The Hathaway's Solar House: Alternative to Dominion Power

[scrobs]

LOUDOUN not Londoun

[bertgold4]

I have been to this house and carefully inspected the batteries, converters and regulators. I would love to retrofit my house to do this, even though Alden has told me that he thinks it is much more efficient to build anew as opposed to retrofit. But, retrofitting IS the solution to both our dependence on the Middle East Oil and environmental damage like Gulf of Mexico leaks. Why can't the Obama admin. figure this out? I have emailed Alden's info. to the White House many times.

[manifest020]

There's one thing the gentleman forgot, if the power company builds a transmission line they can control who has power or not and it's not in their interests to encourage the very thing that could make them obsolete.

[philbusa]

few good shady days will wake these dreamers up. and if they think people believe they only have $43000 in that big houses solar,that is crazy. they will be dead long before that units paid for,of coarse they will never tell you that.

[autopsi]

Looks like a big house. I would estimate that at least $350/mo average power bill. Saving = 4200/yr. + Paycheck from Power company. This could easily pay for itself in at max 10 years. Not to mention other tax rebates, grants, and incentives.

[TheAkb10]

Be smart - don't pay any more electricity bills. more info: solar.xfollow.me (Copy to your browser's address bar)

[StandardSolar]

Awesome! I helped with the "Solar Patriot" when it was on the Mall.

[wnowak1]

30x800 is 24000

[peptopro17]

6 kilowatts x 5 good hours of sun = 30 kilowatts a day. 365 days in a year x 30 killowatts = 10950 kw a year (assuming perfect sunlight).

Most power companies charge on average about 16 cents a KW. 10950kw x .16 = $1752 saved per year.

Most 200 watt panels are about 800 bucks each (including all accessories, cables, etc). He would have 30 of these. 30 x $800 = $160000. So he is saving $1752 a year, on a $160,000 investment. The old man will be dead in the 90+ years it takes to pay it all off.

[solarlightforafrica]

The cost to us for the solar system was $30,000 and the cost for the energy efficiency was $13,000. We put a 10% downpayment and let the bank finance the rest. We saved a total of nearly $22,000 over six years of living in the house and sold it 13 months ago with a small gain in a down market. We actually made a 22% ROI on the money we put down for the energy equipment.

[solonixmaster]

I'm following you up until 30 x $800 = $160,000. I get 30x800= $24,000, NOT $160,000. So, at $1752 a year, you can recoup in 13.69... Just in time for his retirement. Anyhow, I agree with the later postings comment: How long does it take to recoup investment on granite countertops? Answer: Never. The old man will definitely be dead before that happens!

[gmxonline]

fantastic work! what a great contribution you are making!

[mxracer52570]

some solar homes have battery banks think a room full of car battery's, that stores the power when the sun is out, then you can run off the battery's when its dark,

[sjvietboy408]

How are you going to power everything in your house when it's dark outside, no sun light? Is there a generator that stores the electricity whiling utilizing it at the same time?

[folkstreamer]

Some power companies credit people for the electricity they generate and give them credit on the bill. Typically solar houses create more power on hot summer days when there is the most demand for power. Essentially the power company becomes the battery -- the solar home owner banks his power credits and uses them on days when he can not generate his own power.

The problem is that most power companies do not encourage this because it doesn't make money for them.

[capttrips25]

I live next to the proposed dominion power plant in St. Paul Virginia. I own a fine home in an up scale neighborhood. I would give anything to have someone use my home as a model for solar, wind or a combo grid connect or off grid system. I own 8 empty lots in the subdivision, hillside and everything faces south. I can't afford to switch over but if I could find a way I would do it in a heartbeat.

Use me.

[jasoncampoli]

I think that this is a great step in the right direction! Great job!

I will definitely consider this as an option!

[theteef]

wooo yeah!

[VASINGER]

I remember Loudoun county very well. I grew up near Leesburg, lived in Sterling, and Philomont. I love Richmond, but I do miss Loudoun.

[cageyT]

Interesting how people will ask how much solar panels cost and worry about the economics of them but no one questions granite counter tops and the other expensive finishes put into houses. It's all a question of where you want to spend your money not if you're going to spend it in most cases.

[saenamaen]

good point

[gbolly97]

How much is this going to cost

[landslave]

you are an inspiration. Keep speaking out -- humanity needs you!

[terry]

I want to do this someday.

[VidKingz]

This is fantastic