About Me at PA Solar Home

Hi! My Name is Mark, I'm over 40, I own my own home in the beautiful Anthracite Coal Region of Pennsylvania, and I'm working on setting my house up for hybrid energy. What brought this about is a really long story, and parts of it I don't want to share with the whole world, but to keep it short - I moved here in 2001, went through a major depression which financially ruined me, and came through the other side of it. Nevermind all that. We're here to explore how to make a home solar.


The Skill Sets

I've been doing research into solar energy seriously for the last year or so, I've been taking notes, and making observations. Some of which will be good for you, some may need modification. I've been interested in Science since I was a kid, was a member of Mensa, and have worked in the computer field for over 20 years. I've worked a variety of jobs, in fact, which gives me a rather wide skill set to draw from. I've been a pinsetter mechanic, fast food clerk, delivery driver, belting installer, and contractor helper.


The Home

The home I live in was built in 1895. It was (is) a row house, with one side open, and just one neighbor on the west side. My house faces north, so I have beautiful southern exposure in the backyard. I sit about 10 foot higher than my neighbor behind me. I'll toss a picture up at some point. Since the house is so old, ALL the modern conveniences had to be retrofitted at some point. Best guesses are that the oil furnace was added around 1970 (it's got a DOM sticker), the 100 amp electrical panel has an inspection sticker from 1973, and the kitchen sink looks to be a 1950's model. When I bought the place, there was a 1957 Kenmore Coal/Gas 8 burner stove sitting in the middle of the kitchen, with only the gas operational, the stove pipe exhaust having been removed. Did I mention the place needs work? Well, since I have to (or want to) do some upgrades to the house, I started looking into solar.


The Goal

Currently my PP&L Electric bill is under $30 a month, and has been that way for most of time I've lived here. I think the highest was about $50, but that was before I was really tracking it. And since during my depression I was suicidal, I really didn't care. I've owed PP&L over $250, so I did let it slide for awhile. However, since oil prices have been climbing rapidly these last few years, and since I'm starting my computer repair business, and I'll be off welfare soon, I won't be qualifying for heating assistance. Which means no money, no oil. Hence solar. Not to heat the water directly, but to provide battery charging capability to run a small water heater, which can go inline to the baseboard heat that I have.

So enough about me and the plans for now. I need to go get some supplies, while the sun is shining!