"Home Solar Power" Topic

I'm starting to research Solar Power for my home.
Anyone have any experiences, Good/Bad/Otherwise.

I'm particulary interested in how realistic any of the "pay back" estimates are, as I've seen a range of 6-15 years on different sites.

I can't give you any exact numbers but a friend of mine looked into it when he bought a house a couple of years ago. He didn't do it in the end as it was going to take longer than 10 years and he didn't really expect to be living there longer than that.

You might want to check out Home Power magazine. The back issues on CD are a particularly good value.

homepower.com

TTFN
Preston

Check your state tax laws. I've heard that Mass, for example, gives some nice breaks that make it much more affordable. PA, being a proponent of the "clean coal" payola scam, does not.

I have a friend that does installs in the Maryland area and his company says even with the tax advantages you are looking at a 20 year pay back. The most cost effective quickest payback option is the $5K passive solar roof water heater.

The MAss breaks (me) havebeen stopped. Many states do offer them. The technology is now pretty well established and you have two choices- the traditional larege panels under glass- or a new kind which are semi flexcible and look just like slightly shiney shingles. (olderstyl;e provides more power in bright sunlight but little in dim- newer gives less power in bright light, but more in dim: it kinda equals out.

The big thing is you run it into your system and keep it attached tot he grid. No messy or expensive batteries. While you use your own power it is free. If you need more power you draw it in fromt he grid. If you happen to generate mroe power- say turn all off and go to work- the excess goes back to the grid and you get paid for it.

Pay pack depends upon where you live, how large a system and what kind. I once tried to get a aompany I worked with to install tilted panels on their large flat black roof which cost a zillion dollars to cool in the summer. Adding in the savings of keeping the direct sun off the roof- which transmitted heat right to the inside made a major different (i.e. you shade the building reducing cooling costs reducing power consumption.).

You can just have panels installed flat on yoru roof, tilted to abetter angle, pay for expensive sun tracking systems, but I think if you have a decent south facing roof just stick them flat on the room.

You really need to talk to installers in your state. They will know all about rebates etc. If you move before it pays itself back, you add the cost ofit to the home sales price.

Witrhout meaning to venture into CE- imagine if the USA had taken a few of those billion dollars for defense and paid to install solar panels on as many homes and buildings as possible… what kind of impact would thathave made to the oil import situation and the quality of our air…..

So LOOK INTO IT! I have heard of situatons where the payback time can be cut down to 2 years with the right environment, system and rebates. I'd put one in just for the coolness of it if I had the money… I don;t and I still keep an eye on prices….

"Witrhout meaning to venture into CE- imagine if the USA had taken a few of those billion dollars for defense and paid to install solar panels on as many homes and buildings as possible… what kind of impact would thathave made to the oil import situation and the quality of our air."

Sorry thats an ignorant statement I could counter with imagine if the US took all the money paid into welfare and installed solar panels. The need to be able to defend our interests as well as provide for our people are both important.

As a long term property manager I've dealt with solar panels several times in the northern US. Generally the payback time has been in the 15-20 years span, longer than initially projected and often exceeding the projected lifespan of the solar panel. Much of this will be based on 1) Your power rates and 2) your climate. In fact your local climate is so important the internet data can be meaningless.

Be carefull in calculating payback. Many firms include estimates of electricity rate increases that are rather pessimistic to say the least. They also frequently fail to include maintenace costs – so far I haven't seen a system that didn't require some sort of maintenance, often from an electrician whose bill can torpedo any savings for the year.

Here in a (relatively)dry climate dust can also be a significant problem. Near highways, train yards, and agricultural areas we have had to clean the panels frequently which requires time and ease of access which again translates into expenses.

Still, they can help. Generally in my experience the decision to install solar has been a moral/phylosophical one rather than an economic one.

Generally the payback time has been in the 15-20 years span, longer than initially projected and often exceeding the projected lifespan of the solar panel

That's exactly what my buddy indicated, lok for a 20 year payback and a life span of 18-24years.

He recommends for friends a $5k unit that passivley heats water, much smaller investment, quicker payback 10-12 years and still has an 18-24 life expectancy.

you need to do some shopping around, I helped installed a system for a friend that powered his home lights, fridge, freezer, and 2 computers, and alarm system and he payed only $10,000 for the whole thing,with 20 big batteries for over night power needs, he does not have AC or a TV so his power needs are a bit low.:)

Another item. Some older designs/materials see degradation from UV and weather and are projected to generate less power over time.

Solar augmented heat/hot water is the way to go – relatively cheap up-front, low maintenance, pays for itself eventually.

Photovoltaic has come a long way, but it really isn't there yet, paying-for-itself-wise. If you're looking at photovoltaic for philospphical reasons, or if you can get good kickbacks from the gov't., then go for it. If you're looking to save money, then it's iffy at best.
-Kle.

Anything to get away from these skyrocketing energy prices.

I'm only intersted in going green, if it saves me some greenbacks. One of the local companies claims a 6 year pay back, based upon peak $/KHW charges.

Total waste of time, in your State. A company tried to get me on board selling solar panels in Ohio. We were sitting around a table, while the Chief Cheese talked about the benefits of solar, bla, bla, bla. After the talk, I raised my hand during the question an answer segment. I asked, well since Ohio has mainly overcast days, and sunny days are few and far between except in the summer months, wouldn't solar energy not be a cost effective form of energy? You could have heard a pin drop, I was asked to leave, they didn't want men like me on board. I knew right there it was just another scam for greenies.

In Germany the government pays farmers to have large panels set up over crop areas becasue it adds so much power to the grid. Have you ever known the Germans to not think a project through and squander money? (OK, the invasion of russia, but everyone gets one mistake).

But really, the past few years have seen costs down and efficiancy up. Eliminate the battery stuff and tie into the grid – then take advantage of the rebates and tax deals from some states and you can have a far better pay back time. And the new plkyable stuff generates far better in non-direct sumlight than anything else used to do.

I just stick panels around me and my magnificent glow is enough to power my entire city! It does, however, make walking rather tough.

Knew I had the link- here are the state power incentives- and there is a federal tax credit in effect until 2008 I think.

dsireusa.org

First off, anytime someone mentions that you can "spin your meter backwards" slap them upside the head and remind them that the utility buys the surplus energy at about 2¢ a kilowatt while you're paying about 18-40¢

Secondly, unless you have a total meltdown of all fuel sources, you're still looking at 20-30 year pay-off. The panels aren't the expensive part, its the (for lack of a better term) converter that takes that energy and turns it into something your house can use.

California has some sizeable rebates in addition to the Federal tax breaks, but we're still looking at a multi-decade payback.

European rates are much higher and the governments are much more inclined to subsidize solar and wind power.

Lastly, regarding the comment about defense spending vs. solar powers, I have one word: "Spin-off". A large portion of why solar panels are as efficient as they are now – and even have the potential to power a home comes from the fact that the US government kept pushing for more efficient panels to power various recon satellites and other military uses in space and on the earth. Yes, your tax dollars have done some work.

Wyatt