OT: Solar panels for electricity

Nuuze

Nuuze

New member
Just like it says. Anyone own any of these? I was reading up on some of these. Some that have them told me the pay like $50 a year for electricity and the money they save goes into paying for the system. Long term they say its a very good investment. Also they say if the government passes the bill which they will most likely, you can get up to 60% assistance and rebates for getting one. Part of the green earth movement I guess. What ever power you do not use goes back into the power grid. I can't imagine the limitless possibilities on how many tanks with halides I can have! :) J/K But imagine little or no electricity bill?!
 
Check out Real Goods.http://www.gaiam.com/realgoods/ They will send an installer out to recommend what size system would be good if you have a nice southfacing roof, and give you a quote. I think you can expect to pay about 15-20K on a system for a single family home.

Mark
 
After owning one for almost a year, I can tell you that it's not $50/month year round. My smud bill average $325/month without panel. During the winter months, my bill average around $250 due to the lack of sunlight. During the spring, summer and fall my bill is around $50/month. My system cost around 40+k and I end up paying around 22k after tax refund and smud assistance. It's a nice investment in the long run.
 
Lou - What size system did you install and what is your rough kW/day usage?

I'm also looking into a grid-tie system and looks like it will cost me about $30K for a 3.5kW (STC) system before rebate about $23K after. Still researching...

Nuuze - HomeDepot even Walmart is carrying BP panels based systems. Break-even is still projected to be be 8-10 years.
 
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Question: How are you guys financing these systems? I eventually want to put solar panels on my house as well. I am curious if there are any new solar technology that is worth waiting for.

I thought that I heard that PG&E does not pay for excess energy. So if you produce more energy than you use - they will not give you credit. I could be wrong though. But given that PG&E is willing to screw it's customer over - I wouldn't be surprise. (Can't you feel my love for PG&E?)

Minh
 
Minh - With net-metering PG&E will give you credit for excess energy at the cost you used it BUT those credits do NOT rollover to the next years. You will loose what you don't use. So, it doesn't pay to have excess production.

One reason why systems are typically sized to 80% of your average usage. The other reason is that solar electricity is typically more expensive then 'tier 1' costs.

Scott
 
We have a2KWH system on our roof for about a year and a half now. We have a lot of shade on our roof so couldn't get a bigger system. We love it. We paid about 500 last year to PG&E and I have a 180 gallon with 500W metal hallides and 320W of T5 on one tank and 240 T5 on the other. The system cost me about 12,000 after rebates. I think it is a great investment - although it will take a long time to pay off. I live in Davis - if you want to come by and see it you are welcome to - I live in Davis. I have a good installer and can get you his info as well if you are interested.

Michael
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10126942#post10126942 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mkent
We have a2KWH system on our roof for about a year and a half now. We have a lot of shade on our roof so couldn't get a bigger system. We love it. We paid about 500 last year to PG&E and I have a 180 gallon with 500W metal hallides and 320W of T5 on one tank and 240 T5 on the other. The system cost me about 12,000 after rebates. I think it is a great investment - although it will take a long time to pay off. I live in Davis - if you want to come by and see it you are welcome to - I live in Davis. I have a good installer and can get you his info as well if you are interested.

Michael
Click to expand...

That would be great michael. Can you PM me the info, I want to get more info on the services. I also contacted http://www.gaiam.com/realgoods/
 
Mike,

I would love to see your system (both solar and aquarium) as well. Would you mind if I bring my wife?

Minh

PS - I live in Davis, so it would be easy for me to stop by.
 
My wife an I have been talking on getting this.. ever since talking to Scott.. Were just waiting on Scott to complete hi house first and does all the research.. :)

I agree Nuuze.. i cant imagine the amount of tank I will have after this... LOL
 
Questions about solar panel:

1) How often do you have to replace the battery? How much does it cost to replace the battery?

2) Do you have to replace the solar panels? What is the life expectancy of the solar panels? What's the typical cost of replacing the solar panels?

Minh
 
Sorry - Haven't checked the thread for a few days. Sure anyone who wants to take a look at our system is welcome to. My home phone is 530-756-5696. I should be around tomorrow until around 2 or 3 but not Sunday. I'll also be at the MARS meeting tonight if you want to set something up. The panels and inverter are guaranteed for 30 years i believe - but need to check this.
Michael
 
Minh,

1) How often do you have to replace the battery? How much does it cost to replace the battery?

-> Most system are battery-less and tie the solar panels directly to PGE via a grid-tie inverter (240VAC frequency sinked). And, as you might guess if PGE has a blackout then so you do even if the panels are functioning. You'd need a batter-based system to have coverage during blackouts, but they are very, very expensive to buy and have to be maintained and replaced.

2) Do you have to replace the solar panels? What is the life expectancy of the solar panels? What's the typical cost of replacing the solar panels?

--> Solar panel manufacturers state they are good for 25 years up to 80% of their max output. However, in the industrial application I hear they are replaced very 8 years and yes, they are expensive. Figure $1000 for a 200W panel not including labor to replace them.

PS Inverters have about a 10 year warrentee but I also hear they have a high failure rate as they get old and you need to figure in the cost to replace the inverter. But, typically inverters cost a few thousand dollars (2-4K depending on size).

Scott
 
Scott,

Thanks for the information. I didn't realize they used battery - but it makes sense not to use battery if you are tied into the grid. I am less concerned about the PG&E blackout.

Are there any new (and better) solar technology that will be coming on the market anytime soon? I assume they are constantly getting better and better.

Minh
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10120721#post10120721 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by plankton
HomeDepot even Walmart is carrying BP panels based systems. Break-even is still projected to be be 8-10 years.
Click to expand...

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10149488#post10149488 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reedrodz
guys, my bro just told me that home depot is selling solar panels...i havnt checked it out yet though...
Click to expand...



I have been seeing the solar panel sales display at HD for the past 4 or 5 months now, I think... but I am not sure how they stack up against the Sharp (and other Japanese) panels.
 
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