Questions about Solar Energy for my Home

 

I need help with a few questions related to solar energy for my home.
Thanks in advance.

Summary
I live in central Texas where it is hot with lots of sun.  I have a
3,000 sq. ft. one story home (lots of roof space). Natural gas hot
water heater, furnace, stove, and dryer. Everything else is electric.

Questions:
1. When low energy light bulbs first appeared a decade or more ago I
jumped right in and bought lots of them for $10-15 a piece if I recall.
 Still glad I got them but now I see 4 packs of more efficient bulbs
that are smaller and cost about a fifth of what I paid. I feel like I
might have gotten a better return if I had waited before jumping in. My
question is: Where is the solar energy industry (for home use) relative
to my light bulb example?  Should I jump in now or would I be better
off giving it a few more years?

2. I don't want to mess with batteries or be 100% off-grid.  Couldn't I
buy (for example) 4 165w panels and have them wired into the house and
use them to supplement my daytime usage with the rest coming from the
power company?  At night I would be 100% on the power company.

3. I need to call my power company and ask them some questions. I can
only think of two so far. Am I missing something?

A. Are there any rebates, tax credits, or special programs that they
offer?

B. Do I need a different electric meter in the event my panels produce
more than I am using (such as when the AC is off) or will the current
one spin backwards.

3. Do I need a contractor to do the panel installation that has
experience with solar panels or should any electrician be able to do
the work?

4. Any other comments or advice is much appreciated!

Thanks again, Bo

 



     One technology that can surely be considered "mature" is solar water
heaters.  This probably should be one of the first solar systems for you to
consider.


     Yes, you need a "grid tie" inverter.  That kind of equipment probably
starts about 1KW in size, several KW is more common.  Now think about "Payback"
for your system.  Suppose you install a 1 KW system and you are lucky enough to
get a average of six hours of full sun per day.  At 10 cents per KWH, your
investment would return (assuming 10 cents/kwh) 60 cents per day, less
maintenance cost.  From there, you can do the rest of the math.


     The key term for "B" is "net metering".

     You should use a solar-experienced contractor only if it is important to
you that your system actually functions after the installation is complete.


     Sadly, your best payback will be with conservation and solar domestic hot
water systems unless there is some government incentive program to take up the
financial slack.

Vaughn

 



I wouldn't say that. Check out the solar pond at
http://www.builditsolar.com . We are trying to design
something that costs less $500...

Nick

 

Sounds like good advice, Vaughn. I also live in central Texas, and
have come to the same conclusion. Solar heating (both home and
water) can be installed with a short payback time. Moreover, solar
heating is simple enough that most home owners can understand and
maintain it. Anything that generates electricity is too expensive
and too complex for the average home owner.
--
Humbly--Ed

Vaughn wrote:

"Payback"

to

 

wrote:


Probably true for most people, although one could say the same about
SUVs.  :-).


Not any more. The hardware, if done properly, can be idiot proof.
Grid-tied systems don't generally require anything beyond occasional
module cleaning. Even battery maintenance can be eliminated by using
AGMs. Should anything else be required, it's only a matter of
scheduling a visit by a tech, which shouldn't be any different than
arranging a plumbing repair.

Wayne