Solar And Wind 4 Me

Hello, I’m wondering if I could get a 100,000wat solar panel for home use; is there a way for me to get that much energy in my house to power my 3 computers?

I"m not sure where you are getting the numbers of 100kW, they are not correct. To offset the use of 3 computers running 8 hours a day, you’d need about a 1.5kW system. If you are looking to stay on the electric grid, and just generate the amount you use for them, then that will cost about $8k for the equipment. You can see a grid-tied package at http://www.altestore.com/store/Kits-and-Package-Deals/Grid-Tied-Systems/Alt-E-Designed-Grid-Tie-Packages/AltE-Grid-Tied-Package-System-D-16-kw/p7102/.

If you are looking to be completely self sufficient and off the electric grid, you need batteries to store the power as well. That type of system could cost well over $12k. http://www.altestore.com/store/Kits-and-Package-Deals/Off-Grid-Residential-Systems/Off-Grid-Residential-Package-184-kw/p6628/

I keep hearing about new great progress in the field - then practical installation is still quite expensive and life span of the solar panels is estimated at 10 years - not enough time to really make a difference financially

I’m in Southern California too - prime area

Please cite any sources you have re: new and improved systems that are ready to instal.

thanks - Solar seems like the answer - and I keep hearing we’re getting close - just hard to be patient.

I assume you’re talking about photovoltaic arrays?

You can go on Ebay and check out the going prices for photovoltaic array panels. You will find out very quickly what their current status is.

You can buy the inverters you’d need there also. Then there’s cabling, deep cycle batteries. Some of that you might have to get locally, but it’s all off the shelf stuff.

And then you can hire an electrician to install all that stuff for you, if you don’t know how to do it yourself.

Mainly its the cost of the photovoltaic cells themselves that keep such systems from being really viable. It would simply take too long to recoup the cost from reduced electrical bills, to make the project worthwhile. Except to your occasional rich hobbyist.

I do believe production of these cells is increasing quite a bit in recent years however, and perhaps in time the magic of mass production and refined manufacturing techniques will change the costs involved.

Anyway, just check out what the stuff is going for on ebay, and figure out for yourself what it would cost you for the kind of system you’d like to have.

Now if you mean passive solar heating or solar water heaters, well, those are relatively cheap.

OK, just went up on ebay and did a search on ’soar panels.’ Found this.

http://cgi.ebay.com/100w-Solar-Panels-485-each-worldwide-delivery_W0QQitemZ180251364502QQihZ008QQcategoryZ3240QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

It’s a 100w solar panel for $485. That’s a typical price. Ten of these will get you a kilowatt of power on a bright sunny day. Think you can run your house on that? You might want three or four kilowatts. Maybe more.

I wouldn’t be surprised if a three or four kilowatt system would end up costing you well over twenty thousand dollars.

So, how long do you suppose it would take you to recoup that?

Of course, if you’re lucky, you might be able to sell your excess electricity back to the grid…. at the wholesale rate…..

Still, if you put it all together yourself, and you don’t mind spending some cash, it would be interesting.

I’m sure one day it will be more affordable.

Solar Photovoltaic cells (Solar PV) are effectively panels that absorb the sun’s light (which is actually made of many tiny units of energy) and convert it via a sophisticated system of silicon wafers into an electrical current that can then be used to power up your home, office or electrical appliances directly. Although not yet highly visible in the UK domestic market, solar PV panels are already very common in calculators and watches (albeit in a much smaller size). The larger solar panels are getting increasingly more efficient and are now used to generate power for private homes, large office buildings and other commercial installations.

Solar Photovoltaic and Planning Issues

One can install solar photovoltaic panels on the roof of their home as well as along one of the outer walls or as standalone units. Before setting off on the installation process, it is essential to check with the local authority regarding planning restrictions. Most local authorities in England allow solar PV panels to be installed on residential roofs and as standalone cells as long as certain criteria are met (mainly that the panels are not attached onto listed buildings or within conservation zones). Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, however, are still working out their local legislation. For residents of these areas it is therefore advisable to consult the local planning authorities before installing the solar systems.

Why Use Solar Photovoltaics?

There are several good reasons to use solar PV cells. One important benefit is the money saved on electrical bills. Another important benefit is the reduction in carbon emissions thanks to using clean energy. Solar photovoltaic cells cut around 1.2 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions every year. Since the user generates the electricity directly from the sun, they are not dependent on the national grid, making them less prone to power cuts. Although solar power is effective in its own right, solar panels are highly appropriate for remote locations where the grid has no coverage (such as remote farms or research facilities).

How is Solar Photovoltaic Cell Installed?

The best way to install solar photovoltaic panels is to hire a professional installation crew. Professional solar PV cell installers should be certified by the Low Carbon Buildings Programme. It is important to note that there are good reasons one should not attempt to do the installation as a DIY project. Solar PV cells tend to be very heavy and, for roof installations, involve a support system that must be constructed and attached before any solar photovoltaic cell can be mounted. The installer will know the local electrical codes and safety regulations and will make sure that the solar photovoltaic grid or standalone units are code compliant.

With the increasing public awareness to global warming and climate change, there is substantially more focus placed on finding energy generation options that are not reliant upon fossil fuels. Of the alternative energy options currently available (wave, wind, hydrogen, solar, nuclear), solar power is considered to be the most cost effective and with solar panels dropping in price due to competition, this technology is likely to become ever more popular.

Tal Potishman
http://www.articlesbase.com/bath-showers-articles/suns-energy-sustainable-fuel-for-pv-solar-panels-626260.html

Hello from SO TX.. I would like to know if anyone out there has SOLAR PANELS on their home?
I have a 850 sq ft. house. I called Austin to a company that offers panels and installation. The cost $18,000.00, for 10 panels . The rep said we would save about 21 to 25% on our electric bill /mo. We use approximately 980 kw/mo. Our bill is around $140.00 / mo…I really don’t think that’s a good enough savings. We figure it would take 25 years to recoup our investment.
And where we live in TX it does not offer any incentives. The gov. allows you a $2000.00 tx break.

You are wasteful in your power usage. To use 980 kWh per month in such a small home is just unbelivable. Chage your lights to CFL (a 28 watt cfl is = to a 100 watt bulb) and use space heating and window A/C units. Unplug that tv set when not in use and same for other items. I found that our tv set alone uses amost 12 watts when turned off. You may say that is not much.. Well add in 4 tv sets and a couple of stereos and other items and do it for a years time. lots of waste. Our home is twice the size of yours and we only use on a heavy month about 500 kWh. With 1860 watts in solar power my last months electric bill was 19 dollars and most of that was meter fees.

18K is really about right and not bad. You will get back 2000 dollars if installed before the end of 2008 but it looks like we may be Bushed and they may not extend the tax credits.
Just have to wait for John McCain to get in office and hope he will do something about it. But McCain is running for a 3rd bush term. Hillary is not going to make it in to office an every time Obama gets under pressure he gets so scared he starts stuttering. So he will just get walked on by big oil and big money. So better do it now while you can get something back.

Just to clear something up about the cost.. If you rent power you have nothing in 30 years but if you buy a system you have a system in 30 years.

As far as new lower priced solar modules.. BS!!! Big time
BS!!!

If they can make a 3000 watt solar module for 1 cent they can sell it for the current market price. So it would take a FOOL to drop the prices. So don’t waste your time setting on your thumb waiting for this great lower price.

Ask Evergreen Solar if they lowered prices when the used OUR TAX DOLLARS to find a new way to make their panels. Well they found a cheaper way and did it and charge the same as anyone else. But that don’t stop them from braging. If they can get your money and don’t take it they woudl be fools.. Would you drop your price if people would pay the higher price? Plus someone would by them out and bring the prices back up anyway..

Solar panels in Australia are being used extensively both at homes and non-residential buildings. Like anything else, solar panels have their own gains and disadvantages. The gains are plenty, and the foremost one is your growing into your own energy provider. There are no more tensions from the utility companies, and you might well be safe from the daily-increasing and mounting electricity costs. Moreover, you are absolutely far away from any tension of maintenance, which is an amazing fact.

The long-lasting nature also supports your cause, besides giving out obvious environmental gains. By getting along this way, the consumption of fossil fuels gets slashed down for a longer part, and greenhouse gas emissions are thus controlled.

You can get a small solar electricity system; Just contact a good solar company in Australia and get benefitted in a grand way. The initial cost is the only worry with it, as the installation of a solar power system may touch tens of thousands of dollars. However, solar rebate in the picture is a great relief effective for growing solar panel sales. This creates more choices and decreasing prices.

Solar installers would charge that much is not easy to consume and seem daunting, and might force you to leave the idea behind. Having solar panels in Australia would not be that daunting, as you will get various government programs to make up for the cost. But you can’t avoid having these panels, as the rising rates of the solar panels in Australia would seem fairly less in comparison to the growing rates of electricity cost. Thus, you know what your choice would be.

Australia is seeing enhanced demand and so the rise of solar company, using advance technology. Now we tend to see lots of types in solar panels, and some look fairly pleasing. Modern panels are installed into homes for serving more purpose than they were initially meant for. After all, the technology has taken a drastic change, and so has your tastes. Depending on your need, solar panels can be picked.

Monocrystalline, polycrystalline and amorphous are some of the types of solar panels in Australia, which are bought about according to the need. They all work in the same way, but just have difference in efficiency. The power you need, the space you have and the location will all decide what your choice would be for solar panels.

Smit Mathur
http://www.articlesbase.com/technology-articles/reduce-your-energy-dependency-and-cut-cost-with-solar-panels-682749.html