pictures of my solar installation - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

KarTek · #16 09-05-2008, 12:17 PM

I'm talking about payback strictly through savings on the electric bill, worst case scenario with no buyback from the utility. Our local power co-op is starting to partner with individuals and corporations to buy back power. I'm going to look into it.

suginami · #17 09-05-2008, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KarTek

I'm talking about payback strictly through savings on the electric bill, worst case scenario with no buyback from the utility. Our local power co-op is starting to partner with individuals and corporations to buy back power. I'm going to look into it.

That's how my administrator's situation works.

The utility company, Southern California Edison, actually buys back power from them as they are generating it.

I understand it was quite an investment for them to get the whole setup installed in their back yard, and then having the electric company connect them to the grid.

They took out a home equity loan to do this, and I think it was in the neighborhood of $30k.

Mistel · #18 09-05-2008, 02:38 PM

I'll try to answer all the questions.

"How do I tie to the grid?"

It ties to the grid throught a "Fronius 3000" grid-tie inverter. No batteries. It is tied striaght to the grid. I don't use any of the power, it all gets sold back to the utility. If the grid goes down, I lose power too. I have a separate meter that measures the power going out to the grid. Actually, I will have a separate meter, the final hook-up is not done yet

"how much?"

Approximately,

10,000 for the panels
2,000 for the inverter
1,000 for the hook-up

I should get about 4500 in rebates, so I guess that puts me at about $8,500 for the system.

It cost me about $2,000 to build the awning, but I am not counting that as a cost, because I needed to replace an old awning that was there. I was replacing it either way. I have done most of the work myself, from digging the footings to building the awning and mounting the panels. The electrician will just run a few wires. The grid-tie part is very easy for my house. My existing meter is just around the corner from the panels. We will run a conduit along the wall and install a new meter and disconnet, then out to the grid.

The tubes above, on the roof, are evacuated tubes for hot water

I am near Toronto, at 43 degrees north

Palangi · #19 09-05-2008, 07:41 PM

Awesome installation!

Two questions.......

A. What brand are the panels?

2. Do y'all ever have hailstorms up there?

Chad300tdt · #20 09-05-2008, 07:46 PM

Nice job Mistel. I like how you made the panels function as an overhang as well. I saw a program on the "Planet Green" network where they are doing some very interesting things with incorporating energy saving and producing technologies into homes. I need to get started on a few projects I have planned myself.

Mistel · #21 09-05-2008, 10:09 PM

The panels are 160 watt Evergreen panels. They are "cosmetically imperfect" in that they have some small blemishes on them. They are all tested and warranteed like a regular panel, but they just aren't as pretty. This works great for me as you can't see the panels up close, so who cares what they look like, and they were $3.78 a watt, which is a good price.

What I did is I screwed two panels together, with a bit of silicone between them, to make one long panel. You can see this in the first picture. Then, to allow for expansion and contraction, I spaced all the "long panels" 3/4" apart.
I made that joint waterproof by placing a piece of trim between the panels that I held down with nuts and bolts and some window glazing compound ( you can buy rolls of it at Home Depot)

Mistel · #22 09-05-2008, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G-Benz

I can see however from the pics, that most homeowners associations would frown on such an install. I am hoping sometime in the future that there will be an aesthetically-pleasing design that can be integrated during home construction or into existing structures.

Are you saying my panels are ugly!

KarTek · #23 09-05-2008, 10:32 PM

What is the brand and source for that vacuum tube water heating panel?

djugurba · #24 09-05-2008, 11:10 PM

I've been looking at solar hot water collectors and hot air collectors for about a year and trying to decide if I should build my own or buy one. The search helped me discover a company IN MY TOWN who sells all this stuff. It's an internet retailer catering to DIY-ers. About a month ago, they had a job posting and I applied. I got the job! So, I just finished my first week here:

http://www.altestore.com

The one really cool thing for folks like us who want to DIY is that AltE has tons of educational stuff on the website- including a free webinar about renewable energy. I've been really impressed with the operation so far, and with the RE knowledge of the sales folks (and most everyone else who works there too!).

There is also a forum like this there where folks talk about their projects and ideas- sell used systems, etc. They have lots of tips on net metering (selling to power grid) and more.

I'm slowly increasing my RE knowledge base, but I'm not in sales so don't try to buy anything from me!

Mistel · #25 09-05-2008, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KarTek

What is the brand and source for that vacuum tube water heating panel?

http://www.solarthermal.com/

they were pricy. If I were to do it again, I would probably use cheap chinese vacuum tubes, but install more of them. The system is not that complicated, but would have been very difficult to install without help. Once you see it done, you realise how simple it is. You need to have a proper solar storage tank. Only two people I talked to understood this. All the other "experts" seemed to think a tank designed to work with a boiler would work. I have to remove the "boiler" tank that was originally installed and install a proper solar tank this weekend.

If anyone is considering solar hot water, I would be happy to share my hard won experiance with them.

G-Benz · #26 09-06-2008, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mistel

Are you saying my panels are ugly!

No...you just have to park them in the garage!

Matt SD300 · #27 09-06-2008, 01:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mistel

Are you saying my panels are ugly!

Oh Lord!!.......Damn....eeesh!...

That said....Pretty neat system..good for you!!...

link · #28 09-06-2008, 01:17 PM

Thanks for sharing the details of this project!

Can one walk on the panels?

Also what is building code for weight loading in your area? Around here we get a fair amount of snow, and due to that structures are required to withstand at least 150 lbs per square foot.

Mistel · #29 09-06-2008, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by link

Thanks for sharing the details of this project!

Can one walk on the panels?

Also what is building code for weight loading in your area? Around here we get a fair amount of snow, and due to that structures are required to withstand at least 150 lbs per square foot.

You can't walk on the panels as they are glass. I was worried about snow load so I built it out of steel rather than aluminum. It will not support 150 lbs/sq ft but it should support at least 2 1/2 feet of snow, assuming snow weighs 12 lbs per cubic ft. I will sweep the panels if needed, but I have been told that snow should either melt or slide off. I imagine if I go to Florida for three months, I might have to have someone clean them, but I plow snow in the winter so I can't leave in the winter.

A264172 · #30 02-24-2009, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mistel

...

If anyone is considering solar hot water, I would be happy to share my hard won experiance with them.

I was looking at this system today and found it intriguing. Have you any thoughts about the workability of this high a solar heating load in northern climates?

http://www.radiantsolar.com/index.php