PV Gap

Travis Said:

I want to install solar panels, but I don't know what to do?

We Answered:

Bryan, it's really nice to see a father and son both interested in this. As you can see from reading your answers, there is a lot of conflicting information on solar power. I have to say it makes me cringe to see responses like, "hire a pro, you're a rookie." We were rookies 12 years ago when we started on solar power with one panel and two golf cart batteries. Well now our entire home is powered by the wind and sun. The good news is that now there is more information on the subject.

You have to answer a question to yourself first. Do you want to use solar power, or do you want to learn about how it works, how to hook it up, and be able to teach others some day like we do now? If you just want a solar home and don't care how it works, hiring someone might not be a bad idea. But if you want to get involved, the best thing I can suggest is starting small. Start with one panel, some batteries, and make some 12 volt electricity to use for small items. You'll spend less money, learn a great deal, and be making some of your own electricity now, and if the power ever goes out, it's really handy to be able to run a few lights and a radio or TV.

There are some good books, magazines, non profit groups and websites you can use for research, but my first suggestion is gettting a subscription to Home Power Magazine. They are the only periodical that get into the nuts and bolts of what you are trying to do. We started with the same mag 12 years ago. In addition to the articles about people hooking up there own equipment, there are ads for vendors, and info on seminars, courses and energy fairs. We attended a fair in Wisconsin one weekend, and bought our first panel and wind turbine on the spot. It was very worthwhile. In the back of Home Power, each issue lists upcoming fairs and classes with dates and locations and who to contact for more info.

When we built our first system, we wrote the magazine. They liked it so much, they ran an article on it in the late 90's. If you subscribe, you can use their website to search for an article called, "Starting Small," and read about it for yourself. My suggestion for equipment for a small starter system is a single panel, not over 75 watts, and two golf cart batteries, Trojan T-105's have given us the best results. The batteries can be purchased at any place that sells and services golf carts. If you use a panel less than 75 watts, it won't put out more than 4.2 amps. Golf cart batteries hold 220 amp hours, which means the charge current will not exceed 2% of the batteries capacity. Based on that, you do not need a charge controller. You can read about that for yourself in Richard Perez's book I have listed below. All you need is a diode in the back of the panel to prevent the battery from discharging through the panel at night, most panels today come with diodes already installed. If not, you can buy one at Radio Shack for about a dollar.

Once you have the panel and battery hooked up, you can use the 12 volt power to run low voltage cabinet lights in the kitchen, 12 volt garden lights, portable radios, DVD players, car charges for cell phones and so on. We liked our system so much, we ran a 12 volt line throughout the house and have 12 volt outlets in each room now. You can do lots of interesting things with your homegrown electricity, only your imagination will limit you. We even installed a 300 gallon rainwater collection tank and run a garden hose with a 12 volt RV water pump that is powered by our little battery bank.

So whatever you do, don't take, "Rookie," for an answer Bryan. Check out the resources below, learn what you can, go to an energy fair. Check out some of the sources in your previous answers too, some of them are quite worthwhile. Good luck Bryan, and take care, Rudydoo

Louise Said:

How much can I expect it to cost to install solar panels?

We Answered:

to get more info call your elect co they can help with panels an how you get tax credits etc