SunTechnics Energy Systems - checked them out?

[_RaT_]

I am getting more and more interested in solar power and like the site here at TBN for solar by SunTechnics Energy Systems. Anyone using solar to generate power. What are some of the options? Battery bank or simple generate from the cells and feedback to the system when your needs don't exceed the solar. I think by the time you figure the cost per KWH for the electricty and then the distribution and transmission cost plus the tier system, we are well over 26 cents a KWH. I am not sure what it is since the electric bill is unbelievably confusing. I feel like sheep with wool over my eyes.

 

[dmccarty]

RAT,

I think the best use of photoelectrics is to have the solar power dumped into your house directly with no batteries in the picture assuming the structure is already on the grid. This way the grid acts like a battery. Your meter will slow down or maybe run backwards if you generate more power then you use.

Some states allow home generated power to be bought by the utility. This is goodness for the states the have this regulation. There is a catch though. Some states, and NC is one of them, only pay the wholesale rate for the power, not what you pay retail. So I would sell the power to the company during the day for say 90 cents and buy it back at night for 1.00. I'm made those numbers up. Its most likley a far worse exchange. On the other hand some states require the power company to buy and sell the power back at the same rate. This is the way it should be and would help generate power from solar.

Who know maybe CA does this...

I watch my power bill since we built an energy efficient house. Until we use the AC we are spending about 90-100 dollars a month. Say $3 per day. I'm guessing a good 30% is for hot water generation. The orgional plan was to put in a solar hot water generation. When we have money again I think that is going to be installed. There are better tax deductions now than when we built.

Right now the outside temps have been 50 in the am and maybe touching 80 during the day. The house is staying at 74ish with no help from the heat pump. So the house works and is saving money. Now if I could just reduce the hot water bill. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Hmm. I'll have to look a the average KW per day we are using. I have the number in a spreadsheet. It will be interesting to see how much it would cost to put in photoelectric. I'm guessing 20-30K.

Later,
Dan

 

[3RRL]

I'll be going completely off grid. I had no choice....no brainer. My case it would cost almost $200,000 to get connected to the grid amd the solar system will be less than half of that. No power bill for the rest of my life too.

Use battery bank to store energy, make the system large enough to reduce/eliminate running the back-up generator to reduce propane costs to a minimum. In CA not eligible for state rebates but will qualify for federal rebates. Home use allows up to 30% with a cap of $2,000 but commercial allows same 30% with no cap. Part of my system is dedicated for my machine shop so I will benefit from both residential and commercial reabate program. Get the best, most efficient inverters and photovotaic panels you can.

 

[_RaT_]

I believe some areas are still getting rebates from the energy supplier. I am only slightly familiar with solar here. I have a sister in law with a system. They are net customers. They have a digital meter showing time of day, electricity being generated, being used etc. From about 1:00 PM to 6:00PM, they get more for their solar generated power but also get charged more when using mor ehtne they produce. You make no money here in CA but rather get a credit for the electricity. If you make more then you consume over the year, you will not have a electric bill, but you not receive a monetary compensation. That typically is not what happens here as most of us still use more power then we produce, but the savings is significant. I understand solar panels are in very short supply.

 

[RobertN]

Have you checked out Sierra Solar over in Grass Valley? I have seen thier booths before, and they are a sponsor of many shows on KVMR/89.5fm
Sierra Solar

I started to look at this before. Seems they state does not rebate as much on battery systems; they want everyone to grid-tie. There has been a break by the transformer manufacturers; they make battery only or grid tie systems, but not both(not many at least).

 

[_RaT_]

<font color="blue"> Faced with a utility bill of over two thousand dollars each month, the Laursens knew they had to do something </font>

Robert, could you believe that at their website. I think the Laursens could have built a smaller house. Across Auburn/Folsom from me is a 15,000 sq ft home. Its on the market and no one wants it. I personally have to agree with a recent article in Fine HomeBuilding, these McMansions will be tomorrows tear downs.

Thanks for the solar link, I will check into this solar more.

 

[3RRL]

RaT
Are you going to be grid-tied or off grid? You didn't say. Also, depending on that answer, have you figured out (estimated) your break even investing in a system yet? It seems to me that even a small grid-tied system might be $20,000? ...depends how you go about it of course. But if your electric bill is $1,500 to $2,000 a year now it would still be a 10 year brreak even (even with the rebates?) If you're like my situation, you'll have no choice.

 

[Phils]

Hi RaT,

We're not on PG&E's grid. Been on our own since 1978. I'm in the process of doubling my array (should be done by Sunday afternoon, sooner if Sat and Sun morning weren't already booked). I'm like 3RRL in that I didn't want to pay to bring power in to our house, although what they wanted to charge us 25 years ago is less than I just spent for my newest 6 panels + controllers + wire + etc.. Of course, the mental freedom I've had has to be termed "priceless". I remember 'promising' to go home and black out my system for an hour when CA was having the rolling blackouts. We also had little concern at Y2K, knowing we'd at least be able to watch satellite TV when the world as-we-know-it started to crumble.

I know nothing of SunTechnics. Are these the people marketing homeowners around here? A friend mentioned some company tried to sell him a grid-tie system and he told me the reasons he told them "no". However, those reasons wouldn't apply and apparently the salesperson didn't realize or know that. For instance: sales said 25 year warranty. My friend then asked "...you mean I could have to replace all these panels in 25 years?". Salesperson said "maybe". I'd have said: "...photovoltaic panels never wear out and will likely live longer than you. With that in mind, HOW LONG of a warranty SHOULD the company offer? They (and most solar companies) have settled on 25 years." Maybe I should find SunTechnics and apply for a position /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Since you have family with a system you can get some of the most accurate and unbiased opinions available. My situation is different since we aren't grid-tie but anything I've learned over the years is freely available to any TBN members that have an interest.

Your "location" is northern California. To me, that's Stockton to Santa Cruz to Crescent City to Alturas to Tahoe.... big area. I'm near Paradise in the best part of northern CA, so if you have questions I can help with and are close, c'mon over. Or PM me. Or keep it in threads if others might benefit.

I suspect that one could install a complete grid-tie system for MUCH less than a company would be charging. This opinion reflects what I've seen from companies wanting to retrofit windows, do siding, build carports, etc., etc.. I remember a company replacing all of our business lighting at no cost to us (all paid by PG&E rebates) and knowing I could have done the whole job for 1/4 of what they charged. But it was free to me which I couldn't beat.

Phil

 

[3RRL]

Robert,
I believe that company was one of three who provided a quotation. We ended up contracting with a Bakersfield company closer to us. All the estimates came in very similar.

 

[_RaT_]

Thanks Phil, I'm in the Auburn area. Thats between Sacto and Tahoe. PG&E is very proud of their transmission and distribution network. I'm pretty sure the rates they charge for it are based on solid gold wire and gold leaf covered poles. The price per kilowatt is OK, about twice that of what I see the appliance manufactuers basing their energy efficiency calculations on. I am well aware of Paradise and frequent through the area on my way to work up in Palo Cedro, CA.

Thanks too to Rob. Its great getting your input.

My electric bill is about $200 a month. I'm on the low end, other folks are typically about $500 to $1000. They like the AC unit to run and the pool pump to filter at least 6 hours a day. I hate both. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[JoeR]

I have thought about solar power too, but here in SUNNY FL, I worry about hurricanes and hail damaging the panels. I wonder what additional insurance costs there are for protecting the solar power system?

Many people in this area do not insulate well or use insulated glass windows since it does not get cold, but these same people forget that insulation keeps the heat out too.

In my household, I figured that my two biggest consumers of power are the A/C and the water heater. I thought about solar hot water but have not been able to quantify the return on investment. Overall, I would love to power my entire house off solar.

By the way, I noticed that most of the BP gas stations have huge solar panels on top of their canopies! Has anyone else looked at that? I guess that's why they have have sun symbol?

Joe

 

[tommu56]

I would suggest readinf this magazine it has alot of vendors and if you search throughthere is alot good formation

web page


i have been reading it for years and fially this year I should be able to put a system in

ttom

 

[tommu56]

I would suggest readinf this magazine it has alot of vendors and if you search throughthere is alot good formation

web page


i have been reading it for years and fially this year I should be able to put a system in

ttom

 

[scesnick]

I have been looking into alternative energy for about 3 years and the Micro hydro turbines are for sure the way to go. They are the most reliable, easiest to install and the cheapest by far. They will supply power 24/7 no matter if the sun is out or not.
Of course you will need a creek of some sort.
I priced out solar, wind and micro hydro and micro hydro gave me the most KWH per month, (600 KWH ) which unlike wind and solar was not a guess it was based on the flow of the water. This will pretty much power my home completely. I would seriously consider it IF you have the water source. www.microhydropower.com www.microhydropower.net www.apmhydro.con
Wind-- $40,000
Solar-- $32,000
Hydro-- $14,000

BTW, solar hot water for a typical 50 gallon hot water tank is between $3,000 -$5,000 !! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif But that is installed if it makes a difference.

 

[scesnick]

I have been looking into alternative energy for about 3 years and the Micro hydro turbines are for sure the way to go. They are the most reliable, easiest to install and the cheapest by far. They will supply power 24/7 no matter if the sun is out or not.
Of course you will need a creek of some sort.
I priced out solar, wind and micro hydro and micro hydro gave me the most KWH per month, (600 KWH ) which unlike wind and solar was not a guess it was based on the flow of the water. This will pretty much power my home completely. I would seriously consider it IF you have the water source. www.microhydropower.com www.microhydropower.net www.apmhydro.con
Wind-- $40,000
Solar-- $32,000
Hydro-- $14,000

BTW, solar hot water for a typical 50 gallon hot water tank is between $3,000 -$5,000 !! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif But that is installed if it makes a difference.

 

[inveresk]

Solar isn't a cheap means of generating electricity because of capital cost of installation and the components do need replaced over time.

Pv arrays usually output in 12 or 24V and if you're intending to be off grid you'll need both a battery bank - deep cycle batteries are expensive and on average have about a ten year life span - and an inverter to convert to AC current.

As dmccarty suggested, you can do away with the lead acid batteries if you have a utility intertie which I too would recommend. Advantage of this set up is that you can "bank" any spare energy you produce by pushing it into the grid and get credit for it from the energy company. Most states have legislation in place so your power company is obligated to buy back surplus energy produced abeit at less than you buy it for. For intertied system, most power companies insist on pure sine wave inverters which aren't cheap. Nonetheless, this could reduce your energy bills drastically and it liberates you in terms of being able to run all the appliances, tools, etc. you normally do in a grid supplied house.

The reality is that in order to produce the amount of electricity that the normal home uses you'd need a very large and expensive system which wouldn't be economically viable. The basic principle about off grid energy is to try to minimise your energy demands and therefore your capital investment and your production needs. It's not uncommon, for example, to home light with 12 or 24V fluorescent appliances and to use low energy fridges, freezers, etc. Chances of running electric heat or a/c from a stand alone system are zilch.

If you have the right site, it's worth considering a mix of wind and solar. Wind is good because it's usually available when solar insolation values are low and demand is high - e.g. in mid winter - but a survey to assess your site for wind power suitability is prudent before you invest.

As scesnick, mentioned, water turbines are great but have the disadvantage that very few sites have enough running water to generate power. If you do, though, this is definitely the way to go.

Grants are available from some states for renewable energy systems.

 

[inveresk]

Solar isn't a cheap means of generating electricity because of capital cost of installation and the components do need replaced over time.

Pv arrays usually output in 12 or 24V and if you're intending to be off grid you'll need both a battery bank - deep cycle batteries are expensive and on average have about a ten year life span - and an inverter to convert to AC current.

As dmccarty suggested, you can do away with the lead acid batteries if you have a utility intertie which I too would recommend. Advantage of this set up is that you can "bank" any spare energy you produce by pushing it into the grid and get credit for it from the energy company. Most states have legislation in place so your power company is obligated to buy back surplus energy produced abeit at less than you buy it for. For intertied system, most power companies insist on pure sine wave inverters which aren't cheap. Nonetheless, this could reduce your energy bills drastically and it liberates you in terms of being able to run all the appliances, tools, etc. you normally do in a grid supplied house.

The reality is that in order to produce the amount of electricity that the normal home uses you'd need a very large and expensive system which wouldn't be economically viable. The basic principle about off grid energy is to try to minimise your energy demands and therefore your capital investment and your production needs. It's not uncommon, for example, to home light with 12 or 24V fluorescent appliances and to use low energy fridges, freezers, etc. Chances of running electric heat or a/c from a stand alone system are zilch.

If you have the right site, it's worth considering a mix of wind and solar. Wind is good because it's usually available when solar insolation values are low and demand is high - e.g. in mid winter - but a survey to assess your site for wind power suitability is prudent before you invest.

As scesnick, mentioned, water turbines are great but have the disadvantage that very few sites have enough running water to generate power. If you do, though, this is definitely the way to go.

Grants are available from some states for renewable energy systems.

 

[inveresk]

JoeR, the reason that BP stations use solar power is that BP have been transitioning into solar power for years.

BP Solar is the largest pv array manufacturer in the world and recently bought over Solarex who used to be second largest.

The company realised a decade or so back that fossil fuels are running out and that they had to turn to renewable systems. This is why BP have adopted the slogan 'Beyond Petroleum' whereas originally BP was the acronym for 'British Petroleum'.

BP Solar

 

[inveresk]

JoeR, the reason that BP stations use solar power is that BP have been transitioning into solar power for years.

BP Solar is the largest pv array manufacturer in the world and recently bought over Solarex who used to be second largest.

The company realised a decade or so back that fossil fuels are running out and that they had to turn to renewable systems. This is why BP have adopted the slogan 'Beyond Petroleum' whereas originally BP was the acronym for 'British Petroleum'.

BP Solar

 

[scesnick]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( This is why BP have adopted the slogan 'Beyond Petroleum' whereas originally BP was the acronym for 'British Petroleum'. ] )</font>

I learn something new every day !!!