PV Gap

Claire Said:

Are solar photovoltaic panels expensive to purchase & install? Can I self install or is this a pro job?

We Answered:

It is expensive if you just look at the price and say Wow! that is a lot of money. But when you compare it to renting electricity for the next 30 years and total the cost.. Well you end up making money.

You should find the package system you want which comes with instructions on how to install. Install the parts of the system you can and hire an electrician to run the wires and make the connections. You could save a great deal of money doing it that way.

Mounting the solar modules on the roof is by far the hardest part of the whole install. The inverter and charge controllers all have a Pos and a Neg markings and so does the solar modules making the wireing hookups easy. However to hook up to the utility you have to have a building inspector sign the paper showing he has inspected it. Catch 22 is you have to have an electrician sign the permit or the building inspector will not approve the system. If you install it wrong your home could be flaged as unsafe and you could end up being put out of your home till the wireing is brought up to code.

The easy way and the best way, Is to let the Solar electric dealer take care of it for you. The dealer is the one who has been trained and knows the electric building codes for solar electric your area.

Carrie Said:

starting a new Business, solar thermal collectors, solar photovoltaic panels or wind turbines?

We Answered:

Those three businesses are listed in the order of viability, if you ask me.

Wind is right out for most residential uses - unless one lives in the country, towers are restricted, buildings impede wind flow, anyway.

Photovoltaic could be a reasonable business, depending on the subsidy situation.

Solar thermal has a chance on its own, but competition will therefore be stiff.

Whatever you decide to go into, I'd suggest working for an established firm first, to learn the business.

Doris Said:

Are Photovoltaic Solar Panels that are currently on the market, environmental friendly upon disposal?

We Answered:

The components of a solar panel are designed to be inert: they sit exposed to the environment for 20 or more years with little degradation.
The creation of photocells is not so benign: it takes a fair amount of strong chemicals and energy to produce a photovoltaic panel. The payback, economically and in terms of environmental damage (tradeoff on energy/chemicals used to create it vs. CO2, Hg etc. reduced during cell's lifetime), may take twenty or thirty years.

Jacob Said:

Solar Panels or photovoltaic cells to run your household electricity.?

We Answered:

You can get a good idea of the equipment performance from the equipment link on the GoSolarCalifornia website. It is an unbiased list of independently tested equipment.

As for the installer, you seem to be doing the right thing, trying to find a local with a good reputation. I would also suggest that you keep an eye out for installations that look good to you. Most owners will be happy to brag about what they have and give a recommendation for good work.

Shawn Said:

How efficient are solar panels/photovoltaic vancouver?

We Answered:

the average efficiency of solar panels is around 16-18%. here's some info about renewable energy in Canada http://www.renewables-info.com/renewable…