At Summer’s end, we are settling into Sweet Tree Passive House, and learning how to live in its systems and walls and windows.
Our solar installer arrived just as the steel roof and siding were completed. In short order, the racks and panels were installed. Paperwork with Xcel, the local power company, took longer before our metering was in place.
Xcel installed new meters. One measures production of solar panels, the other measures what we buy/sell. As of August 22nd, production was 1,112 kWh, we sold 833 kWh, and bought 193 kWh. These numbers don’t add up (1,112 – 833 = 279 generated but not sold.), because some of the production is used directly in our home. We buy at night and on cloudy days. Our usage since the meters were installed is 279(our power) + 193(Xcel’s power). The average we consumed per day is 16.75 kWh. We’ll work to reduce that.
Our Green Roof is very green, and with regular rainfall, the sedum has thrived. It will help slow the run-off when rain is heavy, and it also insulates the garage and mudroom.
Green roof supplies came from Hanging Gardens from Milwaukee.
So far, the roof top garden is growing well and our rain garden/pond handles the overflow very well.
We leave you with Sweet Tree harvest images – crab apples for jelly and apple butter, and peaches for pancakes and joghurt.
Sweet Tree Passive House 