Where do they come up with this stuff?
No, they don't use batteries much anymore. The system is hooked to my service at the main feed inside the breaker box. There is a disconnect outside so emergency personnel can cut the power from the solar array if they need to. When there is more power being produced than is being used it feeds out into the grid and a tally is kept of my production. When I am using more than is being produced I just buy a little less. And, of course, at night I'm buying it. The electric company gives me back 1 kWh for every 1 I have banked free of charge and I buy theirs at the regular price, which is about $.121 per kWh. At the end of the year if I have made more than I use they do give me something for it but I am not sure how much they give, I'm sure it's not too much.
I live up north where the doesn't shine a whole bunch. .... I would like to do something along that line.... I'm thinking wind would work better for me.
I don't think that you're a whole lot further north than I am. You can find your local installer and get information on the cost effectiveness of it. Get your numbers in writing and keep them in the event they mislead you.
I live on the shore line of Lake erie. ..dreerie erie. But that is a good idea and worth shot.
They are more and more common as time goes on. We have a manufacturer here who has a small field of panels on the section of their property that they weren't using too.
Here's the outfit that I used and their page on how it works.
Cool deal. Thanks.
I have 72 panels on the roof, the max that that side of the roof will hold. They are supposed to produce about 2000 kWh of electric per month. The complete cost of the system is about $46,000 dollars and there is some hardware inside the garage. There is a 30% tax credit so net to me is about $33,000. I borrowed the money with a home equity line of credit and the loan payment will be $180 per month or so. 2000 kWh costs $240 or so here so there should be a $60/month positive cash return on it. Of course it's raining now, it is winter with low sun angle and short days, so it is producing almost nothing right now. Sunny days are coming soon and I'm dying to see the difference. My house is pretty big and has electric heat. It is also new to me and I have been unable to ascertain a genuine electric usage history (long story) so I don't know how much I will really use. I do believe that I will still need to buy some electricity from the utility due to the electric heat. If there is any surplus I will receive a check of some sort at the end of their fiscal year.
You're welcome. Prices have come down substantially, not too long ago those panels were $1,000 each and their efficiency has improved as well. After doing the math I couldn't not do it having that roof there, facing the southwest, with no trees shading it.
too bad there wasn't any mention of you wiring up your driveway, to melt the snow/ice in winter time. or have your downspouts heated to prevent ice dams.
My array is as big as it is because I am 100% electric here and it's a pretty big house. A competent installer will ask you for your electric usage summary and tell you what you need. Yesterday was the first clear day since the installation and it generated something like $5.50 worth of electricity. I am trying to find how that compares with what it would do in the summer with longer days and more direct sunlight. So far no data available. The longer you wait, the cheaper and more efficient the panels will be and that is ongoing. i e between the time I contacted the installer and the time they installed the set up there were cheaper panels available, which are more efficient and have the same warrantee. These were made in Italy and I am OK with Italian merchandise, not too keen on Chinese and there is a lot of their stuff on the market.
They have some neat cars too...oh yea, then they make Fiat's too!
