• Check the flow meter to make sure that the heat transfer solution is flowing at the specified rate (~3/4 gallons per minute or 3 liters per minute for most evacuated tube heat pipe systems) when the pump is running.
• The heat transfer liquid (seen in the flow meter tube) should be slightly pink-tinged (if pink glycol was used), to a translucent off-white/gray. It should NOT be dark and oily-looking. Glycol heat transfer liquid should be drained, flushed and replaced about every 5 years.
• The system should not have excessive "gurgling" sounds when starting up. If it does, it could be a sign of entrapped air in the system. If too much air is trapped in the system, steam could develop on hot days, preventing heat transfer and causing high "stagnation" temperatures which can degrade the glycol prematurely.

• Check to make sure all system fans in the inverter(s), charge controllers and (on some systems) in the battery box are operating during peak production. Kelly just discovered that the cooling fan in his own Outback MX-60 charge controller isn't operating - at a time when it's producing more than 50 amps (it's very hot)! Check your system component manuals to see if your inverter or charge controller has a fan in it.
• If you have an adjustable tilt rack - usually pole mounts - it's the time of year where the PV array should be set to a summertime tilt angle of 30 to 35 degrees.
• As the weather gets drier, dust and pollen may accumulate on your collectors, which will reduce the output. Wash the PV collectors, just as you clean your windows and skylights, to maximize your solar energy generation.

If you have a wind system, this is a great time to arrange the annual inspection of your turbine and blades. Please let us know if you have any questions about your renewable energy systems' operation. We want your systems to be making the most of summer!

1. The panels will be 4' x 4' and rated at between 180 and 190 watts.
2. According to the Silicon Energy website, the panels will be available in 'late 2008'.
3. Demand will almost certainly exceed supply.
4. Silicon Energy will require deposits to secure a client's position in the waiting queue.

If you're a business considering renewable energy for 2008, you REALLY don't want to wait. The current tax climate is in your favor. First, there is the 30% federal tax credit. Second, there is the ability to depreciate 85% of the value of the system. Third, the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 allows special first-year 50% depreciation on qualified property placed into service in 2008 — a section 179 deduction is also a possibility. Fourth and finally, we just learned that many financial institutions are extending small business lease financing to solar installations. You'll want to talk to your tax professional — we are certainly not qualified to give tax advice — but give us a call if you need more information and we can point you in the right direction.

Whether you are a business, a homeowner, or a tenant, when you're contemplating energy independence and carbon footprint reduction, don't overlook conservation. We can't say it often enough, every $1 spent on conservation typically yields $3 - $5 in savings! Pull up our conservation checklist and see what you can do right now.

Kelly and his family will be in Wenatchee to help keep the panels cool — they're the official ice brigade — and cheer the team to victory.

Visit the the Official Solar Drag Race website to learn more about the race and watch a video from an Evening Magazine broadcast about last year's challenge. Race results will be posted there as well.

Gooooooooooooo South Whidbey!!!!!!!!!!

WSW is the regional organizer again this year. We're coordinating the tour for Whidbey and Guemes Islands. Last year's tour was extremely successful — in spite of the weather — and we're hoping this year's will be even better. We'll work hard to improve communication, directions, and maps based on visitor feedback from last year. We'll also do our best to help solar tourists connect for carpooling. And last, but not least, we're all visualizing MAXIMUM SUNSHINE.

The tour is on October 4 from 10 AM — 4 PM. This is the first call for participants willing to welcome solar tourists to their homes. We'd like to feature a variety of sustainable living techniques; renewable energy production, energy e'ficiency, recycled building materials, resource conservation, etc. We'd especially like to encourage those of you who haven't participated — and you know who you are — as some of our stalwart regular participants might want to take a year off.

If you'd like to be stop on the Whidbey/Guemes Solar Tour 2008, call 360-678-7131 or email lori@whidbeysunwind.com

For your web browsing pleasure:
Solar Washington's Solar Tour website
The American Solar Energy Society's Solar Tour website
We'll be updating the Portfolio section of our website presently with photos of recent installations to peak your interest.

We'd like to call your attention to two relatively new organizations, Transition Whidbey and the Island County Climate Change Coalition. Briefly, Transition Whidbey is a citizen's group open to anyone living on Whidbey Island who is engaged or interested in transitioning to lower energy use and reducing her/his carbon output. Online discussions are lively and wide-ranging. This group catalyzes and facilitates grass roots activism. The Island County Climate Change Coalition began in November 2007 when a small group of citizens and officials met to discuss climate change and sustainability. The group meets monthly and is growing at a slow and sustainable pace. Visit the ICCCC website to read its goals and get meeting information.

We truly can be the change we want to see in the world, especially with so many of us sharing goals, ideals, resources, and information. It's exciting, isn't it?

Also, visit our Links page to see what else is happening locally. Unfortunately, we are just too busy to visit everyone's websites to glean information about up and coming events. When information makes its way to Lori's email account (lori@whidbeysunwind.com) we do our level best to post it on our Events page in a timely manner.

• It's Farmers Market season — support your local growers!
• 1st Monday of each month — ICCCC Meeting
• 4th Tuesday of each month — Sustainable Living Workshops at SVC
• Ongoing — Seasons at Chinook, Practical Sustainability — Whidbey Institute
• June 21 — Solar Drag Race
• June 24 — Exploring a Sense of Place — workshop — Whidbey Institute
• July 7 — 11 — Forest Day Camp — Whidbey Institute
• July 19 — Shoreline SolarFest
• August 4 — 8 — Forest Day Camp — Whidbey Institute
• October 4 — SEI Introduction to Renewable Energy Workshop, Guemes Island
• October 6 — National Solar Tour
• October 13 — 16 — SEI Solar Hot Water Workshop, Guemes Island
• October 20 — 24 — SEI Micro-Hydro Power Workshop, Guemes Island

• We're up against a deadline, so that's all for now. May this summer bring you rest, renewal, and many opportunities to enjoy the season that sustains us after a long winter's gloom!