Residential solar power (PV) - Anyone have a system?

[ruffryder]

There is a really dirty side to CFL's and the enviros don't really want you to know.

Actually most enviros already know about it. They are still better when you compare LCA's of the two products over the ability to provide a certain amount of light for a specific amount of time.

Very true about the problem with mercury, but there are recycling projects that are being started to take care of them.

recycling of cfl

 

[ruffryder]

I just signed up for an energy audit. I did the more expensive one ($100 and takes about three hours) that also uses infrared to track heat loss, and they also hook up a blower to your outside door to see where air is infiltrating.

I think this would be a good first step to reduce the load off the bat, and then be in a better position later on if the PV systems come down in price later.

But at $.058 in winter and $.061 in summer, I think we have some of the lowest rates in the country. I just cannot justify the expense.

Interesting, please fill us in on the results and there testing procedures if you don't mind.

It is interesting that for most of the dishwashers, clothes washers, dryers, and refrigerators, the ones that have the least amount of electricity usage cost the most, are the most upscale. Seems funny that those with the most money to spend have the ability to save the most.... It should be opposite of that, me thinks.

I remember hearing a study that said if you bought a new fridge to replace an old (20 years old) fridge, the cost savings due to reduced electricity usage would pay for the fridge in 3-4 years. Tried explaining that to my parents and didn't fly.....though most things don't with them.

 

[justadude]

" It freezes things, Why do I need a new one" ??

Interesting, please fill us in on the results and there testing procedures if you don't mind.

It is interesting that for most of the dishwashers, clothes washers, dryers, and refrigerators, the ones that have the least amount of electricity usage cost the most, are the most upscale. Seems funny that those with the most money to spend have the ability to save the most.... It should be opposite of that, me thinks.

I remember hearing a study that said if you bought a new fridge to replace an old (20 years old) fridge, the cost savings due to reduced electricity usage would pay for the fridge in 3-4 years. Tried explaining that to my parents and didn't fly.....though most things don't with them.

 

[Wade]

You should see some of the new PV technologies on the way. Every thing from thin film nano-particle electrostatic spray on PN junctions, vapor deposition thin films, cheap multi-crystalline wafers, ribbon silicon wafers, concentration mirrors, wide spectrum absorber fluorescents that emit on a narrow spectrum (tuned to the band gap of the PN junction), and even one project that produces Hydrogen and Oxygen from electrolysis within the PV cell, just feed it some water.

Basically, PV technology is way to expensive right now. The euro's are buying up everything they can get their hands on. Carbon credit certificates, and government mandates, are driving demand. Within the next 10 years I suspect PV costs will drop from $3.50 per watt to about $1.00 per watt. High demand has also created a shortage of raw wafer starts. Wish I had some stock in nanosolar.

Give it a few years. Unless you live in area where power rates are outrageous.