Electricity prices got you down? BlueGEN
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OVERKILL
$100 Site Donor 2021
Originally Posted by KrisZ
Interesting concept for sure and another alternative, which should be a good thing. However, could the power company simply refuse to buy from you? Since it's gas fired, they can argue that it's not renewable.
Yes, conceivably, they could.
Interesting concept for sure and another alternative, which should be a good thing. However, could the power company simply refuse to buy from you? Since it's gas fired, they can argue that it's not renewable.
Yes, conceivably, they could.
OVERKILL
$100 Site Donor 2021
Originally Posted by PimTac
I wonder what the ROI time frame is for SirTanon's solar power system? That is the key. If the break even point is close to starting to replace components then the savings are not there.
Isn't 4-5 years considered a good ROI for solar?
Hence my query and hypothetical figures I posted earlier on. Often, solar has been subsidized through feed-in tariffs, which was the case up here, which of course creates a climate of false economics.
We have a 10MW local solar farm that cost 45 million. At the FIT rate given to the facility, which was $0.42/kWh, the payoff of the facility, based on its average output, is 9 years. However, its break-even cost relative to the life of the panels is still above retail rates, let alone wholesale. It required ~$0.25/kWh just to pay for itself during its lifespan, and that doesn't factor in reduced performance due to panel degradation or any maintenance costs. That's not a financially viable project in a real market, it only exists because of ludicrous subsidy.
The same is the case for many of the home installs where even more lucrative rates were provided to home and business owners. None would ever have considered buying the systems if net metering was in place because they would never recoup the cost of their investment over the life of the panels.
I wonder what the ROI time frame is for SirTanon's solar power system? That is the key. If the break even point is close to starting to replace components then the savings are not there.
Isn't 4-5 years considered a good ROI for solar?
Hence my query and hypothetical figures I posted earlier on. Often, solar has been subsidized through feed-in tariffs, which was the case up here, which of course creates a climate of false economics.
We have a 10MW local solar farm that cost 45 million. At the FIT rate given to the facility, which was $0.42/kWh, the payoff of the facility, based on its average output, is 9 years. However, its break-even cost relative to the life of the panels is still above retail rates, let alone wholesale. It required ~$0.25/kWh just to pay for itself during its lifespan, and that doesn't factor in reduced performance due to panel degradation or any maintenance costs. That's not a financially viable project in a real market, it only exists because of ludicrous subsidy.
The same is the case for many of the home installs where even more lucrative rates were provided to home and business owners. None would ever have considered buying the systems if net metering was in place because they would never recoup the cost of their investment over the life of the panels.
Yup, with the old rate system paid to the home owner, the ROI was quite attractive, but with the net metering you will be lucky to break even at the end of the useful life of the panels. Simply put someone else is making money.
I joked with my neighbour that recently financed almost $40k to "save" on electricity, that I would point the cities street light at night to shine on his solar panels.
I joked with my neighbour that recently financed almost $40k to "save" on electricity, that I would point the cities street light at night to shine on his solar panels.
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OVERKILL
$100 Site Donor 2021
LOL!
I was intrigued by Honda's idea of a residential fuel cell generator that would power your home and charge your EV. The generator had solar capability plus the ability to hook up to natural gas.
It seems to have faded. Honda was thinking of hydrogen fueled cars or EV with this in mind. Maybe a idea ahead of its time?
It seems to have faded. Honda was thinking of hydrogen fueled cars or EV with this in mind. Maybe a idea ahead of its time?
I've run off grid quite a bit with my Lister diesel generators. They are about 40% thermally efficient and the engine's cooling system can be used for heat in cold locations. In Florida, the waste heat is impractical to harness.
Even with free fuel (waste Jet A) the operating costs exceed the utility costs. Engine life, while excellent, is finite, as is generator bearing life.
I may revisit the co-Gen. thing in my new place, a real log cabin in PA.
Even with free fuel (waste Jet A) the operating costs exceed the utility costs. Engine life, while excellent, is finite, as is generator bearing life.
I may revisit the co-Gen. thing in my new place, a real log cabin in PA.
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