Page 43 - Green Builder Remodeling Field Report 2021
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Solar modules from LG Electronics means Cooper is less reliant on the electric grid in Texas, which has been particularly plagued
                     by rolling power outages. Shown here is the installation of LG NeOn 2 350-watt modules by NATiVE Solar. COURTESY NATIVE SOLAR

                    SUPPLEMENTAL SUN POWER
                    Cooper opted for solar modules from LG Electronics to reduce
                    her dependence on the sometimes-unreliable electric grid
                    in Texas, which has been plagued by rolling brownouts and
                    blackouts, as well as the devastating failure of the grid during
                    the unusual ice and snow storm early in 2021.
                      “Tiana had two overarching goals for her home: to get it as
                    close to being net zero as possible and to future-proof the                           Greenfiber’s 85
                    home to make it more resilient,” says Brian Lynch, director of                        percent post-consumer
                    solar and storage for LG Electronics.                                                 recycled paper
                      Cooper’s home has a large south-facing roof, which is ideal
                    for generating solar power.                                                           insulation locks in 1.34
                                                                                                          tons of carbon dioxide
                      “The solar modules we produce now have a better design,
                    with wires instead of ribbons. These are more beautiful, and                          during the lifetime
                                                                                                          of the home— the
                    they absorb more light,” says Lynch. “New technology has                              equivalent work of 807
                    drastically reduced the cost of solar modules while increasing
                    their efficiency.”                                                                    trees. COURTESY GREENFIBER
                      While 440-watt modules are now available, Cooper chose   INSULATION OFFERS COMFORT AND
                    to install 35 LG NeON 2 350-watt modules because they pro-  SUSTAINABILITY
                    duce plenty of electricity at a lower cost. Lynch estimates that   Adding insulation when remodeling is a standard part of
                    Cooper’s electric bills will be near zero or have a negative bal-  improving energy efficiency, but there’s nothing standard
                    ance over the course of a year.                   about Greenfiber.
                      LG’s solar panels are designed for sustainability and guaran-  “Our insulation is made from 85 percent post-consumer
                    teed to produce at 90 percent of its capacity at the end of 25   recycled paper, so it starts from a tree, is used by consumers,
                    years, compared with the 80 percent of the capacity of most   and then recycled for the insulation,” says Laura Woodford,
                    solar panels, says Lynch.                         director of marketing for U.S. Greenfiber. “The coolest thing


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