May 2012- working on the garden       fruit trees- 2 espaliered asian pears, 2 apples, 2 paw paws, 1 plum 2 starter veggie beds   May 8, 2012- PGE says we can turn solar panels on! Here's sample solar panel output (dawn to dusk) from a sunny day (May 10, 2012)....  May 14, 2012 Exterior paint and trim work done. Jeff Cole (Silver Peasant Productions) interviews Rob and Bart about their next Passive House project.    July 18, 2012 Garden progress...   Asian pears...  December 26, 2012 Yes, Ella and Randy just celebrated living a full year at TrekHaus West! Living net zero is no longer a fantasy. We generated more energy than we used in 2012! Here are the numbers...  TrekHaus West Energy Use/Generation Summary Year 1 (12/26/11 to 12/26/12) Total Energy Use 1st Year: 3322 kWh Average Energy Use Per Day: 9.1 kWh/day Total Energy Generation 1st Year: 3748 kWh (PV turned on 5/8/12, so just 7.5 months of solar power) Expected annual energy generation: about 4600 kWh from 4.70 kW system Estimated annual energy production/excess: 1260 kWh (enough to power EV about 3800 miles) Additional solar capacity exists if needed in future. (room to add 5 more rooftop PV panels) Number of occupants: 2 Thermostat: 68° F day, 66° F overnight March 20,2013 PGE's net metering annual billing cycle just closed. TrekHaus West donated excess credit of 1520 kWh to PGE's low income assistance program. 1520 kWh is enough electricity to power a Nissan Leaf about 4500 miles! April 9, 2013 Spring garden preparation. Strawberry beds (left) and juniper raised beds with veggie starts.  Blueberries...  April 28, 2013 Hon tsai tai with sweet edible yellow flowers.  Flowering pawpaw...  May 3, 2013  May 8, 2013 West unit solar panels have been up and running for 1 full year today! May 2012 to May 2013 energy generation and use numbers: Total energy generation: 5012 kWh (exceeded expectations by more than 400 kWh) Total energy used: 3223 kWh (average 8.8 kWh/day) Annual excess generation: 1789 kWh (enough electricity to power a Nissan Leaf more than 6100 miles) May 14, 2013 Veggie garden...      |
Building Progress 9: May 2012 to May 2013 |