Does anybody here have solar panels and sell the extra electricity to the power company?
Posted by Michelle in solar power panels on March 9, 2010
How much power with what kind of solar panels do you average making a day or month and how much do you sell and how much money do you make from selling electric to the electric company?
The answer depends on a lot of things.
1) In the US, any public utility company is required to buy back your excess power. Some small companies, like Co-ops and municipal companies, are except from this requirement. However, there is no regulation about how much they have to buy it for. Some companies buy it back at the same rate they sell it. So if you sell 500kwh a month, and buy 500kwh a month, your bill would be $0 (or a small connection fee). Some pay you an "avoided cost" rate, what they buy from other power plants, at a fraction of what they sell it for. So you may buy it at $0.15 per kwh, but they’ll buy any extra from you for $0.05. Some companies limit you to zeroing out your bill, some will write you a check for whatever you generate.
2) How much power you use would determine how big of a system you need. If you buy 1000kwh per month, you would need a system big enough to generate that much during the day, so you can sell the excess during the day, and buy it back at night. That way, you don’t need batteries for night, you basically use the electric company to hold your extra power until you need it later. Check out how many kwh you buy a month from the electric company, it will be listed on your electric bill. Plug that number into the calculator at http://www.altestore.com/store/calculators/on_grid_calculator/. That will tell you how big of a system you need.
You know the expression it takes money to make money? It will cost a lot to buy a system bigger than what you need, and with few exceptions, will most likely not make you money selling power back. It’s a better investment to first spend your money on conserving electricity, it costs less money to save electricity than to make it. Once you have cut your requirements, THEN look into buying a solar system.
Most people buy a system big enough to generate a percentage of what they use, therefore reducing their bill, not eliminating it, and certainly not making money on it. Many tax incentives are available to help pay for it, you can see them at http://www.dsireusa.org.
The AltE Store has got some great free videos talking about solar power, check them out at http://www.altestore.com/store/Books-Classes-Educational-Videos/Educational-Videos/c1138/
I need to find a calculator to calculate the amount of energy used by solar panels?
Posted by Michelle in solar energy panels on March 9, 2010
I am doing a science project and I need to find out if solar panels are an environmentally feasible way to heat a pool compared to the #2 diesel that is currently being used. Is there a calculator that I could use to see how much energy a solar panel uses?
What you need is a solar pool heater. It is a series of plastic panels that you run your pool water through using your existing pool pump. As the water runs through them, they get heated by the sun, just like if you leave a hose in the yard, the water inside gets very hot. Since you are using your existing pool pump, no extra electricity is used. You can see some data on it at http://www.hi-tecsolar.com/whysolar.html.
To size a system, you use anywhere from 70% to 100% of the pool’s surface area to determine how many panels. A 10′ x 40′ pool is 400 sq ft, it would need anywhere from 280 to 400 sq ft of panels. That kit will cost less than $2000, and can heat the pool to around 10 degrees F higher than the air temp. http://www.altestore.com/store/Solar-Pool-Heaters-and-Pumps/Unglazed-Solar-Pool-Heating/Guardian-Solar-Pool-Heating/Leveredge-Guardian-Pool-Heating-Package-400-SqFt/p7353/.
This is MUCH more cost effective than using solar electric panels to power an electric pool heater. Depending on what fuel is currently used to heat the pool, a system can pay for itself in a year or two.
What’s the best deal for Solar Energy panels for your home?
Posted by Michelle in solar energy panel on March 9, 2010
What’s the best deal going on companies leasing out solar panels in California?
Solar Power Purchase Agreements, or PPA, have historically been for large systems for commercial and municipal customers. However, they are starting to venture into the residential sector.
Buying the power from the panels instead of the panels itself can help with the upfront costs and lock you in to a lower per kwh cost than buying from the electric company. However, you would not qualify for the rebates available if you bought the equipment yourself, so you would continue to pay for electricity after the equipment was paid for if you bought it outright.
I don’t know anything about these companies, but a quick search for California Solar PPA turned up:
Heliomu PPA www.heliomu.com
Solar City Lease www.solarcity.com
SunRun PPA. www.sunrunhome.com
How much amperage can a 105 hp Chrysler outboard handle from a 12V system?
Posted by Michelle in home wind power systems on March 9, 2010
I am trying to rig my boat for overnights on the water. Totaled, my layout would be near 100 amps if all features were on at one time. My inverter is half of that number. The rest consists of lighting, gages, pumps, stereo, etc.
My concerns run with winding up dead on the water at 3:00 am. Even with a backup battery I would still be forced to pack up and head home. This system will be brand new wiring and all. I just need to make sure my power source can do what I need of it before I start my install.
Thanks for reading and respoding. All reasonable posts are appreciated.
"my inverter is half of that" surely you are confused — an inverter drawing 50 *amps* would be massive.
If you meant that you have a 50-watt inverter, it won’t be drawing more than 6 to 9 amps at full capacity (depending on the quality and efficiency of the device: assume it needs 75 watts from the battery to make 50 watts — 75 watts at 12.6 volts is 6 amps).
So, I just cut your requirement by at least 40%. You can thank me later.
Two deepcycle batteries at 150 amp hours each, connected in parallel, would give you around 5 1/2 hours of run time at a continuous 50 amps. But don’t expect your old chrysler to keep ‘em charged.
Why hasn’t some organisation offered payment for a contest to make the most effecient vertical wind turbine?
Posted by Michelle in home made wind power on March 9, 2010
If vertical Wind Turbines could be made thin enough and effecient enough, they could be placed on house rooftops and be very discrete (maybe only about 12 inch tall and 12 feet diameter). A top plate could conceal the spinnig blades. The contest could require that the turbines have a max area, max height, and must work for a certain amount of time (months?). On the start date, entrants would build their turbines on a specific site. The organisation(s) sponsoring the contest would get the rights to the generated electricity. The group with the most effecient turbine after the time frame would win the prize money. Entrants would also pay to enter. I think this would be a great opportunity for many engineering universities and for the organisation(s) sponsoring it. It could also lead to MANY new "rooftop" turbine concepts that could help power individual homes, without having the large "windmill tower". Maybe a similar concept could be used for the most effecient solar panel?
I am talking about a "Savonius Wind Turbine" type…. Google for pictures. It has a vertical axis and the wind turns the blades from the side. But apparently, there is not a "perfect" design for the blades, hence the contest.
Vertical axis wind turbines have a natural appeal because of the design simplicity and because you don’t have to point them into wind. The problem is that they are not as efficient as the wind axis turbines. The Savonius rotor windmill is very inefficient extracting only about 15% of the wind’s energy (similar to the multi-blade American farm windmill. A windmill only 12 inches tall and 12 feet across and only a few feet above your rooftop would not produce any significant amount of energy. Part of the reason wind turbines are up so high is because that’s where most of the wind energy is. I spent several years dreaming about a vertical axis wind turbine design usually called a Giromill or cycloturbine or cyclogyro. I had a huge Excel spreadsheet calculating the lift and drag on each blade at each position around the circle, all based upon the (faulty) assumption that the wind speed and direction were essentially not affected by my turbine. WRONG. When you extract power from the wind, it slows down and the wind behind it starts to "pile up" and go around the windmill instead of through it. Ever wonder why the big wind axis turbines have so few blades. This is why. Adding more blades would decrease the power because it would slow the wind down too much and most of the wind would just go around and avoid the windmill entirely. The term is solidity and both the Savonius Rotor and American farm windmill have way to much of it. The only vertical axis windmill that came close to competing with the wind axis turbines is the Darrieus rotor, which looks sort of like an egg beater. I’ve given up on windmills, but I’m still working on a home solar energy system.
Green DIY Energy – Scam Or Not?
Posted by Michelle in diy solar panels on March 9, 2010
Have anyone tried the Green DIY Energy guide? I want to build my own solar panels and just wonder if the GreenDIYEnergy guide can really teach you how to do it by your own.
If someone bought and tried Green DIY Energy please let me know if you find this guide useful for you.
Thanks a lot!
Green DIY Energy works.
The solar panels you make don’t last very long, but they’re cheap to make. If you don’t want to go through all that trouble making solar panels, you should just buy some solar panels.
"building Solar Panels Power" System © – Act Right Now!
Posted by Michelle in solar power panels on March 9, 2010
It simply provides a perfect opportunity for you to say goodbye to the Power-Company – “Building Solar Panels Power” System enables you to quickly produce your own in-house power-supply. You may be surprised but this technique makes it possible for almost anyone – novice/professional to get it to work in just a few days. Take two minutes of your time in order to learn more about this special technology.
Introduction
Your first step with this “Building solar panels Power” System is following one of these user-friendly guides that explain in details how to assemble Solar-Cells at home. Some guides can be really useful while others miss their target; make sure it provides ‘proofs’ to be working for others. This way or another, here are just a few advantage & advices that can help you to know a little more about this topic.
What are the main benefits?
There are several important advantages provided by this solution:
* Helps our nation on becoming less dependent on external oil suppliers.
* Leaves us almost unaffected by any possible energy crisis.
* Cuts down on the usage of non-renewable enr. resources.
* Provides an unlimited energy-source.
* Enables us to store the produced elect.-power at zero cost.
Tip
Pulling yourself “off the grid” all at once isn’t recommended – do it gradually and slowly, use your new sys. while keeping the ‘Main-Grid’ as backup for possible extreme electricity usage.
Final words
The main reason that makes it so popular among many home-makers is the fact that “Building solar panels Power” System requires minimal effort/cost in order to get outstanding results. If we go a little further, it wouldn’t be that hard to discover other benefits provided by this unique invention, simply because as individuals we no longer need to depend on the authorities to supply these needs. The best advice would be to test it so you could truly experience the various opportunities that it brings.
Jason Gilford
http://www.articlesbase.com/diy-articles/quotbuilding-solar-panels-powerquot-system–act-right-now-712375.html
Small Solar Panels Installation © – it is Finally Affordable!
Posted by Michelle in solar panels energy on March 9, 2010
Already spending hundreds month-by-month on these rising electricity-bills? It seems like a simple Small Solar Panels Installation can easily save you all that trouble. You may be surprised but this technique doesn’t require any special tools/materials. Read this short report if you want to find out more about this revolutionary technology.
Basic introduction
The concept behind this Small solar panels Installation is quite simple – there are few excellent guides on the Net that demonstrate how to assemble professional Solar-Cells by using materials that can be found at any local hardware store. It is important then to choose the right guide; make sure it provides ‘proofs’ to be working for others. Anyway, here are several tips & benefits that can help you to know a little more about this topic.
What are the main benefits?
Undoubtedly most of us can find this solution highly effective:
* Extremely easy to be implemented by almost anyone.
* Can work for anyone, no matter where he/she lives on the globe.
* Should you create more energy than needed; the power-company will actually pay you!
* It is portable and you can take it with you (camping for example).
* Enables us to get an extra income by quickly providing such sys. for others.
Quick tip
If you live abroad make sure that your guidebook enables you to build a 220V-240V unit.
Final words
When we constantly look for immediate and affordable ways to ‘cut’ our elec. expenses, no doubt that Small solar panels Installation is one of the most revolutionary ideas that can help us achieve that goal. Different users would probably find various advantages provided by this one-of-a-kind ‘machine’, simply because it brings a real change to this industry. Now is the time to take action – it is recommended to simply get it as this is the most recommended way that truly enables you to explore the advantages mentioned in this article.
Jason Gilford
http://www.articlesbase.com/diy-articles/small-solar-panels-installation–it-is-finally-affordable-721934.html
When you Should Choose Wind Turbines Over Solar Panels
Posted by Michelle in solar energy panels on March 9, 2010
Many people today are unaware of why and when you should use renewable energy sources in today’s world. The main reason for using natural energy is mainly down to the environment, and if you care to improve the quality of it. But with many viable energy sources out there, which one you choose can be a nightmare to decide upon.
Before you set off to purchase lets say, a couple of solar panels, you should take a look at the other technologies available to decide which is most appropriate for your environment. For example, solar panels may not be of much use near the poles, put a hefty, durable wind turbine would love to sit up there and spin round and round all day.
You don’t have to be a genius to discover that solar panels work best near the equator and reduce in efficiency, the further away you travel from the equator. So, if you live nearer the poles than the equator, you should choose a wind turbine right? Wrong!!!!
Wind turbines could be placed anywhere on our globe (where the land can support them) and still generate hardly any power whatsoever. It all depends on the surrounding environment, for instance, if you build a home wind turbine in your backyard, you could be very disappointed, unless you were the only house in the most common wind direction. What we mean by this is, if there are many houses surrounding your house, they will block most of the winds power and your turbine will probably just spin round at a very slow speed (assuming its windy), and this doesn’t generate the power you require.
However, if you live in the country and place a turbine in your backyard, you are more likely to generate a larger output of electricity. So the answer is buy one if you live in the countryside? Wrong again!!!
If there are large hills, forests or mountains nearby, these too can greatly reduce the winds power. Before purchasing a wind turbine you should definitely either do research yourself into the surrounding are, or hire a professional to do a survey. If your house is surrounded by other houses, dense tree plantations, hills, or mountains, (presuming they are blocking the path of the average wind direction), you should consider looking into solar cells or even a geothermal system to heat your home.
For more information on Wind Turbines, why not take a look here: http://www.clean-energy-ideas.com/wind_turbines.html
James Bratley
http://www.articlesbase.com/environment-articles/when-you-should-choose-wind-turbines-over-solar-panels-106306.html
Build Your Own Solar Panel!!
Posted by Michelle in solar energy panel on March 9, 2010
Solar panel is something which can be called a device, and this device is usually a converter. It converts the solar energy into photons of light. These photons come from sun and this converter converts these photons into electricity. A stream of light’s wavelength is required to perform this task. Beside that solar power is an eco-friendly source of energy which makes it more attractive.
Building your own solar panel is a tricky thing but not a difficult one. With the help of correct steps and material we can easily build our own solar panel. First of all we have to make sure that we have enough space for building our Solar cells. In many cases, the large amount of sunlight can be found in our backyards or our lawns/gardens. Then comes the placing of photovoltaic cells on the floor of our location where we want to build the solar panel. These cells will be heaped up one after another in horizontal fashion. Make sure that you install these cells at that angle where sunlight could be maximally captured and stored inside.
There are many elements available in marked that can exhibit photovoltaic effect. Cuprous oxide are among them but they are not extraordinary efficient in producing electricity flow, but they are hugely available in hardware market. But, if you are ready to pay high you can get mostly highly refined silicon for producing solar energy equipment. It depends if you are willing to supply more energy than is required in other solar equipment. Creating your own Solar Panel is no big deal, if you have the correct equipment and you are well versed with your requirements. That is how you become more confident in deciding material for your choice of solar panel. It is just that a little homework and planning goes a long way.
sidana.abhi
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/build-your-own-solar-panel-687780.html
DIY Solar Energy Panels
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