Solar Power: Jay’s Green Garage

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• Jay Leno
• solar power
• Green Design

Jay has been making his own power for almost six months thanks to a PacWind Delta II vertical-axis wind turbine mounted on the side of the Green Garage’s rooftop. But one turbine, albeit a very large one, isn’t nearly enough to keep the lights, air conditioners and numerous shop tools humming along every day, all day. So Jay decided to augment the Delta II with a grid-tied General Electric solar power system.

Solar and wind systems compliment one another nicely. When there’s no sunlight to be captured but the wind is blowing, the turbine will make power. When there’s sunlight but no wind, the solar panels pump out the juice. And when those powerful Santa Ana winds of Southern California kick up on a sunny day, both can really crank out the kilowatts. Jay has found that he can make his own electricity in just about any weather. On one recent day, we learned the last time we were at the garage, Jay had made more power than he consumed—enough to spin his electric meter backwards. But to produce such a significant portion of the energy he uses from sunlight, Jay had to go big. And that’s exactly what he did, thanks to some guidance from GE.

The roof of the garage is covered with 270 solar panels. Each one is a 200-watt GE module—one of the most powerful designs on the market. The whole system produces 54 kilowatts of DC power. That’s enough to serve a good chunk of the energy needs (at least while the sun is shining) of eight to ten average homes. GE says that over the lifetime of the system (about 25 years) Jay will offset close to 3 million pounds of CO2, which, according to GE, would be equivalent to taking 200 cars off the road. GE worked with Premier Power to design and install the system. Like many roof-mounted systems, Jay’s panels are attached to nonpenetrating racks. The panels essentially float on the roof and are less susceptible to high-wind loads than are other mounting systems. A Xantrex inverter converts the DC energy from the solar panels to normal household AC.

One of the coolest features about the system is the Fat Spaniel Technologies Web monitor. Basically, Jay logs onto the company’s Web site, where he tracks just how much energy is being used and how much is being made—daily, weekly or monthly. Everyone at the Green Garage can see, right there on a computer screen, the energy those solar modules are producing. Check back soon for a long-term report on the system.

20. RE: Solar Power: Jay’s Green Garage
jay,i realy like that you are trying to go green. I'm a contractor in the state of Va., I'M RESEACHING solor and wind power to sell and install for local clients. would you please write me a personal letter of your experances and the pros and cons of green energy. your letter to my company RAA Inc class A BDL Va. state contractor would add me in selling solor and wind power. If you do this for me and my company it my make a world of differance in selling green energy in my local cummunity. thanks Bob

19. Packwind turbines
Looking for information on Packwind's wind powered electrical generating turbines. Do you have a website for them?

18. RE: Solar Power: Jay’s Green Garage
I am wondering what the cost of this Delta II is and how much maintenance does it need?

17. RE: Solar Power: Jay’s Green Garage
I NEED HELP CONVERTING MY ALL ELECTRIC HOME TO SOLAR. WE HAVE BATTERY BACK-UPS . WHAT ABOUT RUNNING FRIDGE, DISHWAHER, WASHER & DRYER, AND AC? LIGHTS WE HAVE, BUT NITHING ELSE. INFO PLEASE.

16. RE: Solar Power: Jay’s Green Garage
Would like to know how long till the cost is offset?

15. RE: Solar Power: Jay’s Green Garage
Im seeting up a router in a field with an acces link is there a way to make it solar power since there is no AC outlet to connect

14. RE: Solar Power: Jay’s Green Garage
I cannot find the # to Pacwind. Could I get it some how!

13. RE: Solar Power: Jay’s Green Garage
how do you convert an all electric home into Solar power?

12. RE: Solar Power: Jay’s Green Garage
How do you turn an all electric house into this solar power?

11. RE: Solar Power: Jay’s Green Garage
i have a 21hundred sq.ft.home and like to have information about wind turbons for electric

10. RE: Solar Power: Jay’s Green Garage
Isure wood like to have more information about yourwind generator and ac equepment. I have been looking to save on my energy bills.

9. RE: Solar Power: Jay’s Green Garage
I need a unit for my house here in Texas

8. RE: Solar Power: Jay’s Green Garage
Jay, the best way too reduce energy use is through efficiency. The motors and gadgets in your shop are only operating at 50 to 80 % efficiency. Lighting will be the most efficient and electric motors will be least efficient.Up to 50 % of electric produced is lost in transit and combustion. There is new technology which will regulate the power to your facility to get the most efficiency out of your equipment. the device is called a capacitor based power optimizer. The optimizer regulates voltage, increases power factor (power factor is a ratio showing how much of each energy dollor actually produces work. 1.0 is the best possible ratio. most facilities and homes only rate an 55-75 rating denoting a waste of up to 50% of your energy dollar)the optimizer only sends what power the device needs thus raising the power factor to 95 to 99%.This device is available and very low cost and simple install!If you would like more info reply to my email and I will explain further!good luck Jay, Don Cumming

7. RE: Solar Power: Jay’s Green Garage
How about a long term report on the wind turbine? I'm guessing it didn't meet the advertised output, if Jay needed to install 54kw of solar panels. What's the scoop?

6. RE: Solar Power: Jay’s Green Garage
I'm interested in the possibility of installing the same type of energy systems that Jay Leno has on his auto garage onto apartment complexes. People that rent have nothing to show for all the money they pay so not having an electric bill would be a great incentive to rent instead of buying a house.

5. RE: Solar Power: Jay’s Green Garage
Awesome Ideas! I would like to suggest a solid state lighting system( LED's ) with small battery backups dispersed through the buildings. Lighting is a large part any energy bill unless nobody is in the building.

4. RE: Solar Power: Jay’s Green Garage
What are the cost of the Packwind Delta II system. I am interested in looking into this type of power source for our home and barn. Thank You.

3. RE: Solar Power: Jay’s Green Garage
I was wondering if there is any way to get a tour of Mr. Leno's garage??? I'm a college student and i'm interested in the old technologies as well as the new. as far as i know Jay has the biggest collection of the sort.

2. RE: Solar Power: Jay’s Green Garage
saw jays garage on cable, what was the name of the company he uses for his verticle fin wind generators

1. RE: Solar Power: Jay’s Green Garage
Jay, Thanks for leading the Go Green charge and showing us how to do it. Keep up the great work. greencharge

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