Solar power

[dan88911]

Any of you guys running solar power on your homes?
What's your take on it?

[mikehinton]

We've had our system for 7 years. It has made us conscious about when we use power, as we get charged extra for power use between noon and 6 P.M. But, that's when we generate the most power, so it evens out. In the 7 years we've had the system, we only owed PG&E additional $ for electricity once.

It's a grid-intertie system, which means that when grid is down, we are too. Eventually we'll get an inverter that supports a battery backup as well. We probably haven't recouped the entire purchase price yet, but I'll bet we're close, and the panels should last 25+ years.

[dan88911]

I have just started researching solar. My home in ideally situated.
And the cost recoup time is an big issue.

[john70t]

Solar in the sunny USA is still relatively expensive after 40+ years, despite the fundage thrown at it haphazardly.
Lot of reasons for this...which range from conspiracy, to market demand, to whatever.

The technology of solar efficiency is increasing exponentially!
Everything from roof tiles to thin film paint applications could be a potential zero carbon footprint 40+ years from now.

It just hasn't hit the US market yet.

The sky needs to fall first.

[SeanPizzle]

Originally Posted by john70t

Solar in the sunny USA is still relatively expensive after 40+ years, despite the fundage thrown at it haphazardly.
Lot of reasons for this...which range from conspiracy, to market demand, to whatever.

The technology of solar efficiency is increasing exponentially!
Everything from roof tiles to thin film paint applications could be a potential zero carbon footprint 40+ years from now.

It just hasn't hit the US market yet.

The sky needs to fall first.

um, respectfully, it hasn't hit the midwest yet. CA has the broadest availability of solar options in the country and the broadest adoption. PG&E starts at 11.7 cents/khw and moves up to 48 cents in top tier. We haven't done it yet but probably will this year. I am calculating 7 year ROI and a really good inflation hedge.

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by john70t

Solar in the sunny USA is still relatively expensive after 40+ years, despite the fundage thrown at it haphazardly.
Lot of reasons for this...which range from conspiracy, to market demand, to whatever.

The technology of solar efficiency is increasing exponentially!
Everything from roof tiles to thin film paint applications could be a potential zero carbon footprint 40+ years from now.

It just hasn't hit the US market yet.

The sky needs to fall first.

I am in the Solar Business. We are on the cusp of the systems being a decent payback. If you can install them yourself, including wiring and rack, the payback without a subsidy is around 10 years. With subsidy, 7 years, at $0.09/kWh. In California, they will payback in less than 2 years!!! This is because the price of electricity is outrageous.

My target is not everyone's house, but places where energy is very costly or power is intermittent or non-existent. We've been supplying systems for offshore platforms. We now make residential systems in various sizes. The target is Mexico, central America and other places where the power goes out frequently or there is no power.

My systems are for "Off Grid", RVs, backup power and places with brownouts and rolling blackouts.

[dewolf]

Just installed a 3KW system for $4100.00 complete. We are putting more back into the grid than we use. It will pay for itself in two years.

[john70t]

Originally Posted by red-beard

I am in the Solar Business. We are on the cusp of the systems being a decent payback. If you can install them yourself, including wiring and rack, the payback without a subsidy is around 10 years. With subsidy, 7 years, at $0.09/kWh. In California, they will payback in less than 2 years!!! This is because the price of electricity is outrageous.

2 years is excellent, and above most expected business returns.
(5 years break-even is what I've heard for the resteraunt business, if they are amoung the lucky 20% which survive that long).

Here in overcast Michigan, 65% of our electricity is from dirty coal.
I'd rather pay Texans.

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by john70t

2 years is excellent, and above most expected business returns.
(5 years break-even is what I've heard for the resteraunt business, if they are amoung the lucky 20% which survive that long).

Here in overcast Michigan, 65% of our electricity is from dirty coal.
I'd rather pay Texans.

Part of the reason that the price of electricty is high in California is the extreme regulation. For example, if you pay $0.32 per kWh and are producing more power than you use, the utility has to buy the excess power at the same rate you are charged.

This makes no sense. They are charging you for not just generation, but for transmission costs as well. Plus, they are paying a premium for power from you. So, everyone not producing excess power has to pay extra, to subsidize your production.

Now use you the term "dirty coal". In what sense do you mean "dirty"? The grandfather clauses for emissions have gone away.

[pwd72s]

Originally Posted by mikehinton

We've had our system for 7 years. It has made us conscious about when we use power, as we get charged extra for power use between noon and 6 P.M. But, that's when we generate the most power, so it evens out. In the 7 years we've had the system, we only owed PG&E additional $ for electricity once.

It's a grid-intertie system, which means that when grid is down, we are too. Eventually we'll get an inverter that supports a battery backup as well. We probably haven't recouped the entire purchase price yet, but I'll bet we're close, and the panels should last 25+ years.

You failed to mention how much, if any, of the true installation cost was subsidized by the taxpayers?

Moot point for me in the cloudy Willamette valley of Oregon anyway. Might pencil out for Eastern Oregon with far more sunny days.

[Joeaksa]

I have used solar for years now, been running my pool pump with it coupled with a battery bank.

Just signed the paperwork two months ago to put a 7kw system on the roof of the house. Should be up and running by April or so.

IMHO every house in the sunbelt should come with solar. I also have wind generators but not here at the house due to the noise.

Joe A

[futurefun]

This is my third house off the grid. Considering the cost to run power to the current rural location it was less to do a dozen panels, inverter, batteries & generator back up. Most of my closest neighbors are off the grid as well.

[rfuerst911sc]

Originally Posted by red-beard

I am in the Solar Business. We are on the cusp of the systems being a decent payback. If you can install them yourself, including wiring and rack, the payback without a subsidy is around 10 years. With subsidy, 7 years, at $0.09/kWh. In California, they will payback in less than 2 years!!! This is because the price of electricity is outrageous.

My target is not everyone's house, but places where energy is very costly or power is intermittent or non-existent. We've been supplying systems for offshore platforms. We now make residential systems in various sizes. The target is Mexico, central America and other places where the power goes out frequently or there is no power.

My systems are for "Off Grid", RVs, backup power and places with brownouts and rolling blackouts.

Red Beard could you send me a PM with more info on a solar setup for a truck camper ? I have a 1966 Avion truck camper that I will be gutting some of the interior and I'm thinking that will be the time to add solar. Any info/advice would be appreciated.

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by futurefun

This is my third house off the grid. Considering the cost to run power to the current rural location it was less to do a dozen panels, inverter, batteries & generator back up. Most of my closest neighbors are off the grid as well.

This is exactly the market we are targeting. Many times it is less costly to install a solar system than to run the power lines to the grid.

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by dewolf

Just installed a 3KW system for $4100.00 complete. We are putting more back into the grid than we use. It will pay for itself in two years.

What sudsidies are you given in Australia?

[dmcummins]

Ive looked into it, but with electricity at .08 and no subsides in MO it doesn't make sense. I just invest in the local power plant that pays about 5% dividends. I may go with a solar water heater at some point, I think the payback is a little better with that.

[stealthn]

I want solar on our house but because we have cement tiles we can't have it. However we have been green for several years using Bullfrog power so we put back the same amount of green electricity we use, it's expensive but our contribution.

Looking at it for our trailer...

[vash]

my wife wants to make the plunge. she is motivated by "being green" more than the $$.

we will explore the option in the next couple of house mods. during the summer, i feel like i live on the sun. there is no shortage of sunlight here.

[Superman]

Originally Posted by futurefun

This is my third house off the grid. Considering the cost to run power to the current rural location it was less to do a dozen panels, inverter, batteries & generator back up. Most of my closest neighbors are off the grid as well.

My GF is off-grid. Panels, inverter, batteries, generator.

[Joeaksa]

Originally Posted by futurefun

This is my third house off the grid. Considering the cost to run power to the current rural location it was less to do a dozen panels, inverter, batteries & generator back up. Most of my closest neighbors are off the grid as well.

Friend of mine and I have some land out in the boonies where there is no power at all, so we have no choice. You can do it, even in Arizona in the summer, just takes some panels and a backup.