An interested group of 10-14 people ask Luke Gulstrand questions about his solar PV system. His family of four live comfortably with the stand-alone system they have developed. The tour included the panels, the battery area, and descriptions about how they use (or not use) electricity throughout the day and night.
Over 35 people turned out last Thursday, July 23, to participate in Cook County Local Energy Project’s (CCLEP) Solar Workshop. Then, 14 people took advantage of the solar photovoltaic (PV) tour that occurred that Saturday.
The group visited three grid-connected installations: a roof mount, ground mount and a pole mount system. They also visited two stand-alone systems and learned how one family moved from very simple portable PV charging units to a pole mount system with battery storage and back up generator. They also learned how each family chose their system and how each operates.
These events served to launch Going Solar: A Cook County Guide. This is a reference booklet about solar photovoltaics and what’s involved in choosing a system and how to estimate costs. It is geared to Cook County landowners.
The guide is available at cookcountylocalenergy.org. A printed copy is available at the Grand Marais Library, Grand Marais City Hall, Whole Foods Co-op, Angry Trout, Community Center, Outback Solar Electric, Cook County Planning and Zoning and Grand Portage State Park.
Another solar workshop is scheduled for September 8 at North House Folk School and a solar tour on September 12 in the morning. An informal gathering of solar owners and others interested in solar will be organized for later in September. Watch the News-Herald for details or email localenergy@boreal.org to be put on the email list.
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