Solar energy

[Bigdog]

I was wondering if anyone had solar power for their electricity and how they like it. I have company that is offering me what they call purchase power where I just pay for the electricity that I use at a reduce rate ($/kWh). The rate will only go up 2.9% a year and has only gone up 1% in the last 4 years. We will not own the panels but they will keep up the maintainance of them and fix at no cost to me. I don't get a tax write off or any rebate if I go the route of purchase power. I have to have it for 20 yrs and they are transferable to other owners if I sell my house before then. After 20 yrs, if I don't want them they can come and take it off the roof at no cost. If they need to do before than it will cost me $500 for them to take it down. One of the drawbacks that I have is that the panels have to be on the front of my house.

 

[Echo9]

Not sure about your situation, but I've heard some bad things.

An example from 2014
http://www.newsmax.com/BradleyBlakeman/Roof-Solar-Panels-Fraud/2014/03/14/id/559661/

 

[65fastback2plus2]

Sounds like SolarCity which is a good company.

However, you can buy the same system solarcity would install for a fraction of the cost. You just have to install it yourself or contract your own electrician. Then you get your rebates also.

 

[YosemiteSam]

The people I know that use Solar, pay for their electricity in full. Then whatever their solar panels generate gets fed back to the power company, they receive payment on the amount of electricity they give the power company.

You do not use solar power straight from it's generation. It's usually used to charge batteries and then of course the overflow goes to the grid. Then in the event of power loss, you switch your power feed to your batteries. (selectively of course, an AC or refrigerator will kill a battery quick!)

I just picked up a portable solar panel and AA/AAA charger with good rechargeable batteries. Then some tools required to connect the two so I can charge the batteries for my LED lamps and flashlights I use for power out situations, camping, when I'm out doing Astrophotography etc. Not to mention charge my power packs that power my CCD camera and powers my telescope's computerized mount.

 

[65fastback2plus2]

The people I know that use Solar, pay for their electricity in full. Then whatever their solar panels generate gets fed back to the power company, they receive payment on the amount of electricity they give the power company.

You do not use solar power straight from it's generation. It's usually used to charge batteries and then of course the overflow goes to the grid. Then in the event of power loss, you switch your power feed to your batteries. (selectively of course, an AC or refrigerator will kill a battery quick!)

Actually you do use it straight from its generation through the inverter. Batteries are not required, nor is any storage capacity required to run solar.

 

[YosemiteSam]

Actually you do use it straight from its generation through the inverter. Batteries are not required, nor is any storage capacity required to run solar.

While I know this can be done, this isn't what I've ever seen done at someone's house that wasn't "off the grid".

Besides, there is lots of issues using it that way. You will get voltage fluctuation going straight from the generation to an inverter. This is why most go to a battery, then you draw from the battery.

 

[65fastback2plus2]

While I know this can be done, this isn't what I've ever seen done at someone's house that wasn't "off the grid".

Besides, there is lots of issues using it that way. You will get voltage fluctuation going straight from the generation to an inverter. This is why most go to a battery, then you draw from the battery.

Batteries are called a "off grid" system

Non-battery and direct is called "grid tie"

You wont get any voltage fluctuation because the inverter manages the voltage through automatic voltage regulation.

edit: whether direct or via battery, you MUST pass through the inverter (that controls the voltage) to interface with the home. Basic ac vs. dc.

 

[YosemiteSam]

Batteries are called a "off grid" system

Non-battery and direct is called "grid tie"

You wont get any voltage fluctuation because the inverter manages the voltage through automatic voltage regulation.

edit: whether direct or via battery, you MUST pass through the inverter (that controls the voltage) to interface with the home. Basic ac vs. dc.

I understand how it works. Your solar panels would be required to always supply a minimum of the maximum of what your inverter would ever draw, or as I said. You're going to have a problem with direct feed. Solar brownout.

 

[YosemiteSam]

This is talking wind and solar, but it's the same.

Hence:

Q. Can I just plug my wind turbine into my house wiring to help offset my electric bill?

A. No! No!! No!!! I am getting this question a lot and it really scares me. You need specialized equipment like synchronous inverters and transfer switches, and a licensed electrician, to interface a wind or solar system with your house wiring safely and legally. Do not attempt to do it yourself unless you really know what you are doing and have obtained all the necessary equipment and permits. In some areas some or all of the work may have to be done by a licensed electrician. Check your local codes.

Q. Do I really need the battery bank and charge controller? Can't I just connect my inverter or other appliance directly to the solar panel?

A. The Voltage output from the solar panel varies wildly with illumination. You would be very liable to damage the inverter or other appliance by running it connected directly to the solar panel without a battery bank and charge controller in the system. The load from the battery bank smooths out the Voltage to something the inverter can handle, and provides power during periods of low light.​

 

[65fastback2plus2]

I understand how it works. Your solar panels would be required to always supply a minimum of the maximum of what your inverter would ever draw, or as I said. You're going to have a problem with direct feed. Solar brownout.

Inverters take DC power and invert it to AC power so it can be fed into the electric utility company grid. The grid tie inverter (GTI) must synchronize its frequency with that of the grid (e.g. 50 or 60 Hz) using a local oscillator and limit the voltage to no higher than the grid voltage. A high-quality modern GTI has a fixed unity power factor, which means its output voltage and current are perfectly lined up, and its phase angle is within 1 degree of the AC power grid. The inverter has an on-board computer which senses the current AC grid waveform, and outputs a voltage to correspond with the grid. However, supplying reactive power to the grid might be necessary to keep the voltage in the local grid inside allowed limitations. Otherwise, in a grid segment with considerable power from renewable sources, voltage levels might rise too much at times of high production, i.e. around noon

 

[YosemiteSam]

I was talking about actually using the electricity from the panel, not the up feed.

Using the electricity directly from the panels (even through an inverter) is iffy due to fluctuation in the power. The power minimum would have to always be at the maximum the inverter would ever use or you WILL get brownouts.

Feeding to the grid would just stop once you can't meet that threshold.

 

[65fastback2plus2]

I was talking about actually using the electricity from the panel, not the up feed.

Using the electricity directly from the panels (even through an inverter) is iffy due to fluctuation in the power. The power minimum would have to always be at the maximum the inverter would ever use or you WILL get brownouts.

Feeding to the grid would just stop once you can't meet that threshold.

I still think you're talking off-grid power. I've been talking about grid tie power. Its supplemental to the power line connection you already have.

 

[Bigdog]

Not sure about your situation, but I've heard some bad things.

An example from 2014
http://www.newsmax.com/BradleyBlakeman/Roof-Solar-Panels-Fraud/2014/03/14/id/559661/

thank you for the article and thank everyone else who commented on this. This company does not put a lien on the house. It is right there in the the contract so that is good. They also maintain the equipment. My wife and I are meeting with them soon and I have some questions to ask them.

 

[65fastback2plus2]

Youre much better off doing a loan to purchase or outright purchase.

They are basically scalping the federal rebate from you doing that program.

 

[Bigdog]

Youre much better off doing a loan to purchase or outright purchase.

They are basically scalping the federal rebate from you doing that program.

Thanks for the info

 

[jrumann59]

I was wondering if anyone had solar power for their electricity and how they like it. I have company that is offering me what they call purchase power where I just pay for the electricity that I use at a reduce rate ($/kWh). The rate will only go up 2.9% a year and has only gone up 1% in the last 4 years. We will not own the panels but they will keep up the maintainance of them and fix at no cost to me. I don't get a tax write off or any rebate if I go the route of purchase power. I have to have it for 20 yrs and they are transferable to other owners if I sell my house before then. After 20 yrs, if I don't want them they can come and take it off the roof at no cost. If they need to do before than it will cost me $500 for them to take it down. One of the drawbacks that I have is that the panels have to be on the front of my house.

Sounds like Solar City/Vivint etc. I looked into it. I live in MD and have south eastern facing house with huge roof area that gets sun all day. 20 year commitment to buy power from them and get credits for any back feed into the grid. Their analysis was I would save 20% the first year, with most of my savings coming in the summer and little to no savings in the winter. The only issue I had is they will only replace panels as they go bad as in non functioning. Problem is panels lose about 5-10% efficiency from year to year. They also would not upgrade panels unless non functioning so as solar tech gets better you get left behind. I passed, I will wait for other options to come available maybe one where I get the subsidy and go with panel and battery setup.

 

[Bigdog]

Sounds like Solar City/Vivint etc. I looked into it. I live in MD and have south eastern facing house with huge roof area that gets sun all day. 20 year commitment to buy power from them and get credits for any back feed into the grid. Their analysis was I would save 20% the first year, with most of my savings coming in the summer and little to no savings in the winter. The only issue I had is they will only replace panels as they go bad as in non functioning. Problem is panels lose about 5-10% efficiency from year to year. They also would not upgrade panels unless non functioning so as solar tech gets better you get left behind. I passed, I will wait for other options to come available maybe one where I get the subsidy and go with panel and battery setup.

Thanks for the input and it is Vivint. As I told my wife, it all depends on how much we safe. I do have a lot of questions and we are going to meet with the guy on Monday, so we will see. I appreciate yours and everyone's response to this matter.

 

[jrumann59]

Thanks for the input and it is Vivint. As I told my wife, it all depends on how much we safe. I do have a lot of questions and we are going to meet with the guy on Monday, so we will see. I appreciate yours and everyone's response to this matter.

Also if you need roof work done its on your dime to have the panels removed, or you can use one of their approved contractors and get the savings of the panel removal, but who knows how much you get upcharged on the project. Just ask them about roof work, that part really turned me off.

 

[Bigdog]

Also if you need roof work done its on your dime to have the panels removed, or you can use one of their approved contractors and get the savings of the panel removal, but who knows how much you get upcharged on the project. Just ask them about roof work, that part really turned me off.

I shouldn't need roof work done since I just put a new one about 4 mos ago. I did ask that question when the sales rep came over.

 

[Future]

Youre much better off doing a loan to purchase or outright purchase.

They are basically scalping the federal rebate from you doing that program.

Yep, beat me to it.

I've heard that SolarCity is a major rip. Good for the environment but not good for your wallet.