The thing about tracking hardware is that it is so expensive that for the say, 15% or so reduction you get due to sun angle you can buy enough extra panels to offset the loss, assuming you have the space. CA new title 24 states that on a new building you must provide an unobstructed roof area of 250 sq ft(no vents, chimneys, or roof penetrations). Those panels must be at least 3'below the peak to provide access for the fire dept. It pains me to say it but solar thermal is about dead in the current American market. I was in the solar and alternative energy business in CA back in the late 70's-early 80's and did hundreds of hot water and other types of solar systems. They work great, but a dhw system today is around $10,000. That money is much better spent on a PV system today. Much better return on that investment. Ground mount systems are fairly common up here in the foothills. My house is shaded by a Sequoia and a few 4' dia Black Walnuts. My only PV option will be ground mount out in the side yard or a new garage roof, I suppose, but then again I spent the garage on the house re-model;). I've seen several up here where they put the array up on a 15' or so tall post. There are, finally, initiatives underway now to establish better specification guidelines for DC power. Snidely, I think you and I would get along great in person, but boy, we sure don't agree on much here. That is in no way a critical statement, quiet the opposite in fact. I'm a fitter/welder in an early life and worked on gas lines from 1/4"-36". I am very comfortable with it, but I understand the process of pipe design and installation. I do think that as we have codes that require smoke detectors that every home should also have CO detectors and, if supplied with gas, have a combustible gas detector. I am surprised that the insurance industry hasn't pulled that off yet. I guess not enough houses/people have been lost that way. Anyway, looking forward to meeting you on the next post;)

Hi, just had a complete system installed yesterday (4-18-2011). I live in N.dallas where cooling means more than heating. cost exactly 7k for everything (negotiated price). here is a list of what was installed for a single story 2000 sqft house. Trane XR13 4 ton AC condenser - 13seer, 14seer with matching system. Trane XR80 5 ton 1 stage with 4 speed blower. New matching evaporator coil with the new R-410A refrigerant. New return and supply plenums, all sheet metal construction with exterior wrapped insulation. New manual air dampers at each supply duct. Added an extra return air duct, grill and filter to double existing volume of return. New drip pan with overflow float switch (cuts off system if drainage gets blocked - keeps the ceiling from getting water damage). New electrical disconnect and wiring (located outside by the condenser). New concrete pad. New programmable thermostat. Did all the work required to rid and clean system of old coolant, hauled away old system and did a relatively good job cleaning up. This new system is so much cooler and has better airflow than the old one and should be more efficient. I really wanted the sheet metal plenums with EXTERIOR insulation and the manual dampers. This should really pay off in the long run for comfort and health. Next time I should just have to replace the AC condenser. Furnace later. All in all I think I got a good deal and I'm pretty sure the work is A+. I paid a little extra for the plenums, dampers and for Trane products. One reason I went with this contractor instead of the others is this contractor continually offered top notch material, construction and products without me having to ask. The others would match the packages and price only after I asked for the better stuff. This really spoke about the quality of work I could expect, and the contractors doing the work matters more than the brand name. But since I could get the best brand name Trane products with top notch quality workmanship, it really was a no brainer. I actually spent just a little more for this company than the slightly cheaper one for the same work.

The Carrier Infinity 24ana736 and the Performance 24apa736 are equivalent as far as I know. I think the 24ana7 series is being phased out. I don't see any down side of getting the Performance model. I believe the Performance model gets a higher SEER rating. Is the labor warranty directly from Carrier? I would be concerned about putting a 95% AFUE furnace in an attic. I have no experience with this, but I have read about problems with condensate lines freezing in the winter. A electric wrap tape can be used to prevent freezing. I am not sure what the contractor proposing for the PVC intake and exhaust will result in a proper installation. I am not sure if I do this if it were my house.

get a price on Carrier Infinity MVC furnace with Performance 17 AC for comparison purposes. Same available from sister company Bryant. IMO