Sorry, correction- (I must proof read more) NOT become prey....... Funny one word makes all the difference! Thanks again. (Yes I proof read this post.)
Great Job Mr Dunn! I hope to set up my home with solar power, it is great. I would like to thank you for your amazing writings on the flat tax, economics and the Iraq war. I have learned a great deal and hope that you INFORM more people and make our country more enlightened and become prey to the oligarchy and the ignorant. Thank you!
Things to consider before investing in solar power: What part of the world you live, How much sunlight you receive, How much power you use and what incentives are available. Average cost is $40,000 for a 5000 watt system. Fixed array systems (as the one shown) are far less efficient than axis tracking systems but axis systems are less attractive.
You are correct about factors to consider. You are also correct that axis tracking systems are more efficient, but also more expensive. While I am sure you can find someone willing to charge what you suggested, that is far more than I paid for what is essentially a 5000 watt system. You may not be up to date on costs, which are rapidly plummeting. As noted in an early comment reply, I spent less than $30,000 net.
Thanks for this video. I was considering installing a geothermal heating and cooling, and solar panels 2 years later. How many KwHrs do you seem to average a month, and can a 5000 Watt system produce 25 to 35 KwHrs a day?
Also, you said price is falling fast, and it seems you did this a year ago. Did it really fall in this year?
Our system is a 5000 Watt system and routinely produces 25-35 KwHrs per day through most of the year, ON SUNNY DAYS. The more clouds, the less sun, but still some production. On the shortest days of winter we get down into the mid 20's. Our highest recorded in a single day was 38 KwHr.
As for prices, I am not in the industry and no longer monitor them, but especially with new tax rebates I hear they are falling fast.
Thanks. How do you know what angle it needs to be at for optimal giveback? bill1usmc said 32 for your part of the country. I live in N.Y.C., and was wondering what angle is best for me. I don't want an axis tracking type.
I'm thinking of opening up my cape cods 2nd story, so that will give me the chance to angle my roof. Then I'll put on a 5,000 Watt system. I hope it'll cost 18K when I'm ready.
In order to qualify for the full credits, it is MANDATORY that it be angled correctly. Ours faces south. It is determined by the contractor, since they handle processing the credits anyway. I can't say that our experience in Southern California can be duplicated in more northerly lattitudes with less sunshine.
Was cool to see the meter running reverse but my guess is that was peak performance since there were minimal shadows from the street light and pre winter sun position. You are also losing value since the panels should be at approximately 32° for your part of the country. Still a good choice if you have the money.
You would be correct if that were a year-round solar angle. While it was near midday, the video was taken less than a week after the Winter Solstice -- the shortest day of the year, when the sun is low in the sky (which I mention in my narrative). By Spring and Summer the middday angles were much higher in the sky, and the unit produced at midday more than the maximum it was rated for. Bottom line is we are producing more than we use, even with heavy AC use in summer.
If I were to get a solar panel system, at what angle should my panels be on my south facing roof? I live in N.Y.C., right outside J.F.K. Airport. Thanks for your answer in advance.
The net costs after rebates for the 30 x 185-watt solar panels, plus inverter and labor (net capacity after expected inefficiencies is about 5000 watts at midday) was less than $30,000 and covers our total electric usage for a year, in an area of hot summers where AC is heavily used.
We are looking into night storage options, and planing to convert the "gas guzzling" Prius to plug-in, but for now that is when the grid kicks in.
how do you go about selling electricity back to the utility service? do you just get paid when they see it? or do you have to go and set up a deal with them? also, i live in florida too, are solar panels safe durring hurricanes? whats the deal with that?
The contractor arranged everything, including the contract with the local utility. We remain connected to the electric grid through our electric meter, so it is measured automatically, the same as when we consume electricity, except that the meter turns in the opposite direction, moving backward.
About hurricane safety I do not know - you would need to ask a local contractor, but my guess is it would be the same risk as anything else attached to your house, such as a patio cover.
We currently get credit up to the break-even point, but when we produce more than we use, based on an annual adjusment, we do not get credit or reimbursement for the excess. There is currently a bill before the California legislature (AB1920) that would require utilities to reimburse for the excess, and of course we support this proposal.
Sorry, correction- (I must proof read more) NOT become prey....... Funny one word makes all the difference! Thanks again. (Yes I proof read this post.)
iLDiscovolante 1 year ago
Great Job Mr Dunn! I hope to set up my home with solar power, it is great. I would like to thank you for your amazing writings on the flat tax, economics and the Iraq war. I have learned a great deal and hope that you INFORM more people and make our country more enlightened and become prey to the oligarchy and the ignorant. Thank you!
iLDiscovolante 1 year ago
Things to consider before investing in solar power: What part of the world you live, How much sunlight you receive, How much power you use and what incentives are available. Average cost is $40,000 for a 5000 watt system. Fixed array systems (as the one shown) are far less efficient than axis tracking systems but axis systems are less attractive.
bill1usmc 3 years ago
You are correct about factors to consider. You are also correct that axis tracking systems are more efficient, but also more expensive. While I am sure you can find someone willing to charge what you suggested, that is far more than I paid for what is essentially a 5000 watt system. You may not be up to date on costs, which are rapidly plummeting. As noted in an early comment reply, I spent less than $30,000 net.
DDWiz27 3 years ago
Thanks for this video. I was considering installing a geothermal heating and cooling, and solar panels 2 years later. How many KwHrs do you seem to average a month, and can a 5000 Watt system produce 25 to 35 KwHrs a day?
Also, you said price is falling fast, and it seems you did this a year ago. Did it really fall in this year?
RODikUlus 3 years ago
Our system is a 5000 Watt system and routinely produces 25-35 KwHrs per day through most of the year, ON SUNNY DAYS. The more clouds, the less sun, but still some production. On the shortest days of winter we get down into the mid 20's. Our highest recorded in a single day was 38 KwHr.
As for prices, I am not in the industry and no longer monitor them, but especially with new tax rebates I hear they are falling fast.
We are very happy with our choice.
DDWiz27 3 years ago
Thanks. How do you know what angle it needs to be at for optimal giveback? bill1usmc said 32 for your part of the country. I live in N.Y.C., and was wondering what angle is best for me. I don't want an axis tracking type.
I'm thinking of opening up my cape cods 2nd story, so that will give me the chance to angle my roof. Then I'll put on a 5,000 Watt system. I hope it'll cost 18K when I'm ready.
Again, thanks for this information.
RODikUlus 3 years ago
In order to qualify for the full credits, it is MANDATORY that it be angled correctly. Ours faces south. It is determined by the contractor, since they handle processing the credits anyway. I can't say that our experience in Southern California can be duplicated in more northerly lattitudes with less sunshine.
DDWiz27 3 years ago
Was cool to see the meter running reverse but my guess is that was peak performance since there were minimal shadows from the street light and pre winter sun position. You are also losing value since the panels should be at approximately 32° for your part of the country. Still a good choice if you have the money.
bill1usmc 3 years ago
You would be correct if that were a year-round solar angle. While it was near midday, the video was taken less than a week after the Winter Solstice -- the shortest day of the year, when the sun is low in the sky (which I mention in my narrative). By Spring and Summer the middday angles were much higher in the sky, and the unit produced at midday more than the maximum it was rated for. Bottom line is we are producing more than we use, even with heavy AC use in summer.
DDWiz27 3 years ago
If I were to get a solar panel system, at what angle should my panels be on my south facing roof? I live in N.Y.C., right outside J.F.K. Airport. Thanks for your answer in advance.
RODikUlus 3 years ago
Fantastic. What were the costs associated with implementing this? Are you storing energy for night time or is that when "the grid" kicks in?
Thanks!
Unkn0wnGuy 3 years ago
The net costs after rebates for the 30 x 185-watt solar panels, plus inverter and labor (net capacity after expected inefficiencies is about 5000 watts at midday) was less than $30,000 and covers our total electric usage for a year, in an area of hot summers where AC is heavily used.
We are looking into night storage options, and planing to convert the "gas guzzling" Prius to plug-in, but for now that is when the grid kicks in.
DDWiz27 3 years ago
how do you go about selling electricity back to the utility service? do you just get paid when they see it? or do you have to go and set up a deal with them? also, i live in florida too, are solar panels safe durring hurricanes? whats the deal with that?
nuclearthreat545 3 years ago
The contractor arranged everything, including the contract with the local utility. We remain connected to the electric grid through our electric meter, so it is measured automatically, the same as when we consume electricity, except that the meter turns in the opposite direction, moving backward.
About hurricane safety I do not know - you would need to ask a local contractor, but my guess is it would be the same risk as anything else attached to your house, such as a patio cover.
DDWiz27 3 years ago
Nice job. Will the power company pay you for those KWs? or do you lose them at the end of a year or so? Joe in Florida
joemc111 3 years ago
We currently get credit up to the break-even point, but when we produce more than we use, based on an annual adjusment, we do not get credit or reimbursement for the excess. There is currently a bill before the California legislature (AB1920) that would require utilities to reimburse for the excess, and of course we support this proposal.
DDWiz27 3 years ago
Let the sun shine!
TFBarans 3 years ago