Posted by z on May 25, 2010, 5:00 pm
>
>>
>> So, the question to ask isn't what having solar power costs. It's how
>> much it costs you NOT to have it.
>>
>> There were locations in Southern Alberta only a month ago that went
>> without power for over a week. It was a freak snowstorm...one of the
>> wet kinds that power lines hate. I was only off for 27 hours, but my
>> furnace and lighting worked fine off the 3000 watt inverter.
>
> I understand exactly what you are saying, but for most folks that
> would be expensive advice. A potential 27-hour power outage is NOT a
> reason to have a $0,000 PV system, it is more a reason to have a
> $,500 standby generator.
Yeah I mean if his grid is really unreliable -- frequent outtages in the
winter etc it might be worth it. Or if he's got a 30 grand burning a
whole in his wallet it'd be cool.
But if you are talking getting financing to do solar in order to recoup
the money then it's another thing altogether. That money could be used
to make more substantial improvements in energy use more than likely.
And like Vaughn says maybe get a good backup generator with a big propane
tank so you can last a month if you needed to do that as well.
Original Poster: Check with your utility company to see what they have to
offer for grid tie systems. I know there are energy credits and other
goodies that some areas have for this kind of thing.
For example the energy trust of Oregon http://energytrust.org/ offers
actual grants to put in alternative power systems that feed back into
their partner grids. They'll buy your panels in some cases (sadly i'm
out of their area by about 60 miles but I looked into it for some seed
money for hydroelectric).
So there are other options for funding a system that might make it worth
doing. Do some local research !!
-zachary in Oregon
Posted by Josepi on May 22, 2010, 8:23 pm
When did solar energy become "Renewable"?
It's always different energy each time and you have to convert more.
Posted by z on May 23, 2010, 12:43 am
@newsfe09.iad:
> When did solar energy become "Renewable"?
>
> It's always different energy each time and you have to convert more.
>
>
>
Yeah and eventually the Sun will burn out, so it's not an unlimited source
of power. Something to consider over the next few billion years.
Posted by Josepi on May 23, 2010, 2:26 am
I would assume you meant "energy".
Yeah and eventually the Sun will burn out, so it's not an unlimited source
of power. Something to consider over the next few billion years.
@newsfe09.iad:
> When did solar energy become "Renewable"?
> It's always different energy each time and you have to convert more.
Posted by z on May 23, 2010, 3:35 am
> I would assume you meant "energy".
>
sure
>
> Yeah and eventually the Sun will burn out, so it's not an unlimited
> source of power. Something to consider over the next few billion
> years.
>
>
>
> @newsfe09.iad:
>
>> When did solar energy become "Renewable"?
>>
>> It's always different energy each time and you have to convert more.
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
>
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>>
>> So, the question to ask isn't what having solar power costs. It's how
>> much it costs you NOT to have it.
>>
>> There were locations in Southern Alberta only a month ago that went
>> without power for over a week. It was a freak snowstorm...one of the
>> wet kinds that power lines hate. I was only off for 27 hours, but my
>> furnace and lighting worked fine off the 3000 watt inverter.
>
> I understand exactly what you are saying, but for most folks that
> would be expensive advice. A potential 27-hour power outage is NOT a
> reason to have a $0,000 PV system, it is more a reason to have a
> $,500 standby generator.