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The Maine Adventure
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The Heroes...My Working Partners |
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My Most Recent Heroes--the Solar Panel installation team for Revision Energy |
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Long ago, I decided
that my legacy would be a commitment to the earth...contributing to
maintaining it in as natural a state as possible. Late in 2018, I
decided that a big part of that legacy would be to invest in
solar-powered equipment throughout my site, the Bold Colorful Life
Estate and Retreat Center.
I had done my research and was part of the Midcoast Energy Cooperative, looking for the Solar Company with the best reputation. Revision stood out as the best. |
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In 2019, Revision has
installed three heat pumps, and most recently, 36 solar panels on the
south-facing roof of the original barn.
Here's the story of these Heroes: |
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All of the Revision
office employees have been excellent partners in working through all the
possibilities to come up with the most efficient and most valuable plan
for all the solar/heat pump components, and to walk me through the
complex paperwork and timing as well.
And then the installation team arrived! Most of the first day, the installation team spent planning, laying out and prepping for the installation of the 'shoes' that would hold the solar panels, while the master electrician began his planning and prep for the inverter panel inside the barn, and the CMP access panel on the outside of the barn. |
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| Lots of measuring went into the planning on the roof, by both Dryw and Dan...and the first shoes were in place by the end of the first day. Also, the CMP access panel was installed on the outside of the barn by Revision Master Electrician, Andy. | |||
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Real Teamwork The second day, Dryw and Dan were joined by John and more shoes were installed and then the rails were measured, cut and installed. |
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By the end of the second day, all the shoes were in place and the rails were beginning to be placed. Also, Andy, now with help from Barret, had placed the ground wire for the system. | ||
| On day three, once the shoes and rails were in place, it was time for the men to start placing the solar panels...the most exhilarating and quickest part of the job. All hands on deck! Teamwork was everything...each panel weighs 42 pounds, and if the wind decided to blow, they became sail-like...hard to handle on the slope of the roof! The men were meticulous about wearing their safety equipment--wires and gloves and glasses--and all went well with the most hazardous part of the job. |
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| In no time at all, the 36 panels were in place, Andy was doing the final connection to the control panel and the men went off to their homes...to start another installation the next day, no doubt. | |||
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This team was the most delightful and professional I've had on site in a long time! They were all friendly, communicative, knowledgeable, efficient and they worked really well together as a team. Two of the three days, the weather was a bit of a challenge. Their spirits and enthusiasm did not wane...and we all reveled in the perfect winter weather we had on Wednesday. Dryw kept me in the loop with adjustments to the original design, and educated me about strengths and weaknesses of the system and of the site. They all kept me up-to-date with answers to my questions and explanations about the system itself. It was a pure pleasure to have this professional team here and to watch them in action. I recommend them highly. |
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| Richard Genthner | Harold Dawson | Chris Harrington | Steve Harrington |
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| Brad McAllister | Noel Arrington | Matthew Eldridge | Rob Cornell |
| Bill the Plumber Walsh | Jack Cheney | A'lai Tuinaeu | Will Kemp |
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Richard Genthner...In Memoriam |
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Although I
have had MANY great project partners, helping me do the work here and bring this
dream to fruition, and I will include them all here over time....NONE
has been more loyal and steadfast than Richard Genthner, my handyman,
my 'hero', my friend....for 6 1/2 years. |
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The first day my "magic men" worked on site together. Older brother, Harold, brought little brother, Richard, to work at the Bold Colorful Life. |
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The day that Harold and Richard took down the crumbling old brick chimney |
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Richard used his many years' experience with Renys' orchard to teach me how to prune my lovely apple trees... |
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Richard loved to kid around with the other workers....here he is in a fur that Ron brought |
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| And here he is teaching me to use the powerwasher. | |||
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| And here he is in his 'other' job, lobstering!...at his 'other' home...Round Pond! | |||
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There are more to come...please check back for our updated Memoriam to Richard Genthner...May he rest in peace and joy. |
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| Harold Dawson, my 'magic man' who took down the 'back house' or 'ell' that connected the original Cape to the original barn. | |||
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February 20,
2009 Dear Chris, I want you to know what a difference having you as the manager of my project here in Boothbay has made. As you know, I've worked with two other GCs on this project, over the past two years. Having found you, it's a little like the story of the Three Bears. The first two didn't fit at all; the third is JUST RIGHT. Your attention to detail, your integrity in communication, your 'can do' attitude and the commitment to reach resolution, no matter what the challenge, has been unbeatable. Your collaborative leadership with subcontractors makes their work more efficient and pleasant and makes a huge difference for me! Your technological know-how--use of email and cell phone and digital camera-- has allowed me to feel that I've been part of the process, even when I'm 5 hours away. And the fact that you send me pictures of progress, regularly, is amazing! Perhaps most of all, you inspire your crew to do quality work, in a timely fashion, keeping within the budget and resulting in an excellent outcome. You inspire trust in client and workman alike. I am SO grateful to you for bringing your knowledge and expertise to complete the building of my Inn and Retreat Center. Should you want to show any prospective client the property, please feel free to bring them around!
Warmest of
wishes, Melissa Thornton
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| Press here to hear 'the REST of the story'....there are always villains in a project like this! | |||
