Home solar, anyone have experience with this?

[Poll_Blind]

This would be mounted on the roof of a home or in a normal-ish sized back yard. Anyone have experiences, suggestions, recommendations?

Thanks!

P.S. I live in the NorthWest US.

PB

[slackmaster]

1. I just negotiated a rooftop photovoltaic installation.

Have you figured out what size of a system to get, whether you want backup batteries vs. grid-tied, etc.?

How many years do you anticipate running the system to reach break-even?

[Poll_Blind]

4. I just started thinking about it and, ideally, I'd like something with a lifespan of...

..at least 15 years.

PB

[slackmaster]

9. A good contractor will steer you to a system of appropriate size and design for your needs

You have to consider issues like whether or not you can sell power back to your power company, and if so to what extent. Here in San Diego we have "net metering", but you can't sell back more power than you consume (i.e. your electric bill can't go negative). That means that too large of a system is a waste of money.

I am getting a 1.4 KW system, tied to the grid. I expect that to bring my bill down to the minimum ($5 monthly fixed fee) for most months. With expectations of A) increases in rates over the coming years and B) me using more power, I am looking at 10 years (worst case) for what I've spent on the solar system to equal what I would have spent on power without buying the solar system. If rates increase faster than I assumed, break-even will be shorter than 10 years.

ETA I did opt for a larger inverter than I need now. The one I'm getting will handle up to 2.5 KW, so my system will have room for 1.1 KW of expansion by simply adding panels. If I eventually buy an electric-only car, I may need to expand the system more. But I presently have no plan to do that.

Only in the extremely unlikely scenario that San Diego Gas & Electric suddenly comes up with a vast new source of inexpensive power would my solar investment turn out to have been a poor investment. I know they are facing about a $750 million payout from a class-action lawsuit, and they're planning to spend about $3 billion on a new power link to the desert. I can't imagine power bills decreasing.

[ixion]

2. I'm using a solar array for power as I type this..

what do you need to know?

Do you have any experience using solar panels? It's really pretty basic. There are some good books on Amazon you should check out.

Do you have the system in hand? Or are you still planning it?

I'll help as I'm able.

[Poll_Blind]

5. Still just in the roughest planning stages. Looking at various panels and efficiencies.

I live in the Northwest (in Oregon) and while it's pretty dark in the winter (well, maybe not as bad as some places) during the summer it is incredibly bright.

PB

[slackmaster]

10. Do you have and use air conditioning?

That's a major factor to consider. If you do, you'd use it when solar produces the most power.

[ixion]

13. I would consider buidling a hybrid system.

I'm in FL, and that's my goal, ultimately. I've got about 220 watts solar and 400 watts wind, although my turbine tower is still under construction. Turbines are way more difficult to install, but produce a great deal of power when they produce. The nice thing about wind is that you can produce it at night.

Here are some key considerations:

1) Mounts: Make sure your mounts will last as long as your panels (avg 25 years). That is, they should be very strong.
2) Hybrid wind/solar mix. (Highly recommended).
3) Voltage: 12V systems are easiest to come by, and cheapest, but you don't get the pressure that you would from a 24 volt system. I'm married to my 12V for the moment, but if I could change anything, I would make my system a 24 volt system.
4) Watts: When you go to producing your own power, you become conscious of every watt you're using. Look into low watt bulbs and LED lighting.
5) Grid tie, or no? Do you want to tie into the grid? Or build your own system.
6) How many amp hours of battery backup do you want? I have about 500 right now, but my initial goal is 3K.

Just a few things off the top of my head. :toast:

[sellitman]

3. I DM'd you.

Gotcha covered!

[Poll_Blind]

6. Much thanks for the info, again! n/t

PB

[oldhippie]

7. A good place to start ......

.... is homepower.com. A very good website that will answer a lot of your questions with a little searching of the articles. I have subscribed to the magazine since it's beginning and it is an invaluable source of knowledge.

One importnt consideration. Does a large portion of your roof face South? If not, it may not be economically feasible, but you have to work the numbers.

[Poll_Blind]

8. Thanks for the link! I'm kicking around what it would take to go solar with LED interior lighting.

That sort of thing.

PB

[txlibdem]

15. Here's a sample of the content of homepower.com

http://homepower.com/view/?file=HP134_pg50_Sanchez

I've been meaning to subscribe for the longest time but out HOA is dominated by oil lobbyists (it seems) as solar is forbidden in this subdivision, cannot install a solar water heater, cannot install solar panels, cannot install wind turbines, cannot install "any device which collects or harnesses the energy of the sun," there is one option: solar shingles (they are required to exactly match the current roofing material of the home --I haven't found any that both match and that aren't outrageously priced).

So I figure it wouldn't do me any good since I would be unable to do anything that is talked about in there.

Things I would do if there weren't a HOA here:
1. solar water heater
2. more windows on the south side of the building - with overhangs to block excessive sun in summer but allows ample light in winter
3. insulation - plan the amount of insulation you want... then double it.
4. seal the building envelope so as not to let heat out (or cold in)
5. make sure that every room gets plenty of daylight so I don't have to turn on a light at all during the day
5.a. This may entail using solar tubes
6. no windows on the east or west walls and only a few on the north side of the building (and those would be at least double pane argon filled, triple pane if I can afford it).
7. south side windows would be high SGHC windows exclusively, but don't forget the overhangs and eaves to block summer sun from coming in.
8. LED light bulbs and energy efficient appliances.
9. I'd also install in floor heating if I was in a northern clime.

That's where I would start before even thinking about getting solar panels. Reduce the energy you use as much as possible... then figure out how much solar you need. Those 8 things are the low hanging fruit and solar is far too expensive to waste it by not doing those things first.

[msongs]

11. have solar, just got out 1st bill with a fee above the basic...have to call city tomorrow n ask why.

for the past year we have had only the minimum charge, n last bill was $36 over minimum. we have not changed our useage at all and last month was extremely sunny here in so cal. the only change is our city, riverside, now has a net metering agreement. have to see what kind of monkey business they are up to with the bill, if any. expect our system to be paid off in 5 years.

[stuffy]

12. Re: home solar

I installed solar 5 years ago and have found the following:
1.Storage batteries are very expensive and amazingly fragile. Make sure you have a cool storage spot with easy access so you can check the very important water level.
2. Check out your local utility to see if you can sell back excess energy. If you can it will greatly advance your pay back. If you can't suggest that a buy back plan be instituted.
3. I use my solar for emergency conditions. Until advances in battery technology bring down their cost and add to their life expendency I find selling energy back to the electric company is the most cost effective use of the system.
4. Make SURE that your solar installer knows what he/she is doing and has a good track record. He/she will be your best source of info.
5. The more of us who install alternative energy sources the quicker the oil and gas guys will take notice.

I must add that I live in Oklahoma where there is heavy duty sun..except when we are having blizzards.

[madokie]

17. Welcome to DU

[ProgressiveProfessor]

14. I have grid tie and its great

Find a decent contractor, which may take a while. They should be able to give you good advice. What you can do ahead of time it total up your energy bills for the last few years in terms of usage, not just $$$.

[quakerboy]

16. What area of the NW?

I am here in Portland. Ive been looking into this myself. Ive got a couple quotes from contractors. I am struggling because I want my payback time to hit 5 years or less, and I can't seem to break 6 by the calculators. Plus I have no idea how to figure out if the contractors involved are any good.

Plus I have been wondering about some of the new thin film panels they are supposed to be producing soon, as compared to the current ones that Solarworld makes over on the west side of town.

I like the idea of local, but again, its the internet, and I am not sure what a good source is to figure out whether their panels have a good rep.