enjoy
the park’s features and by July 30th well over a quarter million people from across the
city and state have come to witness this park first hand. After only one year of pro-
ducing solar energy, this park is just a stepping stone in the revitalization of the East
Downtown community.

Green Building Extras/

Notable Information
BP made a monetary donation to the City of Houston Park Project to assist in funding
this project. Thank you, BP, for supporting this beautiful park! The Discovery Green
is a LEED certified building structure with efficient water irrigation, bicycle facilities,
high efficiency HVAC refrig-
eration, and efficient restroom
fixtures. On Sunday after-
noon’s, park attendees can
find a variety of natural fruits
and vegetables at the organic
Downtown Green Market.

Architect Page Southerland

Page
Builder Miner Dederick

Affiliate of ASES.org 5
 george r. brown convention center
1001 Avenue De Las Americas, Houston, 77010
Renewable Energy System: 100 kW Solar Electric System
Installer: Standard Renewable Energy
Date Installed: July 2009
Approximate Energy Provided: 127,840 kWh per year
Approximate Cost Savings at 20 cents/kwh: $25,568 per year

Description of Installation SRE installed 270 traditional crystalline

silicon modules, BP190’s (51.3 kWSTC) attached on top of the blue girders along
the southeast wall and 360 Unisolar PVL-136 (49.0 kWSTC) thin film triple junc-
tion silicon modules adhered to the surface of the roof on the south side of the
convention center. The panels are visible along Highway 59.

Be sure to stop by the display kiosk that has been installed inside the GRB on the second floor in front of the Explore! Hous-
ton shop, about 40 yards south of the Starbucks. The kiosk displays the energy production of the solar panel system. It also
provides a graphically rich, web-based display of the production and
consumption data. The kiosk is a great educational tool to find out how the
solar energy systems work.

Notable Information Through the US Department of Energys Solar

America Cities partnership, a select group of US cities is working to accelerate
the adoption of solar energy technologies for a cleaner, more secure energy fu-
ture. The vision of the Solar Energy Pilot Program is to collect, analyze and report
data related to two different solar energy systems that may be used to produce
electrical energy in the Houston environment. Two different 50 kW systems, one
based on flexible thin‐film solar cells and one based on PV solar energy system,
will be analyzed by the Program. Each system may produce enough electricity to
supply sufficient power to light approximately 50 average Houston homes.

How Solar Electric Systems Work

Solar panels are mounted on
your roof with a custom racking
system. Solar panels collect en-
ergy from the sun and turn it into
direct current (DC) electricity.

DC electricity flows into an

inverter, which converts it into
alternating current (AC) electric-
ity, the type of electricity your
home uses.

AC electricity from the inverter

is fed directly into your home’s
main electrical panel where it
immediately provides power to
your home. If you need more
power than your system is pro-
viding, you continue to receive
power from your electricity
provider just as you do now.

6 www.HoustonSolarTour.org
city of houston code enforcement building
3300 Main Street, Houston, 77002

Renewable Energy System: 6.6 kW Solar Electric System

Installer: Standard Renewable Energy
Date Installed: May 2008
Approximate Energy Provided: 8,800 kWh per year
Approximate Cost Savings at 20 cents/kWh: $1,760 per year

Description of Installation Standard Renewable Energy

was contracted by the City of Houston for the installation of 40 BP 165 W
solar panels mounted on the southern facing wall of the Code Building.
The solar array overlooks the front entry of the building on the third level.
Though Hurricane Ike destroyed many Houston properties, these panels
did not suffer any damages despite the angle in which they were installed.

Owner’s Notes The project is part of Mayor Bill White’s efforts for Houston’s leadership in renewable energy.
Standard Renewable Energy was also contracted to install a second set of donated solar panels for the City of Houston Annex building on
its flat roof fourth level via ballast mounting.

code enforcement green building resource center open for solar tour
• See samples of green building materials.
• Consult with Public Works and Engineering staff and Program Director,
Steve Stelzer.
• The Code Enforcement Building itself demonstrates green building tech-
nologies and is registered to achieve LEED for Commercial Interiors.
• Don’t miss the solar powered irrigation system! A 250 gallon rain tank col-
lects water from the roof drain line. A moisture sensor in a planter controls
the irrigation. If the soil is dry a timer will start the solar powered pump to
water the plants in the reclaimed planters.

Park in the lot just south of the building. Light Rail Stop: Ensemble/HCC

Partner Profile ) HARC

The Houston Advanced Research Cen-
ter (HARC) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organiza-
tion based in The Woodlands, Texas dedicated to
improving human and ecosystem well-being through
the application of sustainability science and prin-
ciples of sustainable development. HARC’s mission
is to move knowledge to action to improve human
well-being and the environment.
In a non-partisan and collaborative manner,
HARC is a conduit from basic research to action Houston’s premier provider of
that fosters the implementation of policies and energy efficiency and renewable energy
technologies based on rigorous principles of social
solutions for homes and businesses.
science, natural science, and engineering. HARC’s
research themes support sustainability solutions in
ecosystems, water, air & climate, clean energy, the built environment, and environmen-
tal health. HARC’s primary geographical focus encompasses the greater Houston area
SRE3.com | 877.923.7733
and the Texas Gulf Coast. For more information online www.harc.edu.

Affiliate of ASES.org 7
burghli affordable homes
royal oak terrace subdivision
5819 Darlington Oak, Houston, 77016

Renewable Energy System: 3.24 kW Solar Electric System.

Ten homes at this location with 3.2 kW - 4 kW systems
mounted on roof
Installer: Solar Solutions USA
Date Installed: August 2009
Approximate Energy Provided: 5,321 kW/70-80% of the load needed for home
Approximate Cost Savings at 20 cents/kwh: Calculated savings for solar alone is approxi-
mately $1,064/year; however these homes are built for greater energy savings. One summer
electric bill received on the prototype for this project was for $-21.35 (Total Usage Charges)

Description of Installation Eighteen 180 watt panels, flush mounted on

the roof with a southern exposure.

Green Building Extras/Notable Information This is a green built Energy Star home with super energy features that
surpass Energy Star Standards. The savings go beyond the power production of the solar panels. This home should save 70-80% on
all utilities (electric, gas, and water) by comparison to a standard code built home. The home comes with: R-25BIBS in exterior walls,
foamed attic deck, 18 SEER high efficiency HVAC system, A/C ducts in air conditioned space, heat pump furnace, smart fresh air supply,
balanced air and temperature pressure, solar batch collector water tank, temperature censored, gas tankless water heater, Energy Star
appliances, Energy Star fixtures, dual flush toilets, motion sensor lavatory faucets, all self closing exterior doors.

Patterson place iii

4506 B Maxie Street, Houston, 77007
Renewable Energy System: 3.24 kW Hybrid Solar Electric System
Installer: Alternative Power Solutions Corp. (APS)
Date Installed: May 2009
Approximate Energy Provided: 3,500 kWh per year
Approximate Cost Savings at 15 cents/kWh: $525/year projected or a third of
annual energy consumption largely due to the energy efficiency of the 1,800 sq ft
townhome

Special Technical Description

Description of installation
The solar panel array consists of 18 Suntech STP180S-24\Ab1 mono-
crystalline solar panels mounted using the UniRac Solarmount anodized
aluminum panel racking system attached to the west-facing pitched com-
posite shingle roof. The solar panels are paired in sub-arrays of two panels in
series, then the sub-arrays are connected in parallel using a PV combiner to
raise the overall current applied. This application of high voltage reduces the
typical wire losses seen in a low voltage PV battery charging system.
The charge controller, Xantrex XW 150-60, can process PV input voltag-
es up to 150 volts and has an output rating of 60 amps at 48 volts or about
3000 watts. This controller processes the applied voltage and currents to
produce the nominal voltage of the battery system attached, in this case,
48 volts. This process results in higher efficiency in the movement of the PV
produced energy from the array location to the location of the batteries by allowing the application of the higher voltage to the intercon-
necting wiring which results in a reduction in the system loss that would be seen at the nominal voltage of the batteries.
The inverter, Xantrex 4548, is normally powered via the grid and operated in a pass-through standby mode to a dedicated power
panel. Since the inverter is limited in capacity, six existing circuit loads were selected and applied to this dedicated power panel to be
powered by the inverter when the grid fails.
During normal system operation, once the batteries are charged, the energy produced by the solar array is converted to standard AC

8 www.HoustonSolarTour.org
240 Volts 60 HZ by the inverter and distributed to local household loads via a back-fed
process to the main power panel with any excess energy exported to the utility.
The battery bank is charged primarily by the attached solar array via the charge
controllers, but a battery charger within the inverter can be pressed into service when
required. The batteries, eight MK S31-SLD-G Sealed Gel Batteries 12 Volt /108 AH, are
connected four each in series producing a battery bank of 48 volts for a total load ca-
pacity of 216 AH. Managing the discharge level of the batteries extends their operation-
al life. Therefore, the decision was made to set the maximum discharge level at 50%.
In an emergency, this setting can be overridden from the control panel. The result is
that the battery bank is 108 AH under normal circumstances. However, the combined
effect is 108 AH X 48 volts = 5184 Watts, thereby producing a higher capacity which
will allow for surge currents that the inverter is capable of processing at 100% for short
periods.
Though considerably more complex than the typical grid-tied PV system, this hybrid
application enables the homeowners to both generate and store energy to supplement
needs overnight and to provide uninterrupted service during a power outage for the home’s critical loads on a limited basis through the
six-circuit dedicated power panel (e.g., security lighting, alarm monitoring, appliances, communications). The HVAC system cannot be
included in the six circuits since the limitations imposed by the dimensions of the roof, the west exposure of the PV array and the inverter
capacity prevent running the compressor due to starting amperage required. The inverters and batteries are located in the vented ga-
rage.

Green Building Extras This LEED Gold home is one of 27 townhomes in Upper West End, an Inner Loop gated community
planned by Parra Design Group. Phase IV was developed as a group of six townhomes certified LEED Silver. Multiple green elements are
incorporated into these units making them among the most energy efficient properties in the Houston area.

Owners’ Notes We immediately connected to the townhome when we first walked in. Parra was very accommodating in modify-
ing certain specifications for us to meet LEED-H Gold. We anticipated being the
first to achieve LEED-H Platinum in Houston by committing to add the solar power
system prior to closing on the townhome. As an electrical engineer with experience
in designing power systems for refining and chemical industries and both having an
MBA, we are very pleased with the investment we have made in our home. We hope
the City of Houston eventually will provide incentives to homeowners who may wish
to follow suit. We also found that it would be more cost-effective if new construc-
tion homes were solar-ready with consideration given to the circuit design and with
conduit in place to pull cables from the roof. For anyone considering a hybrid solar
system, we recommend getting the expertise of Pat McLeod, a principal with APS.
- Jaroslav “Jay” Rysavy & Era N Ford, LEED AP

About LEED ) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design

LEED is a national green rating system that has been in the United States account for 70% of electrical consump-
developed by the US Green Building Council (USGBC). It’s tion, and it’s easy to imagine the cumulative effect of homes
a process of designing, building and evaluating a building becoming more energy efficient - or continuing to require
to the high standards of sustainable design. LEED homes more and more power for newer,
encompass the ideas of careful site treatment, energy effi- larger homes.
ciency, water conservation, indoor air quality and sustainable Please consider the power
materials and resources. Homes built according to the LEED your own home consumes, and
program are third party verified and given a Certified, Silver, all the decisions that can affect its
Gold or Platinum rating based on the number of LEED points energy consumption. For more infor-
that the project has received. mation about LEED and the USGBC
The Patterson Place III has received a LEED Gold rat- please visit www.usgbc.org. For
ing. The use of solar panels on this home, paired with other more information about local LEED
state of the art systems, makes this high rating possible. efforts and residential projects visit
Energy efficiency is a critical part of a LEED home. Buildings www.usgbchouston.org.

Affiliate of ASES.org 9
 
  green bank

 Memorial Motor Bank Branch


8611 Memorial Drive, Houston, 77024

Renewable Energy System: Thin Film and Crystalline panels on a


tracking system.

Installer: Ignite Solar LLC
 Date Installed: February 2009


This site will be open from 2-4 pm. Please stop
 by and enjoy refreshments. Refuel and then
             
              enjoy the rest of the tour!
 

Description of Installation: The test system has two 40 watt thin film, a-Si modules and two 40 watt crystalline modules. One
set of crystalline and thin film modules is installed fixed at 30 degrees and the other set tracks the sun east to west as the sun moves
across the sky. Thin-Film technology is significantly different--quicker and easier to manufacture panels roll off the assembly line as if from
a printing press. Thin-Film panels are not as efficient as crystalline panels, but cost less on a per watt basis. Thin film delivers more watt
hours of power for the same rated panel as crystalline due to its ability to work better in low light and off angle conditions.
The solar tracking system has been delivering 34% more power than the traditional fixed system since installation. The chart shows
a typical daily power production curve. The green curve shows the power produced using the Ignite tracking system and the red curve
shows the power produced using the fixed system. For a large solar park installation, +30% more power would be generated for a 10%
investment increase.

Owner’s Notes In Houston, banking and energy often are seen as peas in a pod. Two green-focused companies are continuing the
tradition—Ignite Solar LLC is testing solar panel and sun-tracking technology and using Green Bank’s motor bank rooftop as the labora-
tory. Two thin-film panels, one fixed and the other mechanized to track the sun, are monitored and collection capabilities are tracked real-
time. The test is evaluating the benefits of sun-tracking with thin-film panels and traditional crystalline silicon panels.

About Green Bank Founded in 2007 Green Bank is a socially-responsible and

resource-efficient enterprise that performs to a higher standard. Headquartered in a LEED
Gold certified building, Green Bank was one of the first banks to offer paper-free accounts
and is pioneering green mortgage and home improvement loans.

About Ignite Solar A manufacturer and installer of solar mounting/tracking sys-

tems for large scale photovoltaic operations, Houston-based Ignite Solar works in the U.S.
and abroad. Using extensive experience in materials design and fabrication, Ignite Solar
helps customers reach grid parity with modular and customizable structures.

Solar Facts ) • P
 V panels have become more efficient. Current models
are 15% efficient – converting 1/6 of sunlight into
electricity.
• Silicon from one ton of sand, used in PV cells, could
produce as much electricity as burning 500,000 tons of
coal.
• In developing countries village sized sun ovens help local
economies and decrease deforestation.
• In 1954, scientists at Bell Telephone discovered that
silicon created an electric charge when it was exposed to
sunlight.
• In late 1950s solar panels were used to power
U.S. space satellites.
• A NASA study concluded that while globally wind power
has the potential of 72 Terawatts, the sun has a much
greater potential of 170,000 terawatts each day.

10 www.HoustonSolarTour.org
 girl scouts HEADQUARTERS
3110 Southwest Freeway, Houston, 77098
Renewable Energy System:
10.08 kW Solar Electric System
Installer: Standard Renewable Energy
Date Installed: September 2009
Approximate Energy Provided:
11,920 kWh per year
Approximate Cost Savings at 20 cents/kWh:
$2,384 per year

Description of Installation Girl Scouts of San

Jacinto Council (GSSJC) and Green Mountain Energy se-
lected Standard Renewable Energy to install the 10.08 kW
PV array on the Southwest Freeway headquarter location.
The 56 Schuco 180 watt panels sit on a flat roof with a ballasted mounting system which allows no penetration into the roof membrane
there by preventing any weather leakage. The 8 solar arrays of 7 panels are tilted at 10 degrees to optimize the combination of low wind
loading, good solar collection and enough angle to self-clean in a rain. SRE used 2 Xantrex 5.0 inverters for this installation.

Owner’s Notes Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council (GSSJC) is committed to doing our part to better the environment. Green
Mountain Energy Company partnered with GSSJC to donate a 10.08 KW solar array to our facility through its Big Texas Sun Club®. The
Green Mountain Energy® Solar at Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council will help GSSJC reduce our carbon footprint by supplementing our
daily energy load by 10%-15%.

This project was made possible by: Green Mountain Energy Company – Big Texas Sun Club

www.greenmountainenergy.com
Green Building Extras As a pre-cursor to our solar installation, GSSJC also installed a reflec-
tive roof overlay. In addition to lowering our cooling energy costs by at least 20%, the new roof also serves as a way to increase visibility
and awareness of Girl Scouts. Cost savings generated by the project enable GSSJC to continue offering timely and increasingly popular
programs for girls focused on science, technology, engineering, math,
nature and the environment. The Girl Scout logo has also been painted into
the reflective overlay, making the building a landmark for aircraft pilots as it
is situated under a direct flight pattern for newscasters and some commer-
cial flights. In striving to create a LEED-certified building, GSSJC is among
a growing member of commercial properties working to reduce the City
of Houston’s carbon footprint. Adding a reflective roof overlay and a solar
panel array allows the Council and its supporters to assist Houston’s Mayor
White in his initiative to reduce energy consumption across the city.

This roof project was made possible by: Shell Oil Company, El Paso Corpora-
tion, Ed Rachal Foundation, and Madison Charitable Foundation.

Dedicated to the Craft of Timeless Design

– on budget and on schedule -
713.540.4698 www. LostArtGraphics .com

Affiliate of ASES.org 11
The Skinny )
Solar Incentives & Paybacks
By Stephen Rassenfoss

There are a lot of good reasons for Houston homeowners to consider solar
power. It’s a non-polluting renewable source of energy that can mean lower power bills and
higher home resale values.
Sites Open 11am-5pm
But it’s not a no-brainer. The final decision depends on a homeowner’s ability to put
up the money, a willingness to wait for a long-term payoff and the amount of sunshine up
on the roof. The decision can be broken down into three variables:

• Who’s helping out? A federal tax credit offers a tax saving equal to 30 percent of the
cost. Homeowners in the Woodlands may get a grant from Entergy, further reducing
the cost by $2,500 per kilowatt of solar generating capacity added.
• How long does it take to break even? A good indicator of the payoff is the time it takes
for the expected electric savings to cover the upfront cost. Solar can significantly add to
the resale value of the house, as do other energy saving investments.
• How sunny is your roof? The available space on most Houston homes limits solar to a
portion of their total energy needs. A south-facing roof is best, west or east can work,
but shade may be a deal killer.

Here are some of the nuts and bolts about saving with solar.

Q) What is the federal tax credit?

A) The tax credit equals 30 percent of the cost of solar pan-
els or solar water heating. An investment of $15,000 gener-
ates a credit of $4,500. (Every dollar credit equals a dollar
saved in taxes).

Q) Where can I go for more about the rules for credits?

A) A summary of tax breaks for energy investments is at 20
www.dsireusa.org.

Q) Does Texas offer any help?

A) The Texas legislature considered offering incentives this year but failed to act. How-
ever, there is a property tax exemption for solar installations. Any increase in the value of
the house due to a solar investment is not added to the value used to calculate property
taxes.

Q) Some cities are now offering tax breaks for low-cost financing for solar electric invest-
ments. Is Houston in that group?
A) No. The city-owned utility in Austin offers a program and Entergy has quietly begun a
pilot program to help fund solar in The Woodlands and other places in its service area.
For more details consult this web page http://www.txreincentives.com/epv/index.php
which includes a detailed FAQ.

Q) I’d love to see my meter run backwards. But what’s the payoff if that happens?
A) Every electric provider is different. Some like Green Mountain, offer a dollar-for-dollar
saving up to a limit. Others offer a credit based on the wholesale price, which is signifi-
cantly below the retail price. This link offered by Entergy shows it’s not an easy question to
answer. http://entergy-texas.com/your_home/net_metering.aspx

Q) Can a solar power system serve as a backup during a hurricane?

A) It’s possible but most residential systems are not wired that way. To be able to use it
when the electric grid goes down a homeowner also needs to install a battery backup or
generator system, which can cost more than $3,000.

12 www.HoustonSolarTour.org
Central Houston sites
Discovery Green..................................... 1
GRB Convention Center......................... 2
City of Houston Code Enforcement Bldg. 3
Burghli Homes........................................ 4
Patterson Place III................................... 5
Green Bank............................................ 6
Girl Scouts.............................................. 7
Gimenez Residence................................ 8
Northeast/woodlands sites
West University Solar Water Heater......... 9 Fong Residence.................................... 16
Eapen Residence.................................. 10 Discovery at Spring Trails...................... 17
Zercher Residence.................................11 Hill Residence....................................... 18
Reardon Residence...............................12 Dean Residence................................... 19
Wareloft Residence................................13
Edgar Residence...................................14 Animal Farm..........................................20
Heigel Residence.................................. 15 wwww.HoustonSolarTour.org

16
17
18
19

15

14

Houston
4

6
5 1 2
7 3
8
9
10

12
11

13

Affiliate of ASES.org 13
Gimenez Residence
3931 Purdue Street, Houston, 77005
Renewable Energy System:
5.6 kW Solar Electric System
Installer: Standard Renewable Energy
Date Installed: April 2009
Approximate Energy Provided:
5,400 kWh per year
Approximate Cost Savings at 20 cents/kWh:
$1,080 per year

Description of Installation The Gimenez’s

home has a western facing roof which allowed Standard
Renewable Energy to install 28 BP 200 watt panels. Two
solar arrays are mounted on a Unirac mounting system on
the composition shingle. SRE wanted to maintain and opti-
mize the panels’ efficiency by installing a Sunny Boy 6000US
inverter. The Gimenez’ installation is truly unique because
the solar panels are exposed to the daily traffic commuters on Weslayan and clearly visible; a true testament marketing solar to all HOA
committees that frown upon PV installations.

Owner’s Notes The Gimenez’ are a very green family and wanted to find a way
to save money by reducing their electric bills while conserving our natural resources.
They knew solar was the best option and they felt they had the perfect roofline for a
solar array, so they decided to make the investment and go green. The cost of electric-
ity will continue to rise but solar serves as an alternative.

Green Building Extras The Gimenez’s home has recently been updated
with insulation, weatherization and high efficiency heating ventilation air conditioning
(HVAC). To further improve their home’s efficiency they had an Essential Energy Audit
performed complete with blower door test and infrared scan from Standard Renewable
Energy. Each of these tests provide hard data to validate the efficiency level of their
home.

west university solar water heating

6114 Community Drive, Houston, 77005
Renewable Energy System: Solar Thermal Water Heater
Installer: Dixie Solar
Date installed: September 2008
Approximate energy provided: 23,000 Btu/day or 6.74 kWh/day
Approximate cost savings: $442 per year

Description of installation This is the first evacuated tube solar water

heater installed in Houston area.
It’s an example of solar thermal
technology. This solar water heater
was selected as Top 10 Green
Building Products of 2007 by
the Sustainable Energy Industry
Association, and was awarded the Best Green Design 2008 by Popular Mechanics. A
solar water heater can offset the equivalent of 40-100% of carbon dioxide emissions of a
modern car and is one of the most cost effective ways to use solar.

14 www.HoustonSolarTour.org
 Eapen residence
4007 Turnberry Circle, Houston, 77025

Renewable Energy Systems: 3.85 kW Solar Electric System,

25 W Attic Breeze Solar Attic Fan
Installer: Alternative Power Solutions
Date Installed: June 2009
Approximate Energy Provided: 4,620 kWh per year
Approximate Cost Savings at 15 cents/kWh: Approximately $47/month or 20%
of the home’s energy consumption. This system qualifies the homeowner for a
$9,700 tax credit and increased the property value by $11,000. It will produce
over $54,000 worth of solar energy during its lifetime.

Description of installation
This grid-tied 3.85 kW solar PV system consists of 22 Sun-
tech 175 watt panels which are southern facing. The panels
are attached to the composite shingle roof. This system uses
an SMA 4000 grid tie inverter to make the power conversion
from DC to AC. An Attic Breeze 25 Watt solar attic fan was
installed to reduce the attic temperature and air conditioning
load for the home.

Owner’s notes With the rising costs of energy, we

had been looking for ways to cut our electricity bills. Over the
years, I had toyed with the idea of installing solar power to
offset some of my power needs. Unfortunately, most of the turnkey sys-
tems appeared to be unaffordable and most of the DIY kits appeared
to require far more skills than I could reasonably hope to acquire. Last
year, as the prices of solar power systems came down, I decided
to take the plunge. With APS as our installer, the process was very
painless and all the permit details were handled as part of the project.
Overall it has been a very positive experience and since the installation I
have seen a significant decline in my electricity bills. - George A Eapen

Sponsors ) Megawatt

Meridian
S O L A R
GreenTeam
AC & Geothermal

Affiliate of ASES.org 15
Zercher Residence
11006 Doud Street, Houston, 77035

Renewable Energy System: 2.8 kW Solar Electric System and 2 Solar

Thermal EnerWorks collector (Hot Water)
Installer: Standard Renewable Energy
Date Installed: July 2008
Approximate Energy Provided: 3,500 kWh per year
Approximate Cost Savings at 20 cents/kWh: $700 per year for
electricity and reduction of gas dependency for water heating needs

Description of Installation Standard Renewable Energy installed a 2.8 kW solar system consisting of 14 BP 200 watt panels
on one side of the Zercher residence and two EnerWorks solar thermal collectors on another portion of the home. Each BP solar panel is
mounted on the shingled roof using the Unirac standard rail with easy pivot feet for trouble-free installation. The Enerworks solar thermal
water heating system consists of two 4’ x 8’ solar collectors and an 80 gallon Rheem storage tank. The solar thermal system is a glycol
closed loop system that takes the ground water supply through the EnerWorks Energy Pack exchanger to heat up and returns into the
storage tank ready to use. The Zercher install is unique because it incorporates more than one renewable energy resource and has a
back up gas generator tied to the grid as well. This home is truly prepared for the unexpected.

Owner’s Notes Our motivation is to lessen our carbon footprint, for the good
of future generations. We are supposed to be stewards, not abusers! This is why it’s
important to us. Mr. Zercher

Notable Information Mr. Zercher has recently added a natural gas pow-
ered generator to his home as an emergency backup system. He is also expanding
his PV system and adding a battery back-up to ensure he is set for any type of power
outages.

The Economics ) Residential Solar Panels

Residential solar systems have become more
affordable over the years. Now, with the American Recovery
and Reinvestment Act of 2009, home owners can benefit
from an uncapped 30% tax credit.
Photovoltaic (PV) panels are rated in kW DC STC which
is kilowatts (kW) of direct current DC power at standard test
conditions (STC). Our homes use alternating current (AC);
therefore, we must convert the electricity generated by the
PV panels from DC to AC using an inverter. Residential PV
systems generally range in size from 1 - 9 kW (DC) STC with
the Texas average being 6 kW DC STC.
A 3.15 kW DC STC (eighteen 175 W panels) will cover
approximately 280 square feet of roof and produce about 2.4
kW of AC power on a sunny day if oriented in the southern di-
rection. In Houston, this would generate approximately 3,800
kWh of usable electricity in its first year. If the average PV
array loses about 0.5% of its efficiency on an annual basis,
we can estimate the overall consumer cost to be about 12.5
cents per kWh. (see right inset)
This example is based on an installed cost of $6.00/watt.
The typical installed system cost in Texas is between $5.50
and $6.50/watt. The tax exempt property value increase for
this example is projected to be $10,600.
System life time of 30 years will generate 114,000 kWh:
Price of 3.15 kW PV System $ 18,900
Sales Tax @ 8.25% $1,500
Federal tax credit (30%) $( 6,133)
NET Cost $ 14,322
Net Cost pv system
COST = _______________ = 12.56 cents/kWh
kWh lifetime
Please note that the total cost of a PV system will depend
on system size, type and manufacturer of system elements,
mounting required, electrical system, grid tied or grid tied
with battery back-up, roof height and type, and other factors.
The daily usable power generated from the PV array will also
vary due to losses from the inverter and variable operating
conditions, such as cloud coverage, temperature, and relative
humidity. The example above uses generalized data from
various resources. Please contact a solar installer to receive a
quote for a solar installation specific to your home.

16 www.HoustonSolarTour.org
Reardon Residence
4618 Waycross, Houston, 77035

Renewable Energy System: 3.15 kW Solar Electric System, Solar Attic Fan,
Solar Pool Heating
Installer: Alternative Power Solutions Corp.
Date Installed: March 2009
Approximate Energy Provided: Solar Electric – 315 kWh per month
or 18% of home’s energy consumption, Solar Pool Heating - Extends
Swimming Season to 9 months/year
Approximate Cost Savings at 15 cents/kWh: Approximately $50/month
or 20% of the home’s energy consumption. This system qualifies the
homeowner for a $8,000 tax credit, increases the property value by
$11,300, and will produce over $53,000 worth of solar energy during its
lifetime.

Description of Installation This grid-tied 3.15 kW solar PV system consists

of 18 Suntech 175 watt Panels. The panels are attached to the southern facing, metal
standing seam roof without roof penetrations. Each solar panel in this system has its own
micro-inverter.
The Solar Pool Heater system was mounted on a newly constructed pergola. The
Attic Breeze solar attic fan is sized to reduce the attic temperature and air conditioning
loads for the home.

Owner’s Notes It’s great to come home and see the solar panels on our roof. I know
that while I’m at work, our house has been making its own electricity. When my installer invited me see the meter turn backwards for the first
time, it was a great moment. Installing a solar system is about becoming part of the solution to the environmental challenge we are facing.
- Kathleen Reardon, LEED AP, RD Architeture LLC

Green Building Extras This house is a good case study project for energy effi-
ciency. With three bedrooms, the 1,900 sq.ft. the house is small enough to easily manage
the energy footprint. It was remodeled with energy efficiency as a priority. Blown in cellu-
lose insulation fills walls that originally had no insulation. The attic received R-38 insulation.
A white metal standing seam roof keeps the attic cool. A high efficiency variable speed air
conditioner was installed. The plumbing was replaced with a PEX plumbing system and
tankless water heater.

Partner Profile ) America Solar Energy Society

Established in 1954, the nonprofit American Solar and $1 trillion in annual revenue
Energy Society (ASES) is the nation’s leading association of in the U.S. The second report,
solar professionals & advocates. Our mission is to inspire an Tackling Climate Change in the
era of energy innovation and speed the transition to a sus- U.S., demonstrated how renew-
tainable energy economy. We advance education, research able energy and energy ef-
and policy. ficiency can provide the carbon
Leading for more than 50 years–ASES leads national emissions reductions needed to
efforts to increase the use of solar energy, energy efficiency mitigate climate change. ASES
and other sustainable technologies in the U.S. We publish efforts have been highlighted
the award-winning SOLAR TODAY magazine, organize and by leading media outlets across
present the ASES National Solar Conference and lead the the U.S. including: the New
ASES National Solar Tour – the largest grassroots solar event York Times, Chicago Tribune,
in the world. NPR, Time, BusinessWeek,
Last year the ASES published the groundbreaking NBC, Fox News, San Jose Mer-
Green-Collar Jobs report which showed that renewable energy cury News, Rocky Mountain News, and countless others. For
and energy efficiency sectors generate more than 9 million jobs more information go to www.ases.org.

Affiliate of ASES.org 17
 wareloft residence
13904 Hiram Clarke Road, Houston, 77045
Renewable Energy System: Passive Solar Cooling
Average Monthly Electric Bill: 570kWh/12 month avg @
13.6 cents/kWh (Grn Mtn) = $77.52
Approximate Cost Savings: $109.00 (for the hottest 30 days ever recorded
in Houston, June 15 to July 15, 2009)

DESCRIPTION OF INstallation Even without a PV solar sys-

tem to assist with energy bills, the electric bill for Houston’s hottest 30
day period on record was only $109.00 for this very green home. This
is extraordinarily low for a 3,148 sf home with twice the interior volume
of most homes this size. The secret is Design for Passive Sustainability
(which also optimizes passive solar cooling). This contemporary work/
living green home on a budget, currently in the qualifying process for
LEED-H Certification, is laid back, wide open, and very adaptable. Like
every home designed or remodeled by the home’s architect, Passive
Sustainability is designed and built into them to allow the occupants
flexible ways in choosing how they wish to live in their home, be it with
or without power or air conditioning, and still remain relatively comfortable even during the hottest days that Houston can throw at them
(and during power outages after storms like Hurricane Ike). Integrated green building features include passive survivability and passive
solar design such as outdoor living spaces not in the wind shadow of the house, lots of design-assisted natural ventilation, natural day
lighting, clean/green finishes, exterior envelope insulation, and very energy efficient lighting, air conditioning systems, and appliances.
The house is designed for minimal site disruption with a porous driveway and the preservation of existing landscaping and it harvests and
stores rainwater for most of its landscaping and gardening needs. There are neither west windows nor attic spaces and the entire roof is
designed to be surfaced with solar PV panels to take this home and a couple of more homes like it completely off the grid if desired.

OWNERS’ NOTES Given that energy costs are only going

to increase, we wanted something that was very energy
efficient. We knew very little about green building before
we started. The more we learned about it, the more it
appealed to us. Since beginning its construction and now
(a year after we moved in), in keeping a survey of what
folks say when they enter the house, the first words out
of their mouths has been “WOW” over 60% of the time.
And it’s rising. - Rick Wilson & Therese Coucher

Architect Environment Associates, Architects & Consultants,

LaVerne A. Williams, AIA, LEED AP
Builder Dovetail Builders, Inc.

We Help Companies Go From Lost. To Found. Online.

www.SpotOnSeo.com (281) 520-4001

18 www.HoustonSolarTour.org
edgar residence
208 East 24th Street, Houston, 77008
Renewable Energy System: 1.75 kW Solar Electric System, Solar Attic Fan
Installer: Alternative Power Solutions Corp.
Date Installed: July 2009
Approximate Energy Provided: 2,016 kWh per year
Approximate Cost Savings at 15 cents/kWh: $25/month or 17% of the
home’s energy consumption. This system qualifies the homeowner for a
$4,700 tax credit. It increases the property value by $6,000 and will pro-
duce over $30,000 worth of solar energy during its lifetime.

Description of Installation This grid-tied 1.75 kW solar

PV system consists of 10 Suntech 175 watt panels which face
south. The panels are attached to composite shingle roof. This sys-
tem uses a PVP 2000 grid tied inverter to convert power from DC to
AC. An Attic Breeze 25 Watt solar attic fan was installed to reduce
the attic temperature and A/C loads for the home.

Owners notes Since I moved to the United States ten years ago from Ireland I
could not believe that we were not harnessing energy from the sun in Texas. I thought
about installing solar myself on my home and even went to two solar schools. Then time
became a factor so I was delighted when I came across APS on the internet. My APS
contact was Pat McLeod whose manner was one of ease no matter how simple my
questions might have seemed. If we all could contribute just a little, we can all make a
difference. Do your part. It’s fun to get up each day and see your solar system in opera-
tion while you are saving money.

Heigel Residence
10127 Crescent Bluff Lane, Houston, 77070

Renewable Energy System: 3.36 kW Solar

Electric System
Installer: Meridian Solar, Inc.
Date Installed: December 2008
Approximate Energy Provided:
3,788 kWh per year
Approximate Cost Savings at 20 cents/kWh:$6,442 (32,210 kWh produced)

Description of Installation The solar array is comprised of SunPower solar panel modules and an inverter. These mod-
ules provide greater power density in comparison to other solar modules, which translates to less roof space needed. The SunPower
modules also have an aesthetically pleasing all black appearance. A total of 16 SunPower modules were used, with a power rating of 210
watts each. The total system power rating is 3,360 watts on the DC side. An inverter converts DC power to AC for household use. The
array is flush mounted on the south facing composite shingle roof of the residence, at a 20-degree
pitch. In addition to the solar array, an SMA data monitoring system was installed (Sunny WebBox,
Sunny Portal, SMA RS Card). The system monitors and collects data of the solar array from the
inverter, which is then uploaded onto the web.

Owner’s Notes Mr. Hiegel has been interested in installing a solar system for 5 years. After
watching the cost and technology of solar electric systems improve, he decided to that the best
time to install a system was now.

Green Building Extras/Notable Information Other energy efficient features in-

clude, double pane windows, radiant barrier insulation, compact fluorescent light bulbs, Energy Star
washer/dryer and HVAC system.

Affiliate of ASES.org 19
 Fong Residence
11 West Isle Place, The Woodlands, 77381

Renewable Energy System: 5.25 kW Hybrid Solar Electric System

Installer: Installed by Alternative Power Solutions Corp. for Green Builders Source
Date Installed: July 2009
Approximate Energy Provided: 6,312 kWh per year
Approximate Cost Savings at 15 cents/kWh: Approximately $80/month. This sys-
tem qualifies the homeowner for a $13,500 tax credit, $13,200 Entergy solar rebate,
increases the property value by $18,000, and will produce over $91,500 worth of solar
energy during its lifetime.

Description of Installation This grid-tied with battery back-up 5.25 kW solar PV system consists of
30 BP 175 watt panels which are southern facing. The panels are attached to the composite shingle roof. This
system uses a Xantrex 6048 grid tied inverter to convert the power from DC to AC. Sixteen MK L16s batteries
provide back up power. This system was designed to power a portion of the home should grid power be lost dur-
ing a storm and make free energy for the home during normal non-outage periods.
The homeowner also installed a gas powered generator to be able to power the entire home during an
outage. They also wanted the solar battery back-up due to concerns that the generator would be noisy during the
evening hours.

Owners comments While we built our home we were always trying

to keep the environment in mind. Working with The Woodlands G.R.E.E.N.
organization as a volunteer and member, helped spur our interest. Green Build-
ers Source was instrumental in getting us everything we needed to achieve our
goals. Power from the sun is free and plentiful here. With energy prices uncertain
there was no better time to move forward on our long-term goal. As we started the solar process, we had to apply to our Woodlands gov-
ernance board. That can be very intimidating, but as we moved forward they were very supportive. The Woodlands is just concerned about
cutting down trees. We added the generator for extra protection from hurricanes and future power outages.

Hill residence
27127 Rose Vervain, Spring, 77386

Renewable Energy System: 5.25 kW Solar Electric System

Installer: Alternative Power Solutions Corp. for Ameresco Solar
Date Installed: June 2009
Approximate Energy Provided: 6,312 kWh per year
Approximate Cost Savings at 15 cents/kWh: Approximately $80/
month. This system qualifies the homeowner for a $13,200 tax credit, increase the property
value by $18,900, and will produce over $91,500 worth of solar energy during its lifetime.

Description of Installation This grid-tied 5.25 kW solar PV system

consists of 30 BP 175 watt panels which are south facing. The panels are attached
to the composite shingle roof. This system uses a SMA 5000 inverter to make the
power conversion from DC to AC.

Green Building Extras This home is located in Discovery at Spring Trails which is being
developed by Land Tejas. Discovery at Spring Trails is one of Houston’s first solar developments
and is packed with energy efficient homes.

Directions: Exit Spring Stuebner Rd off of 45N; turn right onto Spring Stuebner Rd. Spring
Stuebner Rd. turns into Riley Fuzzell Rd. Follow Riley Fuzzell Rd. to Rayford Rd. (passing the Discovery Center). Turn right onto Rayford
Rd. Turn left onto Breen Vista. Turn right onto Rose Vervain. Turn right onto the second street on the right. Hill Residence is the first house
on the right.

20 www.HoustonSolarTour.org
 discovery at
spring trails
discovery center
2711 Riley Fuzzel Road, Spring, 77386

Renewable Energy System: GE Brilliance Solar Electric

Power System with 12-85 watt solar panel.
Installer: En-Touch Energy
Date Installed: May 2008
Approximate Energy Provided: Energy output annually
is approximately 2,900 kWh’s AC
Approximate Cost Savings at 20 cents/kwh:
Cost saving at .20/kWh $320.00/yr
Project Participants:
En-Touch System – Monica Hayes (Broadband provider)
En-Touch Energy – Danny White (REP and Solar Installation)
EcoEdge Consulting- Craig Lobel (Program Lead)
Homewerks – John Short (Low Voltage Integrator)

project Description Discovery at Spring Trails

is Houston’s first solar powered hybrid community, a
high quality development that we’ve come to expect
from Land Tejas Companies, developer of Canyon Gate
Communities. The 1200 acres Discovery at Spring
Trails community will have approximately 3000 homes
at build out. A key groundbreaking aspect of Discov-
ery at Spring Trails is that we are creating community-
wide energy efficiency guidelines for all our builders to
follow. A one-kilowatt solar array will be included as a
standard feature on each new home built in Discovery
at Spring Trails. The solar system is expected to provide up to 15-20% of the electricity use of a typical home. Home buyer will be offered
a builder upgrade option to expand the standard one-kilowatt system to two or three
kilowatts. Other features and benefit of Discovery at Spring Trails will include GE Energy
Star Lighting, GE Energy Star Appliances, In-Home Energy and Water management,
Fiber to the Home broadband, Curb-Side Recycling and Gray Water recycling for com-
munity irrigation.

Description of Installation Lot, home orientation and elevation will dictate

placement of the solar panel system. There are two options that have been approved
for this community, standard roof-mounted or trellis mounted. The one-kilowatt system
takes up approximately 100 Sq. ft. There are two rails in parallel, separated by 24 inches
that attach to a set of 12 roof stand-offs or legs. Once in place, the rails rest
three inches above the roof deck to allow proper ventilation. The 6-200 watt
panels are attached to the two rails and secured by industry clips. The solar
system produces DC power and will be converted into AC power at the inverter.
The inverter is placed within 10 feet of the main electrical meter and breaker
panel per code. Once the power is converted into AC it is immediately used by
the home.

Notable Information Located in north Houston, near the Hardy Toll

Road and Rayford Road, Discovery at Spring Trails is the country’s first master
planned community to incorporate GE’s Ecomagination Homebuilder Program
across a diverse group of builders. Homes in Discovery at Spring Trails are
priced from $170’s to the Mid 400’s. Discovery will offer resort-style amenities,
guard gated neighborhoods and homes built with advanced wiring. For more
information, visit the community website at www.canyongate.com/discovery.

Affiliate of ASES.org 21
 dean residence
304 Magnolia Road, New Caney, 77357
Renewable Energy System: 4.2 kW Solar Electric System
Installer: Standard Renewable Energy
Date Installed: March 2007
Approximate Energy Provided: 5,500 kWh per year
Approximate Cost Savings at 20 cents/kWh: $1,100 per year

Description of Installation The Dean family chose

Standard Renewable Energy to install their 4.2 kW system which
consists of 24 BP 175 watt panels on the southern portion of their
roof. The BP panels are mounted in 3 strings of 8 panels using Eazy
Feet Railing on the shingled roof. SRE staggered the panels to ac-
commodate the optimum roof space and tied everything together
with a Sunny Boy 4000 inverter.

Owner’s Notes Once the decision to build our new home was made in late 2007, we wanted our home to be efficient and structur-
ally sound. On a hot, sunny, summer day our home is using the sun to produce energy. On a cold, dismal, rainy day our house is heated
by a pellet stove. Our home maintains a consistent internal temperature because it is wrapped with spray foam insulation. And just in case
a Category 4 hurricane comes up the corridor of Hwy 59 our house is Can use
engineered to withstand it. As for the decision to install solar and the logo h
benefits, the solar on our home is: limiting the dependency to traditional
energy providers, reducing electric consumption by producing our own
clean renewable energy, decreasing our carbon footprint improving the
environment so that our grandchildren don’t have to deal with future en-
vironmental issues. With the help of a federal tax credit and the $2/watt
rebate from Entergy, the system is being upgraded to a total of 9.8 kW.

Green Building Extras In addition to the solar system, SRE

installed an 18 SEER two stage condenser, zoned areas, variable speed
furnace, spray foam insulation, and a home energy monitor. A solar sys-
tem is best complemented with multiple efficiency products.

Sponsors ) Kilowatt Partner Profile ) HREG

The Houston Renewable Energy Group (HREG)
was established in 1999 with the primary goal of educating
the Houston region
on the power of
renewable energy.
The HREG network
of renewable energy
enthusiasts, engineers,
architects, specialists,
and users provides a
Yahoo discussion group for sensible energy conservation
and generation, as well as a cleaner Houston. HREG is a
non-profit volunteer organization and a local chapter of the
Texas Solar Energy Society, a 501 (c) 3 organization. HREG
has been the primary hosting organization for the Houston
Solar Tour since the first tour in 2004. For more information
online go to www.txses.org/hreg

22 www.HoustonSolarTour.org
 animal farm –
a permaculture center
16723 Sycamore Road, Cat Spring, 78933

Renewable Energy System: Hybrid Solar Electric

Installer: Owner
Date installed: First Phase 1991, Expansion 2008
System cost: First phase $15,000, Expansion $35,000
Approximate energy provided: 10 mWh per year
Approximate cost savings at 20 cents/kWh: $2,000 per year

Description of installation The solar

array is mounted on a shed metal roof. The thirty 150
W panels are managed by a MX80 controller, the
twelve new 190 W panels are managed by a MX60 controller. Two Outback VFX3648 are configured
as a split phase Mini Grid System, and feed off a 48V battery bank consisting of 24 AGM cells of
2V/1500A each. That gives us 72 kW of backup power. The two 120 VAC phases are connected to
both residences, the well, pool, barn and a recently completed guest cottage through AWG6 under-
ground cabling. The last phase of the expansion will consist of a SMI 4000 watt Sunnyboy Inverter with about 2.4 kW of PV panels. This
inverter will feed the loads of the main house, and will than export any excess power to the dual VFX inverters who in turn will charge their
e pic or
battery bank. This will allow us to do real load sharing and shedding between the different consumers of the system. The water well pump
here (1 kW, Grundfoss, 24 GPM) delivers about 14,000 gallons per day to the irrigation system of our organic vegetable operation, which is our
main electricity load.

Owner’s Notes We installed this system because we believe in, practice and teach sus-
tainability. The fact that it would have cost us in excess of $15,000 to connect to the grid, made
the economic justification very easy.

Green Building Extras Animal Farm is a Permaculture center and is an example of a

design for sustainable living. Together with Urban Harvest and the Houston Permaculture Guild,
we teach courses in designing for sustainability, organic farming, renewable energy
and sustainable building. The courses are posted in the websites of Urban Harvest
(UrbanHarvest.org) and Leisure Learning Unlimited (LLU.com)

Directions: Do NOT follow Mapquest or other on-line directions because you will
get lost. Some of the roads on their maps do NOT exist. Go West on I-10, and at
Sealy take exit 720 and go North on Highway 36. After the railway crossing go
Northwest on FM1094 to New Ulm. A few hundred yards after you cross FM949,
take a right on Hall Road. After a few hundred yards on Hall Road, take a right on
Sycamore Road. After about 4 miles, Sycamore Rd will dead end at our farm. Call
if you still get lost. Tel 979 992-3038 (Land Line) 713 240-8665 (Cell)

Strategic Marketing • 3D Animation • Web Design

Graphics & Signs • Exhibit Design & Fabrication
Multimedia • Photography & Videography

Affiliate of ASES.org 23
 TXU Energy is Proud to be
Houston’s Educational Partner
for our 2009 Solar Academy
Thank you for your support
Cypress Fairbanks ISD – Science Resource Center
Klein ISD – Kleb Intermediate School
Goose Creek ISD – Ross S Sterling High School
Katy ISD – Morton Ranch Elementary School
Magnolia ISD - Williams Elementary
Waller ISD

TXU Energy Solar Academy is partnering with National Energy Education Development Project
(NEED) to implement their nationally recognized solar energy education program into Texas
schools. This program brings solar technology and energy lessons into the classroom providing
students and teachers with an interactive learning experience.

Home Energy Audit

Direct Energy gives you the Power
to Save Energy and Money!

Our certied HERS® Raters can point out specic ways to

make your home more energy efcient and affordable, not to
mention more comfortable.

To schedule your Home Energy Audit please call 1-888-411-3690 or

visit www.directenergy.com/audityourenergy for more details!

© 2008 Direct Energy Marketing Limited, a subsidiary of Centrica plc. Direct Energy® In Texas, our subsidiary is Direct Energy, LP (PUCT Certificate No. 10040).
Home Energy Rating System® and HERS® are registered service marks of Residential Energy Services, Inc. a nonprofit corporation.

24 www.HoustonSolarTour.org