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Solar power and any place to look for? You got Solar?

V

Vette73

Lifer
I am looking into a solar power system for my house. What are the best sites for info and panels out there?
Also has anybody installed solar on their house? What kind of power did you make from the rated panels? etc...

We spend more for gas then electrical. Problem is we only have two gas items, heat and water heater. So trying to lower our bills, in the long run mind you, as much as we can.

Thanks
 
I seem to recall seeing something in hot deals for solar panels. (if that's of any use.)
 
We have a system that tracks the sun and charges a bank of batteries. It's used for a perimeter security system, lights, etc. Expensive but in the trial stage.

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I don't know about over there, but here in California I know that you can get matching funds from the government when you have solar panels installed. And also over here it's possible to generate more electricity than you use, and it feeds back into the power company and they actually pay you for generating electricity. It's pretty cool 🙂

The equipment will pay for itself easily.

Can you switch to an electric water heater? That way only your heat will be running on gas.
 
is it possible to run off solar in places like michigan? in the winter we get tons of cloud cover and very little sunny days.
 
Originally posted by: Cattlegod
is it possible to run off solar in places like michigan? in the winter we get tons of cloud cover and very little sunny days.
Click to expand...

Even on cloudy days you will get some production but vastly reduced. You can run solar and hope that you generate enough extra electricity in the sunny months so that you don't have to pay much to the electric company. I wouldn't know if that would work there though.
 
Originally posted by: Cattlegod
is it possible to run off solar in places like michigan? in the winter we get tons of cloud cover and very little sunny days.
Click to expand...

nobody actually "runs off solar," because almost everyone who does this is still plugged into the grid. so you won't run out of power or anything just because it is cloudy. in fact, even the big solar arrays don't make enough power to run everything even when it is sunny. turn on your microwave, a couple computers, a few lights, and the fridge, and you're probably over what the cells will produce. but what you're hoping is that on average the cells can cover all or a lot of your daily usage, since during some points of the day you won't be using so much energy and your meter can run backwards. so if in the winter you generally need to pull a fair amount off the grid, you're hoping that in the summer you'll make enough extra to cancel it out over the long run.

i don't think anyone who does this can honestly expect to have a net zero energy bill. by the time you factor in gas, i think you'll still be owing the energy company money. but savings are good, too, even if you still have to cut a check. the only thing is it could easily take 20 years or more to make back the money, even in california. so this only remotely makes sense if you are planning on sticking around for a long time.
 
Originally posted by: thomsbrain
Originally posted by: Cattlegod
is it possible to run off solar in places like michigan? in the winter we get tons of cloud cover and very little sunny days.
Click to expand...

nobody actually "runs off solar," because almost everyone who does this is still plugged into the grid. so you won't run out of power or anything just because it is cloudy. in fact, even the big solar arrays don't make enough power to run everything even when it is sunny. turn on your microwave, a couple computers, a few lights, and the fridge, and you're probably over what the cells will produce. but what you're hoping is that on average the cells can cover all or a lot of your daily usage, since during some points of the day you won't be using so much energy and your meter can run backwards. so if in the winter you generally need to pull a fair amount off the grid, you're hoping that in the summer you'll make enough extra to cancel it out over the long run.

i don't think anyone who does this can honestly expect to have a net zero energy bill. by the time you factor in gas, i think you'll still be owing the energy company money. but savings are good, too, even if you still have to cut a check. the only thing is it could easily take 20 years or more to make back the money, even in california. so this only remotely makes sense if you are planning on sticking around for a long time.
Click to expand...

If your system is powerful enough, you can use no gas/electricity from your local power companies, which will net you a zero balance for energy usage; however, you will still be charged a basic connection fee (it's something like $10-15 just to be connected).
 
Yea we will probable switch to an efficient electric water heater down the line. Also will probable go dual heat. Heat pump when it is not too cold and gas for backup.

Here in NC they have a $10,000 tax write off that can be taken over a 5 year period. That with the federal $3000 credit and with gas going higher and higher every year it makes sense to do it sooner then later. I plan to be around in 15 years and it should be paid off by then and that does not take into account if prices go higher. Also we get plenty of sun here to keep them going.
Juts trying to get an idea of ALL the equipment needed and what is the best priced and performing panels.
 
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