Questions about solar paneling. | 27 comments (27 topical, 0 hidden)
Here Comes The Sun (none / 0)

I use solar here at my home in northern Nevada to augment the grid power as an emergency source.

As I write this,  the return on investment isn't there , even with tax incentives.  The last numbers I saw claimed industry wide efficiency of solar cells at 22%. There are new types of cells in development that claim efficiency in the low 40% range.

If and when those cells become cost effective solar may be more economically feasible as a every day power source.This is my opinion, your results my differ.

Cell efficiency would also mitigate variations in solar intensity over the years. I don't think you need to worry about that. If solar energy varies that much I think we would have bigger problems. Earthly factors like atmospheric particulates from volcanic activity, cloud cover and pollution would have a greater impact than the  minor variations in solar intensity.

Moon light? Maybe a few million years ago when the moon was closer. The USGS publishes solar density maps as do several pro-solar organizations. Solar day tables can be obtained from NOAA\NWS and the Naval Observatory.

Affordable commercial inverters use the same technolgy, most are "digital" now using ICs to time the DC pulses to simulate a 60hz current. 

 

Before me things create were none, save things Eternal, and eternal I endure.

All hope abandon ye who enter here.

by OccamsRazor on 07/10/2009 12:34:59 PM EST

ROI (none / 0)
I have not sat down and done the math lately, but when I did, it was orignally about 17 year break even point. That was before the big increase in the federal deductions and energy certs, and I live in the northeast. Now I think the break even point is closer to 10 years. What are basing your numbers on as far as a return on investment? Certainly you have done better with the solar than stocks or bonds?

Don't forget that there is also an added equity value to your home.

by sisco66 on 07/10/2009 03:21:09 PM EST

[ Parent ]
ROI ROI ROI your float (none / 0)
Don't forget that there is also an added equity value to your home.

Ah to dream. 

The ROI I speak of is not the same as a valuation and yield of a security or increase in equity by appreciation of a stock.

My cost was based on the  number of panels required, support equipment, battery replacement and installation costs and a simple cost projection Rate hikes by SPP would decrease that.

I do have a system by Sentinel that provides emergency lighting

With 40% cells the panel size would be smaller, generating hours longer. The cost would be the determining factor.I would assume as the 40% cell hit the market, cost would drop for the old technology.

There are intangibles involved. The idea of being independent of the grid plus the ability to locate a home on less than optimal land are some.


Before me things create were none, save things Eternal, and eternal I endure.

All hope abandon ye who enter here.

by OccamsRazor on 07/10/2009 04:25:18 PM EST

[ Parent ]
independent of the grid ! (none / 0)
Amen on that.

If you are building from scratch or fixing up, that is a differnt story. The ROI from good building practices, passive solar, grading and plantings along with some geothermal HVAC will limit the amount of energy you need by 75% +/-. Geothermal alone is a better investment than solar, at least where I live. At some point I will upgrade that as well.

Just think if IBM or Intel had put as much into solar as they did computer chips......

by sisco66 on 07/10/2009 09:26:18 PM EST

[ Parent ]
There are lots of things more efficiant than solar (none / 0)
I've already added Argon insulation, as well as a few other things.  I need to look into geothermal as well as a few other things, too.  However, I'd like to know when you guys did your statistics how much were you paying per watt of solar paneling, and what was the cost of energy at the time?

by EuphoriagenicCause on 07/10/2009 10:39:37 PM EST

[ Parent ]
when i did it. (none / 0)
i bought my stuff... hmm let's see 3 years ago? it was much more expensive. it was like 900$ per watt canadian. which is something like 700'ish american? or so. it was very expensive, wind power i dont remember exactly but it was at least 50% less expensive then solar.

by kingbane on 07/10/2009 11:30:01 PM EST

[ Parent ]

Questions about solar paneling. | 27 comments (27 topical, 0 hidden)