PV Gap

Alberto Said:

Is there an affordable way to convert my home to run on solar or wind power?

We Answered:

I just learned there are companies that rent solar panels so you don't have to buy them outright.

I'll put a couple of links for you below.

Clara Said:

How do I calculate my power usage in order to install adequate solar/wind generation in my home?

We Answered:

It gets complicated. Quickly. You need to determine your peak load (for the inverter) which combines all loads that might run together. (air conditioning and heating, for instance, don't run at the same time). Plus you need to add the starting amps of the biggest electric motor in the house. That would be A/C if you have it. Otherwise, the refridgerator which takes about 4-6 amps to run but 15-20 to start.

One pretty accurate way to do and only spend a dollar doing so would be to turn on all the appliances that you'd ever use at the same time and let them run for an hour. Not the difference in your electric meter reading before and after. That will give you average kilowatts. Add another 15 amps for that fridge.

In practice, though, one never goes solar/wind without massively reworking your house for greater efficiency. Compact fluorescents and better insulation and a new fridge and throwing away all electric heaters and hair dryers (use a towel) would be the first steps. Solar and wind and the batteries and inverters all cost too much to not take those easy steps first.

Average power useage of Americans is somewhat over a kilowatt per person. For your current average power use, just look at your power bill. A moderately re-worked house could be at 0.5 kw/person. Before going totally off the gird, I'd suggest aiming for 0.2 kw/person or better.

Mitchell Said:

Question about home wind turbines/solar panels?

We Answered:

Its marginal at present. It will take more than 10 years, and probably 20, to recover the outlay (allowing for interest). So it depends on two things:

1. the price of electricity - if it falls, its less worthwhile, if it rises more
2. reliability - no one knows what the servicing costs are likely to be over 20 years, and they could wipe out any savings.