Anybody using solar power at home?

[Courtesy Flush]

I mean serious solar power, as in producing all your home's electricity.

Questions:

1. How much can I expect to pay (per KW -- or for the whole system)?
2. How many years is a realistic break-even goal?
3. What incentives are out there?

• a. I know about the tax credit that expires this year
  
• b. how does Joe Six Pack sell energy credits?

4. What unexpected surprises have I not been told about?

I've been reading that we can expect much more efficient systems in five to ten years, but if the payoff on today's technology is five or six years, then there's no reason to wait (considering how much I'll pay for electricity while I'm waiting).

Here's an article about a guy selling his credits, but it still doesn't say HOW! http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/content/jul2006/sb20060706_167332.htm?campaign_id=search

The guy in the story spent a fortune on his system, but I have seen other stories about systems that were much cheaper, like this one...

http://www.homepower.com/files/featured/CreatingABrighterFuture.pdf

[Lerkfish]

1. I don't, but I had researched both solar and wind power

and found that for my current usage, and comparing current energy costs, the systems would not pay for themselves until after 30 years, assuming no repairs were needed. The only way it made sense, it seemed to me, is if you are building a system fresh for a new house, or if you have the extra income to go green as a matter of principle, regardless of cost.

I hope I am proved wrong in the near future, because I'd really prefer to go green, but I don't have the extra thousands of dollars required, even with a state credit system.

[Warpy]

2. I'm waiting for the cheaper PVC technology to get going, myself

especially when they start combining it with regional diurnal hydrolysis/nocturnal fuel cell systems.

[Lerkfish]

3. right, I'm also hoping for a technology improvement

if it was cost-feasible for me personally, I would have converted and gone off the grid in a heartbeat. But at least at the point in time I was researching it, I had to admit it wasn't feasible for our usage and budget.

[Courtesy Flush]

5. Off-grid is too expensive

It's net metering that makes it more feasible. To go off grid you'd have to have a huge battery bank. Those batteries will later turn into a disposal/recycling problem.

I don't need to go off grid. The grid isn't the problem. The problem is that we over-burden it, and burn too much fossil fuel.

[ComerPerro]

4. definately good questions

[Liberal In Texas]

6. I'm looking into it. Seriously.

Here's a couple of sites to get you started. Then google around for more...

http://www.partsonsale.com/
http://www.oksolar.com/n_cart/search.asp?cat=Solar%20Energy

One of the things I like about it is if the power in the neighborhood goes out, you still have power running on batteries or your solar panels.

I don't know about selling credits, but if you generate enough power to run your meter in reverse, you could actually get a check from the power company instead of a bill.

(There's more to it than this, but I just thought I'd put my 2 cents in.)

[Courtesy Flush]

12. My power company doesn't give checks

I've read their policy. They only pay you for any surplus after you terminate your service. This makes sense. No point having them give me money in July for me to give it back to them in December.

Besides, they pay pennies on the dollar. Not the same rate they charge customers.

http://www.cleco.com/uploads/NetMeteringService.pdf

[clar8130]

7. I also researched it

I've got a very small house, so a small (cheaper) system would have worked for me, but I still estimated it would be 9 to 10 years to break even.

Now let me tell you about my place out in the country. I bought it in 2001 from a guy who wanted to be off the grid (I'm guessing he was taking Y2K a bit too seriously). He built a small house (slightly under 1000 sq ft) and put in a small solar panel that charges a marine battery stored in the pantry. Every room has two types of lights -- one that runs off electricity from the power co-op, and one that runs off the battery. Quite handy when a storm knocks out the power.

I wish I could find someone to do something similar for me at the city house. I don't care about running the TV and AC off of a big solar unit. Something small to run the ceiling fans in the summer (I live in Texas) if a brownout occurs would be fine with me. Cheap to maintain, too.

[sicksicksick_N_tired]

8. But for the cost of installation, I'd do as my brother,...

,...and, at least, heat my water with it.

We're still working on it,...solar independence, that is.

Have you seen the solar-powered water-heating systems? They are AMAZING!!!!

[RB TexLa]

9. I'm in Dallas and using solar power to heat my apartment right now

It's working well.

[ret5hd]

10. It will work MUCH better in a month or so.

[Vilis Veritas]

11. Check these guys out...

I see this link all over and have never checked it out for myself...maybe it is worth looking into.

http://renu.citizenre.com/index.php?p=sys_overview

Peace

[Courtesy Flush]

13. I already know about them

Part of my reason for going solar is to save money in the long run. Citizenre claims to charge a little less that my utility company, but there's no payout date. No matter how long I have their equipment, I still pay almost full price for my power. If owning my own equipment pays for itself in say six years, and the equipment lasts 20 years, I come out way ahead.

Somebody in this thread said their break-even point would be 30 years. They're a good candidate for Citizenre. The equipment typically only lasts for 20 years.

[Vilis Veritas]

16. Price is locked at current power rates. Full price today...

is not full price tomorrow.

This could pay off big if prices for power go up and I am betting that they will...

The other payoff for their program is they are responsible for maintenance for the life of the system. There is no cost to the owner unless damage is deliberate.

It just looked like a seriously well thought out alternative to buying, maintaining, updating a home system, plus they take care of the legal issues as well.

Personally, I am still investigating total cost of ownership versus a program like Renu...the TCO might make it worthwhile and once I have my analysis done, I can better make a decision.

Peace.

[Gregorian]

14. Homepower mag is a good place to start.

First, they are not using batteries. Without going into that discussion, you already know there could be quite a bit of cost added to the system for that.

Second, as a single and frugal person, I am using four times their use. I have a well pump, and a pressure tank pump and electric hot water. And almost nothing else. So I think they're usage is far too conservative, depending upon how hot water is heated.

I've always said a system cost is around $30k. And that's pretty much backed up by what I am saying here when placed against their cost and use.

And it really depend on location. For example, in my last place there was super cheap electricity. But they charged per meter. So even if I didn't use a single watt I spent almost $70 per month in my last place. Sheesh!

I'm dying to find my next place. And the moment I do, it's solar for me. At the $175 per month I'm paying here, it wouldn't take too long to offset a system. Ten years? And that's installing it myself. Oh yeah, they installed it themselves. Tack on that price. I have a crane. I can do this kind of stuff without help.

[HooptieWagon]

15. I did a cursory look a year ago

If your power company is willing to buy back excess power, they will install a meter on your house that will measure current going in and current going out. If you actually send more power back to the grid then you will get a check! Typically that wouldn't happen, though, but you would get a credit on your bill. A system that would run a whole house (refrigerator, A/C, washer/dryer) is going to be prohibively expensive, maybe 30-50K. I'd suggest you do as poster #7 suggested, install a cheap and simple system that will give you several 12-volt lights and outlets throughout the house. That would be enough for basic lights, a fan or two, and a small radio, TV, or laptop. A DIYer could probably put a system like that together for under 2K and a few weekends of work. Might save $15-20 per month, so the payback would be after 2 or 3 years. most people who do a complete house are so far from the grid that the fees to bring power to the house are 100K or more. In that case the complete system makes sense.
Oh, and I have solar hotwater for domestic use and spa. Works great in the house. The spa doesn't quite have the efficiency to maintain heat during several days of cloudy weather or cold snaps... but I think I know where I can improve it. Also, the new screw-in flourescents are great - install them in lights you use a lot, closets and stuff probably aren't necessary. You'll see an immediate improvement (plus they last longer).