PV Gap

Lydia Said:

Can someone give me an estimate on how much it would be to purchase a compete package off grid soloar statio?

We Answered:

I have lived off grid for a number of years 3 years ago.
I paid 9K. That included installation (at 110.00 /hr.) and the batteries and a free standing 8 panel. It also included a gas refrigerator that was 1000.00 dollars U.S.
What you have to do is know what you can not do without. It was just my husband and I and a 1300sf home on 20 acres at 5000 ft.
When the sun was out...all the time in the high desert, it would charge and we always went into the night with batteries full. It gained 10% on a full moon night too. it would charge through several inches of dry desert snow. Wet snow may be different.
It is not expensive in that you get a return as soon as you use it.
Think of it this way...how much did you pay for your last new car? what were your payments? Now instead of buying the car buy the solar. We had a big generator and used it for charging less than 4 hours the last year we were there. I cleaned house and ran the t.v all the time and turned on the lights.
Change your bulbs for lights to low watt and get a gas refrigerator. We used about 7 dollars every couple of months for gas.
EDIT: I consider it cheap in the long run . The government gives big rebates and that cuts the cost and when you buy your car you have lost at least 1/2 the cost you paid for it as soon as you drive it off the lot.If your electric bill is 200.00/month and you put in what we did it would not take you long to 'pay' for the system. and a year at 2400.00 adds up fast.
Our batteries were guarantied for 15 years and our car was not. Also we did not have to pay Calif. state income tax for all the years we lived there after putting it in. Our deep cell batteries , at the time, were a little over 100.00 each.

Naomi Said:

Solar System Size (Grid Tie)?

We Answered:

I too am starting to look at a grid tie system. I'm not an expert, but the factors that I would look at would be your location, weather, shading where you would locate the panels, and the local laws or policies of your utility for grid tie systems. Also, there is no reason that you need to generate 100% of your energy from the sun for a grid tie system. In fact many recommendations are for your system to be slightly undersized as many grid-tie laws will not allow your electric bill to become a source of income should you generate more than you use. I've listed a couple of books below that are sources of information that can get you started and don't forget to search on the internet as well.

There is another long-shot alternative that might eventually become available and that is grid tie system rental. There are a couple of companies that are generating interest and have websites. None of them to my knowledge are actually delivering systems to customers (other than possible trial systems) just yet. I believe that the rental company will survey your home and recommend sizing.

Home Depot provides solar systems and will estimate the system size for you. (Don't know what markets they are doing this in though). Any reputable solar contractor will survey your home and recommend a system size for you as well.

Timothy D.
West Melbourne, FL

Leslie Said:

What is a good off grid sytem battery?

We Answered:

http://www.agua-luna.com/p_batteries.htm…

Shirley Said:

how do you know when an electrician is ripping you off when hooking up a solar panel system to the grid.?

We Answered:

/Get price quotes from a few electricians beforehand. This way you know if the one you choose is in the ball park. Also, I'd make sure he's licensed. Maybe you can even call your electric company and ask them if they have any idea as to pricing for this type of job or, if even they have electricians who do it.

Gordon Said:

Does anyone know any way to get solar energy in a do it yourself format?

We Answered:

It's tricky, because you actually want to be on the grid.

The reason is that one of the ways solar works economically is that you sell your excess power back to the electric company when you don't need it. "Off-grid" systems are significantly more expensive, used only by people who physically can't connect without running expensive wires.

Obviously connecting your solar system to the grid is not a job for an amateur. And the power company isn't happy about do it yourselfers trying it, because it could mess them up.

You might want to talk to a solar company about doing a basic system that can be easily expanded by you. Or maybe a solar hot water heating system. Note that if you mess that up, you can flood your house.

EDIT- campbelp2002 provides useful additional information.

EDIT2 - dad is my hero. But his way is not for everyone, requires great resourcefulness.