I have a 3kW system as well and it is interesting to know that I can add to it and continue to take advantage of the rebates. I'll look into that - thanks.<br><br>As for washing it, I only do it a few times a year and haven't really looked to see if it helps the efficiency, but that is easy enough to do with Austin's cookie-cutter weather forecasts and two back to back nice sunny days. My array is a big square, so I use one of those car wash brushes that connects to a garden hose in the handle. I don't bother with soap as I'm just washing the dust off (mostly pollen from the trees).<br>
<br>Gary<br><br><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Tue, Mar 3, 2009 at 9:17 AM, Josh Handel <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:jhandel@ktomics.net">jhandel@ktomics.net</a>></span> wrote:<br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;">
<div>801 ;-)</div>
<div> </div>
<div>I'm still waiting on my inverter.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Oh one thing to note is you can keep adding on to your solar system each year.. so you can start with 3k (then with a big enough inverter) add another couple of K next year and qualify for a second rebate from austin.. At least thats what my solar guys told me.</div>
<div> </div><font color="#888888">
<div>Josh<br><br></div></font><div><div></div><div class="h5">
<div class="gmail_quote">On Tue, Mar 3, 2009 at 9:15 AM, Josh Handel <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:jhandel@ktomics.net" target="_blank">jhandel@ktomics.net</a>></span> wrote:<br>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0px 0px 0px 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;">
<div>
<div></div>
<div><br><br>
<div class="gmail_quote">On Tue, Mar 3, 2009 at 8:07 AM, Chris Frandsen <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:learner@mac.com" target="_blank">learner@mac.com</a>></span> wrote:<br>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0px 0px 0px 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;">Hi John:<br>I put a 3Kw system on my parents house last April when we greened it<br>before selling(it hasn't;-(<br>
Austin rebate is great and now with the 30% federal tax credit the<br>actually cost is only about $2100.00.<br>It is suggested that you clean them twice a year to keep the<br>efficiency up. Yes, you need to get on the roof. It is not a difficult<br>
job if the roof pitch is not too bad.<br>If it is steep I suggest hiring a window washer. The install company<br>did not offer a maintenance contract but most items are warranties for<br>25 years. And they are required to service these items as part of the<br>
certification with Austin Energy!<br><br>The Austin rebate program is one of the best in the country and beats<br>the heck out of Perdenales which doesn't offer any rebate. But in 5<br>years we have only done 800 roof tops in Austin.<br>
<br>Good Luck!<br>Chris F<br><br><br>On Mar 2, 2009, at 10:10 PM, John Allen wrote:<br><br>> Brian or any other group member with solar panels,<br>> The recent stimulus package is making solar panels even more<br>
> affordable<br>> which my wife and I are thinking about. I had some questions about<br>> maintenance. Do you clean your panels? And how often? Do you get<br>> up on<br>> the roof? Does the installation company have a maintenance contract<br>
> available?<br>><br>> Thanks,<br>><br>> John<br>><br>> _______________________________________________<br>> AusEV mailing list<br>> <a href="mailto:AusEV@austinev.org" target="_blank">AusEV@austinev.org</a><br>
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