Caldwell House, Farmers Branch

14127 Tanglewood Drive
Farmers Branch, TX 75234

Tour Hours: 10:00am - 4pm

map

We have been extremely pleased with our solar PV system.

Usage October through May has resulted in a $500 credit with our electric company.

 

Renewable energy features

Solar PV

kW: 10.24 kW
Installation Date: October 2017
Installer: Good Faith Energy

Equipment

32 - LG 320 Modules
Enphase IQ6 microinverters
Sonnen Eco 16 kW battery

Retail Electric Provider

Green Mountain

 

Green features

  • Passive Solar Design - “Four Seasons” room on west side of house designed to receive sun in winter months and radiate warmth through the tile floor; minimal sun in summer months due to shade from strategically placed trees. Room also designed to receive predominant southwest wind in the summertime. Sliding doors with screens on south and west allow the room to function as a large screened-in porch.
  • Closed-foam encapsulated house with standing seam metal roof.
  • CFL or LED lighting: LED lighting throughout house.
  • Trees that had to be removed during house design were repurposed throughout the interior and exterior of the house.
  • Low water use landscape - Majority of flowering plants are Texas natives which require lower amounts of water than non-adapted species. Lawn turf is Texas native buffalo grass. The buffalo grass needs no additional water other than natural rainfall. It requires no fertilizer, and actually does poorly if fertilizer is applied. Buffalo grass height will max out at about 6” - 8” and does not need to be mowed. Texas native flowers act as nectar and pollen sources for 3 bee hives on the property. Two of the hives are FlowHives. The lawn, flowers, and numerous vegetables are grown with an emphasis on organic methods. Brush piles, stacks of wood, and rock piles provide natural habitats for creatures of all size.

 

Host Comments

We have been extremely pleased with our solar PV system. Usage October through May has resulted in a $500 credit with our electric company. We are currently shopping electric cars to monetize this credit. Although we haven’t experienced any hail to comment on the durability of the solar panels, we haven’t experienced any damage from local golf balls.