PV Gap

Samuel Said:

I want to become energy independent. Can anyone help me with Solar energy installation know how for my home?

We Answered:

Try joining http://www.justfortheloveofit.org
It's a freeconomy site, the idea is that people use their skills to help out people they don't know for free. (and make new friends) I know that in my area there are some people with amazing skills including solar energy installers. Join and see if there is anyone who can help you.
If there isn't an installer there is bound to be someone with knowledge to help you further.


Sorry to send you some where else and not give you any answers myself, but it may help!


Spread the freeconomy goodness.

Bright Blessings.

Penny Said:

comparison between nuclear and solar energy in cost,installation period and effectiveness..?

We Answered:

comparative cost for various types of 250 to 500 megawatt facilities.

nuclear- construction cost per plant $4 billion
production cost of a kilowatt hour 7.5 cents

solar thermal cost per facility $12.5 billion
production cost for 1 kwh 17.9 cents

silicon photovoltaic cost per facility $18 to$ 20 billion
cost per 1 kwh 33.5 to 39.4 cents

thin film photovoltaic cost per facility $10 to $12 billion
cost of 1 kwh 24.6 to 31.5 cents

super critical pulverized coal with carbon capture $3.9 to $4.7 billion
cost of 1 kwh 8.5 to 10 cents(estimated in 2025 dollars)

Esther Said:

Will Solar energy installation be included in the upcoming economic stimulus.....?

We Answered:

lets think about that. PV panels are made in China. That means the Obama crew will borrow money from China to give to you so you can buy a panel made in China. No on in the US gets a job so how can the stimulus work doing that?

Carol Said:

solar energy installation help?

We Answered:

http://www.affordable-solar.com/solar.st…
http://www.affordable-solar.com/installe…

60 sq ft (7 sq yards) minimum size.

if you're just going to use the DC, it's far easier.
but still way larger than most folks seem to like.

Clifford Said:

Please help with my solar energy installation?

We Answered:

That's a tricky question.

You are going to need one or more diodes connected between the PV panels and the battery, to prevent it from discharging through the panels when the lights are out.

A single car battery typically has a charging current of about 0.8-1 amp, and needs a charging bias of about 2.3-2.5 volts over the top of the battery's voltage. I assume that since the originally intended purpose of your PV panels is for charging car batteries, that they are sized correctly in terms of voltage and current output.

The diode(s) is another matter. Here are the specifications you are going to want. I have added here an approximate fudge factor.
forward voltage : ~0.8v
reverse breakdown voltage: 30v
leakage current: micro-amp range
forward current: 2 amps. If you can't find diodes this large(unlikely), you can just connect enough in parallel to get the current capacity you want.

Another problem, is the fact that the inverter will draw a small to moderate amount of current whenever it is switched on, even if the pump is not on. I am not sure how to solve this problem besides just physically turning the inverter off when it is not being used. This kind of defeats the purpose of having an automatic system though....

Mark's idea of using a 12v dc pump and ignoring the battery and inverter altogether, is a good one.

You might want to talk to a bona fide electrical engineer in RL, and ask him what his opinion is. Electrical engineering is not my specialty......

Good luck with your project
~Donkey Hotei.