Richard G. and Ramona Hinkle's Residence

    3021 26th Ave NE

    Olympia WA               

Architect/Designer: Dan Neelands

Northwest Energy Specialties   

360-866-7477

Email: gutbomb@earthlink.com

SYSTEMS
x  Active solar
Two 1000 watt PV arrays, Trace inverter-charge controller system, battery bank, GenTran switch box, PSE solar provider meter.
x  Passive solar design Solar clothes drier (otherwise known as a clothes line)
x  Energy efficient windows/daylighting strategies Most windows are double paned
x  Rainwater catchment Rain barrels with storage for 800 gallons
x  Water use reduction/conservation Soaker hoses.

OTHER
Minimized impact on site
x  Permaculture Extensive use of grass clippings from yard maintenance contractors for garden mulch
x  Non-toxic pest control (physical, products, etc.) Sluggo, hand-picking of slugs
Year completed: 2002

Description:

We added this solar system to the property of an existing house and shop, the oldest part of which was built in 1930. We have added insulation to the living spaces of the structures, although there are still many parts of the buildings in which we can improve the insulation. Most of our windows are now double-paned. Since heat is provided by natural gas with a backup wood-burning fireplace insert, we use no electricity for heating, except for the furnace fan. Hot water is also provided by natural gas.

We installed the original PV system in 2001, and we added an additional array in 2002. In December of 2001, we contracted with PSE to provide surplus solar power to the grid.

With the current equipment, our solar input averages 1 kWh per day in December, rising to an average of over 10 kWh per day in July. During the winter months, we have a small surplus to put back into the grid, less than 1 kWh per day. In the summer months the surplus rises to about 5 kWh per day.

Since we installed the solar system, we have initiated other conservation measures: Most of our electric lights are now compact fluorescent, and we are now more conscientious about turning off unused appliances and lights.  Conservation alone has reduced our daily electrical usage from 25 kWh per day to 13 or less during the winter months.

We have installed a rain catchment system with a capacity of 800 gallons. Our intent was to use rainwater as much as possible for watering the garden. This dry summer has made it apparent that we cannot depend on rainwater for our large (5000 square feet) garden. We do use rainwater for spring, fall and winter crops.

Our solar system batteries, coupled with a GenTran switch box, have provided a satisfactory backup system for power outages. We keep the GenTran switches for the freezer and refrigerator turned on at all times. Therefore, in case of a grid outage, those critical appliances will continue to operate, with no effort on our part. Of course, we can turn on additional GenTran switches for other circuits as needed.

In 2003, our system provided 44% of our electricity. This figure includes the kWh we have put back into the grid.

Directions to site:
Address: 3021 26th Ave NE, Olympia. Actually, it’s not in Olympia, but that’s the PO address. It’s a short distance outside the city limits.

The star in the above map is at the correct intersection, but our house is on the southeast corner, not the northeast, as the star implies. In other words, we’re on the south side of 26th Avenue, just before the intersection of 26th and South Bay.

To get here from downtown Olympia, go east on 4th Ave to Phoenix (a stop light). Turn left, and then after a very short block, turn right onto South Bay. Then follow the map.

Going north on I-5 take the Pacific Exit to Olympia. Turn right onto Pacific, move to the left lane and turn left on Lilly Road. Go past the hospital and continue to 26th NE (a four-way stop). Turn left and go one half mile. Ours is the house on the left just before reaching South Bay.

Going south on I-5 take Exit 109 and turn right onto Martin Way. Continue to Lilly Road. Turn right (north) on Lilly Road. Go past the hospital and continue to 26th NE (a four-way stop). Turn left and go one half mile. Ours is the house on the left just before reaching South Bay.

The orientation shouldn’t take much more than and hour.

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