In 2025 we decided to install solar panels at Halsey. We explored this option several times in previous years, and finally pulled the trigger on a solar kit project from GIgawatt. The company supplied us with almost all the components, building plans, interconnection application with the utility, and support with instructional videos and phone support.
The initial work was planning, and we ended up using our garage roof due to property line setback requirements. Luckily the roof faces south and the pitch is reasonable. We just worked through the plans, starting with the roof supports, adding rails, then installing the panels and wiring them up. An 11.5KW inverter was put in the garage to convert from direct-current solar to our house grid. A deep trench was dug for the buried electric to run to the main panel in the basement, and we also added Ethernet so our garage is as Wifi-enabled as the rest of the Halsey House.
Sure it took us many more months than solar professionals would have done, but the effort was worthwhile with the cost savings and DIY satisfaction. Special thanks to Trumansburg Electric for the final system checking and connection to the main power line (we know our limits!).
We believe we “right-sized” the system for 120% of the utility electric bills from 2024. However we have also been adding electric heat pumps so each room can be individually controlled, so we expect to be relying more on electricity instead of natural gas.
So we are eco-friendly at the Halsey House! We also have an EV charger available for guests.
