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| sustainability |
| rules of thumb |
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Cambridge Studio
617.547.4477
Newton Studio
617.244.4477
Berkshire Studio
413.528.4452
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| Solar Energy |
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Collectors should be tilted from the ground
at an angle equal to or slightly less than the latitude. Typical paybacks are 5-8 years. Systems should be installed by a qualified contractor,
and well-maintained.
Photovoltaics: Systems installed in the U.S. must have southern exposure and exposure must be free from obstructions such as
trees, mountains and buildings that might shade the modules. A system consists of PV modules and balance-of-system equipment including an inverter which converts DC
electricity to AC. One of the incentives of PV systems is "net metering" available in some states, which allows the homeowner to be billed for the difference between
the electricity coming from the power grid and the electricity generated by the PV system. PV can be integrated into the roofing material itself as three-tab shingles
which offsets the cost of roofing materials.
More information is available at: www.eren.doe.gov/pv/pvdirectory.html , or the Solar Energy Industries Assoc. at 202.383.2600. www.seia.org.
Source: US Department of Energy-Building America, "Green Building Guidelines,"
3rd Addition, March 2003.
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