SunTechnics Energy Systems - checked them out?

[JoeR]

I have thought about solar power too, but here in SUNNY FL, I worry about hurricanes and hail damaging the panels. I wonder what additional insurance costs there are for protecting the solar power system?

Many people in this area do not insulate well or use insulated glass windows since it does not get cold, but these same people forget that insulation keeps the heat out too.

In my household, I figured that my two biggest consumers of power are the A/C and the water heater. I thought about solar hot water but have not been able to quantify the return on investment. Overall, I would love to power my entire house off solar.

By the way, I noticed that most of the BP gas stations have huge solar panels on top of their canopies! Has anyone else looked at that? I guess that's why they have have sun symbol?

Joe

 

[tommu56]

I would suggest readinf this magazine it has alot of vendors and if you search throughthere is alot good formation

web page


i have been reading it for years and fially this year I should be able to put a system in

ttom

 

[tommu56]

I would suggest readinf this magazine it has alot of vendors and if you search throughthere is alot good formation

web page


i have been reading it for years and fially this year I should be able to put a system in

ttom

 

[scesnick]

I have been looking into alternative energy for about 3 years and the Micro hydro turbines are for sure the way to go. They are the most reliable, easiest to install and the cheapest by far. They will supply power 24/7 no matter if the sun is out or not.
Of course you will need a creek of some sort.
I priced out solar, wind and micro hydro and micro hydro gave me the most KWH per month, (600 KWH ) which unlike wind and solar was not a guess it was based on the flow of the water. This will pretty much power my home completely. I would seriously consider it IF you have the water source. www.microhydropower.com www.microhydropower.net www.apmhydro.con
Wind-- $40,000
Solar-- $32,000
Hydro-- $14,000

BTW, solar hot water for a typical 50 gallon hot water tank is between $3,000 -$5,000 !! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif But that is installed if it makes a difference.

 

[scesnick]

I have been looking into alternative energy for about 3 years and the Micro hydro turbines are for sure the way to go. They are the most reliable, easiest to install and the cheapest by far. They will supply power 24/7 no matter if the sun is out or not.
Of course you will need a creek of some sort.
I priced out solar, wind and micro hydro and micro hydro gave me the most KWH per month, (600 KWH ) which unlike wind and solar was not a guess it was based on the flow of the water. This will pretty much power my home completely. I would seriously consider it IF you have the water source. www.microhydropower.com www.microhydropower.net www.apmhydro.con
Wind-- $40,000
Solar-- $32,000
Hydro-- $14,000

BTW, solar hot water for a typical 50 gallon hot water tank is between $3,000 -$5,000 !! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif But that is installed if it makes a difference.

 

[inveresk]

Solar isn't a cheap means of generating electricity because of capital cost of installation and the components do need replaced over time.

Pv arrays usually output in 12 or 24V and if you're intending to be off grid you'll need both a battery bank - deep cycle batteries are expensive and on average have about a ten year life span - and an inverter to convert to AC current.

As dmccarty suggested, you can do away with the lead acid batteries if you have a utility intertie which I too would recommend. Advantage of this set up is that you can "bank" any spare energy you produce by pushing it into the grid and get credit for it from the energy company. Most states have legislation in place so your power company is obligated to buy back surplus energy produced abeit at less than you buy it for. For intertied system, most power companies insist on pure sine wave inverters which aren't cheap. Nonetheless, this could reduce your energy bills drastically and it liberates you in terms of being able to run all the appliances, tools, etc. you normally do in a grid supplied house.

The reality is that in order to produce the amount of electricity that the normal home uses you'd need a very large and expensive system which wouldn't be economically viable. The basic principle about off grid energy is to try to minimise your energy demands and therefore your capital investment and your production needs. It's not uncommon, for example, to home light with 12 or 24V fluorescent appliances and to use low energy fridges, freezers, etc. Chances of running electric heat or a/c from a stand alone system are zilch.

If you have the right site, it's worth considering a mix of wind and solar. Wind is good because it's usually available when solar insolation values are low and demand is high - e.g. in mid winter - but a survey to assess your site for wind power suitability is prudent before you invest.

As scesnick, mentioned, water turbines are great but have the disadvantage that very few sites have enough running water to generate power. If you do, though, this is definitely the way to go.

Grants are available from some states for renewable energy systems.

 

[inveresk]

Solar isn't a cheap means of generating electricity because of capital cost of installation and the components do need replaced over time.

Pv arrays usually output in 12 or 24V and if you're intending to be off grid you'll need both a battery bank - deep cycle batteries are expensive and on average have about a ten year life span - and an inverter to convert to AC current.

As dmccarty suggested, you can do away with the lead acid batteries if you have a utility intertie which I too would recommend. Advantage of this set up is that you can "bank" any spare energy you produce by pushing it into the grid and get credit for it from the energy company. Most states have legislation in place so your power company is obligated to buy back surplus energy produced abeit at less than you buy it for. For intertied system, most power companies insist on pure sine wave inverters which aren't cheap. Nonetheless, this could reduce your energy bills drastically and it liberates you in terms of being able to run all the appliances, tools, etc. you normally do in a grid supplied house.

The reality is that in order to produce the amount of electricity that the normal home uses you'd need a very large and expensive system which wouldn't be economically viable. The basic principle about off grid energy is to try to minimise your energy demands and therefore your capital investment and your production needs. It's not uncommon, for example, to home light with 12 or 24V fluorescent appliances and to use low energy fridges, freezers, etc. Chances of running electric heat or a/c from a stand alone system are zilch.

If you have the right site, it's worth considering a mix of wind and solar. Wind is good because it's usually available when solar insolation values are low and demand is high - e.g. in mid winter - but a survey to assess your site for wind power suitability is prudent before you invest.

As scesnick, mentioned, water turbines are great but have the disadvantage that very few sites have enough running water to generate power. If you do, though, this is definitely the way to go.

Grants are available from some states for renewable energy systems.

 

[inveresk]

JoeR, the reason that BP stations use solar power is that BP have been transitioning into solar power for years.

BP Solar is the largest pv array manufacturer in the world and recently bought over Solarex who used to be second largest.

The company realised a decade or so back that fossil fuels are running out and that they had to turn to renewable systems. This is why BP have adopted the slogan 'Beyond Petroleum' whereas originally BP was the acronym for 'British Petroleum'.

BP Solar

 

[inveresk]

JoeR, the reason that BP stations use solar power is that BP have been transitioning into solar power for years.

BP Solar is the largest pv array manufacturer in the world and recently bought over Solarex who used to be second largest.

The company realised a decade or so back that fossil fuels are running out and that they had to turn to renewable systems. This is why BP have adopted the slogan 'Beyond Petroleum' whereas originally BP was the acronym for 'British Petroleum'.

BP Solar

 

[scesnick]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( This is why BP have adopted the slogan 'Beyond Petroleum' whereas originally BP was the acronym for 'British Petroleum'. ] )</font>

I learn something new every day !!!