We're officially in Spring - a few days we've made it to the 50s but generally we're in the breezy 40s which creates an unpleasant wind chill. It's all about perception since we're actually right on the average temperature curve for this time of year. That being said, the tulips, daffodils and other bulbs are still reluctant to venture too far from their comfortable earthen protection. Meanwhile, the internal temperature of the Great Room in our home regularly approaches 78 degrees on sunny days thanks to the passive aspects of our structure. A few windows opened, or venetian blinds adjusted to keep out most of the sun, mitigates the natural winter heat. Soon the sun will be at an angle when our roof overhang shades our interior during much of the day. I am not complaining, just letting you know about the incredible benefits a well-designed solar house brings to its residents.

Having said that, the arrival of longer days is a blessing for our PV output. Slowly, but consistently, our array output is gaining ground, having generated 378 kWhrs in March.

My Plugin Prius is also gaining batter capacity as the average temperature in our garage inches upwards - nearly 11 miles at this writing. We're still doing 113 mpg, which is nothing to sneeze at.