WDTV News Coverage "Couple Builds Energy Efficient Home in Preston County"

Karilynn Galiotos from WDTV Channel 5 spent a few hours at last weekend's Open House in Hazelton, West Virginia. She compiled a really nice piece for the news channel complete with video of the solar, wind turbine, and interviews with the owners and the general contractor. You can read a transcript on the WDTV website.

A Great Home and a Great Day for an Open House

Great weather and fantastic attendance marked the October 23 Open House event at Karen and Larry's home near Hazelton, WV. With the sun shining and the wind blowing the electric meter was racing backward.

There was a lot of interest in the solar thermal system which heats the home and also provides the domestic hot water. Jonathan Sherman from Berkeley Home Technologies acted as the GC on the construction of the house and was available for questions regarding all aspects of the home's construction and operation.

One aspect of the home that I really enjoyed seeing was the wide use of LED lighting. Here is an example of some can-style recessed LED lighting in one of the rooms. LEDs were also in use in closets, under counters and as cove lighting in the main sitting room. The electricity making these lights glow is all coming from the home's 2.7kW PV array and 2.5kW wind turbine. PIMBY Energy installed the hybrid wind and solar electric system which is grid-tied for net metering and also has battery-backup.

The house looked great inside and out. Would you believe that those countertops are made from recycled paper!?

A BIG thanks to Mr BIG for the use of this and several other nice shots!

Solar and Wind Power on Display in Hazelton, West Virginia - Oct. 23, 2010

Karen and Larry are inviting the world to come visit on October 23, 2010 from 1PM - 4PM.

Curious about.........?

Solar Thermal, Solar Electric (PV), Wind Power, ICF Blocks, SIP Panels, Spray Foam Insulating, Radiant Heating, LED Lighting, Net Metering, Passive Solar, Energy Efficient Appliances, Battery-backup, etc…

Meet the owners of the Clister/Findley residence and talk with the contractors who designed and constructed this ultra efficient dwelling near Hazelton, West Virginia.

The Open House event is scheduled from 1PM to 4PM on Saturday October 23, 2010. Hazelton, West Virginia is close to Morgantown, Clarksburg, Fairmont, Kingwood and the rest of God's green acre in the beautiful north central part of the Mountain State. This is a showpiece of some of the best existing and emerging building technologies - it is well worth the drive!

Directions to the Open House

From US 68

· Take the Hazelton exit (exit 29)

· Go south for ~3 miles

· Turn Right onto Cherry Grove Road

· Go ~ 1 mile

· Turn Right onto Bolyard Road (look for Open House/Solar Tour Signs)

· Go 0.5 mile and you're there (can't miss it!)

Questions? (304) 704-5943

Talkin' Solar - Audio From Summer '09 Solar Tour of Davis and Thomas, West Virginia

Chipper (Mr BIG) and I with a mutual friend (Winter 2010 - Thomas, WV)

Mr BIG has compiled audio from a tour that we took back in the Summer of 2009 where we looked at a couple of solar (PV) installations in Davis and Thomas, West Virginia. These installations are both grid-tie or net metering jobs. The conversation ranges from energy use to system sizing and net metering requirements. I have a hard time listening to myself talk and so I feel very grateful to Chipper/Mr BIG for taking the time to not only record, but also edit the audio and include some stills to help illustrate what we were talking about.

Take a look & listen: