EWING OIL GOES SOLAR!

L to R: TV's "Dallas" star Larry Hagman, Ojai Solar President Christopher Blunt, Brian Farhi of Fronius USA (inverter manufacturer) and David Aitzetmueller of Fronius' Austria Headquarters

Ojai Solar recently completed this 35 kW PV system at Mr. and Mrs. Hagman's residence, which qualified for a $120,659 rebate from Southern California Edison. No wonder Larry is smiling, his electric bill is now next to nothing.

This grid-tied PV system produces over 200 kWh per day with 256 Sharp 165-watt PV modules feeding 8 Fronius IG-4500 watt power inverters. Excess energy produced during the day is exported back into the electric grid and credits Hagman's electric meter. The solar modules are mounted on a post-and-beam structure designed by Ojai Solar, using engineered Parallam beams made from waste plywood and both steel and Parallam columns. The 15 concrete footings are substantial, with 70 cubic yards of concrete among them, as the structure was built to withstand the strong winds that are common on this mountaintop. These same breezes will help to cool the solar cells for increased electrical conversion efficiency.

Project Credits:

Engineer: Civil Engineering Consultants, Somis, CA

Steel Fabrication: TriCo Welding, Ventura, CA

Beams and Hardware: Stock Lumber, Ventura, CA

Framing: Matilija Building Company, Ojai, CA

Solar Equipment: DC Power Systems, Healdsburg, CA

Solar Mounting Hardware: Professional Solar Products, Oxnard, CA