During phase 1 of this project Tick Tock retrofitted 300 existing fluorescent light fixtures with occupancy sensors.  Energy consumption of the overall facility dropped immediately by 10% per month.  Tick Tock then completed additional occupancy sensor studies to identify other potential areas where sensors could be applied.  Phase 2 then included an installation of another 200 sensors.

• Reduced monthly facility electricity use by over 10%, or over 20,000 kWh's per month.
• Project captured over $25,000 in Act on Energy™ utility incentive from Ameren.
• Less than 1-year simple payback.

This project solved many problems faced by this client. High energy usage, high lighting maintenance costs, and poor light quality. Tick Tock Energy's completed the exterior lighting upgrade and solved all these challenges.

• Power demand BEFORE = 1,080 Watts (each)
• Power demand AFTER = 350 Watt (each)
• 68% reduction in power demand
• Increase in light levels
• Dark-sky friendly light fixtures
• Higher color rendering index (CRI)

Monitoring your facilities energy consumption or the useage or energy production of individual systems is fundamental to on-going energy management.  As you become more energy-efficient and generate your own electricity with wind and/or solar energy, playing an active energy management role is key to keeping energy use as low as possible moving forward.

Link to real-time data monitoring site:
http://enlighten.enphaseenergy.com/public/systems/ND8R369

Tick Tock Energy helped this all-electric home reduce its overall energy use by over 50%.  First, a two-stage geothermal heat pump with 100-foot vertical bore holes was installed.  The geothermal system replaced an all-electric furnace and air-conditioning unit that was over 30-years old.  The second step included installation of a 3.9 kW solar photovoltaic array.  Before the solar was installed, the home was re-roofed.  The new roof featured a ridge vent that passively cools the attic lowering the home's cooling load during the summer and also eliminated an electrically powered attic fan for additional energy savings.

For the first few months after installation, the utility bill for the home dropped between 50 to 60% each month compared to previous year.  The improvements increased the home's property value and qualified for a 30% solar rebate from the State of Illinois Solar Incentive Program and 30% federal energy tax credit from the federal government.

The residents of Taylorville now enjoy a higher quality lighting system in their local public library.  Old inefficient T12 fluorescent lamps and magnetic ballasts were removed and replaced with new energy-efficient T8 fluorescent lamps and electronic ballasts.  A key benefit besides energy cost savings was the lighting quality improvement.  The old lighting system produced a "yellowish" hue along with humming and light flicker - not the ideal lighting system for a quiet reading environment.   The new lighting system improved light quality and lowered utility costs.

• $3,500 per year in energy savings
• Reduced lighting electricity demand by 56%
• Increased light levels
• Improved color rendering
• Eliminated light flicker and ballast hum
• Obtained over $6,000 grant funds from Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation (ICECF)

This comprehensive lighting project consisted of three parts: 1) a lighting upgrade of all 400 Watt HID light fixtures and task lighting in the manufacturing space, 2) a lighting retrofit of interior office fixtures, and 3) upgrage of all outdoor parking lot and wallpack light fixtures.

The 400 Watt HID light fixtures were replaced in a one-for-one fashion with new 4-lamp 54 Watt fluorescent T5 light fixtures.  Task lights above machinery were upgraded to fluorescent T8 fixtures.  Interior office fixtures were retrofitted with new T8 lamps and electronic ballasts.  Exterior parking lot and wallpack HID light fixtures were replaced with new high output fluorescent.  Tick Tock Energy received Ameren's Act on Energy™ First Quarter 2009 Ally of the Quarter Award for this lighting upgrade project.

• 72 kilowatt (kW) demand reduction
• 400,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year load reduction
• $20,000 Act on Energy™ Incentive
• $35,000 per year projected annual electricity cost savings
• 75% increase in light-levels in most areas
• Reduced electricity use lowers power plant mercury, CO2 and other emissions

Tick Tock Energy has completed seven installations for the Illinois Solar Schools program sponsored by the Illinois Clean Energy Foundation.  In 2009, Tick Tock will be helping many other schools Illinois file for the grant and complete the turn-key project.  From start to finish, Tick Tock Energy has helped many schools receive the $10,000 solar educational grant and install their solar systems.

• 1.3 kW - Teutopolis Jr. High, Teutopolis, IL
• 1.3 kW - Pana Jr. High, Pana, IL
• 1.3 kW - Palestine Middle School, Palestine, IL
• 1.02 kW - Beecher City H.S., Beecher City, IL
• 1.02 kW - Central A&M H.S., Moweaqua, IL
• 1.02 kW - Schlarman High School, Danville, IL
• 1.02 kW - Jackson Middle School, Villa Park, IL

Tick Tock Energy completed a turn-key installation of a 10 kW Bergey wind turbine for this farm residence.  The wind turbine generator is mounted on a 100-foot self-supporting tower.  During the winter and spring months when wind are stronger, the Bergey wind generator meets 100% of the Macari's electrical load and generates excess power which is net-metered and credited toward future months.

• Depending on annual wind availability, this system is estimated to generate over 16,000 kWh's per year.
• For the first 7 months of 2009, the Macari's electric bill was $3.96 per month.

A great alternate to a roof or ground-mounted solar array is a wall-mount, or building integrated solar system.  The two photos below provide examples of building integrated solar installations completed by Tick Tock Energy, Inc.  Several additional sites will be installed in fall of 2009.

A wall-mounted rack can both generate power but also help shade windows or the wall from the sun which can increase building cooling loads.  These highly-visible installations also help demonstrate your commitment to clean, green, and renewable solar energy!