Comments for Build Own Solar Panel http://www.buildownsolarpanel.com How to make solar panels at home. Thu, 09 Sep 2010 08:37:15 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 Comment on A few questions about solar energy for your home? by roderick_young http://www.buildownsolarpanel.com/solar-panels-for-your-home/a-few-questions-about-solar-energy-for-your-home#comment-3384 roderick_young Sat, 28 Aug 2010 12:52:59 +0000 http://www.buildownsolarpanel.com/solar-panels-for-your-home/a-few-questions-about-solar-energy-for-your-home#comment-3384 Prices are unstable right now, and falling, due to the recession. I've linked an article below. Your best bet is to call some solar installation companies and get bids. It takes a professional about 2 days on average to install panels on your roof. Like a roofing job, it depends on the type of roof you have, and accessibility. For most people, it's too difficult to do self-installation. It's possible, if you're the type that would dare to do your own remodel. The vast majority of residential installs do NOT use batteries. If there is grid power available, it is usually cheaper to tie the solar to the grid (through appropriate equipment). As for how much sun you get, that would be a good question for a local installer.<br><b>References : </b><br>http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/energy/environment/2009-01-12-solar-panels-glut_N.htm Prices are unstable right now, and falling, due to the recession. I’ve linked an article below. Your best bet is to call some solar installation companies and get bids.

It takes a professional about 2 days on average to install panels on your roof. Like a roofing job, it depends on the type of roof you have, and accessibility. For most people, it’s too difficult to do self-installation. It’s possible, if you’re the type that would dare to do your own remodel.

The vast majority of residential installs do NOT use batteries. If there is grid power available, it is usually cheaper to tie the solar to the grid (through appropriate equipment).

As for how much sun you get, that would be a good question for a local installer.
References :
http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/energy/environment/2009-01-12-solar-panels-glut_N.htm

]]> Comment on A few questions about solar energy for your home? by Pats Fan http://www.buildownsolarpanel.com/solar-panels-for-your-home/a-few-questions-about-solar-energy-for-your-home#comment-3383 Pats Fan Sat, 28 Aug 2010 12:25:59 +0000 http://www.buildownsolarpanel.com/solar-panels-for-your-home/a-few-questions-about-solar-energy-for-your-home#comment-3383 Read everything you can. You've got a lot of studying to do. Good news, yes you can have a solar energy system on you home in the midwest. You don't need a generator, you need a bank of batteries to store the energy you collect. As far as your first 3 questions. It depends on the size of your home, how much electricity you use. How much you are willing to conserve. It is recommended that most people start by conserving electricity. See how low you can get your electric bill. Then you can calculate your energy usage (there are formulas available). Once you know your needs, you will be able to size your system, and determine price.<br><b>References : </b><br> Read everything you can. You’ve got a lot of studying to do.

Good news, yes you can have a solar energy system on you home in the midwest.

You don’t need a generator, you need a bank of batteries to store the energy you collect.

As far as your first 3 questions. It depends on the size of your home, how much electricity you use. How much you are willing to conserve.

It is recommended that most people start by conserving electricity. See how low you can get your electric bill. Then you can calculate your energy usage (there are formulas available). Once you know your needs, you will be able to size your system, and determine price.
References :

]]> Comment on A few questions about solar energy for your home? by whsgreenmom http://www.buildownsolarpanel.com/solar-panels-for-your-home/a-few-questions-about-solar-energy-for-your-home#comment-3382 whsgreenmom Sat, 28 Aug 2010 11:55:59 +0000 http://www.buildownsolarpanel.com/solar-panels-for-your-home/a-few-questions-about-solar-energy-for-your-home#comment-3382 There are 2 ways of installing solar, you can stay on the grid and get a system that will reduce your bill, that's what I did. Or you can go off the grid, you will need a much larger system and you will need a bank of batteries to store the energy for when the sun isn't shining. I can tell you that the system I had installed cost $26K, but I got a rebate from my utility of $10K and a fed tax credit of $2K. If you install a system now you will get a fed tax rebate equal to 30% of the installed costs. I have a 2000 sf tri level home and my system generates over 75% of my summer usage and over 50% of my winter usage. That is a savings of over $2K per year. I should break even in 6-7 years, it would have been more like 10 without the rebate. My utility lets my meter run backwards so they are buying back all the energy I produce but don't use. I've only had one day that I didn't really generate any electricity, so even on cloudy or overcast days I get some sun on my panels, it only needs the light so it temperature doesn't matter. The best thing to do to see what type of system may be right for you and what results you can expect is to have a local licensed contractor come out and give you a no cost, no obligation quote. Your specific site will determine your results. My roof isn't at the best angle, but I'm still getting better results than the contractor quoted me.<br><b>References : </b><br> There are 2 ways of installing solar, you can stay on the grid and get a system that will reduce your bill, that’s what I did. Or you can go off the grid, you will need a much larger system and you will need a bank of batteries to store the energy for when the sun isn’t shining.

I can tell you that the system I had installed cost $26K, but I got a rebate from my utility of $10K and a fed tax credit of $2K. If you install a system now you will get a fed tax rebate equal to 30% of the installed costs. I have a 2000 sf tri level home and my system generates over 75% of my summer usage and over 50% of my winter usage. That is a savings of over $2K per year. I should break even in 6-7 years, it would have been more like 10 without the rebate. My utility lets my meter run backwards so they are buying back all the energy I produce but don’t use. I’ve only had one day that I didn’t really generate any electricity, so even on cloudy or overcast days I get some sun on my panels, it only needs the light so it temperature doesn’t matter.

The best thing to do to see what type of system may be right for you and what results you can expect is to have a local licensed contractor come out and give you a no cost, no obligation quote. Your specific site will determine your results. My roof isn’t at the best angle, but I’m still getting better results than the contractor quoted me.
References :

]]> Comment on A few questions about solar energy for your home? by electricpole http://www.buildownsolarpanel.com/solar-panels-for-your-home/a-few-questions-about-solar-energy-for-your-home#comment-3381 electricpole Sat, 28 Aug 2010 11:42:59 +0000 http://www.buildownsolarpanel.com/solar-panels-for-your-home/a-few-questions-about-solar-energy-for-your-home#comment-3381 Solar power plants can cost in the neighborhood of $9.25 / kW. (total cost of panels , converter , etc.) Multiply that by how many kW's you need. Many States have programs to reimburse up to 1/2 the cost of the project with certain restrictions. This is for a "Grid Connected" system, Stand alone with batteries & a back up generator are considerably more of course. They are not hard to install, if you are mechanically / electrically, otherwise, get a qualified contractor. The best kind is really a combination of components that fit your home / region. Much of the "good stuff" comes from Germany. VERY ballpark, you need about 400 sq.-ft to make 5,000 kW / year in my location , (North East). There are published charts that give average usable sunshine for all of N. America and can help you predict your yearly output. There is a trade off for panels. More sun = more output, but heat drops there efficiency drastically. So your location may not be so bad. A 1000W panel will put out much less if it is 100 deg. out, and MUCH more if it is 0 deg. Most systems are "Grid Connected", which means you are using the Electric grid to "store" your power. They give you credit for every kW you put in, and take one away for every one you use, with a yearly cash true up. Because you may be sending power into grid all day when you are not home and using it back at night when it's dark. Generators do not store energy. Many stand alone systems have them as a back up.<br><b>References : </b><br> Solar power plants can cost in the neighborhood of $9.25 / kW. (total cost of panels , converter , etc.) Multiply that by how many kW’s you need. Many States have programs to reimburse up to 1/2 the cost of the project with certain restrictions. This is for a "Grid Connected" system, Stand alone with batteries & a back up generator are considerably more of course.
They are not hard to install, if you are mechanically / electrically, otherwise, get a qualified contractor.
The best kind is really a combination of components that fit your home / region. Much of the "good stuff" comes from Germany.
VERY ballpark, you need about 400 sq.-ft to make 5,000 kW / year in my location , (North East).
There are published charts that give average usable sunshine for all of N. America and can help you predict your yearly output. There is a trade off for panels. More sun = more output, but heat drops there efficiency drastically. So your location may not be so bad. A 1000W panel will put out much less if it is 100 deg. out, and MUCH more if it is 0 deg.

Most systems are "Grid Connected", which means you are using the Electric grid to "store" your power. They give you credit for every kW you put in, and take one away for every one you use, with a yearly cash true up. Because you may be sending power into grid all day when you are not home and using it back at night when it’s dark. Generators do not store energy. Many stand alone systems have them as a back up.
References :

]]> Comment on A few questions about solar energy for your home? by luis l http://www.buildownsolarpanel.com/solar-panels-for-your-home/a-few-questions-about-solar-energy-for-your-home#comment-3380 luis l Sat, 28 Aug 2010 11:10:59 +0000 http://www.buildownsolarpanel.com/solar-panels-for-your-home/a-few-questions-about-solar-energy-for-your-home#comment-3380 the much you spends is the much do you save ,you have to learn to be a independence people from mayor providers<br><b>References : </b><br> the much you spends is the much do you save ,you have to learn to be a independence people from mayor providers
References :

]]> Comment on A few questions about solar energy for your home? by Gertrud S http://www.buildownsolarpanel.com/solar-panels-for-your-home/a-few-questions-about-solar-energy-for-your-home#comment-3379 Gertrud S Sat, 28 Aug 2010 10:30:59 +0000 http://www.buildownsolarpanel.com/solar-panels-for-your-home/a-few-questions-about-solar-energy-for-your-home#comment-3379 there is a wide choice in solar equipment already. in any case, you will get enough energy in the midwest. my suggestion is that you contact a couple of companies that sell solar equipment, have them come and make offers. comparing the offers you will find out advantages, disadvantages, rentalbility, investment needed an so on. the advantage of having two offers is that each will point out the disadvantage of the other system. of course you can decide for third version.<br><b>References : </b><br>having been professional buyer there is a wide choice in solar equipment already.
in any case, you will get enough energy in the midwest.
my suggestion is that you contact a couple of companies
that sell solar equipment, have them come and make
offers. comparing the offers you will find out advantages,
disadvantages, rentalbility, investment needed an so on.
the advantage of having two offers is that each will point out
the disadvantage of the other system. of course you can
decide for third version.
References :
having been professional buyer

]]> Comment on How many and which Solar Panels are for my home???Are they good of bad? by Cathy B http://www.buildownsolarpanel.com/solar-panels-for-your-home/how-many-and-which-solar-panels-are-for-my-homeare-they-good-of-bad#comment-3376 Cathy B Wed, 18 Aug 2010 13:42:59 +0000 http://www.buildownsolarpanel.com/solar-panels-for-your-home/how-many-and-which-solar-panels-are-for-my-homeare-they-good-of-bad#comment-3376 My best advice is to really do your homework before making such a huge investment. I found a great site that has some free information that you should know before considering solar energy for your home.<br><b>References : </b><br>http://passivesolarenergy.org/diy-wind-power-secrets-dont-diy-without-a-guide My best advice is to really do your homework before making such a huge investment. I found a great site that has some free information that you should know before considering solar energy for your home.
References :
http://passivesolarenergy.org/diy-wind-power-secrets-dont-diy-without-a-guide

]]> Comment on How many and which Solar Panels are for my home???Are they good of bad? by Sonaly http://www.buildownsolarpanel.com/solar-panels-for-your-home/how-many-and-which-solar-panels-are-for-my-homeare-they-good-of-bad#comment-3375 Sonaly Wed, 18 Aug 2010 13:27:59 +0000 http://www.buildownsolarpanel.com/solar-panels-for-your-home/how-many-and-which-solar-panels-are-for-my-homeare-they-good-of-bad#comment-3375 Hi, thanks for your question, you have a big house, you may have a lot of solar panels, but the good news for you is that today you can make your own solar system saving more than 75% of retail prices and save more than 50% of your energy power bill every month. How to do that? 1. Be energy Efficient, replace all your lights with fluorecent light and/or led, this will reduce up to 80% in energy consumption compared with any other type of bulbs 2. Use motion sensor instead of switches, this will ensure you that your light will turn off 3. Use high efficiency refrigerator, dish washers, solar water heaters and washers only with this you can save more than 50 dollars every month I will recommend you this site for more information about solar energy www.greenproductsolutionpr.com<br><b>References : </b><br>www.greenproductsolutionpr.com/solar-power www.greenproductsolutionpr.com/eco-learning www.greenproductsolutionpr.com Hi, thanks for your question, you have a big house, you may have a lot of solar panels, but the good news for you is that today you can make your own solar system saving more than 75% of retail prices and save more than 50% of your energy power bill every month.

How to do that?
1. Be energy Efficient, replace all your lights with fluorecent light and/or led, this will reduce up to 80% in energy consumption compared with any other type of bulbs
2. Use motion sensor instead of switches, this will ensure you that your light will turn off
3. Use high efficiency refrigerator, dish washers, solar water heaters and washers only with this you can save more than 50 dollars every month

I will recommend you this site for more information about solar energy

http://www.greenproductsolutionpr.com
References :
http://www.greenproductsolutionpr.com/solar-power
http://www.greenproductsolutionpr.com/eco-learning
http://www.greenproductsolutionpr.com

]]> Comment on How many and which Solar Panels are for my home???Are they good of bad? by Matthew B http://www.buildownsolarpanel.com/solar-panels-for-your-home/how-many-and-which-solar-panels-are-for-my-homeare-they-good-of-bad#comment-3374 Matthew B Wed, 18 Aug 2010 12:57:59 +0000 http://www.buildownsolarpanel.com/solar-panels-for-your-home/how-many-and-which-solar-panels-are-for-my-homeare-they-good-of-bad#comment-3374 Solar power can provide you with cheaper electricity over a lifespan of 30 years. It is worthwhile getting your house as energy efficient as possible first. Consider installing a real time building energy meter. This can show you daily energy use totals. Run a solar power calculator against your location to work out the return on investment.<br><b>References : </b><br>http://www.matthewb.id.au/media/Solar_Power_Calculator.html http://www.matthewb.id.au/solar/zero-electricity-bills-how-many-solar-panels.html Solar power can provide you with cheaper electricity over a lifespan of 30 years. It is worthwhile getting your house as energy efficient as possible first. Consider installing a real time building energy meter. This can show you daily energy use totals. Run a solar power calculator against your location to work out the return on investment.
References :
http://www.matthewb.id.au/media/Solar_Power_Calculator.html
http://www.matthewb.id.au/solar/zero-electricity-bills-how-many-solar-panels.html

]]> Comment on How many and which Solar Panels are for my home???Are they good of bad? by Jesusiree http://www.buildownsolarpanel.com/solar-panels-for-your-home/how-many-and-which-solar-panels-are-for-my-homeare-they-good-of-bad#comment-3373 Jesusiree Wed, 18 Aug 2010 12:22:59 +0000 http://www.buildownsolarpanel.com/solar-panels-for-your-home/how-many-and-which-solar-panels-are-for-my-homeare-they-good-of-bad#comment-3373 Thats about 950 square metres - that's a huge house. Modern solar panels are pretty efficient. It depends on how many you have and how much energy you use. But ordinary households with 1-2KW solar panel will notice a huge reduction in their power bills sometimes even producing a bit more than they use. The average house though is only about 100-150 square metres in size. The main negative is cost. If you keep connected to the Grid then there isn't really any others. If you disconnect from the grid, then you have things like batteries and DC to AC convertors, DC appliances, etc to also worry about.<br><b>References : </b><br> Thats about 950 square metres - that’s a huge house. Modern solar panels are pretty efficient. It depends on how many you have and how much energy you use. But ordinary households with 1-2KW solar panel will notice a huge reduction in their power bills sometimes even producing a bit more than they use. The average house though is only about 100-150 square metres in size.

The main negative is cost. If you keep connected to the Grid then there isn’t really any others.

If you disconnect from the grid, then you have things like batteries and DC to AC convertors, DC appliances, etc to also worry about.
References :

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