Location

The Texas Solar Energy Society and Pedernales Electric Cooperative are pleased to announce a partnership for the first annual Hill Country Solar Tour, Saturday Oct 1, 12:00-6:00 (not UT-OU weekend!). This self guided tour, in the Oak Hill and Dripping Springs area, will feature homes and businesses with various solar energy installations -solar pv, solar thermal and solar attic fans. Professionals will be on hand at each location to answer questions and discuss the potential for solar energy in the growning Texas market. Learn about solar system designs, the costs, interconnection and off grid, and how a solar energy system will reduce your electric bill. We are offering a Solar 101 Presentation, featuring Cathy Redson of ImagineSolar, prior to the tour from 10:30-12:00 at the PEC Oak Hill office, 9115 Circle Drive, Austin 78736 (the site of a 3kW solar array!).

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                     PLEASE VIEW A MAP OF THE TOUR HERE AND FEEL FREE TO VISIT THE PROJECTS IN ANY ORDER

The Tour will feature four homes and two businesses that you may visit between 12:00-6:00 on Saturday Oct. 1(listed east to west on the Hwy 290 West corridor from Oak Hill on out to Dripping Springs).

9717 Peakridge Dr, off 290 W, 78737 (residence) - A 2390 sq. ft. home, new construction, with a 3.3 kW system. This is an excellent example of how a solar energy system can expand over time, as the owners plan to add yearly to attain 8-10 kW.  The owners and builders worked with nature on the design and siting of this home, creating a small East/West exposure to reduce heat buildup and a long North/South exposure to increase solar energy production. South and West windows are well shaded and the home catches the prevailing breeze. A  geothermal heating and cooling system will also cut energy bills.

9115 Circle Dr, off 290 W, 78736 (business)- A 3kW ground mount system providing power to the Pedernales Electric Co-op Oak Hill office. Site of our Solar 101 Presentation 10:30-12:00 prior to the Tour.

13430 Trail Driver, off Fitzhugh Rd in Big Country, 78737 (residence) -This home was rated five stars (the highest) by  Austin Energy Green Building, the nation's leader in evaluating energy efficient home design and construction. A 6kW Unisolar System (thin film) provides enough energy to offset all but 340 kWh/month on average. A geothermal heat pump cuts heating and cooling bills. Please follow the directional signs when you turn onto Trail Driver from Fitzhugh Rd.

190 Harris Dr, Belterra, 78620 (residence) - A 1kW system disceetly mounted on a pergola over the owner's back deck, in a traditional subdivision. The Texas Governor has just signed HB-362 that restricts HOAs from blanketly prevently solar installations. The bill lines out basic and simple requirements that solar installations can easily meet.

27008 RR 12, Dripping Springs, 78620 (business) - The owners of The Wesley Gallery have worked hard to reduce the electric use that an art gallery demands. Their 6kW solar energy system and 115 companct flourescent bulbs hold their electric bill down dramatically. This combination of solar and efficient lighting took the kWhour average on a 4,000 sq ft building from an 1.200 kWh to 450 kWh.

819 Meadow Oaks Dr, Dripping Springs, 78620 (residence) - A 3kW solar pv system and solar thermal system dropped the  bills on this all electric - 20 year old - 2,220 sq. ft. home, from an average of $150/ month to $80/month. Solar thermal systems are an excellent investment as a home's hot water heater typically amounts for 1/4 of the elctric bill. 

PLEASE RESPECT THE HOMEOWNERS WHO HAVE SO GRACIOUSLY ALLOWED US TO FEATURE THEIR HOMES BY HONORING THE HOURS OF THE TOUR, 12-6 ON SATURDAY OCTOBER 1.

               On Aug 4, PEC deployed one of their cherry pickers to enhance the view for shots of our Net Zero house!