My Home Solar Panels

Frequently Asked Questions

1. QUESTION:
   Solar Energy For Home - Does My Solar Electric System Have To Include Batteries?
   I'm going for a solar electric system in my home to reduce energy bills and save money.

   • ANSWER:
     Batteries are required only if you want backup power in case of a utility outage. Solar energy for home use is basically meant to be 'on-grid' - i.e., connected with your utility supplier to reduce dependence on them, but not completely eliminate them.

     This means, you have 'both' your solar electric system and your utility-supplied power available at all times, working in tandem. Any excess energy that your system generates is sent back to the utility company, which results in you getting lower bills. The savings potential through this method can be both huge and lifelong.

2. QUESTION:
   how do i build a solar electric panel for my home?
   what parts and tool do i need to build and connect a solar electric panel to my home

   • ANSWER:
     Dear Matadora,
     Very good, good, good step to change your home electric supply to solar cell, because in long run, solar cell is cheaper. First you have to consider Power need for your house, eg. 1200W, then you go to sellers and choose one with lowest price but best quality. After that you should assemble/attach your solar panel in place that gets most Sunlight, most probably in your roof. Attach them tightly, avoid burglar. Original solar cell current is DC. Current from solar cell placed first in several car batteries, so you could use electricity in night either. After that if your home appliances use DC, you could directly connect your appliances to batteries. But if your appliances need AC, current should be converted first from DC to AC use DC to AC converter. Car battery used to have 12 Volt DC. So if you need 220VAC, after DC converted into AC, then passed through transformer to increase voltage.
     Thank you very much Matadora.

3. QUESTION:
   How should I go about converting my electric home to solar power? Or given the cost is it just not feasible?

   I have a 1750 square foot tudor cottage built in 1928 located in Fort Worth, Texas.

   • ANSWER:
     Do it because it makes you feel good, but not to save money: It takes 5 to 10 years to amortize and you must maintain it. Give it another 5 years to get more mature and affordable.I'll be happy to give you some ideas, but make sure you are really into the concept first.

4. QUESTION:
   Is there subsidy if solar power is installed at home for electric use?
   I’m planning to install solar power energy at my home to go green and to save money. So I would like to know the cost of the complete product, which will be the company any mainly will there be subsidy from India Government who install solar panels at home?
   If any information kindly contact me @ +91-9314504902/ 9529560059 or joem@in.com/joe.mathew@ymail.com

   • ANSWER:
     According to this article http://www.businessgreen.com/business-green/news/2249045/india-launch-55-per-cent not yet, but perhaps soon.

     See also the link in the article for India's "National Solar Mission."

     If your electricity is expensive, it may still be worth it to do a grid-tied solar install.

5. QUESTION:
   good day! I'm malaysian, can I 100% using the solar electric system for my home supply?

   • ANSWER:
     It depends on how much home electricity you currently use VS how much a Solar generation system will make. Being in Malaysia, your solar generation would be higher then mine in the USA or someone say in Canada or Russia. I have a lot of electric appliances (i.e. computer, refrigerator, stove, 3 fans, 2 TVs, several lamps, etc....). You might not have as many or you might have more. You need to figure it out.

     I know of people who generate enough electricity during the peak sun period to "sell" electricity to the local electric company, they then buy electricity during the off peak times. One person said that this system actually made him money, not much, but at least it was better then owing them.

6. QUESTION:
   How difficult is it to make solar panels to generate electric for my home?
   I've looked into making solar panels for my home and the information at http://make-solar-panels-earth-4-energy.weebly.com/ says it's easy and inexpensive? Is it really? Have you ever used Earth4Energy?

   • ANSWER:
     It is not to hard to make it. You will have to buy solar panels and connect them with your house... if you are good with tools you may be able to do it on your own so the only cost would be solar panels.

7. QUESTION:
   If a business/home runs solely on solar power, what happens to electric bills?
   If it ran on 100% solar power, would the business/home ever have to use business from an electric company? Could it eliminate power bills completely? Thanks.

   • ANSWER:
     There are several ways to use solar. My system is hooked to the grid, In the summer it generates more than 75% of my electricity when I'm generating more than I can use my meter runs backwards and I am selling back my excess, at night when I'm not generating my meter runs backwards. This months bill should be about .

     I could have purchased a larger system that would zero out my bill while still hooked to the grid, some utilities will actually pay you if you generate more than you use.

     Another option is to have a large system with a battery storage system. With this option you can choose to be connected to the grid or not. If you disconnect from the grid you should have no bill from the electric company however you also won't have any back up incase of system problems. If you stay on the grid but use no electricity you still may have a small charge for regulatory fees or things of that nature.

     Larry Hagman has such a large system he actually allows the utility to give his excess to a couple low income families.

8. QUESTION:
   can I make electric solar cells at home?
   for a boy scout demo. dose not have to be effecient, just work.

   • ANSWER:
     Yes you can. Search for "cuprous oxide solar cell". An example is linked below.

     You can also make a dye-based cell at home.

     Both of these technologies will put out less than 1 milliwatt - if you wire several of them together, you might be able to power an LCD watch or calculator, but that's about it. The output is easily detectable with a digital multimeter.

9. QUESTION:
   Where can I find a solar electric generator to use in a home in a building?

   • ANSWER:
     What does "home in a building" mean? Is this a condo?

     You will need access to the roof, and the condo association will have to give you permission to install the solar array.

     Just search the internet for "solar array" and you will find hundreds.

     Your first decision is: batteries, with the chargers and all that entails, OR sell power back to the power company.

     The latter is best as it eliminates all the batteries, chargers, etc. And you can get a smaller size array. You need to talk to the power company about their requirements to let you do this.

     Your second decision is, how big an array can I afford.

     If you go with the batteries, next decision is number and type of batteries, and where they are stored. You have to pick an inverter, and decide how to integrate it with your other electric power, possibly with a separate set of outlets (selling power to the electric company eliminates all this)

     etc etc.

10. QUESTION:
    Can solar power really save money on my home electric bill?

    • ANSWER:
      a very little

11. QUESTION:
    where i can buy solar electric system for my home in Pakistan?

    • ANSWER:
      I found some links for you - Dealers are stated on the last website suggested.

12. QUESTION:
    I am looking for a solar panel that I want to set up for my home electric, is it okay for self making?
    As all family members are not at home during day time, and just spend limited electrical appliance during night, so I want to use solar power. Any suggestion for me. thanks

    • ANSWER:
      Good you take the first step to environment save, suggest you to visit some solar panels provider for more information.

13. QUESTION:
    How does the cost of solar electric homes compare tot eh cost of the traditional energy?

    sorry bout the spelling up there lol its to the cost... not tot eh cost..

    • ANSWER:
      If you don't count transfer payments (money taken in taxes from some people and given to others) it costs about 5x what conventional energy costs. One large facilty in Nevada which has the advantage of the economies of scale cost 0M and saves M each year. Assuming you could borrow money for no interest, this is a 100 year payback! (With interest, it takes longer). Typically nobody choses any high up front cost proposal unless it pays itself back in under 12 years.

      So, why did they do it? The enegy company was mandated to do more with renewable energy. The costs were not carried by the company but by the utility payers. Nice!

      It would have been far better to give two universities M endowments to produce research and PhDs to further the technology until it is economical. Or, I'm sure you can think of other things that produce more for that amount of money.

      But if you can feel smug taking tax money so your neighbors pay for your "green" energy, then the payback is quicker.

14. QUESTION:
    i am searching for solar home power plant and its costing in india which is suitable to run all home equipment?
    searching for home solar power plant which is run all the home electric equipment. and its costing and mantanance

    • ANSWER:
      that is not a hit project i.e., it is not that useful and handy
      government is giving subsidiary
      try to collect details from government sites or search google
      long back i tried but found it was not handy

15. QUESTION:
    I live in Anderson South Carolina. I want to convert my home to total solar. Where can i get solar panels from?
    the price of electric was jacked up 27%. I was told this today when I called the electric company. Its 11.25 cents per kilowatt. Where can I find solar panels for my home? I think I want to convert to solar electric, and get completly off the grid. I keep my heater to 62 degreese, wear two sweaters to keep warm, and run the fireplace.

    • ANSWER:
      You realize that is going to be very expensive up front. You may save money in the long run, but it will take many years. But I don't want to discourage you from helping the planet. Here is a website that can give you contact information for solar panel manufacturers:

      http://www.findsolar.com/

16. QUESTION:
    in solar energy can we use all kind of home electric products?

    • ANSWER:
      Yes, here is a link to some stories about people powering all different kinds of things with Solar Power and other forms of renewable energy. One guy even powers an alarm system!

      http://stories.altestore.com/

17. QUESTION:
    recently habitat for humanity built 10 homes using solar electric technology somewhere int he se. WHERE?????
    Anyone going to see the solar tours in late sept or oct

    • ANSWER:
      Have you tried going direct to their site from the WWW?

18. QUESTION:
    Is it good to install hybrid wind & solar energy system for ur electric need at home light system.Is the resul

    • ANSWER:
      Yes it is but only if your state will subsidize at least 30% of it and you live in a sunny state (that's for solar). Wind is more predictable but it costs a bit more due to the wear and tear on the parts.

      Rival

19. QUESTION:
    can i run my whole home on solar power with the use of batteries and inverters?
    my home has electric heat and electric hot water heater.can i plug into my main power line from my power pole after my meter and before my breaker box in my home with my batteries and my inverters any help would be great thanks

    • ANSWER:
      You can but it will cost you a nearly astronomocal amount of money to do so and you want to run your entire home from it.

      Just so you get an idea of the amount of money, view this:

      http://www.americanpv.com/pdf/res_on/prices.pdf

      ,000 without incentives and that is in Arizona, where they would be just about the peak of efficiency. This is not including the cost of batteries either and then lets not forget the ,000 or so it will cost you to replace those batteries in 5 or 10 years.

20. QUESTION:
    solar panels for your home?
    hey, i am wanting to help our earth a little bit, and I was wondering how to do a solar panel connection for powering my home.... i just want to reduce my energy bill a little bit,

    Would these solar panels work?
    and how would i connect them?

    http://store.altenergystore.com/Solar-Electric-Panels/Roofing-Solar-Panels/Unisolar-PVL-136T-136W-24V-Thinfilm-Rooflaminate/p4087/

    (i live in st. louis, MO)

    • ANSWER:
      General Information
      The installation of solar modules (panels) requires a great degree of skill and should (if DC voltage exceeds 100V:) only be performed by a qualified licensed professional.

      Cautions
      1. Avoid electrical hazards when installing, wiring, operating and maintaining the module.

      2. A photovoltaic module generates DC electricity when exposed to sunlight or other light sources.

      3. When installing or working with module wiring, cover module face completely with opaque material to halt production of electricity.

      4. It is recommended that the module remains packed in the box until time of installation.

      5. Do not touch terminals while module is exposed to light or during installation. Provide suitable guards to prevent contact with 30VDC or greater. As an added precaution, use properly insulated tools only.

      6. Do not drop module or allow objects to fall on the module.

      7. Do not stand or step on module.

      8. Since sparks may be produced, do not install module where flammable gases or vapors are present.

      9. Never leave a module unsupported or unsecured. If a module should fall, the glass can break. A module with broken glass cannot be repaired and must not be used.

      10. Work only under dry conditions, with dry module and tools.

      11.Module installation and operation should be performed by qualified personnel only. Children should not be allowed near the solar electric installation.

      12. If not otherwise specified, it is recommended that requirements of the latest local, national or regional electric codes be followed.

      13. Use module for its intended function only.

      14. Do not artificially concentrate sunlight on the module.

      15. The word "module" as used in this Guide refers to one or more photovoltaic modules (panels).

      Warning
      1. All instructions should be read and understood before attempting to install, wire, operate and maintain the photovoltaic module. Contact with electrically active parts of the module such as terminals can result in burns, sparks, and lethal shock whether the module is connected or disconnected.

      2. Photovoltaic modules produce electricity when sunlight or other sources illuminate the front face. The voltage from a single module is not considered a shock hazard. When modules are connected in series, voltages are additive. When modules are connected in parallel, current is additive. Consequently, a multi-module system can produce high voltages and current which constitute an increased hazard.

21. QUESTION:
    Is solar energy a good option for home use? If not, when will it be?
    Does it make any sense to install solar panels on a home? Can the average house be powered entirely by solar energy? How about wind energy? Are either of these options cost-effective enough to be able to stop relying on the big electric companies?

    I have read that solar panels are not yet efficient enough to be really realistic, but is that still the case? How much longer will it take for the technology to develop to the point that it makes sense to get solar panels and quit using the electric company?

    • ANSWER:
      Yes to install solar panels on your home is the best idea, especially if you are planning on saving money on your electrical bill. The average home can defiantly be 100% powered on solar energy alone, and in fact create surplus energy to sell back to electric companies for cash return rewards.

      Everyone will always have their own opinions on what they believe is effective; but fact remains that solar energy is the most effective energy source out there today, with that being said, this could only draw the conclusion that solar energy can be effective enough to power a home, they are powering car, planes, computers,etc... technology is already past needing the power companies as a electric source, it's up to us as homeowners to put them out of business, instead of them putting us in financial debt, with their useless power bills. If you need more in debt information about solar energy visit www.diysolarpanelguides.net/blog

22. QUESTION:
    how can i use solar energy as electric energy?
    I want to use solar energy at home.

    • ANSWER:
      Consider using solar lighting which can be cost effective introduction to solar power. Kits are available with solar panel, regulator, lights, battery, switches and cable. Other DC devices can be run from the battery.
      I have used solar panels to maintain charge in batteries for standby generators.
      Solar power can be connected to a grid feed inverter to save on power bills or earn money.
      Consider what free electricity from the sun for 30 years is worth.

23. QUESTION:
    How do you heat your home with solar panels?
    I use forced air to heat my home. I will need to replace my furnace in a couple of years, possibly less. I'm interested in solar energy for all kinds of reasons. It looks like a great solution for light and electric appliances, but how can it be used to heat a home? More to the point, if I were to put solar panels on my roof, would I still need to purchase a new gas-burning furnace, or is there something else I should factor into a solar electric system that could heat my house using forced air, in place of the furnace?

    • ANSWER:
      Different type of panels needed. It would require many more panels than have room for to heat with solar electric. To heat your home the collectors have some kind of fluid circulating to absorb heat. The fluid is stored in a large insulated tank so that you can have heat as you need it.
      I would suggest using the solar heat to supplement your conventional heat source. Never know if it will be cloudy for several days.

24. QUESTION:
    A solar heating system that utilizes an electric fan to move warm air throughout a home is called a(n) _____?
    system.
    active
    aggressive
    convective
    passive

    • ANSWER:

25. QUESTION:
    How much will solar panels cost to power our home?
    It would be nice to go green but it needs to make sense money wise. We have a 1,300 square foot home on the beach home with plenty of sun. Our electric bill is 100 bucks a month give or take. How much will solar panels cost and how many solar panels will we need to effectively power our home.

    • ANSWER:
      You could easily knock 40 percent or more from your power bill by using a manual on off switch on your electric hot water heater and check efficiency of any electric refrigerator and or freezers.

      Like you say, your place is on the water, wind power would be the best way to go because of onshore winds which would get you up and running for much less than solar and likely be good 24 / 7 rather than daylight only.

26. QUESTION:
    How many and which Solar Panels are for my home???Are they good of bad?
    My home is 10,200sq.ft. and I was wondering if solar panels really are energy efficient, can lower your energy bill or if you can sell some power back to electric company because of the solar panels.
    I have found some good and bad things about panels so I wanted to know if they are good or bad?

    • ANSWER:
      it depends on what you want. Heating water or electricity. It also depends on whether your home is ideally situated - not all of them are. Email me for more help if you like.

27. QUESTION:
    Question about home solar panel systems?
    Online stores selling solar photo-voltaic generation kits gives specs indicating the power generation capability of the system. For example, Solar World Grid-Tie Solar Electric System with 245W Panels & PV Powered PVP2000 Inverter, 1.2 to 2.4 kW. This seems to indicate that the system can generate 1.2 to 2.4 kW. Is that per day? Per month? I'm trying to calculate the return on investment, but can't because I don't know how much power a system such as this will generate in a month.

    • ANSWER:
      There are several items here.

      1) the panel produces 245 Watts of energy that can either be used directly to power items or charging batteries up to the output of the 245 Watt panel. Loads in excess of that amount would be fed via a battery up to the amount of charge on the battery or the capacity of the inverter.
      2)The size of the battery determines how much and how long you have power and the size of that battery determines how effectively you can charge it in a day.
      3)the inverter is the device that is converting that Direct Current from the panel and stored energy in the battery to Alternating current for unmodified AC appliances, entertainment, etc. The size of the inverter determines how much current you can draw from it at a maximum of 1.2 Kw continuous to 2.4Kw peak intermittent, such as starting an electric motor. The rating is in effect instantaneous ratings.

      To determine what size panels you need, you first need to know what your current usage is per day in Kilowatt Hours.

      To figure out how long it will take to pay for itself, take your current Kilowatt Hour charge on your electric bill, divide that number into the total cost of the system, multiply it by 4.1 and that gives you the hours you need that system producing energy in terms of Kilowatt hours, so however long the weather and daylight permit you to reach that amount of time should be considered your break even point of cost recovery.

      In short- that system might be enough to eliminate the need to plug in an RV to an AC source, or for a small cabin or home. with maybe 1 kilowatt hour to 2 kilowatt hours of usage each day assuming a lot of sunny days. Assuming heat is not electric and hot water is not electric. and that you are not powering a well for irrigation.

      If you are looking to go off grid, in one fell swoop, 245 Watts is not enough for an average family without some serious changes to usage patterns. 2000 Watts of panel "might" be adequate for some, but people still need to change usage patterns.

      If you are looking to have a system installed, you can get some idea of some components and vendors through http://www.builditsolar.com and http://www.homepower.com The latter's magazines tend to read more like a sales brochure than a magazine.

      If you plan on doing the work yourself- be sure to get it inspected for a multitude of reasons. You can get some additional pieces through http://www.northerntool.com From panels, to inverters, to controllers, etc. Just look in their alternative energy section.

      If you happen to have aboutt 30,000 dollars to drop on the installation and you plan to live their more than 10 years, talk to your power company and they can set you up completely.

28. QUESTION:
    How to set up solar power for your home?
    I saw an ad to the following items

    Chicago Electric Power systems
    45 Watt Solar Panel Kit
    400 Watt/800 Watt power inverter
    Power Inverters 2000W Cont./4000W Surge

    What else is needed to get electricity from the solar panels into a home?? How does this work?

    I get a lot of sun and would be great to lower my HUGE summer electric bill. Lots of Sun = Lots of Heat = A/C all of the time = $$$$.

    • ANSWER:
      Sounds like the system "Liz" described is kind of cobbled together; you want to install a "listed" solar photovoltaic system, and have it installed in a "Code compliant" manner.

      Depending on who or where you purchase your system, they will probably offer to install it for you. This is also a good idea, which will include a warranty on the product and the installation. You want the installation to be done correctly; remember, there is no way to turn off a solar collector. Unless covered with a special black-out blanket, the only way to "turn off" a collector panel is to turn it over; a difficult task on a sloping roof.

      You will want to know what additional dead load this will place on your roof structure and be sure that the roof system will support it. You will need to check with your local building department to see what Code requirements you will have to comply with. If your home has a truss roof, you will probably need to have a structural engineer verify that it will support the added weight, or design modifications to the roof framing that will allow the installation of the SP System. You may also have to contend with Zoning requirements. Although a variance is always possible, it can be a very expensive proposition.

      Good luck.

29. QUESTION:
    Wanting to add solar panels to my home?
    I have a home in Manchester Tn and we have been slowly remodeling the home. It is about 2100 sq ft of living space. Our normal electric bill is about 150 a month. We would like to add some solar panels to the home to help reduce the amount of the bill. How many panels do I need and what would be the cost? I am not trying to go completely of the grid but I would like to start somewhere and maybe over the years be able to add. What is your recommendation for a reasonable cost of under 2 to 3 k??

    • ANSWER:
      Unless there has been some major breakthrough in solar panel efficiency - Forget it.

      I had looked at some "utility interactive" systems where the electricity generated by the solar panels went through a special inverter and into the electrical system of the house, any power you didn't use went backwards through the meter and into the grid.

      I figured that even if it was sunny every day, it would take about 20 years to break even on the system. That is, if I had invested ,000 in a small system, to save ,000 off the electric bill would take 20 years. If I had ,000 to invest, this wouldnt be the place! It would take much more than 20 years of electrical savings to match even a modest investment. Then, don't forget what happens if 10 years from now the inverter or some of the panels fail and need replaced.

      Invest in fluorescent lights, maybe even LEDs. You will see a much quicker return on investment. Install more insulation, put in a heat-pump system.

      I appreciate you desire to save some energy, solar just isn't going to be worth doing, at least not yet.

30. QUESTION:
    Does the Electric company pay me for Solar energy?
    I am moving into a house with Solar Panels that feed unused electricity into the PG&E grid.

    1. Does the electric company have to pay me for giving them electricity if I use less than what my home generates?

    2. Do they send me a check in the mail or credit my PG&E account?

    • ANSWER:
      YES.... however only a couple of states require the account balanced each month, most give you a rolling energy credit that's balanced at the end of each year. with solar cells alone I doubt you'll come close to break even let alone a credit and since they credit you at wholesale and charge you retail you need to be over by a lot.
      I have a small solar thermal generation system using a Tesla turbine and a 30 kva generator as well as 3 VAWT (vertical axis wind turbines) each 2.5 kw and still have not received more than 0 monthly credit most of the time it's 10 bucks. at the end of the year I still don't get cash they issue me a stock option. Oh well more for retirement.

31. QUESTION:
    I am considering putting either a wind mill or solar panels. My home is 30 years old and I am wondering which?
    would be the better choice? I have to consider how much each costs and which would offer the better savings to my electric bill. I live in Texas, my home is about 1200 sq. ft. of air conditioned space and is all electric. Any help would be appreciated.

    • ANSWER:
      Solar panels would be effective in Texas. Unless you're on the Gulf, I wouldn't depend on wind as the sole source for a small-scale home project, but it can be an effective complement to solar energy. Here's a site that has a lot of information on both solar and wind power: http://www.otherpower.com/otherpower_wind.shtml

32. QUESTION:
    Tax Questions: what is "QUALIFIED SOLAR ELECTRIC PROPERTY" ?
    hi all, I want to know what it mean by "QUALIFIED SOLAR ELECTRIC PROPERTY"
    from Form 5695, it said "Qualified solar electric property costs. Qualified
    solar electric property costs are costs for property that
    uses solar energy to generate electricity for use in a
    home located in the United States and used as your
    home. This includes costs relating to a solar panel or
    other property installed as a roof or a portion of a roof.
    The home does not have to be your main home."

    what I am not sure is by "installed as a roof or a portion of a roof" If I buy a solar panel and installed in on top of my roof, would that be consider "installed a portion of a roof"
    also
    http://www.theorator.com/bills109/s3628.html
    "`(2) QUALIFIED SOLAR ELECTRIC PROPERTY- The term `qualified solar electric property' means solar electric property (as defined in section 179F(c)(2)(B)) installed on or in connection with a dwelling unit located in the US"
    what is "179F(c)(2)(B)",where can I find more on it?

    • ANSWER:
      If you look in the link you posted, and scroll down, IRC Title 26, Section 179F(c)(2)(B):
      ~~~(B) SOLAR ELECTRIC PROPERTY- The term `solar electric property' means property which uses solar energy to generate electricity.~~~

      Qualified solar electric property includes a solar panel installed on the roof, but it also includes other equipment not installed on the roof, also any wiring, piping, etc. associated with installation. It must be properly installed with all necessary permits, and according to local fire and building codes.

      Solar electric property is "qualified" if it is for use in a home located in the US that you own and live in at least part of the year.

      Form 5695 is filed to claim the Non Business Energy Credit. In 2006, you were allowed a credit of 30% of your solar electric property costs, up to 00 for qualified solar electric property, and up to 00 for costs related to solar electric water heating, and a credit towards a fuel cell if you have one.

      If the solar panel is permanently installed on your roof, it becomes a fixture, and part of your basis for the house. You must reduce the basis of your house by the amount of the credit claimed. When you sell your property, since your basis is higher, any taxable gain will be less.

      See page 3 & 4, IRS Pub 553 for more information:
      http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p553.pdf

      If your home is used for business, or you have a home office, then you are allowed to deduct depreciation on that percentage of business use. The solar panels and equipment increase the basis of your home and can be included in your depreciation calculations.

      There are also other credits and deductions related to using solar electricity in business property.

      Legislation is in place to extend energy efficient credits to renters, and others who don't own the property where they live.

      You should also check your state income tax code for solar energy credits and deductions allowed on your state return.

33. QUESTION:
    If the electric car works, solar powered homes, wind power, etc. then why when politicians talk about energy.?
    it usually has to do with offshore drilling or the oil in the middle east...why isn't this technology being developed more?

    • ANSWER:
      Oil companies have politicians in their MySpace. They're friends with benefits. Lots and lots of benefits.

34. QUESTION:
    What is the most efficient way of powering your home? Do you use solar power, wind turbine, coal?
    fire, gas, electric, wood fire, ice blocks and a fan? What works for you, how green is it and why it works for you? Anyone have any additional costs associated with installing or using these options? Any installation professional, or self? What would you say are pros and cons to alternative power sources? What do you think is the cheapest, easiest way to power a home? Would like to hear from folks who have added alternative power sources to their homes and hear your experiences.

    • ANSWER:
      I have just answered a Q. similar to this,My G/Fs small holding has no mains, water, sewage,gas or electricity we have a genny that runs the washing machine, T.V & charges a large battery pack we have bottled gas for cooking & heating filtered rain water for showering & washing clothes, a composting toilet, all waste water is collected to water the veggys, when we've finished our waste 'gulper' we should be able to produce our own gas, the genny runs on bio fuel which we produce & the back up petrol genny runs on methenol, which we also produce, we dont pay any utility bills, how cheap do you want to run? you can only watch T.V for a couple of hours a night, but we've got all mod cons!

35. QUESTION:
    Replacing electric hot water system.I want either gas or gas/solar. Any suggestions?
    Home flooded (Australia) & the electric system is dead. I need something fast but I want quality & reliability in either a gas only, using cylinders as we're not on natural gas via piping or solar with gas backup. Does anyone have any suggestions & ideas of costs please?

    • ANSWER:
      Solar would be the most expensive and nowhere near cost effective, electric would be the next most expensive, cylinder ( in your words ) propane in mine would be the cheapest and most cost effective. Understand, Going green ( solar, wind, generator or a combination of the two ) all costs out the wazoo when done properly & reliably. Propane (cylinder) will be around a long time after the fad of going green is long gone.

36. QUESTION:
    I want to power my new home I am building on solar power alone what will the cost be roughly?
    I also want to stay off the electric grid . It would cost an additional ten thousand dollars to be hooked into it and I want to be independant from utilities. Would solar panels and batteries power lights and T.V , computer , washer dryer ect.

    • ANSWER:
      TV, lights and small appliances, yes. Washer, maybe. Dryer, not likely unless it's gas - consider a clothesline. Electric range or oven, no. Hot tub, no unless it's converted to a gas heater.

      The raw panels are about -8 per watt. So for 6Kw figure about k for the panels. The charger/inverter and batteries, figure -3k more. Figure about k including the installation.

      You might also consider a generator. The off-grid houses I've seen tend to have them, even if they have batteries too. Add k for that.

      Do you have a creek? Consider small-scale hydro too.

37. QUESTION:
    has anyone out there ever used tsc zereba brand solar chargers for electric containment fencing?
    i have about 10 acers under fence four strand 17 gauge smooth wire which i wish to contain goats in i need a charger that does not require electricity as it is on the wrong side of the road from my home and cant run electricity to it

    • ANSWER:
      I have no personal experience using the product in question, but I can tell you that I have never had a return or complaint either.

38. QUESTION:
    electric solar panels?
    how much would solar electric panels increase a homes value
    We are in a 5,000 house, the panels and water heater panels are costing us about ,000 with the rebates. Thanks for an estimate

    • ANSWER:
      You should talk to a real estate agent to get a real quote. It depends on a lot of factors.

      I doubt that the value is now 125+26 = 151k

      .

39. QUESTION:
    What home appliance can be powered by a solar panel?
    I don't know anything about where to buy solar panels. I just want to save on the electric bills.
    Thank you all for providing good answers. I'm not particularly good with math and engineering. But do you guys think that solar panels could power an airconditioning unit? As far as I know, these consume way too much electricity

    • ANSWER:
      Simple answer.

      Anything you can power with your normal household electric can be powered by solar.

      So you know what a solar panel is:

      A "solar panel" is more then one solar module mounted on a frame to be installed as a single unit into a solar array.

      Next question is normally what is a solar module:

      A "solar module" is a bunch of solar cells mounted together with a clear front and a white backing.

      Solar is something that you install on your home so you don't have to rent electric power from the public utility. It has a large upfront cost but will pay it's self and you then own something. Like if you rent a home you end up with nothing but if you buy a home you pay a big upfront payment and in the end you own it and can sell it for a profit.

      Yes you can run your A/C unit from Solar Electric.

      As said above. Anything you can run from the pubilc utility can be ran from solar. If it is in your home and running from electric right now you can run it from solar.

40. QUESTION:
    Why isn't there an electric car available with solar cells on the roof/trunk?
    Your car runs out of gas - that's a problem. Your electric car runs out of battery power - simply park and have lunch and let the sun partially recharge the batteries, then you're on your way. Once your home or work or a store, either plug it in to an outlet or hook it up to a solar collecter car port for a faster re-charge. How many of you would buy an electric car with solar cells? I wonder what the current technology efficiency level is for recharging a small 2 seat compact anyway? I think it's time - who wants to go into business with me?

    • ANSWER:
      Becuase it would end the oil business

41. QUESTION:
    Is it feasible to own an electric car and have a solar powered garage to charge the battery bank? Costs?
    Depending on the price I would like to have a second battery bank to charge at home while driving on the other bank.

    Thoughts?

    • ANSWER:
      Feasible yes.
      Economically feasible no. That's why only Democrats support the idea.

42. QUESTION:
    How does an electric inverter used at the tail end of wind generator stay in phase with the power company.?
    how does an electric inverter used at the tail end of either home solar panels or wind generator stay in phase with the incoming household current. It would seem to me that if the phase was just slightly out of time with that from the power company, much of the power produced would be lost.

    • ANSWER:
      The best inverters use a pulse-width-modulated output and a low-pass power filter for the line frequency (60 Hz or 50Hz). The high voltage DC input is modulated at a rate in the 20-40 kHz range or even higher. The modulation is controlled directly by the line to which the power is fed into. Some of these inverters can run in the high 90% efficiency range.

      For the PWM inverter to work, whatever the output of the generator, it must be converted (any phase, any frequency, or even DC) to high voltage DC. This can be done independantly of the line frequency or phase.

      .

43. QUESTION:
    need solar panel for my home where can i get them in chennai or india?
    i'm really interested in having a totally independant electric supply for my house in chennai
    and wat could be the cost
    send me some links to that

    • ANSWER:
      It is not so simple to answer. How much UNIT(KWH) you need daily, How much unit is required in the night. The night electricity has to come from battery storage. The efficiency of storage in Battery is around 80%. If your requirement is 10 Unit, this mean you have to generate arround 12 Units fro Solar panel during the day. For average 5 Hrs of Sun you need arround 2-3 KW PV Systems. The 2.5 KW system should cost you arround 8-10 Lakhs. If you generate power from this type of system, the power cost will be very high. This type of system is advisable only for the places where electricty has not reached. The system cost can be reduced by several way, by adding solar tracker or adopting hybrid system. Where you import power in the night etc. If you tell your requirement and importance of independent system I can give you exact idea of investment

44. QUESTION:
    Is there such thing as solar affordable solar power units for the home?
    I DO NOT mean one that just does water heating! Is there one that does ALL electric for a house? Anyone any idea?!

    • ANSWER:
      GABY - Those folks have an interesting idea, but when I last looked, they weren't up and running yet.

      The economy of solar is complex. It depends on things such as tax incentives (some are local), and the procedures for the electric company to buy your excess power.

      Your best information would come from a local solar contractor, like this.

      http://www.planitsolar.com/

      They're in northern CA. A local shop will know about the local considerations.

45. QUESTION:
    the annual solar flux in tucson is 250W/msquared. suppose 10 msquared of solar electric panels operating at 10?
    % efficiency were installed on a home.
    A) how many kilowatts are needed
    i dont need the answers but if someone could tell me how this would be a fantastic time to do it

    • ANSWER:

46. QUESTION:
    Our electric bill is outrageous- any suggestions on a simple solar system set up that's DIY?
    We recently built a recreational home that's only used on weekends and the heating of it (60) is running high $$.( It's well insulated) (2300 sq ft) Is there a solar system that we could do ourselves, low cost (under 0), and that would be removable in the warmer months?

    • ANSWER:
      Solar doesn't work very well in the winter - not enough sun. Codes generally do not allow self setup because there is a very real danger and it has to be wired so there is no feedback into the wire system (or electric company workers up line could be fried). Also, it's generally not a good idea to run intensive users of electricity on solar (like heating); it takes way too many expensive panels to do this. Batteries (close to 0 each) would be needed for darkness heating and they don't last long if they are brought down more then 50% very often. You would also need a generator if it were cloudy, an inverter, and a controller. You'd be looking at closer to 00 then 0.

      I think you might do better with vented propane space heaters. Generally propane costs less to heat with then electricity and you only have to heat rooms you are using at the time. You can get them with thermostats so the house can be kept at, say, 50F when you are not there. However, I doubt you could do this option for 0 or less either.
      .

47. QUESTION:
    My husband wants to build a wind turbine and buy a couple of solar panels.?
    We looked at the cost of buying a whole home alternative energy system to try to cut down on our home electric bill...it has been cold this winter! Anyhow, the cost of a whole home system was pretty steep for even just a couple of solar panels and the cost of a wind turbine was kinda up there too. Does anyone know of any online resources that he could use to build a small system that would help us?

    • ANSWER:
      I would check out a solar panel forum to get advice from actual people who are already using solar and installed it themselves. Sounds like you are on the right path though, so good luck!

48. QUESTION:
    can an electric water heater be powered by solar panels?
    I understand that solar panels produce DC power, then via an inverter produce AC. I want to preheat water via an electric water heater before it goes to the gas fired unit in our home. Will it harm or even work to supply less than full AC amperage to the elc. htr? Thanks Dave

    • ANSWER:
      A solar hot water heater would work much better. It's more of a plumbing installation and it's much cheaper that solar for the use that you are looking for. There are also incentives in many states for it.

49. QUESTION:
    use of solar panels with electric baseboard?
    Has anyone got a solar system (grid tie in / net metering) that the home is heated with electric baseboard?

    I want to reduce the amount of oil heat that is used in my home. 00 per season in oil is getting outrageous.
    (I am hoping that someone steps up with a lower cost bio-diesel for heating oil in the future . . . . . .)

    ( I.E The greedy ones in Washington. Families are freezing to death)

    I am thinking of putting a system in that "runs the meter backwards" during the summer to hopefully "break even" during the winter.

    Any thoughts.

    I have also thought about geo-thermal also.. or a small cylinder style windmill

    • ANSWER:
      GABY your math is a little off.
      260,000 / 350 is 743 panels.
      So using your math here's the logic.

      In a Iowa cold winter I'm using 6700 or 233 kWh per day
      233,000 per month or 1.00
      They have 200 watt panels now.
      200 * 7hr of sun light = 1400 watts per day per panel

      233,000 / 1400 = 166 panels @ 0.00 ( per watt) = 2,800
      2,800 / 261 = 42 years to pay for themselves.

      If they did a fair deal at per watt
      66,400 / 261 = 21 years pay back

      In Spring Summer and Fall I average 1400 kWh at 0 electricity per month so lets say I just worried about 9 months non winter average of 47 kWh per day.

      47,000 / 1400 = 34 panels = 27,200 (@ per Watt) / 0.00 = 17.5 years payback. 20 years for 9 month seasons. because you still got to get help in the winter from the electric company. They charge
      All electric discount plan.
      .07 for 1st 1000 kWh and
      .03 for every kWh after that.

      At a fair deal of a watt panels it's
      47,000 / 1400 = 34 panels = 13,600 (@ per Watt) / 0.00 = 9 years payback. 10.5 years for 9 month cheap
      seasons. because you still got to get help in the winter from the electric company.

      Panels are suppose to last 25 years

      Still not a great investment but if that's your dream it may be dueable someday when they offer a fair deal at a watt.
      I think that 30 panels would fit on my house and my back roof faces south.

      If the hours of sun light change per day the math will change.
      But there will also be cloudy days.

50. QUESTION:
    what would it cost to install solar pannels on a 1500sq. ft. home?
    I live in Maine and my electric bill is just under 0 mo. and mt oil bill is @0 mo. the home is 1500 sq. ft. and we are in our late 60s the home has a steel roof, is a manufactured home with a shallow roof pitch.

    • ANSWER:
      You need to look at your electric bill and see how many kilowatt hours, or kwh, you use a month. I'm not sure what you pay per kwh in Maine, but let's guess it is over 1000kwh a month. You can go to a calculator like http://www.altestore.com/howto/Tools-Calculators-Reference/Solar-Panel-System-Calculators-Load-Calculator/Solar-Payback-Incentive-Calculator/a65/ to see what it costs for installation. Keep in mind most people don't generate 100% of their use, you can just generate some and buy the rest like you do now.

      However, you should first look at conservation. For every you spend conserving energy, that's less you need to spend on solar. It's 1/4 the price to save energy than to make it. How well insulated is your house? Are you heating the just your house, or the neighborhood as well? I bet if you put the first chunk of money into improving the insulation of the house, your oil bill would drop dramatically. Look for an energy auditor in your area to do a blower door test on your house. That will locate the leaks. http://www.mainehousing.org/ENERGYAuditServices.aspx. There are amazing tax incentives now to help pay for weatherizing your house. I tightened up my house, and my heating bill cut in half.