Solar Permit Approved and Other News

Our decision to retain a master electrician for our solar project has paid off, as he just waltzed into City Hall and successfully pulled our electrical permit for the solar array.  Had I done that myself, I would have had to submit the plan and then setup an appointment to go down and talk with them about the project.

 

The next step is to move the chicken coop out of the way, as it's sitting squarely where the array is going.  Once that's moved (if it EVER stops raining), we can get started with pouring the footings.  That is, when we find a local source for the Schedule 40 galvanized steel pipe that forms the frame to support the solar panels.  Our first source, which conveniently was just a couple of blocks away from us, petered out because they don't carry galvanized pipe. But we've got a lead on some other sources and the electrician may again help us out with a source and a discount.  Wouldn't that be great!?

 

In other news, I accepted the offer I received for that awesome new job and I started yesterday.  So far, it is turning out to be a good move - they seem to really value their employees.  Since they met their goals in 2013, the entire company is going on a trip to New Orleans this weekend.  They pay bonuses and raises twice per year.  Having worked for the State of Kansas for the past 9 years and without a raise for the past 5, I'd almost forgotten how greener the grass is in the private sector. Hallelujah! 

 

(Oh, and did I mention that the building is brand new and not full of mold like my old office?  We were all convinced that building was making us all sick.  I'm so glad to be out of that environment!)

 

I think that's all for updates.  It's raining AGAIN today after all those nasty storms went though here and it's cool at only 42 this morning.  I think it only made it to the upper 40's yesterday, which is really cool for late April.  I wonder if we're going to get a cool summer?  Wouldn't that be nice....