Thread: Regular home powered exclusively by Solar power

Pretty cool. I hope solar technology keeps improving.
Roof cells can make sense in many states.

Originally Posted by Purpdust

I wonder what the Energy difference is between, a corn field that converts the crop to Ethanol to a Field Covered in these Solar Panels and Hydrogen Generators but still allows vegetation as well?

This site claims that for every 100 BTUs of energy used to produce, the enthanol provides 135 BTUs.

GoE - Facts - Mythbusters

This site says 1.64 units of energy yield for each unit required to produce.

US Ethanol Info

Free Solar Power for Staples (TreeHugger)

Looks like technology is improving with this stuff:

More Efficient Solar Panels – Evergreen Solar Energy - thedailygreen.com

OK so I found a 1KW grid tie system for $6400. Now a normal house uses more like 3-4KW if my memory is correct. So for $20K I can get all my power. Or in a 10 year period I can pay roughly $213 a month in power bills. Now this is high by todays standard but may not be in 10 years. Ooops but I have to pay up front AND output declines with age for my panels.

In short while I am fascinated by solar power it is no where near being cost effective. Also the systems are all expert systems, in other words there is no plug and play system that is practical. So add installation costs that will be substantial for most people.

Keep an eye on it but don't hold your breath unless you want to go smurfy.

No, it's still not cost effective for the average home user. It's certainly getting better though. Another ~5 years and it'll probably be close enough.

Originally Posted by ND4SPD

No, it's still not cost effective for the average home user. It's certainly getting better though. Another ~5 years and it'll probably be close enough.

If plug-in hybrids catch on in a big way and drive residential electricity prices up, then these systems will get closer to the price point...

Until then, US residential energy is too cheap to make this anything but a long term investment/gamble...

One-off solar power generation for satellites can reach into the 20kw and up range and are operating in far worse than anything they'd see on Earth for 10-15 years. It's just a matter of time before they put out smaller, cost effective, durable units.

But Sheep already knows that.

Originally Posted by seamus

One-off solar power generation for satellites can reach into the 20kw and up range and are operating in far worse than anything they'd see on Earth for 10-15 years. It's just a matter of time before they put out smaller, cost effective, durable units.

But Sheep already knows that.

Check the price tag on those systems I agree it is a matter of time however that might be 5 years or.....25. The biggest issues are price (improving at a decent rate), durability (actually decent now), installation (real bad now and not improving much), and maintainence (so so). They are still very much an expert system and until this changes widespread adoption will not happen.

Seems I read a new article every other day that statessome company or other has increased the output of Solar cells by ten fold. I always wonder what cells they are comparing them too. As soon as solar cells are not made of silicon wafers things should get real cheap and we should be able to just install solar shingles and siding.

Then you'll get taxed for your solar footprint.

Originally Posted by SheepOfBlue

Check the price tag on those systems I agree it is a matter of time however that might be 5 years or.....25. The biggest issues are price (improving at a decent rate), durability (actually decent now), installation (real bad now and not improving much), and maintainence (so so). They are still very much an expert system and until this changes widespread adoption will not happen.

Right. Like I said, it's a matter of time. Plus, since people don't need an array producing 20kw built to withstand the issues of exoatmospheric space, I'd go so far as to say we're only 5-10 years away from more widespread use. Not mass use but more widespread. Like DINK level, not minimum wage with kids level.

As for the expert system, do you really think a whole house electrical system should be in the hands of just anyone for installation? Plug and play, as you called it, is probably asking for trouble.

Many of these next-gen systems will be owned and maintained by your local utility...it's being piloted right now in some areas.

Still, the largest hurdle is not the tech itself, it's the super low cost of electricity here....

Originally Posted by Baketech

Still, the largest hurdle is not the tech itself, it's the super low cost of electricity here....

You will soon see a change in that. So get ready.

True enough...that's what I was hinting at in #10....not just rate changes, but time-based pricing etc.

Originally Posted by Baketech

Still, the largest hurdle is not the tech itself, it's the super low cost of electricity here....

Careful what you wish for.

Originally Posted by ND4SPD

Careful what you wish for.

I'm not wishing for it...just know it's coming...

There's also the rebates and tax incentives that weren't added in that will increase the ROI slope to intersect quicker.

It was a first order SWAG to show that it is not yet close. As to subsidies if they are needed it even more proves my point.

The "subsidies" in this case are actually incentives to reduce oil based energy consumption. Plus, the people getting in on the ground floor are helping to "refine the breed" while reducing their expenses overall.

If I were going to be in one place for more than a few years at a time, I'd be getting some of this setup here. It's basically just taking a portion of my electric bill over a group of years and paying it up front. Short of reaching the ROI date or some catastrophic failure, I wouldn't be losing anything.

Originally Posted by seamus

One-off solar power generation for satellites can reach into the 20kw and up range and are operating in far worse than anything they'd see on Earth for 10-15 years. It's just a matter of time before they put out smaller, cost effective, durable units.

But Sheep already knows that.

The solar technology used in satellites is mostly not applicable.

Anything silicon based will not make financial sense unless the stupid government incentivizes (or continues to) that inefficient non-solution.

Originally Posted by ccwilli3

are you taking into account that you are only going to get ~4.2-5.6 hours of sun on those panels? 1kW is not worth the trouble, look at 10kW and up and even then good luck having the space to get that many panels placed at ~30 degrees in seperate strings across your property.

People looking to justify solar power costs these days are chasing their tail. It's going to take another R&D breakthrough before it'll make sense for mere mortals... People buying and using these in this day and time are doing so because they WANT to...

But it is so chic and if you are under the green madness it makes you feel good.....

Personally I find the tech of it interesting and have been watching it for years. Get the panel cost down, the plugin pain down and the mount them on roofing (shingles etc.) then it will be practical.

sheep, you ever think that people like Hammer's neighbor would consider installing a system like this on their own if it were 'plug-n-play'? You're crazy for wanting them to simplify it. I sure as heck wouldn't want my redneck neighbor attempting an install like this and catching the whole neighborhood on fire. In fact I think it's a great way to create new jobs.

I'm sure your insurance company would also much rather have a certified installer put this in for Mr. Homeowner in their subscribers' best interest.

Originally Posted by ND4SPD

sheep, you ever think that people like Hammer's neighbor would consider installing a system like this on their own if it were 'plug-n-play'? You're crazy for wanting them to simplify it. I sure as heck wouldn't want my redneck neighbor attempting an install like this and catching the whole neighborhood on fire. In fact I think it's a great way to create new jobs.

I'm sure your insurance company would also much rather have a certified installer put this in for Mr. Homeowner in their subscribers' best interest.

Plug and play is relative. Have you ever looked into what it takes to configure a system? It is a major design undertaking. There was an excellent 3 part article in Circuit Cellar on the editor putting in a system. This is an uber geek and it strained him some (lots of contractor work). I doubt your average electrician could design a system and that is a problem. Everyone sees a solar cell and figures you plug it in....WRONG. You must decide on an inverter both in capacity and type. If you don't select a grid tie system you need batteries (maintenance and space). If you do go intertie then you have issues on legality and metering that varies by location. You also have maintenance of the panels. Roof loading or poles. Then you can get into pointing systems for efficiency boosts. Oh and all plugs, wiring are custom. Standard voltage is
I could design a system but it is a major undertaking that involves quite a bit of effort and time. Oh and expense

Systems have improved a LOT but very few application are practical. One would be a remote site that is far removed from the grid.

I would love to be proven wrong in the next five years but will not be.