Comments for Solar Panel Sleuth

Comment on Analysis of Cleanliness by Shailendra

Shailendra — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 20:16:59 +0000

Me and my husband is pnnnailg to build a new home in Austin TX and we wanted to be 100 free from electric bill using the sun energy. Anybody who have knowledge about PV, Solar Panel please I need your help. Project Plan: 2500 sqm floor plan 5 bedrooms What type of PV or Solar Panel Cell we need?How much do you think it will cost?Do you know an architect or builder who provide custom planDo you know somebody from Austin is using Solar PanelDo you know local manufacturer that we can contact with?XoXoCookie

Comment on Terms of Use by Rinku

Rinku — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 20:11:14 +0000

[..YouTube..] Everything is connected at the same time. The solar-cell feeds the raxeentl XP-8000 and the radio is geting power from the XP8000 through the internal battery (FNB-85). There is no need for the charge controller since the XP-8000 accepts up to 19V (which cannot be produced by the solar panel). If you want to feed the radio directly (through internal battery) you will need a charge controller since the limit onthe radio is 13.8V (I believe). The solar panel can exceed that. Hope that explains it.

Comment on The News of Green Tech-05 by Host

Host — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 17:45:20 +0000

I don’t know about companies in India, but what you might do is look anorud for someone who has a system, then ask where they got it. If you have trouble finding anyone with a system, maybe it’s not a very good deal.If the home is in a less-developed area, and all you would be powering is a light, and a radio or TV at night, then you might get by with the kind of system they use in some parts of Africa. It has a 40 or 80-watt panel, and basically a car battery. The appliances run right off the battery, and no charger or other devices are used. This sort of system costs $200-300 when implemented by a nonprofit organization I don’t know what the cost if you were to try to set it up, yourself.On the other hand, it sounds like you’re already connected to a power grid, and maybe already have a heavy appetite for energy in your house. A solar system with batteries tends to cost about $15 a watt in the USA, when hundreds or thousands of watts are involved. A system for a modest off-grid cabin will cost anywhere from $5000 to $30000, depending on the size.

Comment on Our Family’s Commitment to Do More: The 3 R’s by Pedro

Pedro — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 17:19:21 +0000

Meinungsfreiheit und Pressefreiheit ist vollkommen lietgim, aber dass muss dann auch ffcr beide Seite gelten die Facebook-Seite Christiane Tauzher eine Schande ffcr den Journalismus wurde von FACEBOOK gelf6scht!!!!Also entweder oder aber den einen das Maul verbieten geht nicht und der andere darf ungeniert le4stern das geht nicht!

Comment on How to Report Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) – A Summary of the Pending GHG Regulations by Elida

Elida — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 16:54:10 +0000

Amen, my friend.For the price to be paid for the Iraq war, the US gmoernvent could have single-handedly subsidized this global emissions cap and established global leadership in everything from wind turbines to photovoltaics to hydrogen fuel cells. And it would not have required any special effort because all this could be funded with the US dollars being voluntarily returned to us by our trading partners to strengthen the dollar and drive their export-led economies. The dollars are just rolling in $400B $500B $600B as the flip-side of our current account deficit. We’ve already spent them on all sorts of crap we don’t really need and the recipients in China, Japan, and elsewhere are literally giving them back to us with the expectaion of losing money after adjusting for the falling dollar. They don’t even want a positive return on their investment. Why not take this gift and fund the development of an entirely new capital base on which we can build a more ecologically sustainable economy? But that would be too visionary. Instead we get an Iraq war and a series of unsustainable asset price bubbles at home and abroad excess capacity to produce a whole lot more of what we don’t need and very little capacity to produce what we really do need. But at least we’re a whole lot safer here at home.

Comment on Marvell’s digital PFC chips by Virendar

Virendar — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 15:57:25 +0000

I have looked into this issue as well, and fiindng data does take some serious searching. Part of the problem is that it is very hard to fully calculate the energy inputs required to create a system, let alone to correctly average these costs across the many types of PV systems available. In speaking to solar installation experts, what I understand is that today’s solar panels are lasting a tremendously long time. As with hybrid car batteries, there is a set period of years covered by warranty and a period of years that the cells are expected to still gather a large (90% or so) amount of their stated power. But, the reality is that installers are seeing the systems work at 95% efficiency multiple decades after installation. This makes the calculation even harder (we don’t know when the system will actually stop saving energy), but has helped me to believe that the PV systems will save a significant amount of energy over their usable lifetime. This will only improve over time as the new systems we keep reading about come to market.In searching for answers I found some research I have linked to this answer. Basically- Australian study concludes a system lasts 30 years, takes the first 8-11 to pay back the energy (60% of which is from the wafer manufacture). However, they note that systems may last 40-50 years! They further project that a system created in 2010 will likely require only 2 years to pay back, due to the increasingly efficient technology.- June 2006 article on a study that averages several studies to conclude a payback time of 4 years.- National Renewable Energy Laboratory study concluded a 4 year pay back.The above articles also make it clear that there is a very favorable net pollution reduction as well. PV seems to be a great way to go!I don’t want to stray off topic too much, but you may also wish to look into solar water heaters, which are often simpler (likely lower energy input) and generate the same energy reduction for a home (but at a lower $ cost).

Comment on Technologies For New energy by Nania

Nania — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 15:19:44 +0000

Also Pressefreiheit ja, aber alles hat ja Grenzen! Hunde einschle4fern, nur weil sie ne ibmtemste Rasse sind? Und was ist mit dem lieben Rotti, der so brav sein Frauli jeden Tag begleitet! Die alte Dame, die ihn schon fcber 10 Jahre hat und fcber alles liebt? Weg nehmen? Den Familienmitglied tf6ten? Weil er ein Kampfhund ist?!? Das ist doch ne Frechheit. Ich hab nen Hund- 5 kilo Hund vor demb4haben manche Menschen auch schon Angst wegen dieser Hetze die zur Zeit in Medien so modern ist! Ein 5kg Hund muss ich zur Seite ziehen und mich davor stellen, damit ein Kind, das panische Angst hat, vorbeigehen kann ohne in die Hose zu machen! Gratuliere, sowas haben die Eltern, die den Medien so alles glauben, erreicht. Sie erziehen neuen Generation Hundehasser und alles nur dank Medien. Wie wird es in 100 Jahren ausschauen? Alle Tiere tot, nur weil sie im Weg stehen, gefe4hrlich oder nutzlos sind?Und das schlimmste sind sogenannten Journalisten die fcber ein Thema schreiben, wo sie NULL Ahnung haben. Zuerst informieren, recherchieren und dann Mund auf! Im Fall von Frau CH.T. am Besten einfach nur Mund zu und ab nach Hause!

Comment on Our Family’s Commitment to Do More: The 3 R’s by Manju

Manju — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 14:52:28 +0000

take those panels and put them in the esebmant.first you take a parabolic solar concentrator and put an robotic arm on it to follow the suns path.then make the focal point a mirrored shape cone that will send the light down through mirrored glass tubing straight into a mirrored shape glass box inside the mirrored shape box will be several solar panels that spin to keep them cool the mirrored box must have the mirrors inward to reflect the light sending from the parabolic focal point.ken van horn

Comment on VUE Green Line Hybrid Video Review by Wejdene

Wejdene — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 14:26:42 +0000

Green Roofs or Solar Roofs ?Do you want to contribute to our earth but don’t know how? Global mniwrag and the urban heat island effect are making inroads into our homes. This is a serious issue, and we must also have a positive attitude toward mediating this situation.Suppose that you are not a boss of an enterprise; therefore, you are powerless to decide how to reduce air pollution nor recycle resources. Don’t be discouraged! You can still influence others and help preserve the earth by supporting the idea of green design. Green design is an internationalidea that has been discussed for many years, and was promoted in the 1992 Leaders Summit Meeting in Brazil. It is called ecological building in Japan and sustainable building in Europe. Home green design is an affordable way to save energy. Two methods of saving energy are the green roof and a roof covered by solar panels. Though each of these two methods have their own advantages and drawbacks regarding expense, working conditions, and function, green roofs are a more effective way to save energy.Expense is a very important thing taken into consideration when deciding between green roofs and solar panels. For a 100 sq foot roof, you need about $25,000 to install solar panels on your rooftop. The system works at least 25 years. However, maintenance of the solar panels will cost $1,000 per year, putting its worthiness into question. Its worthiness depends on your personal electricity usage. You would save a small amount of money if you are living with a big family, but a fact that should be taken into consideration is that the value of money between now and the future fluctuates. Otherwise, you still need to pay the upkeep of the system every year and the charge of basic power to keep it working. Green roofs are priced $1,500 for the same area without the need for maintenance. Then, all you need is a waterproof rooftop, a layer of soil, and a bag of seeds. The idea of Green Roof is much cheaper obviously and has lower maintenance costs than solar panels.An additional factor to consider are the working conditions of each method. Before you choose one of them, you need to consider the weather in your area. Solar panels, as the name hints, is a system that needs sunlight to function. Green roofs need adequate rain to support growth as well as sunlight. Comparing the two systems’ working requirements, solar panels need less than green roofs. Though solar panels still work on cloudy days, they will not maintain the same efficiency as they would on sunny days, though the amount of energy provided may be enough depending on your needs. Unfortunately, solar panels are not ideal for windy areas because they might be damaged by flying debris. Though the solar panels and green roofs are nearly equal in regards to working conditions, green roofs are slightly advantageous in that they are working 24 hours a day.Lastly, solar panels and green roofs have slightly differing functions. In theory, solar panels basically reduce your energy consumption. What would be powered with solar electricity are the things such as the refrigerator, the computers, the TVs and the airconditioning, etc. Sounds great, but solar panels efficiency averages only 20% to 40%. Solar panels absorb sunlight and convert its energy to a type of power we can use for electronics. The system loses much energy during theconversion process, and will not be able to power appliances unless sufficient amounts of sunlight is absorbed. On the other hand, green roofs filter rain and air pollutants in addition to keeping the house warmer in winter and cooler in summer. Sometimes it caneven provide a habitat for birds and some small animals.Choosing between solar panels and green roofs is a fascinating question. Though each system has its own benefits, green roofs are more advantageous to the average person. Solar panels are presently an underdeveloped technology especially concerning energy conversion and are more costly than green roofs. Protecting the environment is an important thing and we must work to solve the problems threatening it.I was going to add a few notes here and there, but the answer was too long. Try to make an original title, and not say I am going to because it’s obvious. Also, if I changed the meanings of some parts (some parts were ambiguous), feel free to ignore the change.Hope I helped.

Comment on Sea Levels Rise by Tmayas

Tmayas — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 12:02:52 +0000

No not difficult to miantain. Most array’s come with a 20 year warranty that will be covered by your installer. If you get snow or alot of dust, you may have to clear them off but typically, the angle will usually shed the snow and the dust is factored into the original equations to supply the necessary power. (see autonomy below)Batteries have to be miantained just like in your car. Batteries are built into a “bank” and work as a whole unit. They do make maintenance free AGM’s but they also cost a little more. Or you can opt to go without batteries meaning solar during the day, pulling from the power company at night. That will eliminate the cost of batteries, their replacement every 5 years, and the charge controller that regulates the battery bank. Depending on your expected savings, this could be the right choice. The cost is going to depend on your consumption and the home. Its not always a good fit for everyone so every house is taken on its own standings based on location to the sun and the consumption in the house. Its difficult to nail down a price because there is no “ball park” Each is custom to the home. Compare two people in the exact model of homes in the same neighborhood. One faces South and one faces East. Panels have to face South for at least 5 hours a day so the one with the natural roof facing that direction can just lay flat on racking but the one facing east needs special racking and brackets to tilt the panels up and away from the roof and towards the south. More cost involved and may include additional structural reinforcement to the trusses. Also, if a family of 4 lives in 1, and a family of 2 lives in the other, then one is going to use more power to heat water, wash clothes, run the dishwasher more etcetera. The average home is 5Kw but you can check your power bill today and see what your Kw usage is. Also, a home using all electric heat versus someone using natural gas to heat is going to be way more expensive to supply the power to the electric baseboard heaters. I would use an online solar calculator to see what your specific savings might be and often they can give you an estimated cost. Your other question how does it work The house will be calculated on how much energy is needed. This is in AC. The Solar being produced is in DC. A basic no battery will take the electricity from the panels to the Inverter which converts the DC into AC so you can use it. You will get about 77% through the inverter so the DC will be designed to produce more electricity taking that derate (loss) through the inverter into account. Now, if you want batteries, which are DC just like the panels, you push electricity from the panels into a charge controller, then into the batteries to keep them charged, then out of the batteries into the inverter, and out of the inverter to hook into your meter and then to your panel. When the batteries are fully charged, the charge controller will switch off and push right into the inverter and to your house bypassing the batteries. A good charge controller is essential. If you have extra electricity being produced over and above your consumption needs, it pushes to the power company and you are paid a small credit for this by the power company. As you draw power at the house through the batteries at night, you wont be pushing any extra. Systems are designed for 3 days of autonomy meaning batteries are to supply 3 days where no sunlight exists from weather but you want to be careful not to run everything at once so you don’t deplete batteries. Once they are discharged to a certain percent, the charge controller stops feeding the house from the batteries (at night or during periods of autonomy) and you will begin to pull power direct from the grid via a new two way meter that comes with the solar install. Sorry, the Utility will not let you be an island or totally off grid if they have infrastructure in your area. In my opinion, I would never lease. While attractive to not pay up front, in the long run, it may prove more expensive for you than had you put in your own system. Plus, I have seen some leases that if you sell the home, and the new owner is not willing to take the lease, you then are still obligated for the next up to 30 years for those lease payments. Sour Face!The upside is, they do all the maintenance including the batteries. Banks and Appraisers are beginning to recognize the value of renewable systems and Law makers are supporting financing methods to allow homeowners the ability to obtain a system of their choice. Look for Geothermal to make big moves in the next 5 years. It’s a great system with the best investment return for your money.