Looking into solar finally

[Admin]

Well once again my electric bill was 35 bucks and only 7 bucks worth of usage and the rest bulls**t taxes and fees. Even though 35 bucks is pretty easy to pay it irritates me to no end to pay way beyond my usage each month so I left a bunch of messages with solar guys today and waiting for responces. I shouldn't need a very big system and I want a wind generator as well so we'll see what the pros have to say. My need for being independant is finally getting the best of me. I'll update when I hear some facts and figures.

[Josh]

I'm looking forward to hearing about it. Keep us posted ;D

[nikn]

Solar power is a nice thing to have, especially if <insert any predicted future apocalypse> rolls around.

Do you happen to have a book titled "Back to Basics"? Even though it was written in the 70's-80's, it is still a good read for anyone wishing to learn blacksmithing to how to figure out if a creek is OK for electric generation.

[patricimo54]

Looking forward to hear what they have to say.

In my part of the world cooling is a much greater expense than heating.

My job consumes more time than it should, but the money is way to good to give up. I need to find a balance and pursue some of my desires to alternate living.

[Admin]

Well so far nobody's called me back

I'm doing this with them or without them so one way or another I'll be making updates on this from time to time.

Nikn, Yes I do have that book. I used to look through that when I was younger and dream about all the possibilities. Some good stuff in there. ;D

[maritimer]

I'm kind of excited to see some figures as well. ;D Keep us posted Boss.

[trapperandhunter]

sounds like this is gonna be an interesting thread !

[Admin]

Well the solar guy was here this morning and from his opinion, my entire system would cost 13 grand but after tax credits and all that, my out of pocket expense will be around 4500. But there are also govt programs for businesses that go solar and I'm a home based business so there's chances that I could depreciate a good portion of my out of pocket expenses. The hang up is that to get most of the grants you have to stay hooked to the grid so that your surplus power can go into the grid and you receive credit for that. This would work out fine because my surplus power will build me a credit for time that I need extra power. It all sounds fine and dandy but I have personal hangups with the idea of still getting billed the flat rate of 16.21 even when I'm sending power into the grid. Also, a major hangup is that with this type of system, this push pull thing with the power, if the grid goes down I still won't have power. I don't like that idea at all. Too continue on life as usual if the grid goes down, I will need a battery banked system which adds cost and complications to the whole deal. Personally, I just want to independent from the world and the grid all together. I know 16.21 is very cheap for the convenience but I don't want to pay it if I'm giving them power. The tax credits don't mean squat to me right now cause I have enough business deductions so more credits aren't needed, but when my next land sales come into play the tax credit will be a life saver. Stay on the grid, get off the grid, batteries, no batteries? Guess I got a lot of figuring to do. Personally I like the idea of being unplugged from the grid entirely.
We'll see.

[TRAPnHUNT]

Even before the Gov programs, at $4500, that would pay for itself pretty fast! More power to you JC! ;D




Pardon the pun!

[Admin]

I think I'm going to look into seeing what it takes to build my own panels. There's a ton of free info out there so i'll keep digging. I just can't believe I need a 13,000.00 system to run my house. I use approx 140kwh per month. That's not a lot of power.

[trapperandhunter]

thats still not a bad price JC, i was thinking about 30k or so when you first mentioned it. But knowing you i am sure you will end up doing it yourself, or rig some sort of solar panels up made from veinna sausages .......

[brian81]

Sounds like a good Idea JC...