City of Merriam's Solar Panels

The array was the grand prize in the Climate and Energy Project’s Take Charge Challenge - a year-long race between six Kansas communities to reduce their energy usage.  The 1,925 watt array consists of eleven 175 watt Andalay Solar panels. 

The electricity produced is converted to usable power using Enphase micro-inverters behind each panel. The grid-tied array will supply about 200 kilowatt hours/month of electricity for the facility.  Pictured are Jeff Simpson and Shane Paulsen installing the panels on the roof of the Visitor Bureau.

Solar Panels on the Chapman Home

She was thrilled to find Greg Rothers at Rothers Design/Build .  Greg had experience with straw bale construction and had previously partnered with The Energy Savings Store on solar projects.  

Together, we built radiant-heated floors using solar energy and a solar hot water system. The water piped through the concrete floors is heated by 4 Heliodyne solar panel collectors mounted on the south wall of a detached garage.  The pre-heated water is stored in two tanks. Janet also uses it  for normal domestic hot water purposes. 

“We appreciate Greg partnering with us early in the process,” says Bob Solger, Proprietor of The Energy Savings Store (TESS).  “Many clients considering building a green home often come to us first and Greg is one of the builders we recommend because of our collaborative relationship.” 

Jim Kostucik, with Redstone Homes, is another builder assisted by TESS when a client was interested in using thin-film solar panels on a metal roof in Stillwell, KS.  “Involving us early in the design process can avoid problems and delays later on,” says Bob.  “Our engineering team and experience  can help builders wade through the enormous amount of information about wind turbines (windmills) and solar panels.”