Feedback for Solar Panel Talk

[billvon]

While I somewhat agree with that notion of being kind and open minded, I also get a little tired with some of the newbies attitude and preconceived notions of what a solar pv system should do. Or that they can install a grid tie system without going through legal loopholes, or build an off grid battery system that will run their 10 ton AC unit or 5kw space heater for a few hundred dollars and a 100 watt panel. Sometimes being kind or soft spoken will not get people to think and learn.

I find that's due to simple ignorance, rather than a desire to upset anyone. When someone who knows almost nothing about solar comes here, asks a question and immediately gets a "why don't you go kiss Al Gore's ass, you clueless greenie liberal!" they tend to learn even less.

A few years back I wrote a FAQ that covered a lot of the early dumb questions/misconceptions about solar; I can just cut and paste now when I see them being asked over and over, and it takes about ten seconds. They were:

-I just got a bunch of solar panels! How do I hook then up? I spent most of my money on the panels so the rest of the stuff can't break the bank.
-I just want to feed a little power back to the grid. I saw this grid tie inverter on Ebay for $99 . . . .
-I don't want to do grid tie, I just want to charge a small battery bank with solar, run off that, then use the grid only when they get low.
-I get like ten hours of sun a day so I shouldn't need a big system.
-I don't want to run everything, just air conditioning and my efficient refrigerator.
-This system is real expensive if I get it installed. But I looked online and panels are really cheap, so I'll do it myself to save money.
-I want to get my grid tied system to keep working when the grid goes down! Can't I fool the inverter somehow into thinking that the grid is still up?

Those cover about 80% of the newbie questions I see on here.

[SunEagle]

Pardon?

I think he means that some of us should be kinder with our responses to questions asked by the newbies since there are so many new ones getting on the forum.

While I somewhat agree with that notion of being kind and open minded, I also get a little tired with some of the newbies attitude and preconceived notions of what a solar pv system should do. Or that they can install a grid tie system without going through legal loopholes, or build an off grid battery system that will run their 10 ton AC unit or 5kw space heater for a few hundred dollars and a 100 watt panel.

Sometimes being kind or soft spoken will not get people to think and learn.

I will get off my soapbox now.

[russ]

There is an incredible influx of newbies here, so perhaps that is what contributes to it.

Pardon?

[rug_burn]

I'd call this forum very useful, although I agree with some that there is a slightly dogmatic kind of orthodoxy about what is understood to be the forum-way-of-doing-things, and this may be perceived as intimidation to the electronic newbies. There is an incredible influx of newbies here, so perhaps that is what contributes to it. It's hard to let go of one's dearly held misinformation...

[inetdog]

it's not about Me or someone else. the reviews section will be useful to all members of the forum, I believe.

The problem with a review section is that there would have to be a way for the community to judge the reliability of whoever was writing the reviews.
Some forums, like Candlepower.org, have reviews which are either done by well established reviewers or are about items that many members are directly familiar with and so there is a healthy back and forth about the usefulness and accuracy of the reviews.
I do not think we have the environment here to support that sort of reviews, at least not in a Review section that would carry implicit endorsement from the Forum.
Maybe eventually, yes.

[bhvm]

You have already said you are limited to brands no one here knows about I believe.

it's not about Me or someone else. the reviews section will be useful to all members of the forum, I believe.

[russ]

I feel it's wrong to under estimate someone. atleast our forum will generate more credible reviews than some random teenager who picked up some panels and put a video on YouTube.

most forums come with review section these days.

You have already said you are limited to brands no one here knows about I believe.

[bhvm]

Truth,,, there is some value in a "review" section... if emotions are kept out.

I recently had an experience with Renogy that contradicted my previous boasting about the company.
I felt inclined to post an honest "review" , and did so by starting a thread in the General Discussion forum.

that was a good move. however dedicated reviews section meanz that painstakingly written reviews won't sink in general blabber.

btw, I couldn't find your review.

[Shockah]

.... at least our forum will generate more credible reviews than some random teenager who picked up some panels and put a video on YouTube.

most forums come with review section these days.

Truth,,, there is some value in a "review" section... if emotions are kept out.

I recently had an experience with Renogy that contradicted my previous boasting about the company.
I felt inclined to post an honest "review" , and did so by starting a thread in the General Discussion forum.

[bhvm]

Same statement for reviews - the site would be using the evaluations of people that often have no idea.

I feel it's wrong to under estimate someone. atleast our forum will generate more credible reviews than some random teenager who picked up some panels and put a video on YouTube.

most forums come with review section these days.

[russ]

I'm not talking about ratings.
a dedicated reviews section where people can voice their opinions about products. forum members will he able to take better decisions watching reviews.

Same statement for reviews - the site would be using the evaluations of people that often have no idea.

[bhvm]

I like the Indian way to give an instruction - kindly do the needful.

We are not interested in a rating system - too many brands/types/models and we would have to rely on people that don't know their backside from a hole in the ground for ratings?

I'm not talking about ratings.
a dedicated reviews section where people can voice their opinions about products. forum members will he able to take better decisions watching reviews.

[russ]

may I suggest that a REVIEWS section be added to the forum.
It will hold user reviews of Things like charge controllers,Panels, Cables, batteries and all related to Solar energy. Kindly do the needful.

I like the Indian way to give an instruction - kindly do the needful.

We are not interested in a rating system - too many brands/types/models and we would have to rely on people that don't know their backside from a hole in the ground for ratings?

[bhvm]

may I suggest that a REVIEWS section be added to the forum.
It will hold user reviews of Things like charge controllers,Panels, Cables, batteries and all related to Solar energy. Kindly do the needful.

[Frank45]

I found it very helpful, because I was searching for a solar calculator and I have found it in my search on this forum. So really this is very helpful for me. Thank you very much!