solar pannels

[nightvision]

Hi all,
A question for those of you who have solar pannels to generate electricity for your home. I heard that for an average home (about 1500 sqft) it is recommended that one would need 17 pannels. The cost of installation and equipment to grid tied the system will be about $18,000 to $20,000.

In July of this year, I used about 31 kilowatt hour(KWH) a day. I'm curious to know roughtly how many KWH a 17 pannel system would produce in one day (assuming good weather condition). THanks.

 

[KnottyBuoyz]

Re: solar pannels

Don't know anybody around here that has them but have done some research on it.

http://www.affordable-solar.com/

http://www.wholesalesolar.com/

http://www.sunvoltssolar.com/

http://www.solarpowerstore.com/

http://www.ontariosolarandwind.com/

Most of these sites contain tons of info on how to figure out what's the best system for you. You're right you'll go $20K - $25K to go off the grid. It really sucks here in Ontario. Even if you invest in a solar/wind system you still can't go "off the grid" once you're on it. We're stuck paying a "debt reduction charge" to cover previous Ontario Hydro's mismanaged capital investments. About the only way you can really get off the grid here, other than moving aboard a boat, is to build a cottage on a lake where there's no hydro service. The Grid Tie systems in theory are good but when you read the fine print you'll see that the hydro company charges you something like 30 cents per kilowatt hour and will only pay you 2 or 3 cents per kilowatt hour you send back to the grid. At that rate you'll never recover your investment before it's time to replace your panels & wind generators at least here in Ontario. You might want to look into what incentives might be available to you for upgrading to a solar/wind power system. EPA maybe? I don't know who'd do it in your state.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: solar pannels

There are rebates and tax breaks available for solar. Ton's of paperwork involved.

Consider what you are using the power for and go from there. You could dedicate the solar to only specific uses and use the grid for back-up.

 

[Kalian]

Re: solar pannels

I'm pretty sure California has some tax breaks available. I looked into it when I was in Ca, but it was still too expensive. I came up with $30,000-$35,000 for a 1500 square ft house, family of 5, after rebates and tax breaks. That was a few years ago, maybe prices have come down since then.
Also, doesn't Ca have some sort of regulation saying you can only recieve compensation for energy sold back that is equal to your bill or less? IE, you can't make money off it, you can only reduce your bill. I may be wrong, I looked into a few states, and it's all jumbled together in my head now.
Let us know what you come up with nightvision, I'm still interested in doing it here in NV, but it has to make sense financialy.