Posted by jdemaris on February 11, 2010 at 09:22:08 from (67.142.130.25):
In Reply to: Re: Less then zero? posted by RodInNS on February 11, 2010 at 09:02:19:
We probably live in one of the worst areas of the USA for solar electric (dark, cold central New York). If we lived in the southwest, we could make the same power with half the solar panels.
To answer your question, we have 2-3 months each year when we make very little electricity. But, some other months we make twice or three times our useage. So, on an annual basis, we make more then we use.
In our area, without grid-tie to the power company, it would not work. During those months when we make a surplus, it would ALL be wasted. There is NO way to save it for later. With the power company hooked to us, they have to buy it from us and, sell it back at the same rate when we want it - with NO delivery charges.
My neighbor has that problem. He's totally off grid with solar and wind power. He has no way to save his excess. And during dark and windless months, he gets most of his electricity from a propane powered generator which is very expensive to run. He should, at least, get a diesel genset that can make a lot more power for the dollar. Natural gas would be the cheapest, but that is not available around here.
One note about off-grid though. If you build an off-grid system, you can buy equipment at half the price or less. And, you can still get Federal tax exemptions to help pay - but can't get state incentives that demand grid-tie only. So, in some ways it's better. I've got an off-grid 1000 watt system at a remote site I have in the Adirondack mountains. I keep a 17 KW gas powered genset there, just in case I need a lot of electricity for welding. Otherwise, for a small cabin we do fine. And, I don't have to pay any service charge to a power company every month. If we lived there full-time though, we'd need more power.
We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]
Today's Featured Article - Listening to Your Tractor - by Curtis Von Fange. Years ago there was a TV show about a talking car. Unless you are from another planet, physically or otherwise, I don’t think our internal combustion buddies will talk and tell us their problems. But, on the other hand, there is a secret language that our mechanical companions readily do speak. It is an interesting form of communication that involves all the senses of the listener. In this series we are going to investigate and learn the basic rudimentary skills of understanding this lingo.
... [Read Article]
Latest Ad:
2022 John Deere 5045E, 4wd, front end loader and 3rd function with grapple. 120 hrs, 55k new, must sell
[More Ads]
All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy
TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.