Home Solar Systems

I have been looking into these. The yare pricey but seems that its worth the cost. Anyone using or know anyone using such systems> I am really interested in reliabilty, safety, etc…
Thanks in advance.

I’ve also been looking recently, but I’m finding it hard to get very basic information aimed at the complete novice. The majority of the information I’ve come across seems to be intended for someone with a fair amount of background knowledge.

Any pointers towards a beginners guide appreciated!

Green-Moo

Solar power can provide big savings, but a complete novice is unlikely to be able to set up a system which will be efficient (and safe). There are a whole heap of factors to consider starting with the amount of power to be generated which will determine the number of panels. How much battery storage is needed. What is the optimum angle for panels to maximise power generation (the angle depends on your latitude). Do you want a stand-alone system or grid-connected?
The best starting point is to look at information from commercial providers of solar systems, that should give you an idea of the sort of system you need and then you can do some price comparisons.

There is some basic info on this site:
link

Photovoltaic electricity has come a long way from the old panels to the new stle appliccations as diverse as roof shingles and rolls for in between ridges on metal roofs . the new pmase ones are less energy intensive to make since they are made of the flakes from the other ones. Take a look around, some folks here in MI U.S.A. have them on the roofs. I want to get a job distributing them, or installing them,anywhere. Just a question . Does geothermal count as solar?

Does geothermal count as solar?

No. It’s a great energy source though!

Solar panels for rooftops are becoming (relatively) cheap, especially in comparison to how expensive they were in past years. One of my friends actually has a house that runs entirely off of the power they generate from their own rooftop. They are also able to sell some of the excess energy back to the power grid they’re on!

Solar panels are still off the budget for me even though they are much cheaper now than in the past. Perhaps I would consider using them once, I have purchase my own house.

Yeah, I definitely wouldn’t purchase them at this point in my life as well as I am still too busy paying off student debt. Just the same it is good to know that they are becoming a feasible option that I would be able to afford when I can buy my own house down the line from now.

I wish solar power were cheaper. We live off the grid. We started by spending about $2500 dollars on equipment and thankfully my husband installed it (he’s an electrician), but it was barely enough for lights and a television so we’d add a panel or a battery here and there when we could afford it. Now we’re comfy, we only worry when we have a few cloudy days in a row. Eventually we’ll have enough to sell back to the power company.

Well, you are lucky that you could even afford that. Some of us who wish they could use solar power can’t even afford it. Someday it’ll be cheap enough for us low income people.

I still have to get out with my camera and take a picture of the house not far from me that runs on solar.

‘we only worry when we have a few cloudy days in a row. Eventually we’ll have enough to sell back to the power company.’

This is the big problem with small systems – particularly if they are ‘off-grid’ It’s a fine balance to generate and store enough power to meet the household needs – which is a good reason for a wind/solar combination.
Price is always the big problem but it’s certainly possible to reduce costs by buying new or second hand equipment at auction sites like ebay. I’ve been able to buy $2000 solar panels for $300 – $400 each, 120 amp/h deep cycle gel cell batteries for around $150 each and a $3000 inverter for $600. Makes the set up very cost effective.

Wow, guess its time to check ebay!
I would like to be wind powered. As where we live they are quite popular. This is our goal when we are able to get a bigger house, with more property.