What Happened When

This blog was started when we were already pretty far along. Here's a timeline of our major milestones:

• Many years: Think about how our south-facing roof would be perfect for solar stuff; we first replace our roof (2007) and windows (2008)
  


• April 2009: Discovery of utility incentives, web research, contractor selection
  


• April 28: Contacted Sunergy Systems; sent our electric bill history for the last year
  


• May 5: On-site solar consultation with Ilan, including rooftop shade analysis
  


• May 8: Checked out a prior installation; decided we want Evergreen black-framed PV modules (same price and 25-year warranty as silver-framed; should look better on our roof)
  


• May 11: Contract signing, deposit payment
  


• May 15: Site visit by Sunergy engineers Jon (PV) and Steve (SWH); another shade analysis; system physical layout determined
  


• May 25: Made our own circuit list (we flipped each circuit breaker to figure out what it's for, to assist the electrician later)
  


• May-June: Spend lots of time cleaning up areas around the house that will need access (away from water heater, electric panel, attic access panel, roof access, etc.)
  


• June 5: Payment for materials order
  


• June 12: Completed paperwork sent by Sunergy to PUD (cutting it close for our scheduled install; PUD normally wants 4 weeks, but we're OK with less because we're not doing the PUD loan)
  


• June 17: PUD site pre-inspection by Hillary and Aaron, including rooftop shade analysis, taking a picture of the existing water heater, and general energy efficiency audit (measuring windows and insulation)
  


• June 23: PUD approves projects, and shares audit recommendations
  


• June 24: Installation by Sunergy begins
  


• June 25: SWH completed and operational
  


• June 26: PV panels and wiring completed; state L&I electrical inspection
  


• Upcoming: Customer care package delivered by Sunergy (manuals, warranties, etc.)
  


• Upcoming (June/July): For the PV "5101" Washington Production Incentive, we'll get some form from the state Department of Revenue, which gets faxed to Sunergy, who completes it and sends it to PUD. Not sure yet if we'll need to re-send the form to PUD every year thereafter.
  


• Upcoming (July): PUD site post-inspection
  


• Upcoming (July): PUD meter installation; PV finally operational; final payment to contractor
  


• Upcoming: PUD incentive payments received