I don’t want to mislead you. My home isn’t going to be expensive nor overly large.
It’s 28 x 44 with a low pitched hip roof. I’m researching basements now. I would love to have a full basement under it but it may be cost prohibitive.
With the rising cost of natural gas, I’m doing research on alternative energy. At first I thought solar power was cost prohibitive but as more and more people become interested in it, the supply and demand issue will force the cost down.
Some interesting links I found:
Project Biodiesel – It looks a little too dangerous to me but I’m including it here for reference.
Unisolar – Sold right here in Auburn Hills, Michigan. They also have a reasonably priced system in comparison to others I’ve checked out.
Solar will improve over time and with high demand means that the 1st wave of stocks won’t be available until there is a oversupply. The technology of Solar PV modules had been improving over the years however the main deterrance is cost.
Return of Investment in Solar may be very hard to measure with current cheap electrical tariff ($/kWh) however with the deregulation of electricity market the tariff will change according to market forces, demand and supply, black out and cost of fossil fuels (Gas, Coal, Oil etc.) which you know will be ever increasing over the next few years.
I suggest a slow implementation method, that means set up the system to run with minimum num of solar panels then slowly put more solar panels over time.
1. SetUp System – Batteries (Sealed type), 1-2 Solar Panels, Wires, Inverter (12VDC to 220VAC 1000W) and finally a charge controller.
2. Add more PV Modules (Solar Panel) over time.
You have to learn all the connection methods and risk invovled including fire risk when the + and – shorting each other will melt the cables and potentially a hazard.
You are blessed with a roof, I lived in Singapore HDB flats without the roof to place solar panels but I put it up at my windows with lower efficiency. (Better then nothing)
If you are not familar with electricity, do read up or get a electrician to help you out.
Regards,
Simon Tay
simontay78.wordpress.com
By: simontay78 on September 10, 2006
at 6:04 am
Thank you very much Simon. I’m reading about solar now and I must say, it’s quite a subject. The equations alone is enough to scare some off! I have a feeling it’s simpler than it appears after a few hours of study.
I’ve almost come to the conclusion that a total system may be too expensive to begin with but I do want to wire my house for solar and start with a simple layout to begin. In the next few years, I want to be totally solar.
Thank you for your posts. You are welcome to add your input anytime.
By: snippetsandbits on September 10, 2006
at 7:54 am