6.7kW Solar Electric System with Solar Thermal System
Green was the name of the game in this ambitious remodel of a house in White Bear Lake, Minnesota. Innovative Power Systems installed this 6.7kW solar electric system in 2007. IPS expects this system to produce about 8,000kWh of electricity on average per year. Producing 8,000kWh of electricity annually from coal emits about 16,000 pounds of carbon dioxide. Preventing this much carbon dioxide from being released to the atmosphere is equivalent to adding 800 trees to our forests. Over a 30-year span, IPS expects this system will offset 480,000 pounds or 240 tons of carbon dioxide.
For the heating system, (9) 4’x10’ Solar Skies solar thermal collectors heat a 300-gallon solar storage tank. The storage tank is also heated by a geothermal system when there is not enough solar-generated heat. The storage tank provides hot water for radiant floor heating, a hot tub, domestic hot water, and two air handlers for space heating.
Innovative Power Systems prefers to use Solar Skies solar thermal collectors for several reasons. The collectors are manufactured in Alexandria, Minnesota. One of the many benefits renewable energy has is the creation of jobs. Solar Skies employs about 12 full-time employees, benefiting the local economy. Solar Skies collectors are also very reliable, with a ten-year warranty. In terms of performance, Solar Skies collectors compare favorably with more expensive flat-plate and evacuated tube collectors.