Tell me everything you know about installing solar panels on a home for personal energy use.
Costs/Pros/Cons/Savings?
THANKS!
Originally posted 2009-07-09 13:34:25.
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Solar Panels?
Tell me everything you know about installing solar panels on a home for personal energy use.
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depending on how many you are going to use–if you have more than enough to run your home — you can sell the rest to the elec co. I seen on tv where folks had roof panels and his elec bill sometimes paid him–mostly was 0-30 $ a mo he had approx 12 panels
You typically wont get the cost back of buying the panels and installing them until years down the road. It takes on average 10 years to recoup the cost.
The panels are very inefficient as far as the amount of light they convert into energy. Wind turbines tend to be more efficient as far as kw/h cost goes.
The panels can cost anywhere from 200.00 – 1,000 dollars a piece. Just depends on the wattage ratings and the manufacture.
It takes a lot of panels to produce enough energy to go off the grid. Plus you have to live somewhere where there is adequate sunlight.
You will need somewhere to store the batteries if you want sustainable energy. The batteries will need replacing after so many years.
Charging the batteries with the solar panels and then converting the power from the batteries to volts alternating current, which is standard household electricity, is the best way to go if you want constant power.
if your roof is not adquete to hold these panels which can weight anywhere from 30-60 lbs a piece you will have to beef up the rafters and possibly the roof decking.
The panels will range in wattage output from 60 close to 200 watts per panel. The wattage ratings do vary from manufacture to manufacture.
You will have to have this all professionally installed. This is not a diy project if you want it done correctly.
Lead acid 12vdc batteries are whats typically used when you use batteries. They are basically the same kind of batteries you have in your car.
You have to use lead acid batteries because they are the only kind you can trickle charge. The lithium ion batteries are better, but you have to put them under a full load to charge them.
I suggest using lead acid batteries with quality cabling that has gold connectors on them. The gold connectors wont rust out and they conduct better.
Here’s an example of one
You will probably need good grounds too. I suggest having two ground rods installed directly into the ground 4 feet below the surface (minimum) each 6-8 feet apart.