New Home Solar + Storage Project in Pittsfield, MA

Every new construction project comes with its own challenges. For the Cowdrey residence, Valley Solar provided creative solutions that worked within site constraints and utility rules.

Problems Faced

Even with a new home, the project required careful planning — from electrical upgrades and roof layout challenges to utility limits on system size.

• Electrical Upgrades NeededThe existing 100A service panel was undersized and in a finished space, requiring careful planning for a 200A upgrade.
• Roof ComplexityMultiple roof planes, tree shading, and changes in roof pitch limited panel placement.
• Site-Specific ChallengesBattery placement was constrained by the homeowner’s plans for future sheds and landscaping.
• Regulatory & Utility FactorsThe system size exceeded net metering thresholds, meaning exported energy would receive a reduced rate until state-level changes take full effect.

Solutions

Valley Solar addressed each challenge with thoughtful engineering, integrating solar and storage into the home’s electrical design while keeping the system flexible for the future.

• Panel & Electrical WorkValley Solar coordinated a 200A panel upgrade and integrated a Tesla Backup Gateway 3, making the Powerwall 3 the main inverter and ensuring whole-home backup coverage.
• Optimized DesignPanels were shifted from upper south and west roof planes to the lower south roof for better fit and production. Final design: 20 REC420AA Pure-R panels with IronRidge A1 racking.
• Battery IntegrationA Tesla Powerwall 3 (13.5 kWh) was installed, providing 11.5 kW of inverter power and clean, quiet storage for backup and load coverage.
• Smart Layout AdjustmentsConduits were run through attic spaces to minimize exterior disruption. Battery placement was designed for flexibility, with future shed construction and tree removal in mind.
• Client Flexibility & SavingsAn initial smoke detector upgrade requirement was waived by the Town of Pittsfield, saving the homeowner $2,500 in credits.

The Cowdrey residence now has a high-efficiency solar + storage system that provides both everyday savings and whole-home backup power.

• The system’s Tesla Powerwall 3 allows seamless transitions during outages, powering even large household loads like ovens and dryers.
• The design balances roof constraints, service upgrades, and utility limitations while still meeting the homeowner’s clean energy goals.
• With smart design choices, the family now enjoys reliable power, cost savings, and a future-ready system built into the foundation of their new home.