Very new to Solar Energy and in the market for answers

[Duuuric]

Hi,

I have done a decent amount of recon on solar powered and understand the basics and where I would like to go with a setup. Price has not been a factor since I don't know much of what I need at the moment so I am unable to start pricing out parts. I am also not sure this would be a DIY since I am not too handy (I'm the first guy to admit this).

My HUGE confusion with all of the solar discussions online is what a single panel can produce and how much an array kicks out for a household. Within the first article below it shows an electric bill. That is where I would love to be but since my entire house is electric (purchased it a few months ago), I am being crushed on a monthly basis with $5-650 dollar electric bills. Per my bill @ 11.34 cents per KWH, I produced:
- 2,878 KWH in September for 21 days
- 3,976 KWH in October for 29 days
- 3,900 KWH in November for 29 days

I would not mind purchasing this kit or even piecing it together, but as I understand it with this setup, granted all contingent on whether this fits on my roof between the best South degrees 140-220? are my worst case calculations below correct with a basic users understanding or can someone find a flaw?

http://www.amazon.com/Grape-Solar-GS-2300-KIT-Residential-Grid-Tied/dp/B0049SPBL2/ref=pd_sim_sbs_auto_7

I could be producing 2.5 KWH (at best) and with my isolation rating, I could count on a range of 1.7-1.9 KWH.

Calculations:
1.8KWH (AVG) x 9 HRS x 29 (days) = 469.8 KWH/Month

Articles I've found very informative & useful:

http://www.altestore.com/howto/Solar-Electric-Power/Getting-Started/How-Many-Solar-Panels-do-you-need-in-your-Solar-Array/a88/

http://www.altestore.com/howto/Solar-Electric-Power/Reference-Materials/Solar-Insolation-Data-USA-Cities/a35/

**********I live in the District of Columbia

Thanks a lot for all of your help and wisdom.

Cheers,

[Ian S]

Hi,

I have done a decent amount of recon on solar powered and understand the basics and where I would like to go with a setup. Price has not been a factor since I don't know much of what I need at the moment so I am unable to start pricing out parts. I am also not sure this would be a DIY since I am not too handy (I'm the first guy to admit this).

My HUGE confusion with all of the solar discussions online is what a single panel can produce and how much an array kicks out for a household. Within the first article below it shows an electric bill. That is where I would love to be but since my entire house is electric (purchased it a few months ago), I am being crushed on a monthly basis with $5-650 dollar electric bills. Per my bill @ 11.34 cents per KWH, I produced:
- 2,878 KWH in September for 21 days
- 3,976 KWH in October for 29 days
- 3,900 KWH in November for 29 days

I would not mind purchasing this kit or even piecing it together, but as I understand it with this setup, granted all contingent on whether this fits on my roof between the best South degrees 140-220? are my worst case calculations below correct with a basic users understanding or can someone find a flaw?

http://www.amazon.com/Sunforce-Products-ProSeries-Backup-System/dp/B002EP1ALW

I could be producing 2.5 KWH (at best) and with my isolation rating, I could count on a range of 1.7-1.9 KWH.

Calculations:
1.8KWH (AVG) x 9 HRS x 29 (days) = 469.8 KWH/Month

Articles I've found very informative & useful:

http://www.altestore.com/howto/Solar-Electric-Power/Getting-Started/How-Many-Solar-Panels-do-you-need-in-your-Solar-Array/a88/

http://www.altestore.com/howto/Solar-Electric-Power/Reference-Materials/Solar-Insolation-Data-USA-Cities/a35/

**********I live in the District of Columbia

Thanks a lot for all of your help and wisdom.

Cheers,

Since you say you're not too handy, don't do it yourself. You are going to want a grid-tie system and I would recommend having a pro do it. There should be plenty of competent solar contractors in the DC MD VA area. Naptown, an Administrator here who is in MD will probably have guidance.

[Sunking]

You are not even close to real numbers. Solar insolation in WDC per day is around 4.4 hours yearly average. So with taking efficiency of 77% a 1000 watt panel will generate 1000 watts x 4.4 hours x .77 = 3.38 Kwh/day, 101 Kwh/month, and 1216 Kwh/year. You are an energy hog using over 100 Kwh/day and would need around a 30 Kw system to net 0 usage.

Back to the drawing boards.

[Duuuric]

Since you say you're not too handy, don't do it yourself. You are going to want a grid-tie system and I would recommend having a pro do it. There should be plenty of competent solar contractors in the DC MD VA area. Naptown, an Administrator here who is in MD will probably have guidance.

Agreed, I would surely tie in to the grid and never think to take on this type of project. Electricity is too hard for me, I'll stick to database programming haha.

You are not even close to real numbers. Solar insolation in gloomy ole England per day is around 3 hours yearly average. So with taking efficiency of 77% a 1000 watt panel will generate 1000 watts x 3 hours x .77 = 2310 watt hours or 2.31 Kwh per day on average, or 69.3 Kwh/month, or 831 Kwh/year.

Back to the drawing boards.

Hm, with your new calculations due to isolation, it doesn't seem like a system would barely make a dent for me and pay itself off in 10 years! I don't think I can fit anymore than 12 panels on a DC rowhouse. How depressing.

[Sunking]

Hm, with your new calculations due to isolation, it doesn't seem like a system would barely make a dent for me and pay itself off in 10 years! I don't think I can fit anymore than 12 panels on a DC rowhouse. How depressing.

Had to edit my reply. I thought you were in England, not WDC. Still really bad news either way.

[Naptown]

Agreed, I would surely tie in to the grid and never think to take on this type of project. Electricity is too hard for me, I'll stick to database programming haha.




Hm, with your new calculations due to isolation, it doesn't seem like a system would barely make a dent for me and pay itself off in 10 years! I don't think I can fit anymore than 12 panels on a DC rowhouse. How depressing.

Don't get all depressed. Lay out your roof and see how many can actually fit up there.
Next sign up for the DC rebate it's 1.50 a watt
SREC's in DC are worth about 250 each.
So if you can get 12 up there that's 3 KW
That will produce about 3.6 MWH per year or 3600 KWH
Living in DC I know you are paying about $.145 per KWH You were looking at the cost to compare (I Install PV in DC)
So here is how it breaks out payback wise
3KW will cost you somewhere in the vicinity of 15K
The federal credit on that is $4500.
The DC REIP at 1.50 per watt is $4500
So after those you are down to 6K out of pocket
System savings at $.145 per KWH is $504 per year
SREC income is on average at least for three years is about $900
So you have 6K out of pocket, and income and savings of 1600
6000/1600 = 3.75 years A lot shorter than 10

[Duuuric]

Don't get all depressed. Lay out your roof and see how many can actually fit up there.
Next sign up for the DC rebate it's 1.50 a watt
SREC's in DC are worth about 250 each.
So if you can get 12 up there that's 3 KW
That will produce about 3.6 MWH per year or 3600 KWH
Living in DC I know you are paying about $.145 per KWH You were looking at the cost to compare (I Install PV in DC)
So here is how it breaks out payback wise
3KW will cost you somewhere in the vicinity of 15K
The federal credit on that is $4500.
The DC REIP at 1.50 per watt is $4500
So after those you are down to 6K out of pocket
System savings at $.145 per KWH is $504 per year
SREC income is on average at least for three years is about $900
So you have 6K out of pocket, and income and savings of 1600
6000/1600 = 3.75 years A lot shorter than 10

Wow, that's crazy. I am looking at your website now. I purchased a duplex with a small legal 'bump out' unit on the roof is all electric. I would like to set this up for that unit. I should measure it out indeed. How much work have you done in DC?

10 years was my way of sounding doom and gloom... damn me

[TnAndy]

You'd do far better to cut use. The national average is around 900kw/hrs/month on a home....you're WAY above that, so start figuring out WHY. A dollar spent on conservation is about the same as 3 or so spent on PV.

[Duuuric]

You'd do far better to cut use. The national average is around 900kw/hrs/month on a home....you're WAY above that, so start figuring out WHY. A dollar spent on conservation is about the same as 3 or so spent on PV.

I called my power company and they are investigating. Even with Electric heat in the upstairs unit and mine being gas, I feel as though it is way too high. My previous house (rent) was bigger and less efficient and I never went over a $300 dollar power bill. I'm not a hog, I turn things off and even unplug unused chargers and appliances.

such a drag!

[Sunking]

Even with Electric heat in the upstairs

That is a huge user. What about summer?

[Duuuric]

That is a huge user. What about summer?

I have not been there that long (4 months) and I cant go in to the archives since it was previously gas. I asked him to calm it down but he states that it's barely on. I live in DC, I have a feeling someone is tapping in to my lines or something else is going on because the Electric company said something was going on and they have been investigating it.

He's gone home for 2 weeks so if next electric bill is low, I'll know why... plus the gf has been gone a week so less blow drying, straightening etc... GOD that sound sexist.

[Sunking]

plus the gf has been gone a week so less blow drying, straightening etc... GOD that sound sexist.

Nah that is not it.

[Duuuric]

Nah that is not it.

Ya figured but with other factors gone such as the gf and tenant, I am able to gauge that it is not me or our habits but rather the upstairs neighbor.

Thanks for all of your help with this guys.