patrick66
Well-Known Member
...and normal electrical service...I'd been looking into the solar cell integration into the grid for a couple of months, and have decided to proceed with it. Have any of you done this at all?
You all that have solar panels...
- Thread starter patrick66
- Start date
I have not. I'm waiting for better/cheaper means of energy storage. Maximum PV output occurs at a different time of day than maximum energy usage (late afternoon/evening). Also, photovoltaic output drops drastically with just a passing cloud...lots of those 'round here.
Georgia Power in my area of the sticks is unreliable even during calm weather.
Energy storage would help with all of the above.
Of course, in my case, why not just buy a military surplus diesel/generator set?
Georgia Power in my area of the sticks is unreliable even during calm weather.
Energy storage would help with all of the above.
Of course, in my case, why not just buy a military surplus diesel/generator set?
Potts
Well-Known Member
Nope,
I refuse to acknowledge residential solar panels, for a few reasons.
Dangerous to firefighters, and anyone who gets near them.
They are constantly producing power, even when the moon is lit.
Shut offs don't stop electrical production at the roof panels. How would you repair a roof beneath the installed panels?
Also, it aligns with the "green new deal" of the looney left.
They want to see our gasoline prices skyrocket, it supports their agenda.
Id rather Burn whale oil!! Lol
I refuse to acknowledge residential solar panels, for a few reasons.
Dangerous to firefighters, and anyone who gets near them.
They are constantly producing power, even when the moon is lit.
Shut offs don't stop electrical production at the roof panels. How would you repair a roof beneath the installed panels?
Also, it aligns with the "green new deal" of the looney left.
They want to see our gasoline prices skyrocket, it supports their agenda.
Id rather Burn whale oil!! Lol
patrick66
Well-Known Member
Let me clarify - I am NOT installing storage batteries. That tech has a ways to go, and it is getting cheaper and more reliable, but batteries are a waste of money right now, and do pose a danger to life and property. All three companies that I got estimates from, also said that batteries were not a good idea
Plus, the panels will be atop the shop and not the house, so that will help greatly. I have absolutely ZERO shade to worry about, thankfully.
I had a small solar panel that powered my electric gate. That was wonderful...until some asshole decided to steal the entire gate opener ram, bracket, and the solar cell! It's back to manually opening and closing the gate, these days.
Plus, the panels will be atop the shop and not the house, so that will help greatly. I have absolutely ZERO shade to worry about, thankfully.
I had a small solar panel that powered my electric gate. That was wonderful...until some asshole decided to steal the entire gate opener ram, bracket, and the solar cell! It's back to manually opening and closing the gate, these days.
YY1
Well-Known Member
Store the energy in the form of hot water.
The most cost effective use.
Separate your water heating from the grid.
It's the second most costly appliance in your house (after the AC).
It's relatively easy to separate and can be put back easily if necessary.
Get a feel for solar without completely committing, while at the same time saving a good chunk from your bill.
That's my plan anyway. If I ever get off my duff to do anything about it.
The most cost effective use.
Separate your water heating from the grid.
It's the second most costly appliance in your house (after the AC).
It's relatively easy to separate and can be put back easily if necessary.
Get a feel for solar without completely committing, while at the same time saving a good chunk from your bill.
That's my plan anyway. If I ever get off my duff to do anything about it.
While my system is totally off grid at my hunting camp so one can not compare with grid tie. However I wish I would of done this a long time ago. Right now my generator has not run since 9-4. I have 6 310 watt panels and a 4,000 watt 120volt inverter. I do have 4 AGM solar design 6 volt batteries in series for 24 volts. I need to remove more trees. If I was younger I would do a properly designed residential system for the home and shop. Here are some pics.
Generators.
RGAZ
Well-Known Member
First thing to do is to go to your current electricity provider website and download their "Net metering agreement" or contract. This document will tell you what they will allow you to do and if they will pay you for power (and how much). Most providers will limit area solar to less then 5% of their generation so you may not be able to install a "grid-tie" system at all. Next, take a close look at your power panel in your home. You will need at least 4 open breaker positions to tie in any considerable amount of power. If you are considering a roof install, how old is your roof? You may want to install a new or solar capable roof material if its not really new. The solar panels will generate additional heat and could be a problem for an old roof. Lastly, do not expect a huge payback on the system. At current install costs and current electricity rates, the payback period for most residential solar is over 15 years. How long are you going to live there?
Some things to think about.
For the peanut gallery: Solar and Wind is really for the utility-scale providers, it is not cost-effective for the average consumer. This will not change as the Utility still wants to control their stream of revenue, even if they don't burn fossil fuels to get it. Welcome to America.
RGAZ
YY1
Well-Known Member
Back in the mid 2000's I had read/heard from several sources that the payback period for solar water heat was 7 years and that equipment routinely lasted 10-15 years.
I can only guess that those numbers are much better now, on both ends.
I can only guess that those numbers are much better now, on both ends.
patrick66
Well-Known Member
The guarantee on the panels and the system itself is 25 years, to include all of the hardware and electronics. I've already looked at the NMA. The local power companies fought solar for a long, long time; and only recently have they embraced solar. Yes, it benefits the consumer and the electric companies. Yes, I have two generators that I will keep as back-up power. Since it's tied to the grid, if the power goes out, the power goes out. If I had battery back-up, that wouldn't happen. A generator is a better back-up source, anyway. I ran off a generator for over 40 days, back when we were living in a travel trailer after our house got smoked by a tornado in 2003, so that is not a unique thing for me. And yes, I intend to stay on the property for a while - I've been here 26 years, as it is.
I've spent two weeks researching companies and such. I believe I've picked the best option for me.
I've spent two weeks researching companies and such. I believe I've picked the best option for me.
VFilms
Well-Known Member
Not doing it here in Upstate New York. You need sunlight to make electricity and that's one thing we don't get much of. We get an average of 182 days a year. And 134 days per year of precipitation, rain, snow, sleet, or hail that falls to the ground.
I'd have to spend $10k to 15k to cut trees. My house is surrounded by 75' to 90' trees. Sun on roof starts close to 11am ends 3:30pm. At age 72 the buzzards are circling, tell me I've 15 more years. No way. Just a fact.
Patrick you don't say your age, that's a factor.
Patrick you don't say your age, that's a factor.
patrick66
Well-Known Member
You need softball-sized hail or larger to damage these. I've endured baseball-sized hail in the past, necessitating the replacement of both the shop and house roofs. And yeah, we get hail. Tornadoes. Monsoons. Our annual two-week long Icy Apocalypse. Nice thing is that I'm not solar-dependent, like true off-gridders are. Plus, my shop has absolutely ZERO trees around it. Not one, so my unimpeded Sun exposure is all-day, every day. Might as well take advantage of that.
Would I do this in Seattle, Bangor, or Duluth? Probably not. Where I am in OK? Absolutely.
Potts
Well-Known Member
I had a small solar panel that powered my electric gate. That was wonderful...until some asshole decided to steal the entire gate opener ram, bracket, and the solar cell! It's back to manually opening and closing the gate, these days.[/QUOTE]
Sounds like you need a Solar Powered security camera too.
Or, at least a $3 sign.
Sounds like you need a Solar Powered security camera too.
Or, at least a $3 sign.
patrick66
Well-Known Member
I have one, actually. Works brilliantly.
I also have three signs at the end of the driveway. Two say "No trespassing, Private Property", and the third says "Stay the **** Out!" for those English-multi-syllabic-challenged folks.
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If your going to pay cash for a system, then you’ll be waiting for 5-7 years for your return. However, with the Federal 26% tax credit, that does help. On our last house we had had 26 panels. My first year “true up” was $250 (that’s the difference between what you produced and what was used. Plus I had a monthly payment of $175 plus a monthly bill from SCE for the privilege of helping their *** out of $15. In the Central. Valley if Commiefornia, it gets hot! So my second year true up was $400 and when the Feds shut the country down, my true up cost me $1000 as everyone was home and energy was being used considerably more.
If you can pay cash, get as many panels as you can and get the biggest Wattage, say 350 or 400 per panel. My system produced 1klwh or 1000 (per month if I’m doing this right). You want to produce a minimum of 1.5 times what ya use, or more. That way, your electrical provider pays you at the true up and you can put that towards paying yourself back.
If you can pay cash, get as many panels as you can and get the biggest Wattage, say 350 or 400 per panel. My system produced 1klwh or 1000 (per month if I’m doing this right). You want to produce a minimum of 1.5 times what ya use, or more. That way, your electrical provider pays you at the true up and you can put that towards paying yourself back.
RGAZ
Well-Known Member
@patrick66: I am glad you have done the research and its going to work for you. I am a supporter of solar but it has its limits. Be aware that the 25 year system life is true, but be aware that the power electronics will not last that long. 7-10 years best case. Also, solar panels lose their efficiency at a rate of 1% per year just due to aging. So that first year 100% efficiency will be 80% at year 20 after you have replaced the inverter twice.
Just make sure you are realistic on what you get.
Good luck,
RGAZ
Just make sure you are realistic on what you get.
Good luck,
RGAZ
patrick66
Well-Known Member
Mine do.
diesel_lv
Well-Known Member
I've got a pretty good size ground mounted system. Installed 2 yrs ago before the tax credit went down. It was at 30 or 33% when I did mine. I have 10 days a yr of clouds, so I get a lot of return. My company gave me 2 yrs interest only n re-amortize loan after 2 yrs if I applied the tax credit to the principal. I paid full payments for 2 yrs and applied all tax credits to the principal. I'm still paying combined more than I was for just power during the middle of summer, 125° days w a/c set at 78° 24/7. I did it to help and be a selling point later.
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