Series 01 · An interactive series from Wellspring Solar
"What really happens when you decide to put the sun to work."
Doris Kaufmann wants solar. A golden retriever named Ampere thinks he's helping. Along the way we meet a picky planner, a patient utility engineer, and two installers who take their coffee — and their fall protection — seriously. Play through the whole process, one short episode at a time.
Comedic on the surface. Real solar practice underneath. Every character and every decision reflects an actual step of the process.
Episode 1
"Which way is south, and does the chimney get a vote?"
Doris meets Wellspring, listens to the pitch, and helps design her array on the roof. Learn how panel orientation, shading, and the K2 MultiMount system with butyl seal affect production and roof integrity.
Play Episode 1Episode 2
"The county examiner is not the dog's biggest fan. Not yet."
Wellspring submits the permit. Dale the plans examiner has thoughts. Doris and Ampere pay him a visit at the counter. Place inverter, PV meter, AC disconnect, and conduit in a working equipment layout. Meet NEC clearances the friendly way.
Play Episode 2Episode 3
"The utility isn't the villain. Neither is the neighbor. It's just a small transformer."
NIPSCO triggers a Level 3 review. Markus B. explains why. Neighbor Bob's existing 5 kW plus Doris's proposed 6 kW is 11 kW behind a 10 kVA can. Choose to upgrade the transformer or shrink the array, then place all 8 utility & NEC placards on the single line diagram.
Play Episode 3Episode 4
"Two hard hats. One retriever. And a soap opera on a very specific schedule."
Debo and Kenneth arrive with the crew and a telehandler. Secure K2 MultiMount rails to the roof (drills off during Doris's stories), then lift modules into place with the boom. Keep the outriggers deployed, the hard hats on, and Ampere out of the keep-out zone.
Play Episode 4Episode 5
"Same clipboard. Same frown. Different hat."
Dale is back — this time as field inspector. Demonstrate the shutdown sequence: notify Doris, open the AC disconnect, initiate rapid shutdown, and probe the terminals so he can verify the system is safe. Then he signs the card and pushes the report to Markus.
Play Episode 5Episode 6
"The system is done. The paperwork is not."
Doris waits four days for Permission to Operate. Frame the utility submission photo just right — placards, meter base, no thumbs in the corner, Ampere asleep in the shot for luck. Markus swings by at 12:30, swaps the meter for a bidirectional one, and Doris watches her 1 PM soap powered by her own roof.
Play Episode 6Episode 7
"Solar didn't shrink. Your house got hungrier."
The first bill after PTO lands and it's not what Doris expected. Dan walks her through it over the phone and finds the real story — a hot tub for Ampere's hips and a used EV to replace her dying sedan. Then it's an afternoon at Jane's kitchen table, three chips on the felt, and a card game about which system handles what.
Play Episode 7Episode 8
"The app says GFCI. Doris says what's a GFCI?"
Rick the service tech responds to a ground-fault alert. Diagnose the fault together — was it a wire, a module, or moisture in the combiner? Ampere approves of Rick immediately.
Coming SoonEvery character represents a real role in a real solar project.
Doris Kaufmann
Homeowner. Widowed empty-nester. Skeptical, warming up.
Ampere
Golden retriever. Says "BORK!" Wins hearts. Occasionally quality control.
Dale
County plans examiner. Doesn't know solar. Cares about the code.
Priya
Structural PE. The stamp on the plans. Snow load specialist.
Markus B.
NIPSCO interconnection engineer. Bound by state law and MISO. Empathetic anyway.
Bob
Doris's neighbor. Has a 5 kW array. Cannot work his own thermostat.
Debo
Wellspring installer. Foreman-ish. Coffee first, harness second. Both non-negotiable.
Kenneth
Wellspring installer. Wisecracker on the ground. Runs the rails and the wiring.
Wellspring Solar designs, permits, interconnects, and installs residential solar across northern Indiana — with a 6-year workmanship warranty on the roof penetrations.
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