Seasoned solar homeowners know that winter is the time of shorter days, and therefore fewer solar-producing sun hours.  As the earth turns on it's axis away from the sun, the northern hemisphere is lit by the sun at a much lower angle.  The sun stays lower in the sky and we loose several hours of daylight compared to the summer. 

December 21st will be the shortest day of the year, and from now until March 20--the Spring Equinox--the days will gradually get longer (about one minture longer each day) and the sun will grow higher in the sky.

Although we typically see this time of year as the least productive for solar power, we have two great things to look forward to: First, the worst is over, and the days are now getting longer as we head towards spring. Second, the long-range weather forecast for the Northeast is calling for more sunny days and less percipitation than normal.

The cold temperatures combined with the bright sun are a great combination for solar production. If you watch your inverter carefully on a cold, sunny day, you might even see some higher than usual voltages. Here's to thinking positive through these winter months!

Carll & Jane Pallokat of Harwinton had an 8.28 kilowatt system installed on the roof of their home this past October. 36 SunPower 230 panels are alongside a solar thermal system the homeowner installed himself 35 years ago. A way to lower their dependence on the utility grid and do their part to reduce CO2 pollution, the Pallokat’s PV system will cover roughly 97% of their total annual electric usage and their existing solar thermal system supplies around 75-80% of their annual hot water needs.

Carll said, “Your company is definitely on top of the communication aspect of the install. I was very pleased. I already have mentioned the system to neighbors and friends with very positive feedback and interest in getting a solar array.”

Carll is a retired technology teacher and now teaches classes in the community on energy conservation. In addition to teaching, Carll spends his time working on his small farm, producing natural beef and free-range eggs which he sells from his home.

The featured employee for this quarter is Rachel Oxman. Always getting rave reviews from customers, Rachel deserves some recognition!

Rachel has been working here at Sunlight Solar for almost one and a half years and many of you have probably already spoken with her on the phone. Rachel is our First Contact. What does that mean? What does Rachel do?

If a person is interested in solar energy for their home or business, Rachel will talk with them on the phone, educate them on how the systems work, and explain the available incentives. If the person decides they want to move forward Rachel will then schedule a free site evaluation with one of our three Systems Designers who work across the entire state of Connecticut as well as parts of New York.

One of the reasons our customers speak so highly about our service is because of Rachel. Always willing to go above and beyond, Rachel does whatever she possibly can to make sure our customers are satisfied and have all questions answered. Sunlight Solar is very grateful to have Rachel as part of the family! 

Sunlight Solar Energy, Inc. was the proud solar installer to the 35 kilowatt solar electric system atop the John Dorr Nature Laboratory in Washington, CT. The solar electric system, comprised of 105 Sunpower 305-watt panels, is estimated to supply about one-quarter of the buildings electrical needs. The installation was made possible by a grant from the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund (CCEF) which subsidized about half of the cost of the system for the school.

Glenn Sherratt, Director of the Horace Mann School’s Nature Laboratory, said that students at the Lab will be introduced to the solar electric system as early as the fourth grade and all the way through high school. “The students will be shown the inverters and monitoring display while being educated about the system. They will be instructed on how to record the production of the system and compare that to the usage of the building.”

Glenn also noted that, “in the near future we also hope to connect a monitor to our school in New York so that our teachers can use this system remotely to educate their students about solar, as well.”

Paul Israel, President of Sunlight Solar Energy, said “John Dorr Nature Center teaches our children to help our world evolve into a better place. I have always advocated that solar energy can positively effect change in the world. John Dorr Nature Center embodies why I got into the solar industry: to educate people on renewable energy and hence move our social agenda forward. I’m thrilled that these students can look at the array and see a symbol of positive energy, both in reality and metaphor.”

For a limited time, we are offering a $500 rebate check for purchasing both a thermal and photovoltaic system. Take advantage of this unique offer to connect your home to the sun!

Please call your local Sunlight Solar office for details.

December 21 certainly holds historical and mystical significance for all of us. As a metaphor, it is the darkest day yet holds the promise of a new beginning.
For the installers on the roofs who have to weather very difficult circumstances and physical deprivation, we all salute you. It will only get warmer. For our customers the worst is over; energy production has bottomed out and shall now increase.

Since energy production is the bottom line, Sunlight Solar emphasizes that everyone please take a good 24 or 48 hour look at your energy production and note the kilowatt hour gain from your utility grade meter (not the inverter’s meter). Please note the weather conditions (cloudy, sunny) and call into SSE with your records.

We can look up your system specifications and compare your numbers to your projected output. This quick check will tell us if your system is working to its expectations.

Finally, please take a visual look at all components. If anything looks rusted, loose (wires hanging on the roof), or excessive soiling on the panels’ glass please call us.

The solar industry is definitely moving towards a new beginning. New players from other industries such as electrical companies and roofers are entering the market. It is becoming very competitive. Sunlight Solar continues to be a leader and is growing both in support staff and installation crews. We are bullish on 2010 as we grow in our existing offices and get ready to expand to new areas of the company.

For the environment, the bottom certainly arrived when I was growing up in New Hampshire. For months at a time the lake would become “pea soup” from algae growth and we couldn’t swim. Septic systems were the answer. Today, I head out on my cross country skis into the beautiful Cascade Mountain range in Oregon and am heartened by the cleanliness. For that, everyone at Sunlight Solar thanks our customers for investing in us and in solar energy.

Have a great 22nd.