PV Gap

Daisy Said:

How Long Until Solar Power (solar panels) Becomes Cheap?

We Answered:

Between 5 and 15 years.

Current thin film technology, which is the current hope for inexpensive solar panels, are just starting to get commericalized. At the solar conferences that I've been to in the last few months, I saw no vendors actually selling thin film technology, but I saw at least two companies selling fabrication lines for them.

The presentations that I saw predict a 5 to 7 year horizen for thin film to become cost competitive with some of the more common energy production equipment. Assuming that these presentations are a bit overly optimistic, I'd suspect it might be a bit longer (but still within the forseeable future.)

Do a google on "thin film solar cost competitive" and see what comes up.

Great question.

Connie Said:

Can Solar Panels Power My Whole House-Including A/Cs?

We Answered:

Woah...way to much info for a question...so I'm going to write my answer based on JUST the question and not the book of additional information you posted.
My understanding is no, solar power isn't there yet. However, you could greatly reduce your energy costs by supplementing your home with solar power. How much really depends on where you live. For example, in the arctic Minnesota area where I am from, solar would not be the greatest thing. We get a lot of snow fall in the winter (thus covering the solar panels till they could be cleaned off) and we have some very short days in the winter with a lot of overcast days (thus reducing or eliminating the effectiveness).

I think it would still be a worthwhile investment if you plan to live in the home long enough to allow the solar panels to pay for themselves.

Edgar Said:

what amount of power from solar panels is needed to drive a weight up a height of 5 meters. ?

We Answered:

missing a lot of data.

If you have the weight of the weight, then you could calculate energy or work. If you have the time you want it to take to move the 5 meters, then you can get the power.

Of course the power out of a solar array depends on the area, and the type, and the sunlight, and the angle the array makes with the sun.

Without more data, the power can vary from millionths of a watt up to the power to light a city.


edit:
If you want the math, power = mgh/t where m is mass, g is force of gravity, h is height, t is time. So to lift a 10kg weight 5 meters in 1 second takes work of 10*9.8*5 = 490 Joules, and dividing by 1 second gives you 490 watts.

.

Edna Said:

Should I install solar panels for power?

We Answered:

Yes, you should.
Generally, the payback time is 6-11 years.
After that, your electric bill will be aprox $4.00 per month.
There are many financing and rebate options available.
I did one solar install where the homeowner installed the modules himself and we did the wiring.
Go here to estimate what it will cost.
http://www.genesispowersystems.biz/Estim…