Solar Integration Update

Mike T., Swampeast MO

For the life of me I can't find a place to put solar panels on my roof. Had the bright idea of building a "pedestrian shelter" on University property next door.

Director of Facilities Maintenance for the University was VERY open to the idea. City had no problem. Provided nice scale drawings of the structure and relevant construction details. HIDEOUSLY over-engineered! Pledged to maintain the propery far around the structure (it's on high ground but the "real" University stuff is way low).

Univeristy architect approved. University engineer approved. Guess who had a problem?

University lawyer! Cited <I>unspecified</I> liability problems.

ARGGGGHHH!!!!!! I guess those EVACUATED glass tubes are going to explode or the FOOD SAFE antifreeze is going to cause an environmental catastrophe. Perhaps homeless people will take up residence in an 8' x 18' net "floor" area structure that's open to the weather on three sides. More likely that inebriated students will injure themselves while <I>attempting</I> to have sex on the bench.

Why on earth does the knee-jerk reaction of a lawyer trump reasonability?



Was about to give up but will still try. Surely some sort of lease or easement agreement can be negotiated with a "rider" on my homeowners insurance policy.

Solarstar

Mike : Keep plugging away since this battle is of course worth all of your efforts..and I'm sure you've got Alot of hours into this R&D and came this far to stop..Good luck and look into Plan B. Also are you willing to share the integration diagram again or is it the same as before.?? Email me off the group if required. Paul

Uni R_3

What about under the soffits?

If you let them hang vertical under the soffits, it'll help allow you to mount enough for good winter and shoulder season performance without having excessive heat to dump in the summer due to angle and partial shading. They'll also be more protected in case of hail. Any ball diamonds nearby?

Mike T., Swampeast MO

I don't want to imagine the number of hours spent measuring, researching, programming, sorting, searching, drawing and thinking. It's occupied my mind almost exclusively anytime it's not on "auto pilot" for over a year.

The basic integration diagram is essentially identical to what I posted here nearly two years ago. It's the way I plan to control using the Comfortrol and available Viessmann products (in unusual ways) that makes the difference. Still requires some customization, relays, resistors and experimentation but nothing that couldn't be manufactured easily as an accessory.

If everthing falls through, I'll probably post the full concept. Just remember that it HINGES on constant circulation of barely adequate heat at a fairly low temperature. The purpose is to provide the VERY bottom end of modulation when the load is already low--partly because of passive solar gain with the boiler forced to operate as a "batch heater". In my climate at least, I can eliminate THOUSANDS of such cycles in a typical season. Make hay while the sun shines!

Mike T., Swampeast MO

My artistic and aesthetic nature won't allow me to do that to the front facade of a rather stately looking old house with very formal lines.

I've even considered "solar awnings" over the French doors that flank the main entrance on each side. FAR too much summer shading. Even though I consider the evacuated tubes mildly pleasing in the aesthetic department it would look truly goofy.

Without at least decent summer collection this would make the entire project RIDICULOUS in the cost-benefit scheme of things--think about Mark Etherton's recent comments regarding the feasibility of solar. Since the entire thing is a new--and I do mean new--way of using things I'd NEVER be able to evaluate reasonably with the collectors FAR from optimal.