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Sun Volt

Sun Volt Solar

earth, the final frontier

Clean Energy, Clean Environment

We are at a cross roads in human history, we can choose to continue on as we have been, or we can make a change to improve our future and quite possibly the future for several generations to come. We are here to promote energy independence, a better environment, a secure future and a higher return on investment for your hard earned dollar. It is what I believe in, it is why I am in the solar business.

Typical day for a solar installer

06 Mar 09 | General

For those who might be interested in a solar job, I thought I would write down some of the things I do on an average day.  A solar installer is a specialty contractor, as such, we behave much like other contractors.

For me, the day starts right after I finish my shower, around 6 am.  I turn on the laptop and check my e-mail.  As the business owner, it is important that I keep abreast of events like equipment shipments, appointments, work schedules and so on.  All of that is organized on line through iGoogle. It makes like much easier to keep track of.

After I look at my appointments, I get dressed, shave and head out into the big world.  I look at my appointments before I get dressed so I know the appropriate attire.  Placing solar collectors on a roof, Carharts and steel toed work boots.  Meeting somebody for a sales presentation, a nice shirt and kakis.

On my way to the “office” I pick up a cup of coffee.  I only started drinking this stuff about 4 years ago when I turned 40.  I find the day starts better when I have a medium with milk and 1 sugar.

Yesterday, the job involved finishing a warranty repair on a SDHW system.   Seems one of the collectors sprung a leak in the manifold header.  We had to remove it from the roof, bring it back to the shop, braze new parts in, cart it back to the work site, place it back on the roof, then pressure test and refill the system.

I also installed a flow balancing valve in the attic, which involved crawling over pipes and insulation, cutting 3/4 soft copper tubing, soldering in two 1/4 turn ball valves, all the while being careful not to set the very old dry wood or attic insulation on fire with the torch.  I have a hard rule that fire extingushers are on hand and ready to be used whenever torches are lit.  Very important not to burn the customer’s building down as that type of activity will give a company a bad reputation.

I also took the time to explain to the customer what happened, what was done to fix it and what they should to if it happens again.

Once the system was up and running, a grabbed a bite to eat for lunch.  I came back and watched it run for a little longer then labeled all of the valves and tanks, and cleaned up the floor in the mechanical room.

On the drive home, I returned a few calls on the cellphone.  Once home (the other “office”), I checked and answered e-mail again.  Set up my schedule for tomorrow, typed up two proposals for photovoltaic systems, printed out receipts for this years tax filing, and read a few trade news items on line.

In between all that, I had dinner, gave my kids a bath and did their night time routine (read books with my son, tell stories to my daughter), watched a little news, paying close attention to the weather forcast.

I switched off the laptop at about 9:30 pm.

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06 Mar 09 | General
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