PV Gap

Elsie Said:

Is there a way to get free solar items to use solar power in Arizona?

We Answered:

Not that I know of but many governments have tax rebates for solar power and if you use less energy than you produce you can always sell the extra back to power company and potentially make money that way as well.

Harvey Said:

how do you find free solar power panel to put on your home?

We Answered:

http://www.knowledgepublications.com/promo/free_solar_panels_ov2.htm
You can get this book that can tell you where to get free (but used) solar panels. Another choice is to have a fundraiser to raise the money to buy the panels and have them installed properly.
Here's another link.
http://www.partsonsale.com/products2.html#homekits
Hope this helps.

Marvin Said:

Free Power Solar tower.?

We Answered:

I think you invented a new perpetual motion machine, that won't work, like all the others.

If i interpret this correctly, you want to use light bulbs to generate light that falls on solar panels to generate electricity.

Won't work. There are always losses. For this to work, you need efficiencies of much higher than 100%. In reality you will have efficiencies of less than 10%

for example, use 1000 watts for lights. Best efficiencies of a light bulb are about 20%. Of that light, perhaps 50% reach the floor. Solar arrays are 30% efficient at best. Multiply these together, 0.2*0.5*0.3 = 0.03 or 3%. So out of the 1000 watts for the lights, you get 30 watts from the solar panels. Max, probably closer to 10 watts.

Meanwhile, any occupants will be blinded by the intense light. And they will be walking on the solar panels. Any furniture or people will also reduce the output.

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Dana Said:

Alternative solar power Would you switch if it was free?

We Answered:

Interesting, but how much would it cost after it's installed?

Anna Said:

What is the best and proven solar power unit for creating free power for your household?

We Answered:

The technology is well-proven for professionally installed systems, so I wouldn't worry too much about anything except the installer's reputation and expertise.

At present, solar electric involves $10k, $20k, maybe even more of capital investment in order to be cost effective in the USA. It varies by location. With rebates in some states, this can be cheaper than the grid electricity you presently buy, over the course of 10 or 20 years. Or, if the power you're buying right now is already very expensive, like 30 cents per kWh or more, then you can save money with solar. You can only SAVE money, it's not really "free".

But take heart! I think panel prices will be dropping in the next year or so. There was a shortage of polysilicon, the raw material that makes the majority of panels today, but new supplies will finally be coming on line.

Also, if saving money is your goal, first and foremost, invest in conservation - efficient appliances, insulation.

Finally, a solar hot water heater, displacing an electric one, can pay for itself in maybe 3 or 4 years, depending on where you live.

We installed solar panels on our house, $12,000 after rebate for a 2.5 kW system, about 2 years ago. A neighbor just installed a system, for about the same price, except they got 3.5 kW, professionally installed. Prices are beginning to soften.

Link to our system below if you're curious.