58 MPG by 2032

[Williy]

I find the same thing here with gas powered vehicles. Speed limit
in town is 40 and you usually get some slow poke joker will be doing
20 to 25 in the other lane and when they see you coming jump in front
of you trying to slow you down. This only happens when I have the car I purchased chains for my old 1973 3/4 ton Dodge 975x16.5 won't fit my tractor but can add some chain to; make them work. Our VW bug I had chains for it and when you get them on snug you have a T handled wrench and in the middle of the chains a metal disk insert T handle and chains are snug never come loose.

willy

 

[Williy]

Has anyone heard anything about using JP5 instead o;f diesel?

Diesel Fuel​

Diesel fuel is any fuel designed to be used in a diesel engine. Most diesel fuel is refined from crude oil, but increasingly, diesel made from biomass or natural gas is becoming available.

JP5​

JP5 fuel is a jet-propulsion fuel made to strict military specifications. Based on kerosene, the most significant difference between JP5 and other jet fuels is it has a higher flash point and is required for use on carrier-based aircraft.

willy

 

[fatjay]

Which types of battery chemistries are you considering? Even though where I live in western WA gets much less usable solar than other places in western WA I am still considering solar. And I would like batteries to obviate a generator when the power goes out. I don't think, for me, that 100% solar would be economical at this time.
Thanks,
Eric

I'll be using lifepo4 batteries. I already have a test setup that's functioning for my deep freeze.

It only becomes uneconomical when you're paying $4/watt for panels/installation. Panels are rated for 90% after 10 years, 80% after 25 years. So a 240w panel becomes 196w after 25 years. This is why I shop the second hand market. I picked up 24 panels that were 3 years old. They are 240w and I paid $60 a pop. That's $0.25/watt, over a 90% discount. Now, there are other costs incurred. Mounting hardware, wiring, inverter. But my 5.7kw system was $1500 for panels, $750 for inverter, and about $400 for odds and ends. That's a grid tie inverter, no batteries at this point. So under $3k for everything.

A commercial installer would charge $20k for it. Granted they'd be new panels, and a professional installation, which is probably a bit cleaner than mine. But a 5.7k system for $20k vs 3k (20k may have some government rebates of $3-6k depending on your area), it can make or break whether it's worth doing or not. Also, I didn't charge myself for my time, hundreds of hours of research, watching video's, becoming familiar with technology, trial systems, and a background in electrical engineering.

 

[Grumpycat]

Has anyone heard anything about using JP5 instead o;f diesel?

Since 2007 automotive diesel engines require a very specific ULSD formulation, with some variation allowing a very specific biodiesel to be mixed. Presumably Tier 4 tractors as well. Else the emission components in the exhaust are destroyed.

 

[Grumpycat]

A commercial installer would charge $20k for it. Granted they'd be new panels, and a professional installation, which is probably a bit cleaner than mine. But a 5.7k system for $20k vs 3k (20k may have some government rebates of $3-6k depending on your area), it can make or break whether it's worth doing or not. Also, I didn't charge myself for my time, hundreds of hours of research, watching video's, becoming familiar with technology, trial systems, and a background in electrical engineering.

Around here one must have the system "designed" by a holder of an NABCEP certificate to connect to the power grid. NABCEP is a solar industry lobbying group. The local NABCEP certificate holders have a monopoly and know it. And make the most of it.

Just across the state line I was told by a utility engineer doing a site survey of my future home that I could "do anything I want" on my side only they won't pay for my excess power. Also they will charge one-time $4000 to install a remote disconnect. To get TVA to pay for my excess power it has to be "designed" and approved by an NABCEP certificate holder.

 

[Gator6x4]

Around here one must have the system "designed" by a holder of an NABCEP certificate to connect to the power grid. NABCEP is a solar industry lobbying group. The local NABCEP certificate holders have a monopoly and know it. And make the most of it.

Just across the state line I was told by a utility engineer doing a site survey of my future home that I could "do anything I want" on my side only they won't pay for my excess power. Also they will charge one-time $4000 to install a remote disconnect. To get TVA to pay for my excess power it has to be "designed" and approved by an NABCEP certificate holder.

What is "Excess Power" ??????

Are you talking about installing a Solar Grid to generate power and then sell the excess generated during daylight hours to the local electrical provider?

 

[ultrarunner]

I guess I'm fortunate to be in California where home owners can design and install and the fee from utility is very low?

I have not paid for a kWh since installed and at true up the sell back more than covers the base meter rate and puts money in my pocket...

My panels are circa 1998 with 3 2000 Watt arrays...

Should an Electric Car come my way I might upgrade

 

[Grumpycat]

What is "Excess Power" ??????

Are you talking about installing a Solar Grid to generate power and then sell the excess generated during daylight hours to the local electrical provider?

Yes. That is the traditional definition of Grid Tie.

Net Metering traditionally lets one treat the grid as a free battery. They pay full price for what you give, you pay the same to take it out that night. Total rip-off for the utility. Now only available in Progressive Left states.

He said I could give them the excess but they would not pay for it. I have to deal direct with TVA who would install a second meter.

 

[Gator6x4]

Yes. That is the traditional definition of Grid Tie.

Net Metering traditionally lets one treat the grid as a free battery. They pay full price for what you give, you pay the same to take it out that night. Total rip-off for the utility. Now only available in Progressive Left states.

He said I could give them the excess but they would not pay for it. I have to deal direct with TVA who would install a second meter.

My knowledge on a Solar System back feeding the grid is very limited. From what I have read and heard people say it is a great deal more complicated that just installing a meter.

Here is one example I found.

How to connect a PV solar system to the utility grid

How to connect a PV solar system to the utility grid

sunwatts.com

We can only have one meter on our dwellings, work shop, business etc supplying electrical current. I gather from what you posted your electrical supplier advised you would have to get TVA to install a meter. Sounds like a rather complicated system. The supplier is advising we will not pay you for electricity you will have to sell your surplus electricity to TVA. So that means TVA would have to install the necessary equipment to capture KWH‘s back feed into the suppliers system. They then would give you money which you could use to pay your supplier for electricity they provided which they had purchased from TVA to provide you.

 

[ultrarunner]

Before Smart Meters it was automatic...

Analog meters ran forward and backward.