Reducing Daytime Load with Solar

[thom]

I am interested in reducing my daytime load with a couple of solar panels. I have budget for about 2 or 3 230WATT panels.

What hardware would I need to jsut bring down my daytime load? I understand there are inverters that you just plug into the wall outlet and it syncs phase or something and reduces what you pull from the grid.

I'd also like to get something big enough that I can add in a small wind generator at a later date without having to purchase something else.

Any recommendations on what I should start with for this setup?

I already read thru some of the stickies, and to answer the question about reducing what I use manually, I've pretty much done that. What I am trying to achieve is lowering my daytime load when the rates are 12 cents, rather than at night when they are 7. I am not able to install CF bulbs due to my home automation, and I have several computers that I need to run 24/7 for my business.

Thanks.

[russ]

Hi and welcome to Solar Panel Talk!

1. The plug and play inverters you mentioned are not legal to use in the US, Canada, Australia and most any place where there is an electrical code.

2. In say St Louis, MO the 690 watts DC of panels should generate 872 kWh annually - at 12cents that is maybe 105$ of power

3. In about 99% of locations around the US small wind generators are useful only as boat anchors - the advertising is very misleading - for example a 500 watt wind generator is rated at 25-28 mph wind speed or storm conditions as it makes the thing look like it will accomplish something. At normal wind speeds the output is almost nothing. Any wind generator has to be on a tall tower to accomplish anything.

I am interested in reducing my daytime load with a couple of solar panels. I have budget for about 2 or 3 230WATT panels.

What hardware would I need to jsut bring down my daytime load? I understand there are inverters that you just plug into the wall outlet and it syncs phase or something and reduces what you pull from the grid.

I'd also like to get something big enough that I can add in a small wind generator at a later date without having to purchase something else.

Any recommendations on what I should start with for this setup?

I already read thru some of the stickies, and to answer the question about reducing what I use manually, I've pretty much done that. What I am trying to achieve is lowering my daytime load when the rates are 12 cents, rather than at night when they are 7. I am not able to install CF bulbs due to my home automation, and I have several computers that I need to run 24/7 for my business.

Thanks.

[Mike90250]

Well, the math for that is :

3*230=690w
690 80% of nameplate (PTC) =552w harvest * 5 hours = 2760 or 2.7KWh x 12 cents = $0.0.3312 per day savings.


And now add up the cost of the panels, permits, labor, inverter and you will have you years till break even.

[Sunking]

At $0.12 Kwh solar is just not going to pay off for you as your electricity is too cheap. We need Obama to remain in office so your electric rate can double or triple like he promised in 2007 and 2008 so solar becomes competitive. I mean my gosh my electric rate dropped from $0.131Kwh in 2008 to $0.096 Kwh or about a 26%. That makes me furious, I want to pay $0.45 Kwh so I can afford solar and put a china man to work.

Mike and Russ are correct although I might dispute some of their figures but they are close enough to get the idea that you would have to invest around $3000 to $4000 to only save you about $100/year. Doubtful you would live long enough to get 0% return on your investment. Heck any half arse mutual fund will double your money in 7 to 10 years.