www.NetZeroEnergy.org
 
 
Under construction. If you have questions, please email me and I will not only answer your question, but add an explaination to this site.

The aim is to fill this site with both simple and advanced practical information about saving energy. Some of this information will be aimed at those living on Long Island (NY, USA), however, most will be applicable regardless of where you live.
Please feel free to ask me questions:

My solar roof

Before - an average Long Island home.

Before

Stripping shingles.

Stripping shingles

There is a water proof membrain on the deck. I used Grace Ice and Water Shield (tm).
The solar tiles will keep out the water 99.99%, this is really just a case of being better safe than sorry.
It would be costly to remove the tiles to fix a leak!

Water proof membrain

Tony is fitting the first solar tile.
The solar tiles interlock with the concrete tiles, so we have to work from the bottom
of the roof and work right to left.
The end tiles are concrete and are precisely aligned to give the roof a symetrical lock.

First tile fitted

The tiles are mounted to raised wooden batons.
Given out local climate we used pressure treated wood and stainless steel screws.
You will see two batons, horizontal raised 4" x 1.25" wood and a smaller 1.5" x 1.5".
The solar tiles are secured to the 4" wood with 4 stainless 2.5" #10 screws.
The smaller batton is used to secure a 1.25" stainless grip which holds down the front of the tile.

Raised battons

Bow and Tony nearly at the end of row 4. Progress was slow.

Fitting row 4

We are on row 8, and beginning to pick up speed.

Fitting row 8

Reggie is helping with the fitting, does he look nervious to you?

Half done

A common question that I get asked is "What happens when it snows?"
A> It's simple, on a roof this steep, snow won't stick to glass.

Snow don't stick

It is winter, but the sun is out, and we're generating lots of KWh.

Generating lots of KWh

After (in winter) compare with the before photo.

After

Every time I look at my roof I smile.

Happy me

More pictures in my photo album.

Excerpted video from Going Green on Long Island by WLIW.