OK who knows what about SOLAR power?
- Thread starter yznhmr
- Start date
yznhmr
In Memoriam
and if you are gonna spend $2-3 k on a generator anyways.. this would be in place of that.. or maybe in additon to that..
is is cheeper to generate your own power via natural gas( with a generator) than it is to pay com ed?
I know large places like ABT electronics in skokie does this...
is is cheeper to generate your own power via natural gas( with a generator) than it is to pay com ed?
I know large places like ABT electronics in skokie does this...
yznhmr
In Memoriam
Make the investment off a loan against your home( if you plan on staying there...
Besides Com ED is advertising that are gonna raise the rates, i can only imagine.
5 years ago GAS was like $1.50 a gallon now its $3.30+
the electric bill can only go up.....way up.. and we will have no choice but to pay it..
Besides Com ED is advertising that are gonna raise the rates, i can only imagine.
5 years ago GAS was like $1.50 a gallon now its $3.30+
the electric bill can only go up.....way up.. and we will have no choice but to pay it..
jgleach
New member
Don't get me wrong, even though I work for the parent company of ComEd, I'm not giving you a biased opinion here. I've looked into solar a little bit myself. Your current electric rates would have to nearly double to make solar power economical over the life of the system....and that's not including the added interest costs if you had to borrow money to purchase it.
IMHO, if you're planning to stay in your current residence for 20+ years, it might be worth doing....if you've got the space for a grid that large....but even then, your savings will be minimal. If you sell your home before that, solar would probably be a nice selling point, but you would most likely not be able to recoup what you paid.
Check out this FAQ by an online seller of solar panels. The info and numbers are pretty accurate. Check your electric bill to see what you pay per kWh.....mine was $.09 after all taxes and charges were applied.
solar power FAQ
jgleach
New member
I just did a VERY QUICK calculation based on your estimated electric usage ($2400/yr) and the prices on the website that I previously linked. Here's what I came up with:
2000 kWh per month is your CONSERVATIVE monthly usage.
Using a combination of two "MR Solar" systems, you would be able to produce 1733 kWh of power per month on average. This system would require about 2000 sq. ft. of south facing, non shaded roof space. Cost for these two systems would be $120,000 combined. IL rebate of $10,000 brings your cost down to $110,000. 20 year mortgage @ 5% on 110,000 would be $725 per month.
Granted, this is most likely NOT the best pricing available, but it does give you an idea of where you're heading with this.
Jeff
2000 kWh per month is your CONSERVATIVE monthly usage.
Using a combination of two "MR Solar" systems, you would be able to produce 1733 kWh of power per month on average. This system would require about 2000 sq. ft. of south facing, non shaded roof space. Cost for these two systems would be $120,000 combined. IL rebate of $10,000 brings your cost down to $110,000. 20 year mortgage @ 5% on 110,000 would be $725 per month.
Granted, this is most likely NOT the best pricing available, but it does give you an idea of where you're heading with this.
Jeff
PSam
Active member
Passive Solar Design:
www.consumerenergycenter.org/home/construction/solardesign
An overview of passive solar design strategies from the California Energy Commission.
Sustainable by Design:
www.susdesign.com/tools.php
Advanced tools for calculating sun position, the impact of window overhangs and more.
www.consumerenergycenter.org/home/construction/solardesign
An overview of passive solar design strategies from the California Energy Commission.
Sustainable by Design:
www.susdesign.com/tools.php
Advanced tools for calculating sun position, the impact of window overhangs and more.
ostrow
It's Dr. Goodluck Himself
Bought my house in Oak Park in 1999. Solar panels on the roof. A** previous owner says it works great, providing second hot water heater and reduced furnace use (tied into furnace).
Thing never worked, and obviously hadn't in years. How do I know?
Owner before that kept all documents on everything. That solar unit was installed in March 1980. There is a repair invoice dated July 1980. That invoice detailed over $1800 in repairs, to a system that cost $5500 new less than four months earlier. There are no papers dated later than July 1980. I believe the thing worked for a matter of a few weeks, if that.
$5500 in 1980 dollars is probably, what, $25000 in 2006 dollars?
In 2004 I had a solar energy guy come to the house to remove the panels from the roof, as small water leaks had begun. Only the solar energy guys could do the work I needed done on removal. He had to come from like 150 miles away as there were no residential installers in the metro area. I asked him about it, and he said you aren't going to find anything that would be near cost-effective for running a home in the Chicago metro area, and it would be a lifelong headache to keep it working.
Unless something has changed in the exactly 24 months since he and I had those conversations, well, 'nuf said.
Thing never worked, and obviously hadn't in years. How do I know?
Owner before that kept all documents on everything. That solar unit was installed in March 1980. There is a repair invoice dated July 1980. That invoice detailed over $1800 in repairs, to a system that cost $5500 new less than four months earlier. There are no papers dated later than July 1980. I believe the thing worked for a matter of a few weeks, if that.
$5500 in 1980 dollars is probably, what, $25000 in 2006 dollars?
In 2004 I had a solar energy guy come to the house to remove the panels from the roof, as small water leaks had begun. Only the solar energy guys could do the work I needed done on removal. He had to come from like 150 miles away as there were no residential installers in the metro area. I asked him about it, and he said you aren't going to find anything that would be near cost-effective for running a home in the Chicago metro area, and it would be a lifelong headache to keep it working.
Unless something has changed in the exactly 24 months since he and I had those conversations, well, 'nuf said.
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