Solar Panels, who has them? pro's and con's?

Discussion in 'Environment & Conservation' started by Spim, Oct 2, 2019.

  1. kazenatsu

    kazenatsu Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    Where I live we don't get much sun for half the year.

    However, sounds like a good idea if you live in a desert.
     
    Last edited: Dec 4, 2019
  2. perdidochas

    perdidochas Well-Known Member

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    I'm waiting for solar shingles.
     
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  3. Spim

    Spim Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    from what i've learned, its a good idea if your electric bills are quite high (and not necessarily due to square footage or usage but rather the rates charged by your local utility)

    Basically my salesman said "this is an easy financial decision first and green decision 2nd in some parts of the country where electric rates are much higher than yours, where with you its more of a green decision first vs financial" I thought I was paying quite a bit but he made it clear that my utility rates were quite low in comparison to other geographic areas.

    Which explained quite a bit to me considering I get so much sun here, 1/3 of the country right now is fully covered in clouds/snow and I haven't seen a cloud in 3 days and that is quite normal.
     
  4. kazenatsu

    kazenatsu Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    It can make sense in a desert setting because the most amount of energy is used (air conditioning) when the sun is shining the most.
    However, another consideration is that solar panels increase heat absorption more than many roofing materials, so that can also be somewhat counterproductive.

    Maybe it would make the most sense for governments in some areas, who want to be "green" but have lots of cloud cover, to subsidize solar panels in other regions that get more sun. That certainly would be a more efficient overall allocation of money.

    People normally often don't think that way though.

    The interesting thing is, if you look on a map, most of the states that care more about the environment get less sun than other states that care less about the environment.
     
    Last edited: Dec 4, 2019
  5. politicalcenter

    politicalcenter Well-Known Member

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    The States that "care less about the environment" need air conditioning more, whereas the less sunny States need it less. Northern States need to consider heat as much as air conditioning. Geothermal may be a good choice.... maybe.
     
    Last edited: Dec 4, 2019
  6. kazenatsu

    kazenatsu Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    In the Northwest it works out well because there is lots of rain in the Winter and the hydroelectric dams are overflowing, and that's when homes use the most electric power for electric heating.
    Electric heating takes a lot more power than other electric appliances.

    Half the homes here don't bother even having air-conditioning, and there is only about four or five days out of the year in the middle of summer when you would even need it.

    On the other hand, heating is a virtual "necessity" for almost half the year, although it doesn't really get extremely cold. The region is a good candidate for heat exchanger heating systems (a technology that squeezes the heat out of cold air and uses it to warm the inside of the house, much more efficient than regular heating).
     
    Last edited: Dec 4, 2019
  7. politicalcenter

    politicalcenter Well-Known Member

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  8. vman12

    vman12 Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    Would a home improvement loan cost more per month than your current utility bill?
     
  9. vman12

    vman12 Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    Radiant floor heating is the way to go for that. I love it.
     
  10. Spim

    Spim Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    it's close to equal.
     
  11. vman12

    vman12 Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    I'd go for it in that case.

    Just don't lease the system, that's where the scam comes in.

    If you don't use much electricity, and you've got a high solar index where your house is, you could actually end up making money selling electricity back to the utility provider.

    It would also increase resell value of your home....if you planned on selling at some point.

    Where a solar system can get really expensive (and have the most flexibility), is adding in battery storage for when the power goes out.

    There are a bunch of tools out there that will rank your address on it's capability of generating solar.

    https://www.sunnumber.com/
     
  12. politicalcenter

    politicalcenter Well-Known Member

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    I live in the Deep South and it gets warm in the summer but we don't use air conditioning. We just keep the air moving. My workshed is on the top of a hill and the work area gets a nice breeze and it has a roof. Right now I am conducting an experiment with glass and my goldfish ponds. I am trying to get the temp to a low of 60 degrees F. year round. 20191204_161107.jpg It is a work in process but it ain't cost nuthin. Except a couple thermometers. The blue pool contains plants. The top pond will be for fish. The bottom pond will be a heater/ filter. Also the bottom pond will have plants. Everything is filled with rainwater. If the idea works I will pretty it up.
     
  13. Spim

    Spim Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    utility only buys back to net zero on a calendar yr.

    it might help resale but I'm not moving anytime soon, likely die in this house.

    battery storage adds big costs, still need a generator for outage but that only happens in hurricanes and screw hurricanes I leave town.

    no chance on a lease.

    lots to consider.
     
  14. vman12

    vman12 Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    Crappy energy company then. Lot of them actually pay you to generate electricity for them.

    Well, it'll improve the resell value for your kids :)

    Yes, storage adds big costs to the equation.....with the flexibility of not needing a generator and having power when the utility shuts down. Not needed in most cases though.
     

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