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Viewing profile :: Ken Schaal

Personal Information:

Name: Ken Schaal
Residence Address: 12433 Autumn Sun Ln
City, State: Ashland, VA
Zip Code: 23005
Residence Telephone Number: 804-798-5371
E-mail address: ken@commonwealthsolar.com
Year of Birth:  


Personal Comments:

I live in a Passive solar home built in 1974 and then redesigned in 1990 to incorporate our patented foam and reinforced cement plaster stressed-skin panel construction. My hot water is supplied through a drain back solar system that incorporates a wood boiler for auxiliary heat. Water storage/ heat exchange is supplied by our proprietary, site assembled, super-insulated tank within a tank system. Distribution into a radiant slab is done when the tank exceeds 130°F. Automatic heating/ cooling & dehumidification is done with a water source heat pump using water from an existing 50 ft. x 30 in. well. Water is returned to the well except during the hottest of the summer days when I incorporate an irrigation system in order to avoid overheating. The use of interior Window Quilts and exterior Shade cloth allow for energy management. A back-up PV system is coming as soon as that big oak tree on the south comes down!



Business Information:

Business Name: CommonWealth Solar Services
Business Address: 12433 Autumn Sun Ln.
Suite/Unit/Apt #:  
City, State: Ashland, VA
Zip Code: 23005
Business Telephone: 804-798-5371
Business FAX: 804-798-5371
Business Email Address: ken@commonwealthsolar.com
Business Website: www.commonwealthsolar.com
Business Founded Month-Year:  
Principal Product or Service: full service design/build solar contractor
License or Contractor Number: 2701-032948A Class A Gene
NABCEP PV (or Wind) Installation Professional Certification Date::  


Business Comments:

I started in 1976 doing renovation, passive solar design/build, SHW design/build, pool heating, wood boilers and watersource heat pumps. After 1985 I diversified into new construction with foam core reinforced cement plaster, stressed-skin, geodesic domes, and other rounded shapes. I continued with solar service/renovation, eventually doing a series of optimized solar systems that were monitored by VA Tech and demonstrated key attributes for cost effectiveness. During the mid 90's I was a leader in the effort to establish a viable Home Energy Rating program in VA. In '99 I finally got to do some PV systems for Y2K concerns. (We're in central VA, not a hotbed of alternative technologies/lifestyles!). I am Currently expanding the business as we're finding an increasing market for all of the above, even in this "very slow to adopt new technologies" market.



Last Updated: Mar 10, 2004


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