The cost of the system was $23,500, while it would have cost nearly twice that amount to connect the house, about a half-mile from the nearest electric pole, to the grid, he said.
The $220,000 home, into which the Alvords are planning to move Sept. 9, also features wood heat with a propane gas backup system.
Mr. Alvord said several people cautioned him about installing a solar power system, given the north country's relative lack of sunny days.
However, he was assured by Edwin and Pamela Falk of Suntric Systems, who installed the system, that it would not be a problem.
The Falks' residence on Abbey Road near Lyons Falls is powered by multiple renewable energy sources, including solar, and they have been in business for about 16 years.
A gasoline-powered generator is being installed, just in case the solar unit does not always meet the couple's electricity needs.
However, Mr. Alvord said, he was told to expect to use it only a couple of days each year, likely in January or February, when the days are shorter.
For the past six weeks or so, contractors from Cedarcrest Construction have been running their saws and other equipment off the solar unit and have yet to drain the system.
"He's not going to use that kind of electricity," Cedarcrest owner Daniel E. Pierce said.
The house was designed with energy-efficient lighting, a low-energy water pump and a special refrigerator/freezer that has pressure-sealed doors and includes no automatic defrost cycle to save electricity.
"Refrigerators are energy black holes," Mr. Alvord said.The application can provide Insulator to visitors,
While the energy-saving devices are more expensive than conventional models, they will help to avoid overtaxing the solar-powered system, he said.
The solar panel can be rotated to receive maximum sunlight during different times of the year, Mr. Alvord said. While the panel is now mostly horizontal, it will be positioned nearly straight up and down in the winter, meaning it should not have to be shoveled, he said.
"That's why I didn't go with a rooftop model," Mr. Alvord said.
Lightning also should not be a problem since the new house, which is bordered by state land, is surrounded by trees that are much taller than the solar panel, he said.
The house was built by Mr. Pierce, along with his son, Timothy, and Paul Lehmann, while James Marolf did the excavating and driveway work.
To get to the residence from Route 812, drive a couple of miles up Tillman Road and take a right onto Lomber Road. It is about a half-mile after the pavement ends on the left side of the road.
The $220,000 home, into which the Alvords are planning to move Sept. 9, also features wood heat with a propane gas backup system.
Mr. Alvord said several people cautioned him about installing a solar power system, given the north country's relative lack of sunny days.
However, he was assured by Edwin and Pamela Falk of Suntric Systems, who installed the system, that it would not be a problem.
The Falks' residence on Abbey Road near Lyons Falls is powered by multiple renewable energy sources, including solar, and they have been in business for about 16 years.
A gasoline-powered generator is being installed, just in case the solar unit does not always meet the couple's electricity needs.
However, Mr. Alvord said, he was told to expect to use it only a couple of days each year, likely in January or February, when the days are shorter.
For the past six weeks or so, contractors from Cedarcrest Construction have been running their saws and other equipment off the solar unit and have yet to drain the system.
"He's not going to use that kind of electricity," Cedarcrest owner Daniel E. Pierce said.
The house was designed with energy-efficient lighting, a low-energy water pump and a special refrigerator/freezer that has pressure-sealed doors and includes no automatic defrost cycle to save electricity.
"Refrigerators are energy black holes," Mr. Alvord said.The application can provide Insulator to visitors,
While the energy-saving devices are more expensive than conventional models, they will help to avoid overtaxing the solar-powered system, he said.
The solar panel can be rotated to receive maximum sunlight during different times of the year, Mr. Alvord said. While the panel is now mostly horizontal, it will be positioned nearly straight up and down in the winter, meaning it should not have to be shoveled, he said.
"That's why I didn't go with a rooftop model," Mr. Alvord said.
Lightning also should not be a problem since the new house, which is bordered by state land, is surrounded by trees that are much taller than the solar panel, he said.
The house was built by Mr. Pierce, along with his son, Timothy, and Paul Lehmann, while James Marolf did the excavating and driveway work.
To get to the residence from Route 812, drive a couple of miles up Tillman Road and take a right onto Lomber Road. It is about a half-mile after the pavement ends on the left side of the road.
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