Register for Free
Post comments, receive updates via email, gain access to exclusive content, and more.
Spam Safe!
Advice for Solar Power, other alternative advice
I'm looking to set my home up for solar power in the DC/N. VA area as well as to look at other types of energy production/survival issues. I'm learning to turn a screw driver but not very good at doing labor on my own at this time (but am frantically trying to learn). So I need advice, help or companies that will come out and do what needs to be done. I want to spend my dollar while it's still worth a whopping penny as it will be worth $.00001 soon.
Any help will do but again, I'm not good at nor do I trust my own work yet.
Thanks in advance.
User's posting privileges have been suspended.
Print
If you were on the other side of the country, I could help! I have 30+ years of experience with solar HW systems plus PV/wind charging systems. For myself, I have only solar HW and wood heat since our electricity is so cheap here ($.05/KW) that the return on investment is horrible. I do have an electric golf cart that has a PV for a roof that produces approx 1 mile of driving/hour or charge. Perfect for zooming around our community and hauling firewood off our 20 acres. This fall, I will convert an old pickup to all electric so I can actually drive that to work.... still working out the best way to recharge that unit. I'd love to go solar but wind is a good option here too.
If you're a good student, don't worry about 'electricity'. It's hardly the magic electricians would have you believe though there are some cautions and procedures you need to follow when working with it. I'm no genius but was able to learn enough in a couple weeks to completely wire my own home when I built it.... and passed the inspection on the first try. So it can be done and by mere mortals! Good luck with your project, it's a worthy cause and sometimes the learning can be half the fun.
Thanks~! I appreciate the insight and agree it doesn't look that hard but I remember the first time my hair stood on end touching a live wire....not fun. Learning slowely and will continue to do so....
Anyone have advice on good books or videos that may help? I've gone to YouTube and found a couple but will try Google Video as well.
Keep the info coming! Thanks!
User's posting privileges have been suspended.
Titanic.
I'm a well established electrical engineer. I'd suggest that you look at this company.
The Matrix is a system, Neo. That system is our enemy. But when you're inside, you look around, what do you see? Businessmen, teachers, lawyers, carpenters. The very minds of the people we are trying to save. But until we do, these people are still a part of that system and that makes them our enemy. You have to understand, most of these people are not ready to be unplugged. And many of them are so inured, so hopelessly dependent on the system, that they will fight to protect it.~ Morpheus
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. PM me.
If you were on the other side of the country, I could help! I have 30+ years of experience with solar HW systems plus PV/wind charging systems. For myself, I have only solar HW and wood heat since our electricity is so cheap here ($.05/KW) that the return on investment is horrible. I do have an electric golf cart that has a PV for a roof that produces approx 1 mile of driving/hour or charge. Perfect for zooming around our community and hauling firewood off our 20 acres. This fall, I will convert an old pickup to all electric so I can actually drive that to work.... still working out the best way to recharge that unit. I'd love to go solar but wind is a good option here too.
If you're a good student, don't worry about 'electricity'. It's hardly the magic electricians would have you believe though there are some cautions and procedures you need to follow when working with it. I'm no genius but was able to learn enough in a couple weeks to completely wire my own home when I built it.... and passed the inspection on the first try. So it can be done and by mere mortals! Good luck with your project, it's a worthy cause and sometimes the learning can be half the fun.
Until you guess wrong my friend, and find out the hard way what the defiinition of a "ground loop" is.
Just be careful. I've got a Master's degree in the stuff, authored multiple papers and hold several patents and still remain cautious even after 15+ years of engineering.
The Matrix is a system, Neo. That system is our enemy. But when you're inside, you look around, what do you see? Businessmen, teachers, lawyers, carpenters. The very minds of the people we are trying to save. But until we do, these people are still a part of that system and that makes them our enemy. You have to understand, most of these people are not ready to be unplugged. And many of them are so inured, so hopelessly dependent on the system, that they will fight to protect it.~ Morpheus
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. PM me.
Got an estimate (real quick and no real info) but the two that I got were in the $37k and $52k before Fed Tax Incentive. They both only said that they would save approx. $600 and $800 annually. First one generates 5,317kw per year and the second generates 8,800kw per year.
Price sound extremely high and power generation sounds extremely low. House sits in full southern view and have enough roof space for a large amount of panels. Any insight?
User's posting privileges have been suspended.
Look into do it yourself solar panels.
http://www.savehomeenergy.org/review/solarpanels.php?t=E4EY006
Here are some home kits that maybe interesting for you to look over.
Look into do it yourself solar panels.
http://www.savehomeenergy.org/review/solarpanels.php?t=E4EY006
Here are some home kits that maybe interesting for you to look over.
have you used this kit? Is it as easy as it says? I'm reading over it now...
I think I'm gonna do it, Ill let you know how it goes, and if it is as detailed as it says
thanks for the link....I have gotten quotes from companies, but even on the low end still ran 4-8thousand.........knowledge like this is invaluable..
titanic,
My electrician's truck has a bumper sticker.."Electricity is not an amateur sport." There are folks on this site here who know a lot but they (probably) don't live next door.
Maybe you can use barter or a local voc tech school? I work PT at one and they are really getting into alternative enegy. They love projects for their students to practice on and they are well supervised.
SG