Experimenting

 There is a lot of talk in these groups about “Experimenting” with
solar.

Experiment to see if  I can run my lights on solar.

Experiment to see if  I can open a hanger door with solar.

Experiment to see if  I can use solar where I live.

Experiment to see if  I can run my computer on solar.

Experiment to see if  I can (enter reason here) with solar.

The question is, why would you bother when you can just use the
correct formula to size and design a solar power system that will
work. Admittedly you may not like the price, but hey, can’t take the
heat, get out of the kitchen. Solar energy is “FREE”. The equipment to
use this “FREE” energy costs real money.

The truth is that the experimenting was done more than twenty years
ago. The sizing and design of a solar power system is a well
documented and proven formula.

There are a number of reasons for people not following basic design
work.

One reason is the information obtained in these groups comes from
people who, themselves, cannot grasp the fundamentals of sizing and
design. Because they can’t understand the the sizing and design
process they actively try to repress the information. This is because
if you learn the correct method of sizing and design you will
instantly be able to spot their ignorance and ask embarrassing
questions they can’t answer.

Another reason is that some people feel guilty about their energy use
and assuage this guilt by being able to say “Oh yes, I’m experimenting
with solar to see if  it will run my house”. Some how this absolves
them of their wasteful energy practices.

There is no reason to experiment with solar power. It will not teach
you anything that is not already common knowledge. Nor will it teach
you anything that you won’t learn by learning the correct method of
sizing and design.

What it always comes down to is someone saying “I want to experiment
with solar to see if it will run (enter load here)”. What they
invariably mean is “Can I power my (enter load here) for less than
$100”?

Twenty minutes with the correct formula will teach you more about
solar power design for free, than you will ever learn with any number
of HF panel kits.

 

bealiba@gmail.com wrote:


And the best way of dealing with that is to heat (or cool) your home more
selectively and install decent insulation (way more than standard which is
typically fairly 'token' in its function).

Graham

 

  There are plenty of reasons that people develop an interest in
"experimental" solar power generation.  A typical engineered
PV System, is not the only answer or even one that interests
everyone.

   If you don't have the independent self reliant spirit;  you
won't understand.  If you can't see why some people grow
their own vegetables, when they can buy them cheaper at the
local grocery, then I can't make you see.  I suppose that you
feel the same way about people who build their own windmills,
or develop a water source on their property.

  I won't even mention "Experimental" Aircraft.

   Luck;
       Ken


 

 
There is no reason for "experimental solar power generation"
when it only replicates what has already been done. The point is to
generate electricity. Solar will do that. The question is whether you
arrive at the system that provides your energy needs for the least
amount of effort, time and money.

In the nearly twenty-five years that I have been using solar and the
fifteen years I spent designing and installing solar systems no one
has come up with a better way to size and design systems that is new.

Perhaps you will share with us the ground breaking discovery that your
experimenting has produced.

Well as I have not paid an electric bill or water bill in the last
twenty odd years, grow olives, apples, plums and veggies. Built my
house with my own to hands and do my own mechanical repairs, you can
drop the self-sufficient clap trap and accept that your statement is
incorrect.

There is no reason to experiment with solar, of any size, it has all
been done before. So again you can tell us what great discovery you
have made in the design principles for solar power installations.

 

  That's not the question for everyone, and at least for some, you
need to add - that I can do myself.  Not just build but develop
the process, skills, and learn from doing.  This usually means that
there will be more time, money, and effort expended doing it
your own way than would be spent hiring a pro (such as you claim
to be).   There can be much satisfaction working out a process that
provides results, even if you did reinvent the wheel a few times along
the way.



 Not too surprising, as I just dug out an old text book from a course
I took more than 30 years ago:

Titled:  Solar Heating and Cooling of Residential Buildings - Sizing,
Installation and Operation Of Systems
Published by the U.S. Department Of Commerce -Economic
Development Administration

  The course was developed by the Solar Energy Applications
Laboratory of Colorado State University.




  Sure - Earth Shattering Discovery:  That **I** could actually build
a working system that produced usable results.  That some of my
crazy ideas and modified parts actually worked out, eventually after
a little experimenting here and there.  (Measure twice, cut many times,
then start over.)  That scrounged and made over parts, can often be
made to do a good job.



  If that is actually your history, then it is hard to understand your
attitude.  Who's home design did you follow to the letter?  You
know that there are plenty of very well established house designs,
there is no reason that you would have experimented with any of
your own house design ideas, right?  It has all been done before.



  I guess the main principle still stands - Put it where the Sun shines.

So if you can get your head out of where ....

Luck;
    Ken