2015 Report from Maine Print
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Saturday, 02 January 2016 16:43

pv2015decAnd so 2015 comes to an end. What type of year has it been for power generation? We generated 4.443 MegaWatt/Hours of electricity from our 4,200 watt solar array - a record! The fall, which was abnormally warm and clear, put us over the top.

Winter has been fairly benign through January. The 'Monster' storm seen to our south headed out to sea and we were left with sunny skies and lows in the single digits at night and the mid-20s during the day for much of the month. Here's what our home looks like from our drone at 75' altitude.

A buddy and I are now in the aerial photography business - Maine HDTV. We have our FAA-required 333 exemption; I updated my 1996 pilot's license; got current in Single Engine Land by flying with a Certified Flight Instructor at our nearby municipal airport; and received my 3rd class aviation medical certificate. A somewhat time-consuming undertaking but required by FAA regulations in order to conduct commercial aerial photography in the National Airspace System. You can check out our video on Facebook.

Climate change is a real concern along the coast of Maine as the marine ecosystem is under stress. One of Maine's largest industries is fishing - primarily lobstering. According to an excellent series in the Portland Press Herald, marine organisms are retreating further eastward as the Gulf of Maine continues to warm. I recommend that you read this excellent series. While record catches are still the norm, local lobstermen testify that the tastey critters are moving into deeper water and further east along the coast - to find cooler water. Connecticut and Rhode Island have lost the majority of the lobster crop due to warmer ocean temperatures. This does not bode well for the future.

Solar living continues to offer comfort and savings. It's a blessing that our architect, Steven Strong, designed such a magnificent structure for us to enjoy, now and into the distance future.


Last Updated on Friday, 01 April 2016 18:59