Photovoltaic systems and you: Lovin' the sunshine.
- Thread starter Hurgoth
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simon.007
New member
Bump anyone?
Found another site
http://www.sunelec.com/Distributors_/Solar_Panels/solar_panels.html#Photowatt1
Anyone experienced with the brandname Photowatt and GE? Is it better then BP solar panels?
Simon
Found another site
http://www.sunelec.com/Distributors_/Solar_Panels/solar_panels.html#Photowatt1
Anyone experienced with the brandname Photowatt and GE? Is it better then BP solar panels?
Simon
Captain Quirk
New member
NO you do NOT need a license to install them. You DO need a permit and need to have it inspected along the way. Signoff on the permit makes sense for the rebates.
It's been a month or so, however IIRC a system for my house at around 5KWH was about twenty some odd grand post rebates. Payback (at todays rates, not estimating for inflation) was around 15 years. This was NOT the system with battery backup, so please keep that in mind (more trouble then they're worth IMO).
I'm still mulling it over, however I'm in favor of doing it because it's really the best way to go.
Where I live (the High Desert) everyone gets those stupid wind generators... Evidently, those people don't know how to use a calculator. I say that because if they did, they'd have run away screaming. I'm not sure if those things EVER pay themselves off; they need to be rebuit every 5-7 years, for one. That, and they're noisy and ugly as sin... Eh. AFAIC, solar is the most responsible option for alternate power. No maintenance (to speak of), reliable, silent... Only real drawbacks is the size and cost. But even the cost can be justified. The only reason I'm still considering it, honestly, is because I don't know if I'll be here in 15 years (at this house I mean, not whether or not I'll be *alive*!). If I knew that it'd be a slam dunk.
As for the suggestion of a solar tube, wow: I'd never thought of that for this application. My mechanics make that impractical, however that doesn't mean that I won't be thinking about it... Hmm...
As for whether or not there might be any discount for bulk, I'm not all too sure there would be. Where I work we have recently looked at solar to power the offices and portions of the mills. Even with us being able to put up hundreds of thousands of square feet of panels (no, I'm NOT exaggerating!), the numbers I was hearing per KWH didn't seem all that great. Not the kind of numbers I would expect for that volume, at least.
This is just my opinion; it's worth whatever you want, however keep in mind what you paid for it.
Normal disclaimers apply, YMMV and all that other good stuff.
Bruce
badbones
Premium Member
I have been doing some reading and maybe someone can chime in. I see they make 200wt panels and then I see they have an efficiency rating of 15-20%. Does this mean the panels can only produce a maximum of 30-40 watts? If that's the case It would cost a fortune to do my house at 64kWh a day without AC yet. Or is the 200 watt panel taken into consideration the efficiency rating an a 200 watt is what you actually get.
Can someone answer this please so that I can move on to see if its really advantages to do this
Thanks
Tony
Can someone answer this please so that I can move on to see if its really advantages to do this
Thanks
Tony
NicoleC
New member
I found these guys had an informative, non-technical web site:
http://www.realgoods.com/calsolar/index.html
Also a FAQ from GE here:
http://www.gepower.com/prod_serv/products/solar/en/faqs/resid_sys.htm
How many solar panels do I need to produce enough electricity to run my house?
The array size you need depends on your average electrical usage, climate, roof angle, shading problems and many other factors. To approximate the array size you need, multiply your average daily electrical demand in kilowatt-hours by 0.25. The result is the approximate size of solar array, in kilowatts, needed to meet your electrical demand.
http://www.realgoods.com/calsolar/index.html
Also a FAQ from GE here:
http://www.gepower.com/prod_serv/products/solar/en/faqs/resid_sys.htm
How many solar panels do I need to produce enough electricity to run my house?
The array size you need depends on your average electrical usage, climate, roof angle, shading problems and many other factors. To approximate the array size you need, multiply your average daily electrical demand in kilowatt-hours by 0.25. The result is the approximate size of solar array, in kilowatts, needed to meet your electrical demand.
Bebo77
Premium Nonpaying Member
have you guys seen this system... i was thinking of getting it for my house...
http://www.gridpoint.com/
http://www.gridpoint.com/
laverda
Well-known member
Anyone with a Kil-a-watt.
I am going to create an eletrical usage spread sheet with different components we use on our tanks. Please send me the details on the components you have checked with you Kill-a-watt. Brand names, model, capacity, amps, watts, KWH, hours a day run and any think else you think important. Please include you average electricity rate in KWH.
I am going to create an eletrical usage spread sheet with different components we use on our tanks. Please send me the details on the components you have checked with you Kill-a-watt. Brand names, model, capacity, amps, watts, KWH, hours a day run and any think else you think important. Please include you average electricity rate in KWH.
Yep, your first post said, "I dont work for this guy, nor do I get a referral from him. Dont bother mentioning that you heard this from me, it does me no good because I dont plan on buying my system from him."
That was okay. Once you said, "please refer me as your contact. My name is David Sell. If you purchase this and refer me, Reef Central gets a $100 donation from me." and " Yes, my referral fee would be $250" The thread became an advertisement for you.
Thread closed and advertising info removed.
Kevin
That was okay. Once you said, "please refer me as your contact. My name is David Sell. If you purchase this and refer me, Reef Central gets a $100 donation from me." and " Yes, my referral fee would be $250" The thread became an advertisement for you.
Thread closed and advertising info removed.
Kevin
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