Posted by John T on June 26, 2016 at 06:03:41 from (216.249.76.23):
In Reply to: Solar power kit posted by Geo-TH,In on June 26, 2016 at 04:54:25:
NOOOOOOOOO I would NOT invest that much as there are much much better solar deals out there then the one Menards is trying to sell which is like two dollars per watt when I've seen them not too much over one dollar if you're willing to do some of your own work. Also assuming you don't live where there's no power available, if the Utility allowed it I would go with a grid tie system which is much less expense and far lower maintenance then if you want to store energy (like maybe necessary where no power is available). I've seen some economic analysis done on grid tie systems where the payback, subject of course to KW hour charges and installation cost, is something like 7 years AFTER WHICH the sun provides much of your energy. yayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy gotta love that
HOWEVER as an engineer who has studied alternative energy, I would consider A WHOLE ENERGY SAVING SYSTEM consisting of things like partial earth sheltering,,,,,,,,,,,super insulated tight homes,,,,,,,,,,,,,,geothermal,,,,,,,,,,,,,,PASSIVE solar heating,,,,,,,,,,,solar electrical energy as well as solar hot water heating.
Energy independence utilizing the Sun Wind and Earth is certainly feasible and with payback of investment in not too many years, if you look at the long term and can free yourself from the gas and oil and electric rate suckers grrrrrrrrrrrrrr the future looks good.
Of course if youre too old (I'm there grrrrrrrrr) to outlive the payback years and investment cost, then you have to remain a slave to the utility and gas and oil companies grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. If that's the case, I still strongly suggest you look at less costly improvements like super insulated tight homes, supplemental solar hot water heating (not all that expensive),,,,,,,,,,,PASSIVE not too expensive solar heat (the sun simply heats up a mass inside the home which gives off heat at night),,,,,,,,,,,
Sooooooooooooo if you have the money to invest and the investment will pay back in a matter of years (say 5 to 10 max subject to whatever systems you choose) and you're not too old to reap the benefits lol alternative energy (Sun, Wind, Earth) IS THE WAVE OF THE FUTURE and if you don't have the big cash at least consider updating your insulation and solar hot water.
We may go near full time in our RV but with all my solar power and batteries and inverters we are fully energy self contained unless it rained 24/7 for days lol
FUN TOPIC George, if I were younger Id go all out for WHOLE HOUSE alternate energy (Sun, Wind, Earth) which will pay pack over time, but time has passed us by lol so insulation and common sense will have to get us by.
DISCLAIMER Alternative energy and how and where to spend and save your money is a persons free choice, REGARDLESS IF ITS A GOOD OR BAD INVESTMENT, its NOT for everybody, some may love it others not, to each their own and I respect an individuals choice even if as an engineer I may disagree with it, different strokes for different folks as they say lol
John T Too long retired engineer but still love alternative energy chat. You younger dudes just getting started and building a home YOU MIGHT CONSIDER MODERN WHOLE HOUSE ALTERNATE ENERGY (Insulation, Partial earth sheltering, Solar)
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